Violets Are Blue (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Products | Books |
Violets Are Blue represents the seventh installment in the series by James Patterson centered on Alex Cross, a forensic psychiatrist and homicide detective based in Washington, D.C.
Plot summary
Alex Cross receives a message from the Mastermind, who asserts responsibility for the death of Cavalierre.
Kyle Craig reaches out to Alex to discuss parallels between two San Francisco homicides and a prior Washington D.C. case involving a runaway girl discovered hanged in a hotel room.
The FBI assigns Alex to San Francisco, where he partners with Inspector Jamilla Hughes. After dropping his children off at school, Alex accompanies Jamilla to the morgue. There, Dr. Allan Pang, a forensic odontologist, examines bite marks on the victims and determines that one was attacked by a tiger while the other suffered human bites.
Simultaneously, brothers William and Michael monitor the investigation on television as part of their own agenda. They break into a funeral home to feed on an unembalmed body.
While pursuing leads about the tiger attack, Alex appreciates Jamilla’s dedication as they consult zoos, veterinarians, and animal trainers. Jamilla then informs Alex of a tip from a journalist acquaintance, leading them to Los Angeles to meet a woman who survived a comparable assault over a year prior.
Jamilla returns to San Francisco but leaves her research notes with Alex and Kyle. Although there are similarities between cases, she suspects different culprits; Alex concurs. She also reports the break-in at the funeral home.
Remembering that Kyle’s next possible target might be his former friend Kate McTiernan from Kiss The Girls, Alex warns her to leave town immediately and hurries to her residence.
With Kyle behind bars, Alex begins a romantic relationship with Jamilla Hughes, and for the first time in years, the Cross family enjoys a period of tranquility.
Notes
- Kyle Craig had connections with Casanova and The Gentleman Caller from Duke University and collaborated with them in their killing spree; he also operated solo in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
- Identifying as an atheist, Kyle regarded himself as superior to others.
- As the Mastermind, Kyle possessed extensive insight into Cross due to their previous partnership.