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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
As always, Cornwell delivers on great scientific detail about forensic science; and, we get to keep following Kay, Benton, Marino, Lucy, and the other beloved characters. She still manages to give even seasoned Scarpetta readers a surprise or two. Mostly would recommend this book to loyal Cornwell/Scarpetta followers.
Disappointing. Far too much time is wasted on details that are of no interest, such as the painfully long explanation of how long it took to put up a tent at the crime scene. The characters are not portrayed in a manner that the reader can connect with or relate to in any way, but rather left me feeling cold and disconnected. I found myself looking forward to the end of this one. I have read each and every title in the Scarpetta series, but may not continue to do so in the future. This book is a dull attempt to revitalize an overused story line.
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Holy crap on a cracker. This has to be one of the worst books I've ever read. The only good part is the last 20-25 pages. Otherwise it's a mess and yes I get some of that has to do with the title being Chaos but 90% doesn't. There was SO much of this book that could have been cut out and it wouldn't have changed the story. The writing overall was okay but the jumping of threads was just nuts and not really needed.
The only reason I read this is because I won the next book in a Goodreads giveaway.
The only reason I read this is because I won the next book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Thankfully, this was far less convoluted than the Scarpetta novels of late. However, Kay didn't even SEE the body until halfway into the book and the cause of death—despite trying to build up suspense when she finally DOES see the body—isn't a surprise as it's completely given away in the book description.
Why doesn't she see the body until halfway into the book? Because Cornwell spends pages and pages describing what Kay and Benton are going to eat at dinner. So much of these books are unnecessary descriptions that just go on and on and on forever. Seriously, I'm a fast reader but the Scarpetta books always take so long because I get so bored. It seems Patricia Cornwell is suffering from Stephen King syndrome and writing longer and longer books simply because she can.
Why doesn't she see the body until halfway into the book? Because Cornwell spends pages and pages describing what Kay and Benton are going to eat at dinner. So much of these books are unnecessary descriptions that just go on and on and on forever. Seriously, I'm a fast reader but the Scarpetta books always take so long because I get so bored. It seems Patricia Cornwell is suffering from Stephen King syndrome and writing longer and longer books simply because she can.
Probably the worst of the entire series. Moved slowly but still managed to lack depth. The narrative was choppy with no flow. I miss the early days of the series, there was a villain and a chase, a mystery solved, the psychology of a demented mind, the forensic anomalies. I’m tired of hearing about the angst of each individual character; it no longer gives them life but instead makes the story drag and bores the reader with extraneous drama.
I finished this on out of loyalty to Kay Scarpetta. The late Scarpetta books are certainly nothing like the early ones. This one was almost painful to read, too filled with repetitive information, the story line dragged and then all of sudden wrapped up in the last 20 pages or so. The not reason. Didn't give it a "1" was the twist at the end.
I did not like this addition to the series as well as some of the others. IMO it took to long to "get to the story". The end wrapped something up so hopefully the next book will have a bit of a different focus.
This book was absolutely painful to read. Not until it was about 80% done, did it start to get the least bit interesting. I really enjoyed most of the previous books in the series, but this one really felt like it was written by someone else.
When I talk about thinking there should be a limit on a series, this is the first one that comes to mind. What was once a terrific combination of characters and interesting cases has devolved into ridiculous paranoia, excessively over detailed descriptions of dinner, obsessions regarding run nylons and wet shoes, basically not what I am looking for in a book. Can someone just let me know when Carrie Grethen is gone and Kay is looking into unusual causes of death instead of having stilted conversations where she and Marino or Benton aren't being open with each other?
4 Stars
Chaos (Kay Scarpetta, #24) by Patricia Cornwell
Review to come.
Chaos (Kay Scarpetta, #24) by Patricia Cornwell
Review to come.