Bruno Heller pretty much says Brett Partridge is Red John. 

"After the first few episodes which are very much about the 7 suspects, it's all blue sky." - B. Heller

1st episode - Partridge's demise. It was MEANT to be obvious Partridge is Red John. Its not a cheesy trick, Red John HAD to kill Partridge. For everyone saying it's bad writing, you were the ones dumb enough to think it was intended to fool you. By that point, you were supposed to know Brett Partridge is Red John.

2nd episode- 3 guys meeting. Woman with pigeons sent by Partridge to scout and see if Jane knows his identity.

3rd episode- Sherriff McAllister saves Patrick. Patrick realises Gale and McAllister are good.

4th episode- Bob Kirkland ruled out. He's hunting RJ. Reede shoots Michael Kirkland so he's good. 

After all that it's just Red John playing into Patrick's hands. Patrick has outmaneuvred RJ, capitalising on his own bluff, using RJ's "pawns," who aren't really his pawns (3 in meeting), against him. 

"There are tricks but they're not there to fool the audience. There's no 11th hour twist" - B. Heller. Hence, we already know.