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crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I have been reading and reviewing for over a decade, and in that time, I have grown and changed a lot. My views in the following review reflect the person I was when I wrote them and may not reflect who I am today - for better or for worse. While I would love to be able to reread and update my reviews to reflect who I am today, I think my time is better dedicated elsewhere. If you choose to read this review, please bear in mind this attitude.
Life as a medical examiner isn't easy for Kay Scarpetta, particularly when fingerprints of a man killed in the electric chair appear at the scene of a crime a few days after he was killed. Then, after the death of her assistant, Susan Story, Kay becomes implicated in the crime. Can she discover the true killer before she ends up either in jail or dead herself?
What I Liked:
First off, I enjoyed Cornwell's writing style. She writes with intelligence and detail, brining you into the very scene. The autopsies, the attention to detail (particularly in relation to Eddie and Jennifer), the thorough regard for the scenery all made it very easy to transport myself to Virginia with Dr. Scarpetta.
Further, the story was pretty interesting and left you guessing. When I opened the book, I would have had no clue of the outcome, which was surprising (if, in a sense, a little disappointing as well). Several seemingly unrelated people die, but somehow Cornwall is able to tie their deaths in at the very end.
My favorite characters included Benton Wesley, Marino, and, of course, Kay. Benton was an intelligent man, kind and someone Kay could turn to. But he almost held an aristocratic air. Marino, on the other hand, was more down to earth. I enjoyed his arguing with Lucy and how the gruff man ended up coming to Christmas to Kay's after all. Finally, I grew fond of Kay. At first, I found her hard to approach, but then I realized that was her personality anyway. As the story progressed, I felt I got more of a handle on who she was and what she wanted. Further, I enjoyed how she paid attention to detail and thought things through logically.
What I Did Not Like:
Now, this could be due to my taking a month longer than I should have to finish this book, but I felt the story was slow (but not in an obvious "Will this book ever end?" fashion). I was plugging along and realized, "Hm, I'm halfway through and still have no clue how the heck this is going to end". This is not necessarily bad, but I would certainly not classify this book as one of those racing thrillers that keeps you on the edge of your seat every moment.
My biggest complaint has to be the character of Lucy. She is probably the most annoying character in the book. Her selfish, bratty whining made me wish frequently she would go home. Her actual purpose in the book was so small, I have no idea why she was included for most of it! All she did was discover the message left in Kay's computer and that AFIS had been corrupted. I felt that Cornwall was repetitively shoving Lucy away because she was in the way (sending her to ski with Benton's wife, having her left home alone while Kay ran around doing errands, etc.). And I have a hard time believing that a 17 year old could be such a computer brainiac. I think the story would have been much better without her.
Lastly, I felt the ending was rather rushed, the story concluding rather hastily in the last 10 pages or so, almost as if Cornwall was being pushed to get the story done and hurriedly threw the last bits together.
Overall:
My first thought at finishing this is "Ho-hum". "Cruel and Unusual" is not really a bad book. It is well written and fairly interesting. I just felt that parts drug more than they should and really couldn't stand certain nameless (LUCY!) characters. 3 stars.
Spoiler
Another test drive into the world of mystery, this book is my first book written by Patricia Cornwall.Life as a medical examiner isn't easy for Kay Scarpetta, particularly when fingerprints of a man killed in the electric chair appear at the scene of a crime a few days after he was killed. Then, after the death of her assistant, Susan Story, Kay becomes implicated in the crime. Can she discover the true killer before she ends up either in jail or dead herself?
What I Liked:
First off, I enjoyed Cornwell's writing style. She writes with intelligence and detail, brining you into the very scene. The autopsies, the attention to detail (particularly in relation to Eddie and Jennifer), the thorough regard for the scenery all made it very easy to transport myself to Virginia with Dr. Scarpetta.
Further, the story was pretty interesting and left you guessing. When I opened the book, I would have had no clue of the outcome, which was surprising (if, in a sense, a little disappointing as well). Several seemingly unrelated people die, but somehow Cornwall is able to tie their deaths in at the very end.
My favorite characters included Benton Wesley, Marino, and, of course, Kay. Benton was an intelligent man, kind and someone Kay could turn to. But he almost held an aristocratic air. Marino, on the other hand, was more down to earth. I enjoyed his arguing with Lucy and how the gruff man ended up coming to Christmas to Kay's after all. Finally, I grew fond of Kay. At first, I found her hard to approach, but then I realized that was her personality anyway. As the story progressed, I felt I got more of a handle on who she was and what she wanted. Further, I enjoyed how she paid attention to detail and thought things through logically.
What I Did Not Like:
Now, this could be due to my taking a month longer than I should have to finish this book, but I felt the story was slow (but not in an obvious "Will this book ever end?" fashion). I was plugging along and realized, "Hm, I'm halfway through and still have no clue how the heck this is going to end". This is not necessarily bad, but I would certainly not classify this book as one of those racing thrillers that keeps you on the edge of your seat every moment.
My biggest complaint has to be the character of Lucy. She is probably the most annoying character in the book. Her selfish, bratty whining made me wish frequently she would go home. Her actual purpose in the book was so small, I have no idea why she was included for most of it! All she did was discover the message left in Kay's computer and that AFIS had been corrupted. I felt that Cornwall was repetitively shoving Lucy away because she was in the way (sending her to ski with Benton's wife, having her left home alone while Kay ran around doing errands, etc.). And I have a hard time believing that a 17 year old could be such a computer brainiac. I think the story would have been much better without her.
Lastly, I felt the ending was rather rushed, the story concluding rather hastily in the last 10 pages or so, almost as if Cornwall was being pushed to get the story done and hurriedly threw the last bits together.
Overall:
My first thought at finishing this is "Ho-hum". "Cruel and Unusual" is not really a bad book. It is well written and fairly interesting. I just felt that parts drug more than they should and really couldn't stand certain nameless (LUCY!) characters. 3 stars.
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
3.0
This book is the fourth in the Kay Scarpetta series. I suspect that this is the book that Cornwell started to jump the let's pity Scarpetta shark.
In this book Scarpetta is dealing with the execution of a prisoner, whose records seem mysteriously incomplete, at which point all sorts of questions are of her, and the sort of lab she's running. As the bodies mount , so do the questions because most of the bodies seem to be linked in some way to her lab in general, and her in particular. She then has to defend her reputation, while Pete Marino, and Benton Wesley try to solve the case.
It isn't, a bad read. It's just... midway through the book, Marino gives her a dressing down about her "Ice Queen" persona in the lab. This could be the point where she realises the error of her ways, and tries to be more likeable. Sadly, this doesn't happen. In fact Cornwell doubles down, reminding us how clever Scarpetta is, and how difficult it is for the intelligent to relate to ordinary people.
In short, she actually had the chance to change Scarpetta, and actively chose not to. It's that that irritated me about the book. Cornwell was setting herself up to change our lead character, had she wanted to, but no, she ended up steering her in a direction that ended up with me giving up on the series.
At least now I know when the rot set in.
In this book Scarpetta is dealing with the execution of a prisoner, whose records seem mysteriously incomplete, at which point all sorts of questions are of her, and the sort of lab she's running. As the bodies mount , so do the questions because most of the bodies seem to be linked in some way to her lab in general, and her in particular. She then has to defend her reputation, while Pete Marino, and Benton Wesley try to solve the case.
It isn't, a bad read. It's just... midway through the book, Marino gives her a dressing down about her "Ice Queen" persona in the lab. This could be the point where she realises the error of her ways, and tries to be more likeable. Sadly, this doesn't happen. In fact Cornwell doubles down, reminding us how clever Scarpetta is, and how difficult it is for the intelligent to relate to ordinary people.
In short, she actually had the chance to change Scarpetta, and actively chose not to. It's that that irritated me about the book. Cornwell was setting herself up to change our lead character, had she wanted to, but no, she ended up steering her in a direction that ended up with me giving up on the series.
At least now I know when the rot set in.
tashanslone's review against another edition
3.0
There are pros and cons to this book in the series
PROS
You get to see more of Lucy and Detective Benton
You get to see the softer side of Kay
CONS
Pete is less in this book and I really miss their dynamic chit chat.
I rated it 3 stars because there were times I got bored in some areas. Most of her books are pretty consistent but it just didn’t hit the spot on this one. Maybe I miss good ole Marinos smart ass. Lol
PROS
You get to see more of Lucy and Detective Benton
You get to see the softer side of Kay
CONS
Pete is less in this book and I really miss their dynamic chit chat.
I rated it 3 stars because there were times I got bored in some areas. Most of her books are pretty consistent but it just didn’t hit the spot on this one. Maybe I miss good ole Marinos smart ass. Lol
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fourth in the Kay Scarpetta forensic mystery series.
My Take
Somehow I missed reading this one, and I think this one is pivotal in Kay, Lucy, Pete, and Benton's relationships.
The Story
Kay must request help from an ornery, misogynistic law professor when all the evidence begins to point to her.
My Take
Somehow I missed reading this one, and I think this one is pivotal in Kay, Lucy, Pete, and Benton's relationships.
The Story
Kay must request help from an ornery, misogynistic law professor when all the evidence begins to point to her
Spoiler
as people are murdered right and left all of which relates to a man executed days beforeingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
Again beginning solving computer-problems with Lucy, yeah!
Rest is ok, recommended, fast-page-turner, still too similar to the other books and too expensive as an ebook.
Rest is ok, recommended, fast-page-turner, still too similar to the other books and too expensive as an ebook.
jobustitch's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic read! I am a little annoyed with her neice, Lucy, but hopefully she grows out of the whiny phase in the next book. I am now looking forward to the next one in the series. I need to finish some other books before I get back to the series.
hinkle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5