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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This at least the third time I’ve read this. For my own future reference, it’s the one about small pox.
Kay is a trip.
It’s got a real murder mystery vibe.
Kay is a trip.
It’s got a real murder mystery vibe.
Every year on my mother's birthday, I honor her by reading one of her many books, even if it's one that I wouldn't normally pick up for myself. Last year it was one of Patricia Cornwell's novels featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta and I thought it was good but not great. So I've tried another this year and came away with the same feeling.
I went into this thinking it was a serial murder mystery that somehow involved a saw (based on the cover art alone, I will admit). Turns out I was correct but the story morphs into something much more: a potential pandemic virus being unleashed via product tampering. It was interesting to read of a fictional pandemic situation while living through an actual one in the real world.
I enjoyed the medical examiner portions of the story and the general building suspense throughout but the ending felt a little flat. Despite that, I still have more Scarpetta novels on my shelf thanks to my mom's collection and plan to read more of them.
I went into this thinking it was a serial murder mystery that somehow involved a saw (based on the cover art alone, I will admit). Turns out I was correct but the story morphs into something much more: a potential pandemic virus being unleashed via product tampering. It was interesting to read of a fictional pandemic situation while living through an actual one in the real world.
I enjoyed the medical examiner portions of the story and the general building suspense throughout but the ending felt a little flat. Despite that, I still have more Scarpetta novels on my shelf thanks to my mom's collection and plan to read more of them.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I listened to this as an audiobook on several long drives this week. Kay Scarpetta was a great companion on my journey.
Unnatural Exposure felt like a couple of different mysteries wrapped into one book as one horrifying crime scene led into a completely different horrifying scenario. And, of course, everything tied together neatly at the end. I always feel like I learn so much whenever I read a Kay Scarpetta book. This time I got to learn about pathogens and the little fishing island of Tangier Island.
There was a definite feeling of suspense throughout the book. I didn't feel that the pace ever slowed. I didn't predict the end until Cornwell brought it to me and then I was slapping my head and saying, "of course!!" So it was very enjoyable.
Personally, I wish there was a little more Marino in this book and a little less Wesley. The interactions with Marino are just way more entertaining than listening to Kay go on about her on again, off again feelings about Wesley. I never did approve of that relationship, so I don't care where it goes. But like I said, that's all a matter of personal taste. ;)
Now to reserve the next installment in the series. I may get through them all yet! Thanks to my public library for providing the listening material so I could enjoy this great book!
Unnatural Exposure felt like a couple of different mysteries wrapped into one book as one horrifying crime scene led into a completely different horrifying scenario. And, of course, everything tied together neatly at the end. I always feel like I learn so much whenever I read a Kay Scarpetta book. This time I got to learn about pathogens and the little fishing island of Tangier Island.
There was a definite feeling of suspense throughout the book. I didn't feel that the pace ever slowed. I didn't predict the end until Cornwell brought it to me and then I was slapping my head and saying, "of course!!" So it was very enjoyable.
Personally, I wish there was a little more Marino in this book and a little less Wesley. The interactions with Marino are just way more entertaining than listening to Kay go on about her on again, off again feelings about Wesley. I never did approve of that relationship, so I don't care where it goes. But like I said, that's all a matter of personal taste. ;)
Now to reserve the next installment in the series. I may get through them all yet! Thanks to my public library for providing the listening material so I could enjoy this great book!
I’m not going to lie, this book felt dated. At the time, it probably felt spiffy and new, with its discussion of the new dangled internet, the ability to upload documents, and photos, and send them anywhere, but now these discussions feel… dated.
This book sees Scarpetta link 5 murders in Ireland to deaths in the US, at which point a similar murder pops up in her back yard (not literally), and the questions are, how did this body did? Is it the same killer, or is it someone else? As a consequence, she gets to work with the Centre of Disease Control (CDC), and FBI, and a group of redneck fishermen to find out.
The book is fine. It’s your standard, late 1990s police procedural, even if it feels dated now. It has the added advantage of Cornwall trying not to write Scarpetta as a completely unpleasant person. She first tried this in book 7, and she’s continuing to try here. The biggest issue is that “Nice Scarpetta” can feel like… it’s written by someone who understands the words, but misses the meaning behind them, if that makes sense?
My one big problem is that I don’t remember the earlier nice cases being explicitly solved. Sure the looked similar (according to the characters, anyway), but they decide it’s a copycat, but there’s no mention of them by the murderer, at the denouement, so I was a bit “Wait, what now?” by the end.
This book sees Scarpetta link 5 murders in Ireland to deaths in the US, at which point a similar murder pops up in her back yard (not literally), and the questions are, how did this body did? Is it the same killer, or is it someone else? As a consequence, she gets to work with the Centre of Disease Control (CDC), and FBI, and a group of redneck fishermen to find out.
The book is fine. It’s your standard, late 1990s police procedural, even if it feels dated now. It has the added advantage of Cornwall trying not to write Scarpetta as a completely unpleasant person. She first tried this in book 7, and she’s continuing to try here. The biggest issue is that “Nice Scarpetta” can feel like… it’s written by someone who understands the words, but misses the meaning behind them, if that makes sense?
My one big problem is that I don’t remember the earlier nice cases being explicitly solved. Sure the looked similar (according to the characters, anyway), but they decide it’s a copycat, but there’s no mention of them by the murderer, at the denouement, so I was a bit “Wait, what now?” by the end.
Eight books in now and I am almost caught up with where I left off on my last reread (I have never fully made it through this series). I'm enjoying my rereading experience so much though so I'm really glad that is what I decided to do before continuing on. This book was another page turner that I flew through because I just couldn't stop reading. There were some eerie parallels to COVID in here that I wasn't expecting. All in all, a fun ride and I'm excited to pick up the next book soon.
Readers who enjoy mysteries or those who are looking for a series that is easy to lose themselves in should give this series a try. I would start back at the beginning with Postmortem which is book number one. Four stars overall.
Readers who enjoy mysteries or those who are looking for a series that is easy to lose themselves in should give this series a try. I would start back at the beginning with Postmortem which is book number one. Four stars overall.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For the full review -- including the fact that I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would; progress! -- follow the link to That's What She Read.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
A quick read. The ending seems to come out of nowhere compared to the build up of who the suspect could be from the profile. I don't know how many more of these I'll read. Kay and Lucy are starting to annoy me and I'm not rooting for them really.