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jennflattery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jrmama42's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a while since I've read a Patricia Cornwell book and, frankly, I was growing a bit tired of the characters and stories. I decided to give the audio version of this book a try. I liked the story, which had a frighteningly realistic plot line (bio-terrorism) and some interesting characters. It wasn't one of my favorite Scarpetta novel - I liked the earlier ones better - but it held my interest.
It's always hard to hear someone else voice characters you're familiar with, as you have their voices set in your mind a certain way. That was one factor that worked against the audio format of this book for me. While most characters were okay, I really didn't like the way the narrator voiced Pete Marino or Lucy. But other than that, it came across quite well in audio format, and made it possible for me to "read" while doing other things.
It's always hard to hear someone else voice characters you're familiar with, as you have their voices set in your mind a certain way. That was one factor that worked against the audio format of this book for me. While most characters were okay, I really didn't like the way the narrator voiced Pete Marino or Lucy. But other than that, it came across quite well in audio format, and made it possible for me to "read" while doing other things.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
3.0
I guess my main concerns with this book are 1) the overwhelming number of words when brevity would have been easier; 2) why Scarpetta is the central target of either Berger or Price.
Based on reviews, many fans of the series disliked Cornwell's shift from first person to third person omniscient. However, Wesley's return, Marino's rape (in Trace), and Marino's attempted rape of Kay needed us inside their heads for any of it to make sense. I would have liked to have once again heard Marino and Wesley's thoughts in this one has well. Some of their inexplicable behavior would be more palatable if I knew what they were thinking.
Is Wesley once again working for the FBI? Scarpetta speculated as much in Port Mortuary and Marino seems to state this in one of his overblown rants, but is this really true or Marino just being Marino?
In the end, the book drags because of needless wordage and the inexplicable fact that these characters--who have been together for years--base their relationships on distrust.
Based on reviews, many fans of the series disliked Cornwell's shift from first person to third person omniscient. However, Wesley's return, Marino's rape (in Trace), and Marino's attempted rape of Kay needed us inside their heads for any of it to make sense. I would have liked to have once again heard Marino and Wesley's thoughts in this one has well. Some of their inexplicable behavior would be more palatable if I knew what they were thinking.
Is Wesley once again working for the FBI? Scarpetta speculated as much in Port Mortuary and Marino seems to state this in one of his overblown rants, but is this really true or Marino just being Marino?
In the end, the book drags because of needless wordage and the inexplicable fact that these characters--who have been together for years--base their relationships on distrust.
naughtydutchfrog's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
baileyaf_17's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
manadabomb's review against another edition
2.0
This one confused me. I had to check it out from the library twice with a gap in between but as I started it I was pretty excited that this seemed like it was going to be a great Scarpetta book. I used to really love this series but it just seemed to veer off track somewhere and I no longer buy the books.
I think this turned in to an okay Scarpetta book. Good but I'll honestly probably forget the plot within a month. This one is basically a continuation of the last book, where all sorts of murders were happening and Jack Fielding, someone Kay was mentoring for years, turned into a very strange, dead man. That book confused me too.
Anyways, this started out with a lot of potential but almost 200 pages in I was still waiting for something to happen. It finally did, with a somewhat main character being killed off, and a 9 year old murder case being brought back into the fold. But....I'm not sure, this just felt a little slapped together at the end. It's possible I'm thinking back to the earlier stuff like The Body Farm and my expectations are too high, but I wasn't happy nor was I unhappy. It just was.
I've never really paid attention, I guess, but it seems like Kay talks A LOT. Constantly. And it seemed odd as well.
I think this turned in to an okay Scarpetta book. Good but I'll honestly probably forget the plot within a month. This one is basically a continuation of the last book, where all sorts of murders were happening and Jack Fielding, someone Kay was mentoring for years, turned into a very strange, dead man. That book confused me too.
Anyways, this started out with a lot of potential but almost 200 pages in I was still waiting for something to happen. It finally did, with a somewhat main character being killed off, and a 9 year old murder case being brought back into the fold. But....I'm not sure, this just felt a little slapped together at the end. It's possible I'm thinking back to the earlier stuff like The Body Farm and my expectations are too high, but I wasn't happy nor was I unhappy. It just was.
I've never really paid attention, I guess, but it seems like Kay talks A LOT. Constantly. And it seemed odd as well.
bookishchaos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This whole book felt like it could've just been a long epilogue for the previous book. It held my interest until 100 pages in before I couldn't wait for it to be over. Too slow and all the characters have become extremely unlikable. This is probably my last Scarpetta book. I LOVED like the first 9 books before the plot twists/storylines started to feel repetitive.