Customer Reviews

Pop Goes the Weasel

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(92)
3 star:		(73)
2 star:		(65)
1 star:		(70)

 

 

After reading Cat and Mouse, I was eagerly awaiting the release of Pop Goes the Weasel. However, I was disappointed in James Patterson's latest novel. I believe there were a few things wrong with this book. First, the chilling suspense present in his other books was virtually nonexistent here and there was no mystery nor interesting plot twists. Second, while the villian was evil and twisted as usual, he was not as cunning and scary as Mr. Smith nor Gary Soneiji were in the previous novels. If you are a die hard Alex Cross fan then you would enjoy this book but it falls short of the chilling suspense and interesting plot twists that we all come to love and expect from Mr. Patterson.

I very much engaged with Alex Cross, John Sampson and Christine. At one point in the book I thought it was about to become very predictable, but the book came up with some good twists. The villain was unusual, interesting and, for me, very frightening. One reviewed complained about being set-up for a sequel. I guess this is somewhat true but I view the book as more of an ongoing saga about interesting characters. In this way it is like Patricia Cornwell who had a focus on one villain for quite a few books.

Pop Goes The Weasel is an excellent book to read. It is the first book that I have read that is by James Patterson. I read this book in 4 days. Once you start it you won't be able to put it down. I recommend this book to anybody who likes mysteries or suspense.

James Patterson is just good! Anyone who has read his Alex Cross novels know that. Pop Goes the Weasel is soooo good. The moment I started reading it, I could not put it down. I took it to work with me and would actually read it in my cubicle. If you have never read an Alex Cross novel, you can start with this one. Patterson does not give away information on previous novels that would ruin those stories, so please read them. This book is not for the squeemish. There are some graphic parts so be forewarned. Although this is not as graphic as Kiss the Girls, if Kiss the Girls was hard for you to read, then you may want to reconsider this one. I doubt this one will dissapoint you on those lonely, cold winter nights coming up. ENJOY!

Another Alex Cross adventure comes with another super villain and non stop thrills. This time Cross is investigating a series of "Jane Doe" murders in the impoverished sections of Washington D.C. The problem is that he is doing so unofficially and he is one of the few that sees the crimes as being related.

The killer is a well respected foreign dignitary who also has a passion for role playing games. He, along with three others throughout the world are members of an exclusive game called the four horsemen. How Cross comes to his identity and possible capture is a series of non stop chills. The ending may not be as topsy turvy and dramatic as other Patterson books, but some surprises do change the complexion of future Cross novels.

Patterson sticks to his format here. The positive aspect is that his fans know the characters and enjoy their continuing saga. Sampson has developed into the type of figure that would be extraordinary in his own book. The negative aspect is that some of Cross's statements and the details of his family life are a bit worn on the faithful Patterson fan. As a result, the Alex Cross novels could use an injection of freshness. Therefore the novel was a bit shy of the better Cross chapters.

Overall the book has a quick flow and only sputters in some of the chapters that surround Alex's relationship with Christine. The villain is devious but also falls short of a Gary Soneji or Jack and Jill. The plot is better than average and I am still left wanting more Alex Cross. A no brainer four star piece of fiction.

This is a fast read...but I agree with the others that there is not the usual depth that Patterson's prior books have shown. It seems like he was writing as fast as his books normally read. A statement wondering if they made a baby, then at the end there is one. There is nothing in between. Mr. Patterson, this isn't a bad book...it just isn't as good as your most recent ones. I'm anxious to see the sequel...but feel free to take more time to develop out the plots.

I am an avid Patterson reader ! This is not the book you would recommend for "first time" Patterson readers. The book started out exciting, but it got very boring, unrealistic and predictable towards the middle to the end.

After Patterson's last disaster, When The Wind Blows,he has redeemed himself with his newest book, Pop Goes The Weasel. This story is very exciting but light in terms of character develoment, narrative style and basically most other literary elements which make for a well-written novel. However, these are not elements I, and I think many other readers', seek in a James Patterson book.With this said, I think you will enjoy Pop Goes The Weasel very much and find it a very, very fast read. The one minor flaw that I've found in this and other Alex Cross books is the totally unrealistic maturity level and dialogue voiced by Cross's seven year old daughter, Jannie. I'd suggest that in doing research for future books, Patterson should spend a little time finding out what real seven year olds are like.

This audiobook starts out as an intriguing thriller. A series of murders is sweeping Southeast Washington, DC. Detective Alex Cross, psychologist and expert profiler, nicknames this remorseless, stealthy, and psychopathic killer "The Weasel" and is itching to capture him.

From the beginning, the reader knows who the killer is. He is none other than urbane, British diplomat, Geoffrey Shafer, who is playing a macabre, role playing game through the internet with some of his former buddies from British intelligence. His role, appropriately enough, is "Death". The problem is that for Shafer it is no longer a game. It is an obsession.

Meanwhile, Detective Alex Cross and his long time main squeeze, Christine, have decided to get married, despite his relentless pursuit of "The Weasel". Just before they actually do so, however, this diabolical fiend creates a serious hitch in their wedding plans. Cross carries on, as "The Weasel" plays a cat and mouse game with him. There are a number of surprising moves and countermoves, though it seems that Detective Cross is always on the receiving end.

Unfortunately, while the book starts out with a bang, it sort of ends with a whimper. The author simply fails to realize the promise inherent in the book. The resolution of the issue involving his fiancee, Christine, is simply unrealistic. The final ending, however, with regards to Shafer is somewhat intriguing, as it leaves open the possibility of a sequel with this most intriguing killer.

This audiobook is made most engrossing by the virtuoso reading by narrator Michael Kramer. He is simply superlative. He takes this book and makes it come alive. While the content of the book rates about a strong three, Michael Kramer's reading rates a high five, which is why I am awarding this audiobook four stars.

Alex Cross returns to investigate a series a murders in Washington.

The murders are twisted, and chilling, and when Cross finally finds his suspect it turns out to be British diplomat Geoffrey Schaffer.

Schafer is the madman at the forefront of the horrifying killings, but as Cross learns more about the murders he realizes he has entered into a terrifying game that has more than one player, and the stakes are high...Cross's fiance Christine has been kidnapped and if he doesn't play the game carefully, she will be the next victim.

"Pop Goes The Weasel" is classic Patterson; short punchy chapters complete with cliff-hangers, action, suspense, murders, and one of the most twisted killers in any of his novels. Readers will be turning the pages FAST to reach the explosive climax.

James Patterson proves once again that he is the MASTER of fast-paced entertainment.

A MUST read!

Nick Gonnella