Vampires led by an illusive Sire and the sinister Mastermind are tormenting Alex Cross.

James Patterson delivers one of his best efforts in “Violets are Blue,” the seventh book in his Alex Cross series.

Detective Cross is pulled into one of the most horrific cases he has ever seen. Two bodies have been found naked and hanging upside down in a park. Both bodies have been drained of blood and have bite marks on them.

FBI agent Kyle Craig and Cross go to California to investigate these killings. What they discover is a cult centered on the lives and mysticism of vampires.

Jamilla Hughes, a detective from San Francisco, joins the hunt and adds a romantic spark. Cross has an immediate attraction to his new partner, but does not want to get too close. His last two partners were both killed.

If the idea of vampires or vampire imitators are not enough action – enter the Mastermind.

The Mastermind is a hold-over from “Roses are Red” and his only goal is to torment and kill Cross.

Cross has a reputation as “The Dragonslayer” to uphold. Something has to give. Will it be Cross himself, or will it be the criminals?

The chase takes the reader from coast to coast. Trying to figure out where the killers will strike next is a major part of the suspense.

Patterson started his series on psychologist/detective Alex Cross in 1992. Each of the previous six books have become bestsellers. “Violets are Blue” is currently moving up the charts.

“Along Came A Spider” and “Kiss the Girls,” books one and two, have both become motion pictures.

Patterson has built the suspense from one book to the next in an amazing fashion. And he seems to know when to quit.

“Violets are Blue” wraps up many of the story lines held in previous books. This signals a turning point in the series.

This installment of the Alex Cross series is arguably the best. When you combine “Roses are Red” with “Violets” you get a top-notch thriller.

Even though “Roses” reveals the identity of the Mastermind, “Violets” does not remind the reader who it is. This adds to the suspense for a first-time reader.

Patterson has one of the easiest styles of writing to read. His paragraphs are short and reader friendly.

He is also currently one of the best thrill writers in the country. He is very versatile and is unpredictable.

Patterson is one of the busiest writers in the business. He has released eight books in the last four years. He has also busied himself with an NBC miniseries based on his book “1st to Die.”

Patterson’s “Violets are Blue” is a definite must read. In general, James Patterson is a name that is associated with superb writing. He continues to outdo himself with each new novel.