Ever wondered what happened when the Enterprise returned home after its 5 year mission. Captain Kirk gets promoted to Admiral. Spock goes home to Vulcan. And McCoy haves some Medical Lectures. But All in all the crew reunites and this story has 2000 years in the making rather then 5. I enjoyed this tale. It keeps my attention span. A good edition to the star Trek Library.

"The Lost Years" starts 'The Lost Years' series, wich tells us the tale of the crew of the original Enterprise in the years between the original five year mission and "The Motion Picture".

"The Lost Yaers" the novel is very well written by Jean Mary Dillard and contains great characterization, but lacks seriously in terms of plot developement.

The book begins with the crew leaving the ship behind, an overly long phase with painfully uneventfull scenes, that contribute nothing important to the story, and offer frustratingly few character insights.

This phase is followed by the unsuccesfull introduction of some of the characters' (mostly Kirk's) new lives after Enterprise.

The story kicks in far too late, and is as predictable as expected from a plot that only covers the latter half of a book.

The biggest problem with this book is the fact that almost all characters involved in the story just happen to be the familiar characters of the Enterprise crew who are introduced to the story via ridiculously unbeliavable coincidences. Mix that with two-dimentional additional characters, magic, Tarod reading and prophesies, you get a slightly entertaining book with no credibility to back it off. A waste of a good premise.

this book. It was a good account of the period after the original 5 year mission. I enjoyed it so much I have bought the next 3 books in the Lost Years saga.

Let me begin by saying that I like Patterson's books, and have read, and enjoyed, all of the Alex Cross novels. They are fast-paced, filled with events and action, and hold my interest. With the short chapters and lack of a lot of description, they are easy to read in only a few hours. That having been said, I must admit, to my chagrin, that I did not like this work as much as I had expected, and it's all due to the ending. I never spend time while reading trying to "guess" who the killer or such is; I know the author will let us know in the end. In most books, there are subtle clues that, ocasionally, point to the correct person, and astute readers may be able to discern his or her identity. In this book, I really believe that the author pulled the villain out of thin air, for there is nothing anywhere in my reading of the book that even remotely connected this person to the action and crimes involved. I was greatly disappointed, for I expected more from Mr. Patterson. My rating should be lower, I know, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt, for it's possible I missed something along the way while I was reading. Don't get me wrong; you'll enjoy this book, and it will keep you turning the pages quickly. It's the ending, though, that may give you pause. (I'm holding up the ballot to my forehead, looking for the dimpled chad, and discern..... a sequel!)

I really enjoy James Patterson and could hardly wait to get my copy of Roses Are Red in the mail. Roses Are Red is worth the 2-3 days it will take you to read it. It reads very quickly, and you probably won't want to put the book down. This isn't the best Alex Cross story, and even though The Mastermind is evil, he is no Gary Sonji. As a bonus,I like the way The Weasel was mentioned a few times in this book...exciting things to come from this I'm sure.

Unlike some reviews of the book, I enjoyed reading how Cross reacts to the tough situations he is faced with concerning his family.

I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but I couldn't because I saw the ending coming. Unfortunately, it wasn't such a huge surprise to me. But it is still a good ending. Overall, I thought the book was pretty good, and I sat there thinking that I really want Dr. Alex Cross to be happy, whatever that means for him.

So, Cross your fingers and read like mad!

A series of bank robberies have taken Washington D.C by storm, and while the robberies are taking place, the families of the bank managers are held hostage. If everything goes according to plan no one will die, but if word comes down from the man in charge...the hostages will die, brutally.

Alex Cross, battling a failing relationship, and dealing with his daughter's sudden illness, takes on the case. What Alex doesn't know is that he will be pit against the most ferocious criminal he has ever faced...The Mastermind.

The Mastermind has a plan, and the robberies are just the beginning. Alex will be drawn into a twisted game with The Mastermind, a game with only one winner. Alex must stop this monster before he enacts his "perfect" crime.

"Roses Are Red" is the best Alex Cross novel in years; the pages turn so fast, the reader is left breathless. Once again Mr. Patterson has written a mesmerizing suspense novel, complete with his standard short punchy chapters, gripping plot twists, and a little romance, all leading to the shocking climax.

Place this "UP ALL NIGHT" read on your MUST READ list!

Nick Gonnella

The book is the second in the Women's Murder Club Series, who got together to solve the bride and groom murders in '1st to die.'

In '2nd Chance,' Lindsey, still grieving over the death of her Chris, was promoted lieutenant of her department. Other changes were happening in her friends' life, with a surprise pregnancy popped up by one of them in the middle of the book. However, their personal lives took second fiddle when they got together again to solve another puzzling murder.

It all started when a choir group, upon leaving church, were shot by an unknown assailant. One black girl lay dead. Though apparently it was made to show that it was a random shooting, Lt. Lindsay and her team found out it was not. The black girl was a target. When this fact was leaked out, everybody presumed it was a racially-charged murder. Patterson guides the viewers in realizing that her death and those of others were not only based on race.

This book will never disappoint diehard Patterson fans, but sadly it will never whet their appetite for more, either. As a reader, I avidly follow new releases of my favorite authors, and James Patterson is one of them. However, when I finished this book, I felt something that I never felt after reading his books before. I've always felt the mind-tingling suspense, the excitement in finding out whodunnit, and a sense of justice when the lead character gets the bad guy/girl. After reading '2nd Chance," however, I started feeling discontented about his plots. It's all the same old stuff! Brilliant and endearing protagonist, a sinister baddie, more twists and turns to boggle your head, enough misery heaped on the protagonist that even Job cannot take, and the most tiring of all is the use of twinning to thwart the audience in determining who the killer really is.
The 'twinning' method of Patterson was very effective in his earlier books, especially 'Kiss the Girls' but using such method over and over and over again makes this old fan tired.

All in all, the book is fast paced and suspenseful enough, and a good book to enjoy when you have time in your hands. But beware to the old fans, though, its a 2nd serving of the same old, same old.

so will this intense thriller attract the avid mystery reader. Patterson's style of first person narrative and short chapters is so compelling that it is hard to lay the book down.
This is his second in a series about the Women's Murder Club-a group of four friends; a reporter, an Assistant D.A, a medical xaminer and Lindsay Boxer, who have banded together to not only be there for each other but to share their expertise, especially when solving murders.
Lindsay Boxer, a Homicide Lieutenant is confronted with some difficult cases. This one starting with the schoolyard shooting of a young black girl, seemingly singled out of all the other children present. Murder both precedes and follows this terrible crime and soon it is apparent that a serial killer is at large - one connected to a group who sport an unusually grotesque tattoo, and equally grotesque beliefs.
To add to the mystery, it seems that anyone connected with Lindsay is a target, including the police.
The suspense builds and the journey to unravel the twisted mind of the muderer is cleverly and expertly done. Patterson handles the female sleuths without getting carried away. They show both
their strength and weaknesses which makes them so very true to life and does not compromise his characters in any way.
You won't want to miss this second in the series...and,it is nice to know that yet another is in the works along with a new Alex Cross.
A great read and one that keeps you thinking long after you are finished. You will be intrigued by the many twists in the plot and if you are not already a fan of Patterson, you will be. Enjoy!!!

If you're looking for great fiction, don't read James
Patterson. If you're looking for a fast-paced, fast-read
mystery, then you might want to pick up this book. "First
to Die" was the first in the Women's Murder Club mysteries.
Loved it! This one didn't disappoint me. The premise of
a homicide detective, D.A., coroner, and news writer combining their talents and intellect to solve a mystery is quite innovative. "2nd Chance" begins with a murder that might be
viewed as a hate crime. However, with the help of her best
friend the coroner, Lindsey the detective sees another pattern forming. Another killing that leads in a totally different direction. Then, just when you think you know the
outcome...yikes! there are still 70 pages to go. Lindsey's dad returns after a 20 year hiatus. Sympathize or suspect
While I love those books that I can savor over a week's time,
I also love those I can't put down until I finish it the same
day. Patterson is a same day read...

After the disappointing FOUR BLIND MICE ,I was looking forward to wrapping my chops around this monster of a book. THE JESTER is an interesting and highly entertaining departure for Patterson, again collaborating with Andrew Gross (2ND CHANCE).
Set in 14th century France, Hugh DeLuc is a peasant whose life is changed when he returns home to find his village razed to the ground, his newborn son sadistically murdered and his wife raped and kidnapped. He sets out on a quest to rescue his wife and exact his vengeance, but in order to do so he must infiltrate the enemy castle to find her. To do this Hugh poses as a jester (ironically after he saves his own skin by laughing at his enemies), but he soon finds himself falling in love with the tyrannical King's estranged wife.
THE JESTER is a novel of epic proportions, intensively researched, masterfully written with Patterson's trademark short chapters and the period and characters practically come to life on the page. This is also Patterson's most violent and gruesome work to date, with some truly unsettling scenes; which include violent rapes and infants being burned alive so it is not recommended to those of a nervous disposition. Moralists will find a lot to rant about here, but Patterson and Gross are simply showing the period as it was, warts and all; so those of you expecting passages including Shakespearian love sonnets sould steer clear. For others THE JESTER should be on your list of must read books for 2003.

I believe that the mark of a truly great storyteller is one who can captivate and enthrall outside of his "genre;" and James Patterson has done that and more in The Jester.

Set in medieval times during the Crusades, this is the story of a poor innkeeper named Hugh De Luc--whose life consists of simple pleasures...his village, his friends, his inn, and the great love that he has for his wife Sophie. All is well until Hugh decides to join the fight for Christianity and freedom--and finds only death, carnage and evil. He returns to his village several years later to discover that everything that he held dear had been stripped away from him; his inn burned to the ground, and his beloved Sophie abducted by the evil knights of his liege.

This is truly an epic love story--of love lost, found, and lost again; only to be rediscovered in another. All I could think of while reading this story was what a wonderful movie it could make if done right!

I've yet to read a book by this author that I did not enjoy. True Patterson fans will not be disappointed!!

I've read all of Patterson's books including the Alex Cross series and this ranks as one of the greats. It is a story of the reluctant heroism of the common man, triumph in the face of tragedy, the encouraging power of loyal friends, and the ability to love again.

Hugh De Luc is a lowly innkeeper who joins the Crusade with his mind filled with the ideals of war and the cause behind it. However, reality brings with it disillusionment and sorrow as his friends are slaughtered. No longer filled with innocence, Hugh leaves the Crusade to be with his love and wife, only to find his inn destroyed, his wife taken away, and the infant son he never knew murdered.

With vengeance in his heart, Hugh seeks revenge. Apparent that the only way to get close to the murderers is to become a court jester, Hugh begins a path toward the final confrontation. Along the way, others join his cause and his quest becomes a battle cry for the entire country.

The story was extremely fast-paced like all Patterson novels. This combination of Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, Danny Kaye's Court Jester, and Mel Gibson's Braveheart was thoroughly entertaining and is a must read. You will not be disappointed.

Patterson's last couple of books have definitely not been up to the standards he set at the beginning of his Alex Cross series. At the end of his last book, Roses Are Red, Patterson reveals who The Mastermind is, thus leaving us hanging only in the area of how long it will take Cross to figure it out in Violets are Blue. Throughout Violets are Blue, there is never any indication that Cross even has an inkling as to who The Mastermind is--no little suspicions, clues, or niggling feelings leading up to his mind-boggling realization that it is none other than his close and trusted friends of many years. The fact that Cross never even suspected the man, and then suddenly figures out who it is totally ruins any credibility that the storyline might have maintained leftover from Roses are Red. Couple this with the main storyline that people are being murdered by vampires and wild cats and you've got yourself a disappointing read, espcially if you have followed Patterson from his first Cross book all the way through--somewhere along the way he detoured. Let's hope he finds his way back to the quality of books we know he is capable of writing.

My first book by James Patterson was "Along Came A Spider". Since then, I have been hooked. I just can't wait for his books to hit the shelves. When I was in the US, I bought an autographed copy of "Cat and Mouse" and it is now sitting proudly on the top of my shelf.

This time around, in "Violets Are Blue", James Patterson writes about ritualistic killings and mind games. As usual, the protagonist in this story is Dr. Alex Cross. This book is slightly twisted and weird. However, according to the author, such events (or the existence of vampires) do occur in real life. Much research was done on this topic for the book.

I think this book is the darkest of all James Patterson's books so far. I mean, vampires and ritualistic killings really put the creeps into everyone. I didn't mind so much the kidnappers, serial murderers and schizophrenic killers. But, vampires really give me the creeps.

Overall, I still think this book is worth reading. James Patterson's style of writing makes reading his novels easy. I like the short paragraphs and quick flow of action.

If you are reading James Patterson's books for the first time, I would suggest that you get "Along Came A Spider" first before reading this, in case you think all his novels are so dark.

One of the top fiction writers of today and the true master of suspense is James Patterson. At twenty-seven years of age his debut novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, won the Edgar Award for the best first mystery novel. This novel was followed by a string of national bestsellers that include seven books with the main character in each being detective/psychologist Alex Cross- beginning with Along Came a Spider, to the more current novels Roses are Red and its sequel Violets are Blue. Violets are Blue is Patterson's latest #1 best selling novel to hit stores in the paperback edition.
Violets are Blue continues the mystery featuring Cross' nemesis, The Mastermind, a psychotic genius who has been on a killing spree for many years, but add ann unexpected twist to the novel- a second mystery. Mystery two is revealed when two joggers turn up dead in San Francisco and soon after people are turning up in various cities just like the two killed in San Francisco. The victims are found hanging upside down, bitten, and drained of their blood. The second part of the thriller revolves around vampires. The vampire angle is intertwined throughout the book with the Mastermind angle. Cross chases the vampire killers all across the United States. Alex is assisted in the gruesome investigation by SFPD detective Jamilla Hughes and FBI investigator Kyle Craig. As usual Alex Cross is just one step behind the murderers, arriving at one horrific murder scene after another.
As one mystery (the vampire angle) climaxes and is close to being solved, the other angle heats up. The Mastermind stalks and taunts Alex by continuously threatening his life and the lives of the people he loves. The identity of the Mastermind is revealed and the roles are reversed. Alex Cross becomes the hunter and sets out to capture the monstrous killer.
All of Patterson's novels have been fast-paced with a high energy level from beginning to end, making his books hard to put down. What makes Patterson unique, and the reason he is one of my favorite authors, is his writing style. His short chapters make the reader feel like the book isn't so intimidatingly long. The reading seems easy and therefore the reader wants to continue on without interruption. I also like how Patterson's style changes from chapter to chapter. Some chapters are written in first person point of view where Patterson tells the story through Alex's eyes. In other chapters he writes a third person narrative of the killers.
Violets are Blue is written in the same tradition and writing style, making it a great book to read. The book was full of suspense and had a strong impact. The only downfall to this novel was that it was too predictable, other than that I thought the novel was excellent. James Patterson once again proves, he is one of the best suspense-thriller novelists of today.

The information is spread too thinly. There aren't many pictures of clothes, compared with the other CS books. Lastly, you'll be disapointed if your own the other CS editions because they copied many photographs from this one. I'm donating mine to a library.

I bought this book but the other Chic Simple wardrobe books are better. This edition outlines too many things to be of much use: fashion trends over the eyars, clothes for sports, women, men and children. Unfocused.

Unlike the first two reviewers of this book on Amazon, I really enjoy it and - as is rare with me - I actually purchased an excellent used copy via eBay for my personal collection. I borrow literally constantly from the libraries and am forever browsing in libraries and book stores to get my book "fixes;" actually purchasing is not common for me and I considered this book a special gift. I am familiar with most of the "Chic Simple" series and find this particular entry IS up to snuff.

Yes, it's one of the most general, but what would one expect with the word "clothes" in the title? The point is this is the one book of the series one can browse through or consult when one does want the general - for male or female, dress or casual, principal clothing or accessory, etc. Since classic clothing/accessories are emphasized, as well as unisex, the book ages well. No, nothing really all-encompassing here or fully comprehensive; there are plenty of other sources easily available for those purposes. But we have here a tasteful, knowledgeable, and highly entertaining treatise to serve various reference-source purposes with the usual wonderful illustrations one has come to expect from the "Chic Simple" series in general. As a personal aside, the classic duffle (or, duffel) coat photograph here is the most enticing photo of one I am aware of, of one of my favorite articles of clothing. I see it's a Brooks Brothers. . . Bravo!