A Change of Pace for Patterson
355779
I was a little worried about this book, but ended up being pleasantly surprised.  It does not follow his usual way of telling a story, so I found it to be a nice change of pace.  The story did keep me guessing as to how it would end.  Some of it is a little far fetched, but let yourself go with it and you should enjoy this read.
3040520
If you are looking for Det. Cross, he is not here.  But this book is actually good!  I enjoyed reading it, but it was not typical Patterson.  The plot is interesting enought that you have to finish is to see where he  is going with the story line.  The main character, Max, was written well.  Wonder where he got the idea for this one.  Definetly recommend it!
498922
Pattersons usual intrigue.......good solid entertainment
4903930
There is no room for the reader to take a breath.  Something is constantly happening.  One jam after another.  Well worth the trip, however.  In typical Patterson fashion, it was a very entertaining read.
109231
3rd Degree. As normal Mr Patterson takes you on a trail of intrigue,suspense and a twist in the tail. He is definately the best writer in thrillers.
92459
An easy read, interesting with a new twist I haven't seen before.  I wanted to upchuck over the father/daughter relationship.  It added nothing and took away a lot.  Not my kind of reading.  I hesitated over 3 or 4 stars  as I did have trouble putting it down but father/daughter relationship really turned me off.  As  a father I could not live with believing it. Compared to his loser "Toys"  it was a 5 star. I have read 4 Patterson's in the last 9 days.  Liked two, disliked two.
1994215
The book shots by Patterson are different from what I am used to with his Murder Club and NYPD Red series.  The writing is still good.
4211662
Lately I have been very disappointed in James Patterson's books. Especially the Cross novels after Violets are Blue. Those three Cross stories, and the Lake House seemed like they were a rush of sentances, and a blur of action, leaving behind the character driven stories of the people we have grown to love in their previous outtings. However, with just finishing Honeymoon, and 4th of July back to back, I do have to say that James Patterson has gotten back to his roots of deep character driven stories. I have always loved the women's murder club series, and have felt that they have stayed true to the first novel, and every one following. Even though 4th is centered mainly on Lindsay Boxer, with brief showings of the other girls, Claire and Cindy, the book still managed to keep me interested enough to stay up until 3am (with work the next day at 7:30), to find out what the verdict of Boxer's trial would be. It is a touching story, that made me feel for Lindsay, and although I had guessed the first killer straight away, I was taken back by the others. I do highly recommend 4th of July to Patterson fans, and newly aquainted readers. Hopefully James will continue to give us the material we want, and not the contrived bits we've been seeing over the last little while.
1444199
Two of Alex Cross' old adversaries, the Wolf and the Weasel return in 'London Bridges' as The Wolf, who now has the Weasel working for him, threatens to blow up major cities in the world if he is not paid a huge ransom. But two villains does not quite equal twice the excitement as Patterson, following his recent record, delivers another fast-paced but not quite satisfactory read.

Like he did in 'The 3rd Degree' for the Women's club, Patterson expands the canvas for Cross here, transforming him into a globetrotting spy as he pursues the Wolf. We have to remind ourselves more than once that we are reading an Alex Cross novel and not the latest James Bond book. Cross' invincibility and the much-less-than-usual detours to scenes with his family only increase comparisons to the superspy. The ending seems very rushed, even by Patterson's usual standards, and the jaw-dropping twists that Patterson usually delivered seem to be things of the past.

But Patterson does succeed in maintaining a breakneck pace throughout the book. The plans of the Wolf and Cross' own close encounters with his enemies ensure that we rarely feel like putting the book down. There are also hints of a new romantic relation for Cross that is not quite as long distance as his current one.

With a fast read, Patterson makes sure I will pick up his next one but I wish we get one that is more like the earlier books in the series that were more believable, personal and delivered great twists with exciting regularity.
2110496
This one gave me another look into the field of criminal defense and the legal system, which I found interesting.  A defense lawyer has to defend his own daughter in a court of law.  It has the suspense, thrill, and surprise ending that we expect from Patterson; it's all there. Mystery lovers and Patterson fans will enjoy this tale.
3104703
A Patterson fan from way back, I must admit to some disappointment in this novel.  The characters evoke the Patterson characters of old only to a degree.  There is something missing.  The plot is equally intriguing, involved, and exotic; but, the resolution just does not meet his usually high standards.  The evolution of the plot is at times boring and the description  wanting.  I was disappointed but I am going to give him another chance.
3583596
This was a book I received for my birthday so I would not of necessarily picked this one off the shelf, so to speak.  I have not read James Patterson before and to start it was  refreshing to read a book with a different style of delivery.  Although the story was good it was a little slow to start, good in the middle and then went a little flat at the end, hence the  cryptic reference to Ann Elk.  With regards to the end, surely, judging by one of the main characters, if I read the character correctly, something else should have taken place.  However I am prepared to read another one of his books, the sequel possibly, as there were to many loose ends in this one for my liking.
1526156
Seems taken right out of real Chicago politics. Interesting and disturbing at the same time =good storytelling. Also less formulaic that typical Patterson books.
162482
This book was a nice departure from the detective/murder books of James Patterson that I have been reading.  Nice and comfortable read.
1717592
As with all Alex Cross novels, the action is fast-paced and the twists come quickly.  Hope To Die is a page turner; however, the plot seems kind of cookie-cutter for Patterson and the Ending was kind of clichd.  Still enjoyed this book, even though I felt like I have already read it before.
3635496
I really enjoyed this book, but he is James Patterson.
3355500
This book is taking Alex Cross back to the type of story I want to read. There was much less repetition and lengthy, unnecessary prose. I was much happier reading this than the last two or three.