Patricia Cornwell Books

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.

This is an intriguing and well crafted Kay Scarpetta mystery, which begins promisingly enough with the discovery of an overly ripe, dead body. Found stashed in a locked and sealed freight container aboard a cargo ship from Belgium that has landed in Dr. Kay Scarpetta's jurisdiction of Richmond, Virginia, the male, mystery corpse is covered with loose hairs. This intriguing beginning sends Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Richmond, Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner, on a hunt for information that turns international in scope. She discovers that this is just one of a number of murders to contain those tell tale hairs.

The murders, themselves, are graphic and the forensic details, as always, are fascinating, and Dr. Scarpetta's critical analysis of the pathology issues are well thought out and highly informative, as she sifts through the forensic evidence in order to profile the killer. Her assessment of the peculiar affliction of this serial killer is intriguing, providing scientific insight into creatures who were called werewolves, but who may have only been persons with a rare and unusual genetic condition, causing them to be especially hirsute, among other anomalies.

Moreover, there are a number of subplots afoot. Dr. Scarpetta, who is recovering from the death of her lover, Wesley Benton, faces a number of problems closer to home. It seems that she has been the victim of identity theft, with her internet screen name being used to set up a phony chat room, and personally destructive emails being sent falsely under her screen name.

To add fuel to the fire, a new Deputy Chief in the Richmond police Department, Diane Bray, and has managed to demote Dr. Scarpetta's long time friend, Homicide Detective Pete Marino. Having her own secret agenda, Bray has turned her sights onto Dr. Scarpetta, desiring to get jurisdiction over the Medical Examiner's Office. Perfidy also exist among Dr. Scarpetta's trusted staff, and her niece Lucy, who is still not operating with a full deck, is on a dangerous, undercover police mission with her lover in Miami, adding yet another worry to Dr. Scarpetta's already full plate.

It is the camaraderie between Pete Marino and Dr. Kay Scarpetta, however, that holds this particular book together. Their repartee and dialogue is wonderful, giving evidence of their comfortable and close relationship, without saying so in so many words. They carp as if they were an old married couple. Lucy, Dr. Scarpetta's niece, however, is still a loose cannon, and it is unbelievable that any police agency would allow her to run around with a gun in her hand, given her record for shooting it off. Mercifully, this annoying character has a smaller role than usual in this novel, and the reader may only hope that she will either be written out altogether or get an attitude adjustment.

The ending of the book, however, is a little too pat. Dr. Scarpetta's actions in the book's grand finale are not really believable for such an astute and normally cautious woman. Given what she already knows about the killer, her actions in the end bespeak more of the actions of an unknowing civilian. Still, this book does not fail to entertain and is sure to provide reading pleasure for many Kay Scarpetta devotees.

I haven't read all of them. I'm one of thos people that finds the books toward the end of the series. Anyway, what about Cruel and Unusual. I think that's the newest one with Kay.

I have all of the books in this series. They are all very worth reading. Cornwell has developed an exciting and indepth character in Kay Scarpetta. If you read them by starting with the first book it is much easier to follow the story. Happy Reading.

A different kind of witness potection for Maggie Weaver, now Sister Rose as she becomes a novice in a religious order to escape the awful memories of a traumatic and violent kidnap in the hands of the evil Dr. Face. But treachery follows her to London where she finds herself battling against the evil 'Mimic' and the thugs who control Sister Rose's old stomping ground in the North East. The novice is certainly no novice when it comes to battling against the forces of evil and the treachery of former colleagues. If you like your action fast and pacy, your body count high and your shocks electric, dip into Nik Morton's page turning thriller and be prepared for a high octane ride. Morton's eloquent prose and command of gut clenching narrative leaves the reader in no doubt from page one that the journey into the realms of crime fiction will not be gentle. Be warned! Be prepared! Beneath the mask, Sister Rose is compelling!

Dr Kay Scarpetta has a difficult job on her hands investigating a series of horrific murders where the victims are all well-heeled young women. All of them are found naked, bound and strangled in the early hours of Saturday morning.

As she unravels the forensic clues with the brash detective, Pete Marino, her task is made even more difficult as it appears that legal officials, who should be on her side, suspect her of compromising evidence and leaking to the press. The case is made even more complex when it appears that her ten-year-old niece, Lucy, has become involved. To cap it all, it looks like the perpetrator could have inside knowledge of the investigation.

The reader is kept guessing almost to the very end of the book. The suspense is never-ending. That's the way that a good crime thriller should be, and this is one believe me!

the first of the great scarpetta novels is very calculated and interesting mrs cornwell is a very safisticated and cunning author as is her characters.really enjoy her work

I don't often read biographies, but, admirers of Billy Graham need to read this book. Mrs Graham's story gives insight into the life of one of the most influential Christian leaders of our time, in a humorous and easy to read manner. Also, if you want to find out more about Patricia Cornwell and who influenced her, this book may help.

Dear Patricia Cornwell,

I wrote you a letter back in 2005 after you released Trace. I was, quite frankly, worried about the direction that you were taking poor Kay Scarpetta. And I must say that The Book of the Dead has not done anything to set my worries to rest.

I'll start with the things that I liked. I read once that you should always open a critique with things that you like. I liked that you let Scarpetta finally make fun of herself for some of the conspiracies which she imagines are aimed in her direction. It beggared the imagination that absolutely everybody was out to get the poor woman. In this book, many people were *not* out to get her. And that was a refreshing change. And for that I give you an extra star.

But, oh dear, the rest of the book...

First of all, shock schlock is one of the most virulent diseases of modern airplane novels. The world doesn't need another entry in the race to find The Most Sadistic Serial Killer Ever. Just say no. Please work with a nice straightforward killing, and solve it! I realize that this sounds terribly retro. However, I am tired of seeing writers burn their creativity in an effort to imagine a string of ever more icky things to do with eye sockets and bath tubs.

Second, you failed to get my disbelief to suspend. Too many coincidences. Too many links between all the characters and killings. Too much. Way too much. My disbelief actually didn't even levitate, let alone suspend. Honestly, I think that you ought to have a serious chat with your editor on this point. That is the person who should get paid to warn you that you have broken your plot. And you should listen to them if they do make warnings like that.

Last but not least, Dr. Self. Drop her. Drop this thread. Drop this character. I repeat the "oh dear, oh dear" when it comes to Dr. Self. She is not readable. She is not interesting. She is not anything. Let poor Kay settle down in Charleston without any more outside fuss than her already tangled relationships provide.

Actually, that brings me to a suggestion. Once upon a time, detective novels did this quaint thing where the world around them featured as a character in the work. The novelists used the local color and the detective became a vehicle through which the reader could explore the world. You seemed as though you kind of were starting to get at this with Bull. That was good, but then you got distracted. You wandered off and forgot about him. It was sad. Why don't you try that the next time?

I keep reading your books, largely because I still have a strong affection for Kay from back in the day. I also kind of like that you are one of the few mystery writers who allows your character change, and doesn't keep them encased in a plot-like amber. Please don't make me regret liking you for that, okay?

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

the frumious bandersnatch.

Several years ago, I quit reading Patricia Cornwell's novels because they actually became boring and the characters unlikeable. In the past 5 or 6 years I passed up several at both the library and bookstore. This past week, I decided to give her another try. After all, I thought perhaps I had just tired of the genre and maybe they really hadn't been that bad. Or I thought perhaps sometime through the intervening years Cornwell had recaptured the magic and excitement of her first few novels. Alas, it was not to be! This novel is worse than any that I remember, and although I didn't (or couldn't stand to) finish it, I read enough to conclude that the characters were obnoxious, the storyline disjointed, and the dialogue absolutely absurd. I really think this book may have been produced by a very disordered mind, and how it got into print baffles me. If Cornwell is not able to get it together . . . and she probably would have by now if she could . . . she should call her career as an author "Done" and move on to something else.

"Yuck" is the most appropriate word I can think of to describe this truly awful book. It is boring... It is silly... It is implausible... Worse than that, it is blatantly contemptuous of the readers who buy her books. Check out the description on page 301 of the hardcover for an example of what goes through Ms. Cornwell's mind when she thinks about the hoi polloi. I bought this book at a yard sale for $1.00. I think that was a very fair price considering its quality.

Patricia Cornwell should pay me to read this novel. My first impression after reading the book was complete and utter disappointment. No developing of the characters, no indepth plot. I read this in under 2 hours. I usually can't wait to read on of her novel about Kay Scarpetta and her group. I will wait for reviews of any future writings of hers before I purchase any other Cornwell books.

I don't normally write online reviews, but I am taking the time to write this one in the hopes that I can save someone from spending their hard-earned money on this book.

I have been reading Patricia Cornwell since the beginning. I have always loved her characters and looked forward to new Scarpetta novels, even though they have been less frequent in past years.

The last Scarpetta book, "Predator", was tough to get through...and "Book of the Dead" takes it to a new low. It seems as though everything is over-written. Just get to the point, already! Cornwell spends too much time over-describing and not enough time telling the story. It's almost painful to read. At times, I just wanted to put the book down, which is sad. The main characters, once enjoyable, are now conflicted and unpleasant. The story was disjointed and hard to follow, and once the killer was uncovered/caught, Cornwell did a poor job of wrapping up the story and bringing closure to the reader.

If possible, I would give this book 0 stars. Shame on Patricia Cornwell and her editors for bringing this book to market and subjecting loyal fans to such a terrible piece of fiction.

Scarpetta has a killer with a deep-seated hostility that is directed at her. He has used a rare virsus to kill his victim. Has Scarpetta been infected? This is one of her fastest moving novels that Cornwell his written. At first you think it is a serial killer. Then Scarpetta with her expertise uncovers the efforts of the killer to mislead. This is one of Cornwell's "I can't put it down." By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Cornwell again proves why she's the one to beat in this genre. As always, a fantastic book, filled with twists and turns and characters you'd love to meet. Don't miss this one-I always forget that Cornwell started the CSI /forensic science craze and then I rediscover an early work like this and remember.

Do not start reading these books unless you have the money to buy all of them.

Patricia Cornwell is a master at weaving stories around her central character Dr. Kay Scarpetta. Her writing draws you right into the characters and they become almost family like. You can hardly wait to find out what happens next.

I've been reading the Kay Scarpetta series in order from book one, and if you are reading the series, by all means don't skip this one. That said, I got lost in some of the forensic details, I'm just not as up on my saw blades as I should be I suppose. As you can tell from the book jacket, there are murders where the bodies are dismembered, arms, legs and heads sawed off. There have been previous cases in Dublin, and in Virginia. The latest doesn't seem to match that killer though. (we never know who that killer is) The book goes on to a pox like virus and a national health emergency. The killer was introduced early on, but I didn't see the clues leading up to the revelation. But by then, I was just trying to keep up with the different scenarios and lost somewhere in the microbiology and saw blade details.

In a long running series such as this, there is bound to be a book that everyone doesn't connect with. It will not deter me from reading the next one.