Rating: 
Summary: Twin Serial Killers Might be One Two Many
Review: In "The Last Precinct," we were left with Jean-Baptiste Chandonne behind bars and Scarpetta, having lost the safety net of her job as Virginia's medical examiner, wondering where her life is going next.In "Blow Fly" we find that she's moved on down to Florida, is living in a rental and working as sort of a private forensic consultant. Then she gets a call from the coroner in Baton Rouge to give her advice on a case. Of course she goes, led into the trap, for she now faces the vengeance of Chandonne's insane fraternal twin, who is torturing and murdering a slew of blonds in the bayou that look a lot like her. Ex-cop Pete Marino, his evil lawyer nephew and Scarpetta's niece Lucy return, as does Benton Wesley, yep, I said Benton Wesley, that might throw you, for me it was a bit hard to swallow, as was twin serial killers, fraternal or otherwise. Also hard for me to swallow was Cornwell's shift from first to third person, but halfway through the book, I got used to it. I know a book should stand on its own and that I shouldn't judge this one by Cornwell's previous works, but I'm such a fan, I guess I just can't help myself. Four stars for "Blow Fly" from me because it was a good story, it did keep me up all night and it didn't disappoint, well not too much. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Rating: 
Summary: Blow Fly Deserves a Chance
Review: Why you might like this book: Dr. Kay Scarpetta is back, though now she's kind of a free lance forensic consultant. However, like the Kay of old, she's searching for a serial killer. Also on the plus side, PC brings back some characters her readers know well. She even manages to bring one back from the dead. Why you might not like this book: It's written in the third person, so we're not in Dr. Kay's head like we're used to and somehow we don't seem to be able to identify with her the way we have been able to in her earlier books. And there you have it. Readers who have been able to get over the fact that PC, as well as Dr. Kay, has grown and changed, genuinely seem to like this book. Actually, I loaned it to a friend who had never read a PC book and she just loved it. However, my best friend, a died in the wool PC fan, said she hated every page. That, I thought was a bit harsh, and when I asked her to reread it as if she'd never heard of Kay Scarpetta, she came back to me a week later and admitted that maybe it wasn't that bad. I suppose this is a dilemma that confronts a lot of best selling authors. Do they simply regurgitate the same book again and again, just changing facts and faces or do they move on, grow and allow their characters to do the same. I've read everything PC has had published and, like many other readers, I'd fallen into the trap of expecting the kind of book she has delivered in the past, so Admittedly, I was disappointed with "Blow Fly" at first. But I spent the next couple of days thinking about the book, then reread it. No doubt about it, she has changed. For the better, that remains to be seen. As a stand alone book, I'd probably give this one four stars, however PC sure as heck deserves at least one star for having the courage to try something new and asking us to come along for the ride. I for one will give her another chance and am eagerly awaiting her next Scapretta novel. Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
Rating: 
Summary: Who are these people?
Review: As most Patricia Cornwell fans I was excited to learn a new Kay Scarpetta novel was being released. I have read the book and I am extremely disappointed. The two questions I had throughout the book were "who are these people?" and "who wrote this book?". The book is written in third person unlike all the others and the characters have lost all "human" qualities. I must be honest...I did not like any of these characters! I'm sorry Ms. Cornwell...I won't be reading another "Scarpetta" novel.
Rating:
Summary: Kay Scarpetta is back!
Review: In "Blow Fly", Patrica Cornwell uses the third person to explain what is going on with a vast cast of characters. However, the narrative is over used in this novel, and it is lacking alot of the dialogue and character interactions we are used to. Alot was left unexeplained in this novel-alot of what happened in "Last Prescint" was never explained and we are left wondering what has occured. The ending was quick, and will leave readers eagerly anticipating major character resolutions in the next book. I just hope that P.C. won't have another 3 year gap and that the next novel will be coming soon!
Rating:
Summary: PATRICIA CORNWELLS' BLOWFLY
Review: Ok, firstly I havent read this book yet as my local bookstore hasn't got it in yet. I have read and re-read all of P Cornwells other books and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I eagerly anticipate the new book and I cant wait to catch up with Kay and co! I like nothing more than reading a Cornwell book on a frigid evening, sipping a glass of my favourite wine and getting totally involved in the plot. Patricia has the amazing ability to write with such gentle complexity. Her stories are scary yet tender and informed.
Is it true that Patricia will be investigating the death of Princess Diana? If so then I have every faith in her ability to find out what really happened that night.
Thankyou Patricia for giving me so much pleasure over the past few years.
Rating:
Summary: COMPELLING READINGS
Review: Film and stage actress Carolyn McCormick gives a vital, arresting reading to the Abridged version of Patricia Cornwell's latest. Kay Scarpetta reigns again! An accomplished performer, Kate Reading has given articulate voice to Ms. Cornwell's previous works. She delivers another stellar turn with the Unabridged version of "Blow Fly." Much to the delight of her countless fans Ms. Cornwell, arguably the world's most popular mystery writer, reprises her always intriguing heroine Kay Scarpetta. However, this time out Scarpetta is not the fierce, in-your-face investigator we remember. In "Point Of Origin" the intrepid medical examiner's adored Benton Wesley was killed. Now, we find her in a ramshackle house in her native Florida - a retreat after she has lost her job as Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner. Leaving Richmond, she's attempting to make ends meet by working as a private consultant while still mourning the loss of Wesley. It seems pretty routine when she receives a call from the Baton Rouge coroner seeking advice on the death of a wealthy woman who was found in a rundown hotel. Cause of death? A drug overdose. Not much new here. But, wait a minute. It's soon obvious to Scarpetta that this death is a link in serial killings. More frightening yet, an old adversary threatens her life. As always, Ms. Cornwell weaves a compelling story.
- Gail Cooke
Rating:
Summary: Time for Growing Up
Review: I started reading P. Cornwell with "Black Notice, TLP"...people change over the years due to "stuff" that happens. Cornwell brought that into her characters showing the change due to choices/event made/happening. I believe if any of the "one stars" folks were attacked by a lunatic, they too may be tempted to resign. The singer Ricky Nelson summed it up best in his song "Garden Party"....time to let the characters grow...see where they develop...I had my "no, don't let them do that" thoughts about what some of the characters did....Cornwell owns these characters...they're growing...don't like that I have to wait for the next one, as the ending suggests, however...I want to see where they go.....enjoy it for what it is....entertainment...without a sense of "tv show expectations" (i.e. we KNOW no matter what happens, the main characters will do/act "thusly")... p.s. If P. Cornwell reads this...please have mercy on your fans if something happens to your main characters...and tell us about it s-l-o-w-l-y :-)))
Rating:
Summary: Haven't read it yet, but can't wait!!!
Review: I just signed into Amazon to see if there was any new Cornwell books out! I've read every one of her books, and this one sounds wonderful! I've read and reread all of her books and she is absolutely brillant!!! Even though alot of the reviews gave away alot of the interior of this book, I still think it sounds wonderful.....I'm thinking maybe Ms. Cornwell did this one in the third person to open up new book series.....such as one about Lucy's life with and without her beloved aunt ( I think this would be a wonderful idea!!) or Marino's son and how he became involved with the Chardonne family! I think this one will be wonderful (Ms. Cornwell does NOT tell a bad story!!) and I'll buy everyone she ever writes!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Bring back the real Kay
Review: I really miss the tight plotting of Cornwell's first books. I had to force myself to finish this one. It meandered, and I find the whole huge conspiracy theory thing, started in The Last Precinct and continued here, too implausible. I guess I'm fed up with nothing pleasant ever happening to Scarpetta, Marino, or Lucy...I'm bored with the ceaseless catalogue of horrors and unhappinesses and persecution without even the slightest bright patch. I know these books are crime novels about forensic investigation into serial killers so clearly not a cheery topic, but that doesn't mean that the odd nice experience couldn't find its way into the lives of the characters. I also found that the way the narrative comes from one hundred and one points of view makes it feel very superficial. In the early books, the first person narrative led to real bonding with Kay, and with those to whom she was close. When I put this book down my overwhelming thought was that it was time to put the whole thing to bed and start afresh with a new series and new characters.
Rating:
Summary: too much embalming fluid
Review: Pat has been to too many autopsies & smelled too much embalming fluid. She needs to take a deep breath, clear her brain and go back to her original story lines. No werewolves, no unfunny black humor.
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