James Patterson and Andrew Gross - 3rd Degree

Dear Mr. Patterson:

Within the past year I have become a huge fan of your novels, the Alex Cross series, the Women's Murder Club series started most recently, as well as your stand alone books. The first book I read by you was passed to me by my mother as I journeyed cross country to occupy my time. This book was called 1st To Die. I was hooked immediately. I love your writing style of short, choppy paragraphs that not only keep my attention, but leave me constantly wanting more. I loved your characters from a female standpoint. I had found my modern day Nancy Drew.

I anxiously awaited for your second book in this series, 2nd Chance, as I passed this time catching up on your previous novels. I wasn't disappointed with this book either. I had now read all of your prior books, and now anticipated the latest book in your newest venture, 3rd Degree. I love consistency of your titles in this series. It reminds me of Sue Grafton's series, but with a little more effort.

I have been very disappointed with your most recent works prior to 3rd Degree, but I hoped that as this series is still fresh, and your past work unremarkable, that this would surpass my expectations. I was wrong. Your plot was barely entertaining at best, and the only thing I found mildly interesting was the familiarity to current events. I love when you take a political side and write about the things we, the people, don't see happening in our world under the table. My favorite book to date by you is Black Friday, originally published as Black Market. You pulled off the political schemes so well. It seems as though you tried to do something along the same lines here, but fail miserably. Are you feeling the pressure of your fans who feel that your Alex Cross series is dying a slow but sure death?

You used to be able to seamless pull off major twists and plot turns without adversely affecting your story, now it seems like your just doing your best to shock your readers to keep them turning pages. What's wrong, Mr. Patterson? Are you running out of ideas? One of my biggest complaints is the constant side plot love story factor. You've been doing it for years with Alex Cross, and now, in this series it's no different. Every single book, our main character seems to find "the love of their life", only for you to kill them off, of have them freak out and leave. But then again, in the next book, they find another mate "like no other". This is getting really old. Is it really necessary? Mystery and love certainly don't always go hand in hand, so why do you force the issue?

In your most current novel you have terrorists threatening the population unless certain people give into their demands….does this sound like a season of 24 to you at all? The issues your terrorists are fighting for are certainly valid, but so what, who really cares about the plot you've written? SPOILER AHEAD And your character development has definitely taken a downhill fall. The one character I loved how you elaborated on, you killed off!! And why? For no apparent reason other than shock value. Where are you taking this series, Mr. Patterson? Every other main character could have been anyone off the street as far as I'm concerned. END SPOILER.

Your style hasn't changed. I still love the format of your books, and how I zip right through them. I enjoyed the first one third of this book, until I started thinking "So WHAT?" How boring. Your villains were weak characters and severely underdeveloped, and even at the conclusion I felt very empty. I will still continue to read your books in hopes that you will return the great writer you once more until you give me further reasons not to. I hope that you find your creative inspirations and leave behind the monotony. Until you do, you will only continue to turn away loyal fans like myself.

Sincerely,
Amanda




Published March 1, 2004 by Little Brown & Company
ISBN: 0316603570
List Price $26.95/Amazon Price $16.17