Roses Are Red (Alex Cross, #6)

Title: Roses Are Red (Alex Cross, #6)

Published in: 2000

Date read: 29th September 2004

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Roses Are Red" by James Patterson, published in 2000, is the sixth novel in the Alex Cross series. It plunges Alex into a complex and high-stakes case involving a brilliant, elusive criminal mastermind known as "The Mastermind," who communicates through riddles and orchestrates a series of audacious, seemingly impossible bank robberies.

The story begins with a series of highly sophisticated bank heists across the country, executed with military precision and leaving no witnesses or forensic evidence. The crimes are baffling, and the amounts stolen are staggering. Adding to the mystery, the perpetrator leaves behind cryptic, poetic messages or riddles, often referencing nursery rhymes, signed only as "The Mastermind."

Dr. Alex Cross, now a top FBI consultant, is called in to lead the investigation. He immediately recognizes the intellectual challenge and the chilling arrogance of the perpetrator. The Mastermind isn't just stealing money; he's playing a mind game with the authorities, specifically with Alex.

As the robberies escalate, becoming more brazen and leading to collateral damage (though initially avoiding direct murder), the FBI, led by Alex and his partner John Sampson, finds itself constantly a step behind. The Mastermind seems to anticipate their moves, taunting them with his cleverness.

The investigation takes Alex and Sampson into the shadowy world of online crime, encrypted communications, and highly organized criminal networks. The Mastermind's ability to orchestrate such intricate operations from seemingly nowhere makes him an unprecedented threat. Alex must delve deep into criminal psychology, trying to understand the mindset of an individual who combines intellectual brilliance with a complete lack of moral boundaries.

The stakes rise dramatically when the Mastermind's game turns darker. The robberies become more violent, and innocent lives are directly threatened, proving that this criminal is not just a thief but a truly dangerous sociopath willing to inflict harm to prove his superiority.

Alex's personal life also faces challenges, as the intense demands of the case strain his relationship with his family. His unique insight into the criminal mind, which is his greatest asset, also brings him closer to the edge.

The climax involves a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase as Alex finally closes in on the Mastermind, leading to a tense, intellectual showdown where Alex must use all his deductive reasoning and psychological profiling skills to outwit his elusive adversary and prevent a final, devastating act of grand-scale terror. "Roses Are Red" is a fast-paced, intellectually charged thriller that pits Alex Cross against one of his most cunning and elusive opponents.

Comments:
Another great instalment. Nothing to add that is not in the plot summary.

This page was updated on: 1st August 2025