Reviews

Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell

_shonahenderson's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jimbowen0306's review

2.0

I'm still trying to work out why I ever liked Patricia Cornwell. This is her second book in the Kay Scarpetta series, and while it isn't as daft as her later books, it isn't a good as I originally recall. That or I just have had my hindsight coloured by her more recent books.

This book sees a Mills & Boon style writer being killed, after being harassed by a stalker. She'd run to Florida, but had died soon after returning to Virginia. While investigating the case, her salacious new manuscript has gone missing, and her relationship with a J.D. Salingeresque type, and an ex-lover who comes back into her life (because all women need a man apparently).

Anyhow there's fair amount of 1990s homophobia (from Pete Marino mostly, but also a fair bit of generic bemusement about it and gay communities in general, coupled with misunderstanding of AIDS), and Scarpetta smoking like a chimney. I don't understand the need for either. Rebus smoked and drank like a fish, but I don't really remember being smashed over the head with it.

To cut the review short, I don't think to book's aged well, but if you can overcome that you might still enjoy it, I guess.

florapants84's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Hmm. Not as deep or “good” as the first one but I still enjoy watching the Scarpetta/Marino dynamic. 

tashanslone's review against another edition

4.0

I can not rave about this series more! This book/series has captivated me from the beginning and I am now obsessed. In this book you get to see Kay go far beyond to help solve this murder. She’s driven by her instincts and she hunts down every clue she has at her disposal. Mad respect, PC!

taralynn1107's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

I like this series and the characters but I feel like the plot just seems too convoluted. 

ingo_lembcke's review against another edition

4.0

No Lucy and nearly no computers, and bad romance. After the lies and deception I would have ended the romance in Kays stead.
The story seems to follow a certain formularistic outline. I will keep an eye on that.
Still recommended and fast-paced-page-turner. Ending could have been better, so only 4stars.

jobustitch's review against another edition

4.0

Given to me by a friend. It seems like a good book for the bike at the gym.

EXCELLENT! A great novel of suspense with lots of good forensics to keep me interested. I've never read any of the Kay Scarpetta novels, but now I think it is time for me to catch up with the rest of the world.

ian_k's review against another edition

4.0

Definitely not as much of a page turner or compelling as Post Mortem, but still very good. This one feels like less of a thriller up until the ending, but the ending really brings everything together. Patricia Cornwall is great and her characters are one of my new favorite duos.

hannahshaw93's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

salomenaomi's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5