Rating: 
Summary: I waited three years for this?
Review: I was a big fan of PC, but sadly she was all over the map with this story line. The ending was abrupt and left far to many unanswered questions. It seemed as if PC was getting tired of her own story toward the end and just pulled the plug. PC is more talented than what was projected in this book. If this was my first time reading a Scarpetta novel, it would have been my last. I loved her work in the past and will give her one more chance, but that's it.
Rating: 
Summary: Flawed, but Readable
Review: Although terribly flawed, Blow Fly is not the disaster many have described. Patricia Cornwell is still a terrific writer and sustains a very interesting story-line. Yes, the plot is fragmented with a series of disjointed and off the wall sub-plots surrounding an often ridiculous thread. The middle of the book seems to move through a series of unrelated scenes. An unitiated Cornwell reader will be confused and many even find the book unreadable. Nevertheless, for veteran readers of the series, the episodes that comprise the novel are interesting and move toward an anticipated crescendo that will tie many loose threads, place the characters in terrifying peril, and then decisively stifle evil. I believe that the worst failing of the book is the abrupt ending (this is a common failing of in the mystery/thriller genre) that leaves much unresolved and unexplained and the reader feeling betrayed. So much could have happened at the end of Blow Fly only to have it conclude with a sigh. Patricia Cornnwell has tremendous writing skills which probably saved Blow Fly from being a total disaster. 2 1/2 stars would actually be an appropriate rating. Perhaps the widespread criticism of this book is due to high expectations being unmet. For Cornwell devotees this one is definitely worth the time, but one should either borrow a copy or wait until it comes out in paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Where is the ending?
Review: This book was very disjointed, more so than her past books. It has been three years since we read of Scarpetta, and yet we are supposed to remember everything. Up until the last few pages I would have rated it a lot better but Where is the ending? I have never seen a worst end to a book. There should have been mucho chapters to go. I guess we will have to wait another THREE YEARS to hear from Scarpetta and of course we all know the plot line. Get a grip and write like you used to, PC. And drop the other series, it stinks even worse than this one. I swore I was not going to read her anymore. I should have kept my promise!
Rating: 
Summary: Blow Fly
Review: I was really disappointed in this latest Scarpetta novel. The plot was all over the place and there was not enough about Scarpetta. The ending was rushed. Why bring Benton back? MOVE ON.......
Rating:
Summary: Get a Day Job...
Review: The absolute worst piece of trash I've ever read!! I should have had a clue when I had to keep stopping to ask "Is there a PLOT here?" The rambling, self-important tone of the abysmal writing is appalling. PC has been slipping in recent novels, especially the "other" series in the Carolinas and she has completely gone over the tasteless, amature edge. I don't care how much research she's done, when she puts in endless minutiae about guns and ammo that serves no purpose in the plot, it just seems like grandstanding. "Look at me! See how smart I am!" Get a day job Patricia.
Rating:
Summary: Not That BAD
Review: Wow -- a lot of negativity for this book. While certainly not her finest, I'm surprised at the feedback this book has drawn so far. Any fan of the series should know her days of forensic medicine in the books are over. Kay isn't even a medical examiner anymore so what did you people really expect?In fact, I think this book took a turn for the better in the fact that the characters were not all about to commit suicide because they were so miserable. Things are actually looking up for these characters and, I assume, we might be able to get back at some point in the series, to other murders besides this particular serial killer. Did it have some loose ends? Sure! But I think a lot of things will get wrapped up for us in the next book. We've stuck with these characters for how long now? I think we know things will become more clear with future books. I'm just glad her characters are out of their ruts and, it seems, she will keep most of them out of there as she explains to us why they have all been cranky for several books now. Not the best offering to the series, but not the worse either.
Rating:
Summary: was there a fire in the building?
Review: Things were going along fairly well. I was interested but then I suddenly realized, I was literally in the middle of the story and there were 30 pages to go. This book ends as though the building were on fire and PC had to run. One of the lamest attempts at an ending I've ever seen. Next time PC, spend a little more time wrapping it up. I have read every book and always buy hard cover because I'm too impatient to wait for paperbacks but I am seriously considering not going for the hard cover next time. PC what are you doing?
Rating:
Summary: The operative word is "Blow."
Review: No stars at all should be given here. All I can say is, Blow Fly blows compared to Patricia Cornwell's other Scarpetta books. I am so glad I borrowed it rather than spending my hard-earned money on it! I found nothing to like about this book. I suspected that Benton's death had been faked the first time I read about it. The plot jumped around WAY too much, I didn't like the third-person style instead of Kay in the first person, and it seemed that all the book was was a rehash of the last three Scarpetta stories with not much added. And, as usual, the ending came way too fast and read as though it had been cut and pasted willy nilly by some editor who has no feel for how to end a story! Patricia, you can do MUCH better than this. Go back and read your earlier Scarpetta stories like Postmortem, Body of Evidence, and All That Remains - and then write another Scarpetta novel wherein she actually solves a FRESH case without ruminating on her past or Benton. And for heaven's sake, do something with Marino! He has become an unlovely caricature of his former self. His unrequited love for Kay is really old, as is the Chandonne family story line. As for Benton, what was the point of bringing him back from the "dead"? He added nothing to the story. You wrote damn good Scarpetta novels before - you CAN do it again!
Rating:
Summary: As Bad as James Patterson
Review: I agree with all the reviews that said this book sucks. Instead of Serial Killer, this book can be summarized as "Serial Sequels". The only book in recent memory worse than Blow Fly is Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Patricia Conrwell and was excited to see this book come out. However it just isn't up to her usual standard. I agree with the other posters, it seems like the end was hurried and just thrown together. I think the ending could have been better. So what if it they would have stretched the book out another 50 pages to finish it right. I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in two days. I could have handled a few more pages to wrap this book up right.
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