Rating: 
Summary: Really disappointing for non-loyal readers...
Review: ...if this is disappointing to loyal readers. I liked the first couple of Kay Scarpetta books, but I hadn't read any for a while because they seemed to go down in quality. I finally picked this one up and it's probably the last I'll ever read. I still think that Cornwell has talent, but she apparently didn't feel up to coming up with anything new or worthwhile. This book is primarily about Kay and her private life; only rarely is the "mystery" (a hunt for a particularly vicious serial killer) brought up. I didn't like many of her characters much to begin with, but they've turned into charicatures of themselves now. Marino has become a loathsome bigotted low-class piece of dirt, and Lucy is a crazed lesbian who wants to destroy the world. If you care what happens to Lucy, Marino, Rose, and especially Scarpetta, you probably should read this. To me, it was far too melodramatic and whiny; Scarpetta is to wrapped up in her life to be of any interest, and the rest of the characters were repellent or boring.
Rating: 
Summary: What has happened to Kay?
Review: Black Notice is definitely not one of Patricia Cornwell's better Kay Scarpetta books. In this book, Kay seems even more sorry for herself and mad at the world while dealing with the death of her lover; Lucy is embittered to the point of self destruction and Marino--well, Marino is just Marino. And in this book, the mystery was not as taut as in the previous novels. It begins satisfactorily when a dead and decaying body is found in the cargo hole of a ship, but the plot does not develop. In fact, it becomes rather convoluted, especially when Marino and Scarpetta go to Paris to help the Interpol. The story then evolves into a unbelievable mishmash with spectors of werewolves running amok through the streets of Richmond, Virginia. This is not to say that you should not read this book especially if you are a Kay Scarpetta fan. Despite its faults, it is an enjoyable read, and I recommend it because of that.
Rating:
Summary: A DOOZY
Review: Cornwell's name on the cover virtually gaurantees both instant bestseller status and enthusiastic raves from the reviewers, and not without good reason; her narrative is convincing and chilling.
Rating:
Summary: Audio Book Review
Review: Disappointing. This was the first of the series that I read. I couldn't figure out the background so I never got into the story. The end wrapped up too quickly and then just dropped off.
Rating: 
Summary: Black Notice - Patricia Cornwell
Review: For some reason, I stopped reading Cornwell novels several years ago. After "Black Notice," I want to go back and catch up on the ones I have missed, and even the ones I have read before! Yes, it is that good.
Kay Scarpetta grows and develops as Cornwell moves forward in her series about the Doctor-Lawyer-Chief Medical Officer. Based in Richmond, VA, Scarpetta lives in a niche port -- one that is not international and rarely has its cargo opened and checked. However, the stench of death and decay in an off-loaded container drags Kay to murder most vicious.
Covering the corpse is the residue of downy fine human hair; it was in his clothes and clung to the body as it traveled across the Atlantic Ocean. Scratched on one of the boxes is a clue about a werewolf. The first issue is to find the identity of John Doe, and since the ship was foreign and the clue written in French, this leads to Interpol.
Interpol requests Scarpetta and her detective partner Pete Marino to fly to France. It is significant that their flight is on the Concord, and that they stay in one of the most expensive hotels in Paris.
Cornwell is masterful in her use of words. The character?s dialogues fit their education; I once had a teacher who called words not in every day usage "ten dollar college words." That Kay Scarpetta is both an attorney and a doctor makes her extensive vocabulary help a reader suspend disbelief.
Cornwell?s writing is rich with details and descriptions, and I wish I could read this book for the first time. The story is complete, and it is not until I started "The Last Precinct" that I realized it needed a sequel.
This is an excellent suspense thriller with a great mystery. I savor words and phrases, so I do not read as fast as though who get the gist and go on; I could not put it down and I anxiously await the next installment. This is five star read.
Victoria Tarrani
Rating: 
Summary: Not Cornwell's best effort
Review: I am a huge Kay Scarpetta fan, but this book was in desperate need of an editor. There were several places where I had to flip back and reread, only to find that I was right the first time -- the book referred to facts that hadn't been proven or even discussed, things that hadn't happened, etc. The sad thing is, you have to read this book if you want her subsequent stuff to make any sense. But it really wasn't her best.
Rating:
Summary: My First Patricia Cornwell Read and I am HOOKED!!!
Review: I am currently in Pre-Med and I am hoping to go into forensic pathology. A classmate of mine told me I must read some of Ms. Cornwell's books. She gave Black Notice and said to give it a chance. It has sat on my kitchen table for about a month now I had not even glanced at it. 2 nights ago I was having troubles getting to sleep and I decided to open the book hoping maybe my eyes would get tired. I wasn't able to put the thing down and I read it straight through. This book is so detailed orientated and kept me on the edge of my seat. This book tied everything together very nicely. The ending was a bit predictable but it was a excellent read!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excruciating Amount of Detail
Review: I am normally a fan of Cornwell but this one is over the top. There is a LARGE amount of unnecessary detail in this book that makes you want to scream or at least keep turning the page until you get to a part that matters. The various plots jerk you around many times. The characters seem to say the same thing over and over again. I found the whole book frustrating to read and finished it in the hope that it would get better!
Rating:
Summary: Get to the point
Review: I am still a big fan of the Scarpetta series but this one was hard to get through. Cornwell spent too much time on emotional dialogue and not enough time with the mystery. I just started "The Last Precinct" where the story continues right where "Black Notice" left off and I am wondering why Cornwell didn't just cut out all the extras and make them into one story. For readers who have followed Kay's stories from the beginning they will probably find that "Black Notice" repeats explanations from past stories that are unnecessary to the current one. I thought that Kay's relationship to Marino forced and overly done and his story line hard to swallow. I also thought the story line with Chief Bray a bit far fetched considering if she had her way, than Kay wouldn't have a job anymore. It's still the same ole Kay, but she needs to cut out the drama to keep her audience hooked. I'll give it one more try, but then I may have to give up on Kay.
Rating:
Summary: Return of old friends
Review: I can understand how some people might find this latest Scarpetta read a bit predictable; but that's what endears the reader to a character--it's that predictability and familiarity to a character that keeps fans returning novel after novel. Granted, Marino is still grumpy, Lucy is still bull-headed, and Scarpetta wants to run the show. But that's the way people are in real life; they follow a pattern--they're not ever-changing. Just like that morning cup of coffee we take for granted or the evening in front of the tube with the family, Cornwell's characters have routines and it would be out of character for them to continually change. In this way, Cornwell has hit upon a very human trait. Some among us don't like this in a continued character in a book because it makes them appear stale, but alas, that is the way most of us are. Perhaps that is why some are disappointed--it hits too close to home and they don't want to admit that they, the reader, may be predictable as well. Cornwell remains true to her characters with attention to details that other writers would overlook. I've read all her books and look forward to Scarpetta's home as if it were my own; I know the kitchen, the office, the bedroom; her office and its various other rooms are etched in my memory. Marino's truck and slovenly abode reflects the gruff man who wants to be the caretaker yet longs to be taken care of. And Lucy is the wreckless child yearning for love and attention. To change any of these characters would be a disappointment. They are who they are, like them or leave them. As for the story itself, I found the details fascinating as usual and anxiously look forward to the next Scarpetta story. Thanks, Patricia, for an enjoyable read with old friends.
| 
