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tifflovesbooks80's review against another edition
4.0
More like a continuation from the previous book, Black Order. Left some open ends for future books.
taytay_milo's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alykat_reads's review against another edition
2.0
I keep reading this series out of curiosity more than anything. I’ve browsed blurbs of future books and I’m curious but man, some of these make it soooooo difficult to keep going. I was very drawn into the previous book and finished it within a week, and this one took me about 6 to slog through. It was so slow and dull in many parts. This nearly 500 page book could have been condensed to 200-250 pages.
There’s many things I don’t understand.. Why is Kay offended about everything?? How does she find a prosecutor discussing a killers motive ‘personally offensive’?? And she wants to be the victim so bad - “why won’t anyone think of me” - and then the moment they show her sympathy she doesn’t want it and brushes them off. Patricia, please make Kay less annoying, pleeeeease. I’m begging. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; she’s supposedly this super smart ex-lawyer turned medical examiner but some of the things she says or things she does are just plain stupid. I know everyone is human and is allowed some grace, but it’s like an extreme stupidity, and it’s even more annoying. It makes her character so unlikeable.
Spoiler
how she intends to make it known that Benton isn’t actually dead and bring him back to lifeThere’s many things I don’t understand.. Why is Kay offended about everything?? How does she find a prosecutor discussing a killers motive ‘personally offensive’?? And she wants to be the victim so bad - “why won’t anyone think of me” - and then the moment they show her sympathy she doesn’t want it and brushes them off. Patricia, please make Kay less annoying, pleeeeease. I’m begging. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; she’s supposedly this super smart ex-lawyer turned medical examiner but some of the things she says or things she does are just plain stupid. I know everyone is human and is allowed some grace, but it’s like an extreme stupidity, and it’s even more annoying. It makes her character so unlikeable.
juliethebookcat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
5feet_of_fury's review against another edition
4.5
More emotion and character development than in previous novels as we see the impact of the last few cases on the characters.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
3.0
I like Jean-Baptiste Chandonne more than I ever liked Carrie Grethen.
One year after Benton's death and Kay is still grieving. The way Cornwell describes that grief--as not even remembering what you did, as if you have been under the earth while your body still functions--is pretty realistic. Kay has to face Benton's death, not avoid it as she has been.
I enjoyed Kay's conversations with Anna, actually. They were my favorite parts of the book. The recaps of Black Notice, although maybe necessary to make the reveal of Berger as prosecutor, were really tedious.
Benton's death made Kay more of a target, not less. Its ripple effects are destructive for so many. I will re-read Blow Fly now to see if he expected everyone's life destroyed in this way. At the end of this book, the highest cost was paid by Marino (who, I think, has paid the highest cost of all of the characters once they all reconcile). The idea that both Marino and Lucy watch Kay grieve like this, both knowing (according to Ch. 4 of Blow Fly) that Benton isn't dead and they are still in contact with them, adds a layer of...I don't know the word for it. Benton's death destroyed Kay and nearly got her killed. Lucy and Marino bear responsibility for that. The FBI should have been involved in her protection at this point. They had to know that Benton would do something to protect her.
I was saddened to learn that Benton had had an affair while with Kay, but what a stupid reason for Bray to do what she does. Cornwell had to fall back on "he done her wrong" as a motive? Why not just say the cartel needed Bray in a high position and Kay was too involved--too good at her job--too able to discover what was going on--and needed to be removed? That would have been plausible.
I suppose there might be some message in the monstrous JBC and his equally monstrous but thought to be righteous because he's good looking brother. That Berger is a friend, then enemy, then friend. Appearances can't be trusted.
One year after Benton's death and Kay is still grieving. The way Cornwell describes that grief--as not even remembering what you did, as if you have been under the earth while your body still functions--is pretty realistic. Kay has to face Benton's death, not avoid it as she has been.
I enjoyed Kay's conversations with Anna, actually. They were my favorite parts of the book. The recaps of Black Notice, although maybe necessary to make the reveal of Berger as prosecutor, were really tedious.
Benton's death made Kay more of a target, not less. Its ripple effects are destructive for so many. I will re-read Blow Fly now to see if he expected everyone's life destroyed in this way. At the end of this book, the highest cost was paid by Marino (who, I think, has paid the highest cost of all of the characters once they all reconcile). The idea that both Marino and Lucy watch Kay grieve like this, both knowing (according to Ch. 4 of Blow Fly) that Benton isn't dead and they are still in contact with them, adds a layer of...I don't know the word for it. Benton's death destroyed Kay and nearly got her killed. Lucy and Marino bear responsibility for that. The FBI should have been involved in her protection at this point. They had to know that Benton would do something to protect her.
I was saddened to learn that Benton had had an affair while with Kay, but what a stupid reason for Bray to do what she does. Cornwell had to fall back on "he done her wrong" as a motive? Why not just say the cartel needed Bray in a high position and Kay was too involved--too good at her job--too able to discover what was going on--and needed to be removed? That would have been plausible.
I suppose there might be some message in the monstrous JBC and his equally monstrous but thought to be righteous because he's good looking brother. That Berger is a friend, then enemy, then friend. Appearances can't be trusted.
cookiemonster1234's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jennflattery's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0