Rating: 
Summary: Another Great Book
Review: Loved it! Much better than the last Scarpetta novel. I think that Patricia Cornwell did a great job. I have followed all of the Scarpetta novels and even though I loved them there were some that bordered on mediocrity. Glad to say that this one isn't one of them. I wish everyone would read the books prior to the reviews because some of them are just off the wall.
Rating:
Summary: FLIES RIGHT BY
Review: This is definitely one of PC's best! Her writing style, while vastly changed, is exceptional. I'm not sure if I like the style as well as her others - it is hard to get used to the 1st vs the 3rd person writing style; but the book itself is wonderful. PC has outdone herself in letting the readers see how far Kay has fallen yet there is still that spark that suggests she will become the strong Kay that was before. I think there is a human aspect to Kay this time as opposed to just the robotic perfect Kay Scarpetta presented to us in the past. Simply wonderful. Cannot wait for the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Fly away from this one
Review: As many fellow readers who has followed Cornwell for a long time, I have to agree with most people here that I was very disappointed with this last offering. Cornwell's writing style and her characters used to make me race to the bookstore to get a copy and then equally race through the book and leave me 'hanging' for the next year to come around.
Between 1990 to 2000, Scarpetta used to grace our bookshelves every year with quality and after 3 years away, I thought she would come back with a bang....more like a party popper that failed to pop. It felt like I was being robbed both in a monetary and literary sense with this book. Firstly you will/would have noticed the writing is in third person, which I didn't like...I only managed 2 chapters of this book and then put it down and didn't pick it up for another few days so I could finish off another book I was reading.
Cornwell's books used to be full of forensic details, depth and it had a PLOT, we would see the world through Kay's eyes but not with this book. She has turned into a self willowing character who now shacks up with a dog! With only a few mentions of her scattered throughout. Cornwell should either retire the Scarpetta series or spend more time on writing and ensuring there is quality with her work instead of spreading her self too thin with other projects. With over 400 pages, it dribbled on and on with a few pages at the end which made me question, Why?! (wont give away the ending), so if your a die hard fan, have a browse through a borrowed copy or if your new to her writings, please take time to read her early works, which would show you why we are all fans of her today.
Although after this offering, I would have to say she has to really make up for it in the next book for me to even consider buying in Hardcopy.
Rating: 
Summary: Scarpetta in the 3rd person
Review: I have read all the Scarpetta novels and have been addicted. When I saw another one coming, I pre-ordered. I just finished it - it was interesting and written differently than Cornwell's other books. Kay was in the third person and was somewhat of a victim, trying to deal with what life had dealt her. I was longing for Kay to get back to her old self and I'm sure that will happen - I await the next book! Some new characters entered the scene and some favorite old ones, that had more of a role in the book than Kay. Cornwell leaves you hanging a bit - with a happy ending but with some things still unresolved. That left me a bit disappointed but I know there has to be more coming! I recommend this book to Scarpetta fans.
Rating:
Summary: The Right Direction
Review: I have read all of the Scarpetta books and was beginning to lose interest as Scarpetta became more and more depressed. This book serves to tie-up a lot of loose ends from the last couple of books and sets the stage for future stories of the strong-willed and brilliant Scarpetta so many enjoy reading about. Bravo Ms. Cornwell.
Rating:
Summary: Where is Kay?
Review: As a long time fan of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels, I was anxious, as many of Amazon's customers were, for the latest installment. Unfortunately, I was equally disappointed. I feel a bit sad that a character I have enjoyed for so many years was treated so shabbily by her creator, and thoroughly confused why Cornwell's editors and publisher would print such a poor effort. I find it utterly amazing that I fell asleep reading a Kay Scarpetta mystery! Cornwell appears to be transitioning the Scarpetta series away from the tough, female, forensic pathologist toward the various characters who have played supporting roles in past mysteries. Echoing the sentiments of many of the other reviewers, she is barely in the book at all! When she does appear, she is not the Kay we have comet to know. She is depressed, sullen, lethargic, and old (although, it appears that Cornwell has shaved a few years off of all of the characters ages, perhaps in an attempt to add longevity to the series.) Additionally, after having spent the last several years delving into the criminal psyche of Jack the Ripper, she apparently felt that she needed to explore EVERY single character's thoughts and motivations - even those who appeared for only a page or two. Wrong! Most mystery fans want fast paced action and suspense. The plot is the key element. I wish someone could tell me WHAT the plot was in this book? Cornwell also makes a mistake in dragging the Chandonne characters into this effort - the hairy, modern-day Werewolf, and his handsome brother. The characters stretched the bounds of believability the first time we met them. To carry the plot line further (even weaving them into past plot lines) demonstrates a lack of creativity on Cornwell's part. Perhaps the proliferation of CSI / NCSI television shows have stolen all the good forensic criminology plot lines. I hope not. I would like to see the return of Dr. Scarpetta in a vehicle that is worthy of the series. The book certainly isn't a good read for anyone who has never read this series, and an irritation for those of us who loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Blows
Review: The many reviewers here stating how awful the book is do a great job in telling you the many things wrong with this book, so let me focus on the things that bothered me the most. 1) Cornwell goes in a million directions, each time delivering elaborate and dramatic details although almost none of it is meaningful to the plot. First we're led to think there's some reason for all Lucy's 007 cloak and dagger maneuverings in Poland, and with blow flies. On the contrary, Lucy's just going mad and Cornwell apparently just liked the sound of "Blow Fly" for a title. Lucy's baton (and NEVER has a baton received such attention)gets forgotten behind at the murder scene! So she acts like a prostitute! Flings herself at a drunken guest! Retrieves it! Sneaks back to the car and waiting partner! Decides the partner turns her on! Attacks him, sexually, although when *he* tried that with her, Lucy gave him a bloody lip and broken nose. And isn't she gay, anyway? Then there's mind-numbing telecommunications details that seem to be going somewhere but end up not being worth the trouble. Then Lucy tells Marino -- while in the air in a helicopter no less -- she regrets to inform him his son is dead, and well, see, she killed him. UNBELIEVABLY, Marino, says, yeah, the kid was trash. 2) Lucy, clearly, is mad, as in stark raving. She's no longer an agent of any kind but she's committed cold-blooded murder based on the flimsiest of rumors, or maybe it was a note or something. I want this crazy witch thrown in jail for life, and I mean it. These characters that used to be moral beacons are now crazy -- Kay included, judging from her reaction to Lucy's news. Oh, well, he needed to die. NEEDED TO DIE? Are we off our meds or what? 3) Cornwell used to never glorify the killer by giving his point of view. She sure has changed THAT policy. The twins -- Talley and hairball, both of whom I'm good and sick of -- are far more developed here, and have far more page space, than our beloved Kay, who makes about 4 cameo appearances, really. This is NOT a Kay Scarpetta book, don't kid yourself. 4) This huge scene (or maybe it just seemed long -- the book has tangents to spare) between Marino and he-who-gets-resurrected are weird and offer up yet another character who begs you to question his sanity. I do not believe that ANY character in witness protection, especially one who had officially been retired, would be allowed to reappear after 6 years and run an operation with the full support and backing of the Justice Dept. Even if the sanctimonious Senator Lord IS a buddy. 5) And I am SICK of hearing about the babe-alicious Kay Scarpetta. Suddenly, our attractive but serious doctor has become a U of Miami cheerleader, and everyone wants her. Even as she approaches fifty, there are repeated conversations about her as if she's Angelina Jolie. If you needed further proof that Kay Scarpetta, as we knew and loved her, is gone, this is it -- her creator has lost touch with her. And given that, I honestly don't know if there's hope for this series.
Rating: 
Summary: MY DISAPPOINTMENT BROUGHT ME TO TEARS
Review: I waited anxiously for this book and ordered it in advance. I was so disappointed. I am so used to Kay Scarpetta telling the story in the first person that reading the story in the third person gave me the eerie feeling that someone else wrote Blow Fly. There was just too much effort explaining the past that I became weary reading it. When reading the other Cornwell novels I just flew through them because the story was so engaging and interesting. I found myself with this book scanning ahead hoping it would get better. I had a bit of difficulty dealing with inconsistencies in this book compared with events in Black Notice and The Last Precinct. I find myself unrealistically wishing that the author would rewrite it in her usual style so I could believe I haven't wasted my money or lost confidence in her as a writer.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely disappointing
Review: A dammed shame - a book with a lot of potential but does not live up to the rest of the Scarpetta novels. Moves to the third person making the writing a disappointment. Seems to have got lost writing the Scarpetta novels - crisp, strong plot, great character definition and tangled but easy to follow plot. Follows more of the dodgy Cop novels with short chapters and chopping and changing between characters. Interesting story with the person under protection by the FBI/Senator Lord etc. Fairly believeable, but fails to deliver a good plot line based on "The Last Precinct" and "Black Notice". A disappointing read all in all. Will I buy the next one in hardback? - very doubtful now. Borrow it from the library before making the decision to buy.
Rating:
Summary: What's happened to Patricia Cornwell?
Review: Yikes! I ussed to rush right out and buy the hardback copy of each new Patricia Cornwell novel, but I'm certainly glad I obtained "Blow Fly" from the library. Cornwell's writing has definitely gone downhill right along with Scarpetta's career. My first clue was that this book, unlike every other Scarpetta novel, was written in third person -- not from Scarpetta's point of view. I guess this is because she's not actually IN the plot quite a bit of the time. At any rate, it seems like Cornwell is grasping at straws -- right up to the "let's bring someone back from the dead" moment. These used to be great police/forensic procedurals with interesting repeating characters. Now the Scarpetta books are full of paranoia and long, drawn-out character descriptions. While I was glad to read this latest installment just to satisfy my curiosity, I'm glad I didn't pay for it!
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