Patricia Cornwell Books

Blow Fly follows on from where we last left Scarpetta, visibly breaking up as she, Lucy and Marino struggled to come to terms with the brutal death of Benton Wesley, FBI profiler. Now however,it turns out that all was not as it seemed to be in Last Precinct, that things are happening behind the scenes of which Scarpetta has no knowledge and more importantly, no control over. The notorious Chandonne cartel is still seemingly omnipresent, with the fact that he is on death row not standing in the way of the Wolfman, Jean Baptiste, in the slightest. The book, written in the third person narrative is, at times, slow, as though Cornwell needs to remind the readers of the plot after such a long time away from them, but generally it is a necessary tool which keeps things moving along coherently, and ties together everything at the end, so the story is conluded as far as possible. An absolute gem of a read.

I bought this book not having read any of Patricia Cornwell's books and it was a great introduction. I went on to read everything else she has written. All the three novels were great and I was sorry to have them end so quickly.

Over the past thirteen years, Patricia Cornwell has established herself as the world's leading crime writer. With this collection, we are introduced to Kay Scarpetta, crime fiction's most fascinating protaganist. Three of Cornwell's grittiest and most terrifying novels are rolled into one superior anthology.

Her debut novel, Postmortem, deals with an elusive serial killer who is holding the city of Richmond, Virginia hostage with his nightly endeavors -- breaking into young women's bedrooms, sexually assaulting them, and then strangling them.

Cornwell's follow-up, Body Of Evidence, has a lot to live up to, but doesn't disappoint. A young woman, a struggling writer, is being stalked. One rainy evening, she seemingly invites her killer inside her home. It is up to Scarpetta to put the pieces together as she follows a trail of bread crumbs from the Richmond crime scene to the young author's secret hideaway in Key West. However, it soon becomes glaringly apparent that said killer has set Scarpetta herself in his scopes...

All That Remains, the final volume in this collection, details Scarpetta's frustrating pursuit of a viscious serial killer dubbed "The Couple Killer" by the press because his modus operandi is to slay young couples in isolated, woodland areas. When the most recent victim turns out to be the daughter of a powerful political drug activist, things get personal as Kay discovers that the CIA may be witholding evidence...

Whether you've never read a Scarpetta novel or are a longtime fan interested in adding to your Cornwell collection, this set of enthralling novels is a definite must!

I'd have to admit I'm one of those people who buys each new Patricia Cornwell as soon as it comes out, and here are three of the best. If you've read any crime novel featuring a female detective written in the last ten years, you've read a novel that's been influenced by the fabulous Scarpetta. Kay Scarpetta is a forensic pathologist with a genius for solving crime, and Patricia Cornwell is a writer with a genius for bringing the morgue to life. Cornwell's writing is superb when it comes to gory and technical forensic details, and her enviable skill with suspense will leave you checking that you've locked your doors and seriously considering purchasing some kind of semi-automatic weapon.

Scarpetta purists may hold that Postmortem is the best of the bunch, but there's plenty in each of these novels to keep crime fans happy for some time to come. I don't know anyone who's read a Scarpetta novel and hasn't been converted. Postmortem features a seriously scary serial killer and rapist, who's tracked down by a mixture of forensic work, medical knowledge and psychology; in Body of Evidence, Scarpetta is forced to retrace the final days of a murdered writer in the hope of uncovering the truth about her death; and in All That Remains Scarpetta has to deal with political pressure as she attempts to discover the identity of a serial killer who stalks and murders courting couples.

Scarpetta is certainly flawed - difficult, demanding and with an unfortunate proclivity for men who treat her badly, or die horribly, or sometimes both - but this is precisely why she is so endearing. If you're after a great thriller with plenty of forensic detail, go no further than Patricia Cornwell.

I have read hundreds of mysteries and none could hold a candleto any book by Patricia Cornwell. Her understanding of PoliceProcedures and Forensic Science not only intrigued me and kept me up many nights reading, but inspired me to go back to school and get my degree in Forensic Science. (I plan to be a Forensic Pathologist!) Every one of her books are not some fifty page, light reading "who-done-it," but a believable, sink-your-teeth-into mystery with a great story line. Go out and get one of her books today. You won't be dissapointed.

This book is, for the most part, as deep as a conversation - like what you'd hear over dinner or having a beer - more than it is a real examination of the coroner's role and duties.

Don't get me wrong, this is a really nice first effort, but I come away feeling like I have not learned much about Dr. Cataldie or his office.

We learn that he takes his work seriously, it's a tough job and you can't let it get to you.

Don't get me wrong, I personally know people with similar positions, and it is a tough, demanding job that takes a toll most people will never realize. I wish everyone could understand the sacrifices Dr. Cataldie and others like him make each and ever day.

However, I do a little professional writing myself, and the most important lesson: Show, don't tell. Take us with you, don't just describe the trip. You got real close, particularly in the Conclusion chapter when he talks about some of the regular people who have needed his professional services. I'd like to hear more about them.

So for that Katrina book I hope you're working on, dig deep, buddy. I know you can do it.

I was totally involved with reading this book. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
Very in depth, very well written, really does show the steps a coroner goes thru in a death and crime situation.
I felt as if I were on the investigating team. It really is a very good book, including much about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area.

This is book that is hard to put down. Cataldie takes you with him to crime scenes. He is a very detailed writer. I would love to find more books like this.

I am a true crime afficionado and found this one especially interesting because I live near Baton Rouge, and it gave more details about some high profile cases which you never heard on the local news. I also appreciated his perspective on the nature of his work.

This was an excellent forensic case book. Not only do you get excellent cases but you also get the author's down to earth personality, concern for life and true emotions. If you enjoy forensic novels and case books - This is a definite must read!!

I think this is Cornwell's best book, you can feel her love for Graham. Ruth Graham had an extraordinary life, her life in may ways is as interesting as her iconic husband. Her early live in China and how it enlightened her, it's interesting that such a forward thinking woman married the most famous evangelical. I found the information on her courtship with Billy fascinating, he really had to win her, she was beautiful and he know he had to be at the top of his game to get her. Ruth Graham was an amazing woman, though i was dismayed to see that she gave in and allowed herself to be buried in Charlotte instead of her chosen place Montreat, but ultimately she couldnt imagine not being next to Billy. Very good book on a singular American.

I don't enjoy reading the much and I'm also a slow reader in that I get lost in the content and descriptions. This is definitely not a Patricia Cornwell suspense novel. She was very close friends with the Grahams and begged Ruth to let her write the book for people to see the woman behind the man...Billy Graham. She did it so well that Ruth did not speak to Patricia for about 3 years after the book was published. Sometimes the truth hurts and sometimes it will set you free. It was an interesting, easy read for me. It was a book I kept picking up to want to read the next chapter...something that's very hard for me...something keeping my attention. I've loaned the book out to several friends and they have all enjoyed it. I read it about 3 months before Ruth died.

I bought this because I'm a fan of Cornwell's other work, especially the earlier stuff. My expectations weren't very high, since most books about religious "greats" tend to be syrupy or on a witch-hunt.

Instead, Cornwell brings in just enough of her personal experience with the Grahams to explain her adoring views of Ruth. But for the rest of the book, she manages to take herself out the story masterfully and give us a three-dimensional portrait of a strong, stubborn, soft-hearted woman's walk through life. Both of the Grahams are seen as normal, flawed, generous people with single-minded commitment to their lives' callings. The realistic presentation of both of the Grahams really highlights God's presence and action in their lives. I loved that Cornwall just trusted the facts to present a well-rounded picture, without inserting a lot of personal opinions. It's a perspective on Ruth that you won't find in a lot of simpering bios which show her as the ever-supportive, ever-submissive wife of an equally flawless evangelist. Here, you get to see her as a worthy match with a quick mind, a soft heart and sharp tongue.

The most incredible chapter is the last one, where we see how Ruth's compassion and acceptance of wounded and lost people had such on effect on the author's life as well. Just a really great book. I'm officially gushing to everyone about it!

This is a great book if you want to learn about Ruth's life from the perspect of a close family friend, someone who knew her well. It's easy to read and very interesting. However, as I read the book, it felt like there was an important aspect missing: the faith of Ruth Graham. The author, who I don't believe is a Christian hereself, does an excellent job describing Ruth as an incredible person, wife, mother, and friend; but I perceive from her writing that the author never realized the value or importance of Ruth's relationship with God. I read this book hoping to find encouragement and insight from Ruth's walk with God. However, I was disappointed in that area. Although very accurate and full of wonderful details about the life of this great woman, the author thoroughly glorifies Ruth as a person (with no real credit to her faith) so much so that by the end of the book I felt that Ruth was described as almost superhuman, someone to look at on a pedestal rather than try to relate to and learn from.

Ruth Bell Graham was ailing this week and died yesterday. I had meant for the longest time to read this book, but just never got around to it. I guess I just thought she was perfect, and perhaps the book might be about that, but I was so moved by her life ending that I just had to know more about her. I knew I was going to miss her presence in our lives and country. Yesterday was the impetus to start reading the book. Fascinating. Far from being just about "churchy" stuff and a woman who was seemingly "pefect", author Patricia Cornwell (who as a little girl befriended Ruth's parents Dr. and Mrs. Bell first and later Ruth who was already married to Billy Graham) covers so much ground about these fascinating, wonderful, decent, giving, generous, sacrifical, funny, Godly people. Ruth was born and raised in China and her parents took over the hospital run by legendary American author Pearl Buck's parents! Author Cornwell does such a masterful job, I felt I was standing in China at that time, with all of the turmoil, the attacks of the Japanese, and spunky Ruth -- who was open-minded and truly loved and cared for all different kinds of people at an early age (when she and her sister would get into physical skirmishes, the family's Chinese help would actually place bets about which sister would win!). And the hand of God was on them too, protecting them from the bombings of the Japanese war planes, as their train sat enveloped in fog. Ruth didn't make perfect grades at Wheaton College, in fact she actually did very poorly in some subjects, but was a superb human being and very funny. Also covered was the Bell family history in colonial America, as well as the Graham family,and their ties to Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University, and even the fact that Ann Arbor, Michigan, is named after one of the "Ann's" in their family. Ruth's and Billy's courtship wasn't entirely smooth and perfect either, as they learned to discern whether they were meant to be together or not, and struggled with that decision, but finally conceding their deep love for each other. And of course the hand of God in their lives, and their deep love and concern and ministry for others. I laughed and cried and pondered life's deep answers this family sought from and were given by God and have given others. Powerful book. I am so grateful author Patricia Cornwell never gave up her dogged pursuit to write Ruth's biography. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This book shows his drawing and painting skill in detail manner. You'll see many examples of his drawings, experimenting with different compositions, color sketches final illustration. Excellent book for illustration students, artists or painters.

Dean Cornwell's legendary stature among American illustrators is rightfully restored by the reissue of this excellent 1978 retrospective. Cornwell, revered by his peers and his generation, had fallen into an entirely undeserved obscurity in recent years, but the work here emphatically places him in the front ranks of his profession. Looking through these pages, it's hard not to feel that the commercial artists of Cornwell's time easily surpassed the fine artists. Certainly, it's hard to imagine how someone who could draw and paint this way would be received today.

This attractive book is a thorough and comprehensive collection of color work, studies, and sketches, all with commentary and excellent reproduction.

Cornwell was one of the 20th Century's masters of illustration and the new edition of this legendary book attests to that fact. A master of color, composition, and anatomy he was a narrative artist in the best sense. "Dean of Illustrators" is full of wonderful paintings covering a broad range of themes. The problem is that this *is* an exact reprint of the first edition and nearly 3/4 of Cornwell's paintings in this book are printed in black and white. It would have been a service to the readers if the publisher had spent a little time replacing b&w images with those readily available in color....

Dean Cornwell was, indeed, a master of American illustration and anyone who shuddered at the $800 pricetag the first edition has been sporting over the years will find the new edition of this long-out-of-print classic welcome. Cornwell was a gifted painter and knew how to tell a story with a single canvas: his art is as engaging today as it was in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. But the downside to this new edition is that it *is* an exact reprint of the first: that means 3/4 of the book's color paintings are printed in black and white. Cornwell was such a master of color that it seems a crime that the publisher didn't take the time to go back and replace at least some of the readily available works and present them as the artist painted them, especially at a hefty $75 cover price. This is the only Cornwell book available and as such is an important part of any art library: however, it is *not* what a $75 Dean Cornwell book *should* be and buyers should be aware that the majority of "Dean Cornwell: Dean of Illustrators" is printed in black and white.

Dean Cornwell was the instructor and an icon for a generation of American illustrators and muralists. Capturing and expresses the evolving aesthetic and social values of American culture from 1914 until his death in 1960, his work was exceptionally popular with both the general public and the art critics of his time. With both black-and-white as well as color examples of his work, Dean Cornwell: Dean Of Illustrators has long been out of print and unavailable to American art history studies. This superbly reproduced and presented Collectors Press edition is a very welcome contribution to personal and academic artbook collections and will well serve to introduce a major American talent to a whole new generation of students and aspiring artists and illustrators.

My Mom just asked me to print out a list of Patricia Cornwell's books - we are forever buying and exchanging her books only to find out the other has bought/read/owns it already - this is the PERFECT Christmas gift for any avid PC fan....

I thought the checklist was great. It gave me everything I needed to know about Patricia Cornwell's books

This is a great way to keep track of which of her books you've read. I was forever returning books I bought, not remembering if I'd read them or not, and now I just carry this and save a lot of time!

I love most of the Kaye Scarpetta series. This is definately one of the better novels!!

I enjoyed this book, even though it does show its age a bit with its simplistic descriptions of DNA testing and computer hacking. Another thing, I figured out who the killer was early in the book, something that is very unusual for me. Still, the book has some nice characterizations and the plot moves quickly. Scarpetta is a little whiney, especially for a woman in such an important position, so that didn't track as well. Overall, well worth reading.

After reading some of the other Scarpetta books, I thought it would be fun to see how the series started. I was a bit disappointed as I muddled through the first half of the book, but the emergence of clues and action in the second half was pretty good. The book starts with the murdered body of victim #4 in a sick series of raped/murdered women in Richmond. Much of the first half of the book is fruitless talk among Dr Scarpetta and various police officials on the similarities of the four cases. We get a relationship with a boyfriend who I know doesn't appear in later books. Also, we start to see something sinister happening inside Scarpetta's office, as an inside leak of inappropriate information seems to be a problem.

The book doesn't really get going, though, until victim #5 turns up. This victim has a different connection to the principle characters than the other four (who appeared to be strangers). Scarpetta gradually uncovers clues with microscopic physical details of evidence. Who can she trust? I found it funny she started to doubt she could trust Marino.

The ending is similar to other Scarpetta books. Lets just say it gets personal.

This is the first one I read of Cornwell's. It is skillfully written and has you on the edge of your seat until the end. A maniac is prowling the city with his horrific crimes. People are afraid to be out after dark. Scarpetta decides to find this serial killer, however she finds herself in danger in her pursuit of this psychopath. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and Natchez Above The River"

They keep you interested until the very end. I didn't want to put it down once I started.

Could the murder of Emily Steiner be the most horrific murder that Scarpetta has been asked to solve? Cornwell tells you the chilling story of Emily that takes her to the Body Farm. Is the killer one who has eluded the police in the past? It is a gripping suspense. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Qualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelTravelersWriting as a Small BusinessNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early Settlers

this book is so amazing!! i was getting bored with other books and i just couldnt find anything interesting to read. these books are so good. they are truthful and they take you into the forensic world. i read this one first because i didnt know it was part of a series but now im going back to the first book to read all of them. so far all the ones ive read, ive read them in like 2-3 days. i cant put them down. and theres no point in the book where i was getting bored. it keeps going and going and going. they are truly amazing books!! good job patricia cornwell!!

This is the fifth installment in the Kay Scarpetta series. Kay and Marino are summoned to Asheville, North Carolina to evaluate the murder of a child. The characteristics of the body and the scene are similar to the previous murders by serial killer Temple Gault, who first appeared in Cruel and Unusual. This book is best enjoyed in fact if you've read Cruel and Unusual. Lucy is now working with the FBI at Quantico in a top secret program which utilizes her computer skills, that is until she is accused of breaking in to the system and stealing information. Lucy continues to develop as her own person, one that Kay cannot control and protect. We also see an interesting side to Marino in this one too. All in all, one of the best of the series.

Nothing unique or compelling here! No surprises, intrigue, thrills, spills or chills! Just a good solid police procedural that focuses on forensic investigation and is predictably interesting - no ... let's make that gripping - informative reading coupled with great dialogue and compelling in depth character building in an ongoing series. This is Kay Scarpetta's fifth appearance in the literary world as the consulting forensic pathologist for FBI's Behavioral Science Unit and the series continues to move triumphantly from one success to another.

This particular novel deals with the disturbing murder of 11 year old Emily Steiner. The title of the novel derives from the most interesting part of the entire novel - the details of the research into the scientific minutiae of a body's decay after death. This research is carried out at the University of Tennessee's Decay Research facility, known colloquially as the Body Farm. It is absolutely fascinating and would lead one to wonder how it is possible in this day and age that a criminal actually gets away with anything!

Part of the appeal of Cornwell's writing is that she so effortlessly weaves Scarpetta's professional life and the details of the case at hand into the complex, uncomfortably difficult story of her personal life and the development of the characters around her. Pete Marino, her friend, long-time colleague and undoubtedly frustrated admirer with an unrequited fondness for Scarpetta, wallows in self-pity and begins to unravel as he finds himself in a most unprofessional relationship with one of the suspects in the Steiner murder. Lucy, Scarpetta's niece, is a computer whiz working on an internship at FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. She is charged with violating security and it is clear she is headed nowhere in life until she clears her name professionally and resolves substance abuse issues. Scarpetta herself wrestles with the difficulties of an affair with a married colleague.

Not a lightweight subject, to be sure, but thoroughly enjoyable light reading that will guarantee a break from the workaday world. Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

It REALLY bothered me that the main character came off as a cold homewrecker with no conscience whatsoever. Nobody is perfect, but this woman's internal dialogue doesn't hint much at remorse over boffing a married man with CHILDREN!

Simply put, the main character was one I did not care for, as she comes across as very self-centered and almost as sociopathic as the killers, in a way.
I can't really get into a book or series if I don't respect the main character, or at least find them interesting. I found this book somewhat wooden and dull, and figured out the killer about one third thru, or even earlier.

Should a main characfter be perfect? No, that would be boring, but at least have somewhat of a conscience. This woman seemed like a selfish ho.

Here is another Cornwell mystery that is terrifying and captivating. The bodies of four young couples are found months after they have disappeared. A fifth couple has gone missing. You need some free time to read this book because it will be hard to put this one down. Scarpetta is a "Quincy" in her morgue. By Ruth Thompson "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River

Sins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelWriting as a Small BusinessTravelersNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersQualifying Laps: A Brewster County Novel

Another fast paced exciting page turner that is one of my favorites in the Scarpetta line. The in depth forensics is fantastic, and keep you entertained from start to finish. I also like the twists and turns that Cornwell leaves you with.

All That Remains continues the gotta-finish-Now! tempo and liveliness of he early Patricia Cornwell work. She seemed to meander later, kinda like an aging river developing deltas, but this book still has "It." Let yourself fall for Kay and her co-stars (some of the will not shine like this again!)
Did she become Al Stewart (Year of the Cat) just doing the same thing over and over? Did she decide too, too early that she was stuck in a rut?

This is one of the best of Cornwells series on Kay Scarpetta. It moves fast and has twists and turns in the personality conflicts as well as in the mystery of the whodunit. She has achieved in fleshing out the romance between Kay and her lover and still making it clear that this is a difficult relationship to maintain due both to their jobs and due to their personality. She allows Kay to be a strong individual who has some difficulty in letting people into her life.

I have read all of Cornwell's Scarpetta books and this is without question one of her best. I reread it recently, honestly I had forgotten what a good writer she once was, her lastest books go from horrible to barely readable. This book never wains, the story is fast paced, Scapetta is looking for a killer of young couples in the Williamburg area of Virginia. Scarpetta is at the top of her game and as she pursues the killer you are with her all the way; this is early Cornwell, the book is in the first person from the point of view of Scarpetta, in the most recent Scarpetta books she changes to third person and it just does not work as well. Cornwell, as in all her books, gets carried away with unbelieveable coincidences, the killer asks Scarpetta for directions at one point, I mean it's like one in a million this would happen, it's like Cornwells trademark, and in a very good book like this you really dont mind, but in her later books it's annoying and you just roll your eyes and are like..yeah, right! In this book you see the begins of Scarpetta and Benton and the character of Abby returns as does Scarpetta's ex Mark. Cornwell does a nice job of fleshing out the killer and when you find out who he is, you dont feel cheated, it feels honest in its conclusions. Richmond and the Williamsburg area are like characters in the book and I was reminded of how much I miss Scarpetta living in Richmond, she just seems a fish out of water in Miami and then most recently Charleston. Definitely a must read for fans of Scarpetta.

Cornwell takes hold of your mind and does to let go until Scarpetta finds her solution. There is a horrible crime scene but it does produce some fingerprints. This is an easy case for Scarpetta until there is a match. It was a match to murderer that was executed before this murder. Read the book it is a good one. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Sins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelQualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelWriting as a Small BusinessTravelersTravelersNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early Settlers

Cornwell is one of the very best at crime mystery and her lead Dr, Scarpetta never disappoints. Great read.

Granted this is one of Cornwell's better books and I have read them all, so I can attest to that fact. I recently went back and read this book, just to try to remember if the woman ever could really write, and my conclusion is yes, she once was quite good. This book is fast paced and Scarpetta is at her best, but still, as with all of Cornwell's books, this book is full of plot holes and the most incredulous coincidences, it's like a Cornwell trademark..warning spoiler alert...here are just some of the miriad of plot holes...I mean why would the warden let out this nut?..and how on earth did he do it? why not just contract somebody on the outside to find the briefcase..why the cloak and dagger with the fingerprints, why didnt the guy just wear gloves, then it would not have mattered, why on earth was the governor trying to ruin Scarpetta?...why were the warden and govenor trying to make it look like this guy executed was not actually the one executed..what was the point?..then all the stuff on Mark dying and Scarpetta giving the guy that helped him, 10,000 dollars..WHAT?!!!..then what was all that stuff with the bull dike prison guard..who had this Psycho in her house then later he decapitates her..why?..we are never told..why on earth did Scapetta and Marino not ask for back up to get Gault?..then they let him escape out the window and dont even bother to run after him..WHAT?!!..and at the beginning of the book, the killer kills a boy and stages him like a woman killed years ago..why not select a girl..why a boy?..if your trying to copycat..it makes no since at all...then all that stuff with that guy in her office..stealing the fingerprints along with this other woman that gets killed by the psycho..and im thinking..the govenor and warden where having this nut, pay the people their getting to frame Scarpetta...that makes absolutely no sense at all..there is more..i could go on and on..unfortunitely, this Temple Gault ends up in her later books, he's such a ridiculous character..something out of Silence of the Lambs..you can tell that book and movie were popular at the time these book are written because Gault is straight out of the mind of Thomas Harris..I do recommend reading this book, but you really need to not think at all about the idiosy of these people and all the holes..honestly with all the holes it's amazing this book holds together both figuratively and literally

Like the ones before, this book is a solid forensic and police procedural. A death row inmate is executed and his fingerprint later shows up in a current crime scene. How could that have happened? I particularly enjoyed seeing Kay's niece, Lucy, again, as she is 17 now and her own person, no longer a child. Lucy's computer skills continue to amaze. I look forward to reading the next in the series!

(Note: There is a continuing bad guy introduced in this book who appears in the next two installments as well. I'd recommend reading this book before The Body Farm and From Potter's Field)

One of Cornwell's better books & I have read them all. This is the 4th book in the Scarpetta series (it's better to read them in order). This is the first book to feature Temple Gault so should read this before you read Body Farm & From Potter's Field.

This book is a fast paced & should keep you flipping pages.

The ending was a bit of a disappointment - loose ends not resolved. However, I did like this book & it was nice that there is no love interest.

This book along with all the others in this series are wonderful and full of suspense. Will keep you guessing the entire time!

When I had read over half of the book and I still was not interested nor felt strongly about any of the characters, I decided to call it quits. This was my first time to read Patricia Cornwell and I definitely prefer others like Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, John Grisham, etc.

This is one of Cornwell's strongest books, Scarpetta is at her most interesting, I had read this book several years ago, but had to reread it, to remember that Cornwell at one time could actually write. I've read her lastest Book of Death, and was like, did I ever like these characters? and the answer is..yes..well Scarpetta anyway,..i always disliked, the racist, homophobic, obtuse, moron Marino, Cornwell has him promoted book after book, and im like..WHY, he's a fool!!!, maybe now that he has assaulted Kay in the last book, he's finally gone..we can only hope..anyway, this book is very good, if for no other reason than Lucy is not mentioned. I liked the twist and the mental hospital angle was truely creepy. The characters are at their most interesting and you remember why you liked Kay so much. You remember that she used to not be so negative and she was happy once, you forget that if you read Cornwell's last few books, my own personal opinion is that Cornwell herself used to be happy, but now she must be the biggest "B" on earth, because all he main characters are hateful and loathe each other. As for this book, it's very good, I always like Scapetta in Richmond as Chief Medical Examiner, she was at her best..at the top of her game..the same could be said for Ms. Cornwell..my advice to her would be to reread her early books, and recapture her talent...if not just please retire to your millions and once and foreall, put poor Scapetta to rest...she'd be doing us all a favor.

This, the second book of the Kay Scarpetta series, moved much faster and kept me guessing much more than the first book, Postmortem did. The book starts with novelist Beryl Madison's fear of a stalker and then her murder. For some reason, it appears that despite her panic she let her killer into her house and reset the burglar alarm. If one is petrified of someone, then why let them into the house? The questions keep coming. Also, an old boyfriend of Kay's shows up and he and his motives keep us guessing. Nice mystery, fast read.

This is an easy to read page turner w/ lots of twists & turns. Fans of shows like CSI ought to enjoy this bk. since this is a trip down a similar avenue. Forensic science is explained in fascinating detail.