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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.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Scarpetta is determined to find out what happened to her former Deputy Chief Jack Fielding, who was murdered about six months previously in this timeline. Of course, there is more of the same...Kay thinks nobody trusts her, everyone is set to do her in in some way, someone is going to kill her, etc. She sets off to solve several vicious murders and uncover the links between all of them. The forensic and technology, once again, are on point and mesh well with the time line. The process of solving the crime is well written and engaging. The relationships between the characters is tedious and frustrating at this point, but I continue on as a committed reader of the series. I wish Lucy would be dispatched in the line of duty and stay dead so I could stop having to deal with her in this series, but I doubt that will happen.
shellic88's review against another edition
5.0
Book was a very good read! I love Scarpetta novels! I can't wait for more Patrica Cornwell novels to come out!
latas's review against another edition
2.0
I read lot of glowing reviews about Patricia Cornwell. I guess I picked up the wrong book to start with. I didn't like it and this will be my last book by Cornwell.
The writing is so bad, I am sure I will remember this book for a long time. The narration in the first person was irritating, there was lot of talking and very less action. She actually describes in so many words, how she is securing samples from the trash can as if the other person she is talking to (Chang) is not in the same room. She says "it goes in one bag, which I'll wrap around and tape into a tight little package, then that goes into a second bag, and I'll do exactly the same thing, and finally a third bag, again the same thing".
She was supposed to be a smart detective, but I found her judgmental - she was always quick to jump into conclusions. I have no clue how she linked all the murders to a terrorist plot and got the military involved. No, that was not a spoiler, the killer was someone else.
The most disturbing part was when she goes for elaborate shopping for grocery and kitchen pots and pans just after coming from 2 death scenes and starts cooking without even taking a shower! I don't think it was implied as the author goes to great lengths describing mundane things like the grocery shopping, I am sure if Kay had taken a shower, she would have described that too.
Adding to my growing list of annoying heroines - Kay Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell, Carol Jordan by Val McDermid, Maura Isles by Tess Geritsen, Erika Foster by Robert Bryndza, Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs, Claire Randall by Diana Gabaldon.
The writing is so bad, I am sure I will remember this book for a long time. The narration in the first person was irritating, there was lot of talking and very less action. She actually describes in so many words, how she is securing samples from the trash can as if the other person she is talking to (Chang) is not in the same room. She says "it goes in one bag, which I'll wrap around and tape into a tight little package, then that goes into a second bag, and I'll do exactly the same thing, and finally a third bag, again the same thing".
She was supposed to be a smart detective, but I found her judgmental - she was always quick to jump into conclusions. I have no clue how she linked all the murders to a terrorist plot and got the military involved. No, that was not a spoiler, the killer was someone else.
The most disturbing part was when she goes for elaborate shopping for grocery and kitchen pots and pans just after coming from 2 death scenes and starts cooking without even taking a shower! I don't think it was implied as the author goes to great lengths describing mundane things like the grocery shopping, I am sure if Kay had taken a shower, she would have described that too.
Adding to my growing list of annoying heroines - Kay Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell, Carol Jordan by Val McDermid, Maura Isles by Tess Geritsen, Erika Foster by Robert Bryndza, Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs, Claire Randall by Diana Gabaldon.
kaygray78's review against another edition
2.0
Having read Cornwells's books since she first invented Kay Scarpetta, I find it difficult to skip her new publications, even though I haven't loved one of her books since "Black Notice" in 2008. She's back to using Scarpetta's voice, which is a relief, but I'm wondering what happened to the tough as nails ME we all knew and loved. The first half of the book was very difficult to get through, and while the crime scenes were more enjoyable (with the old in charge Kay back), the end was mired and rushed. I feel like I accidentally skipped a few pages, but that's not the case. And please, in the next installment, isn't it about time to get rid of Lucy and put us put of our collective misery?
zosiablue's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5