Rating: 
Summary: A new direction for Scarpetta
Review: I actually liked this book! I found out that there was a human side to Kay Scarpetta ~ a side that we've never really touched on before. Sure, we've seen her as having "feelings" for Benton and Lucy and whatnot, but for once in her life, Kay Scarpetta can't sweep things under the rug. She's gotta deal with the psychological aspect of things, for seemingly the first time, in her life. Unfortunately, I think maybe we did a bit too much in this book and it deviated from the usual punch that a Scarpetta novel has. It made up for it in the end.. but it would have been nice to have the new aspect as well as the usual punch.
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Summary: A Serial Killer WIth Bad Breath
Review: That is all I remember after finishing up 449 pages of neverending boredom. The plot does not seem to fit well. There are gaps everywhere. I am amazed I did not skip through the pages while Scarpetta whined about what seemed to be series of bad relationships. The only reason I am giving two stars instead of one is because I think Patricia Cornwell has her way with words. I am hoping for a better one - soon.
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Summary: Cornwell Needs a New Protagonist!
Review: While I admire Patricia Cornwell's writing style and her heroine, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, I almost didn't make it through this thriller. It was only because this was a hardback edition of a gift that I perservered. I'm glad I did, because after the first third of the novel, with its morose introspection, it finally takes flight. With some twists and turns, many predictable, the novel takes hold of the reader and the romp is pure "Corn"wellian!Still, I think Cornwell has nearly reached the bottom of the barrel in her escapades with Kay. It's time for a new, more compelling heroine who doesn't have a niece that is brilliant, wealthy, forceful, lesbian, ex-FBI & ex-ATF, helicopter-piloting, & fitness-obsessed. It's just a bit too much of a stretch... Same old, same old! It's time to reach down and find some new material. But, based on the ending, there will need to be a least one more Kay Scarpetta to tie up all the loose ends. But then, please Patricia, put your enormous talents into something fresh and untried! Your talent is bound-up, let yourself go free!
Rating: 
Summary: Good transition Book
Review: This is a very enjoyable read. Once again, Ms. Cornwell's is in top form with The Last Precinct. Wonderful plotting and twist, in this one. The author is great in moving her characters into new territory with hints of more to come. I love the way she plays her characters, showing real life. In The Last Precinct, Ms. Cornwell gives us more of what makes Kay Scarpetta tick. I found is interesting and not boring at all. Sometimes I would get so mad at Kay for being the way she is, now that I understand her better, I can relate to Kay. Thanks to Patricia Cornwell for the therapy. Ms. Cornwell has also introduced a great new villain. I'm sure that we will see more of them. (Don't want to give too much away.) Once again, Patricia Cornwell has delivered a wonderful book to get lost in for awhile. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Rating: 
Summary: The Last Precinct
Review: This was a big disappointment. You won't miss anything if you skip this one.
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Summary: no one can whine like patricia can
Review: Kinky Friedman has a song 'No one can pitch like Catfish can', I'm sure it would be easy to parody the words to fit this book. Patricia has reallly sunk low.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing!
Review: Like every other reviewer before me, I was waiting with bated breath for the next installment of the Scarpetta saga. I was so disappointed when I started in on this one. Kay is up to her eyeballs in angst and grief over Benton, the Lucy lesbian issue is just not shocking anymore, and Marino desperately needs Weight Watchers and a Nicoderm patch. The sexual tension encumbent in the relationship between Kay and Marino is starting to remind me of Lou Grant and Mary Richards on the Mary Tyler Moore show. Acknowledge it, deal with it and get over it! I have always enjoyed the graphic details of the autopsies...this book had scarce few! However, Ms. Cornwell's little juncture into the description of grisly sexual torture was neither necessary or germane to the story. Keep the main thing, the main thing. I hope by the time the next Kay Scarpetta book comes out, Ms. Cornwell has dealt with everyone's problems so we can all get back to what made these books so interesting...incredibly riveting murders, great morgue intrigue and stunning resolution.
Rating:
Summary: Finally A Deeper View Into Scarpetta's Mind
Review: I have read all the Scarpetta series of books, including Cornwell's latest "The Last Precinct". Particularly, I have very much enjoyed the way the characters of Kay, Marino and Lucy have developed over the series. For the first time, this novel brings you into the mind of Kay Scarpetta. The reader not only sees her as the strong, clever Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, but as a woman with vulnerabilities just like the rest of us. She becomes "real". And Marino, who became burnt out, as many admirable law enforcement officers do with as much time and challenge as he has endured on the job.......again very "real". I would think something was wrong with him if he didn't have his disgruntled attitude. And finally, Lucy. We were introduced to her in "Postmortem" as a 10 year old kid from Miami, who was neglected by her mother but had the comfort of knowing that her Aunt Kay loved her no matter what. This unconditional love was faithfully displayed when Kay was accepting of Lucy's "coming out". Lucy's character has grown to be an intelligent, talented gay woman who is completely comfortable with her sexuality, trying to make the best of what life has to offer.......again, very "real". I commend Cornwell for touching upon the great complex realities of life in which we all live. My hat goes off to her!
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Summary: Cornwell's best is here!!
Review: This book is without a doubt Patricia Cornwell's best novel. For both previous readers of her books as well new fans, readers will delight in reading this mystery. This is Cornwell's 11th novel in which she features female investigator Kay Scarpetta. What particularly makes this book stand out from her others is the use of old characters from her previous books. I was impressed that not only did she provide character building with each one, it was not too much or not enough, it was just right. This way both new and veteran readers of her books won't get bogged down with so much previous description, they won't like the book. There are so many twists and turns, and the suspense is so worth it. Just when you think something is going to happen, it doesn't. Something else happens and keeps going like that until before you know it, you are at the end of the book. And what a refreshing read it will be. You won't feel cheated; you will feel just right. In fact, you'll probably go to bed wishing another Cornwell book to be released the next day. There was only one thing I didn't like about reading this book. It was the fact that I had to go to work the next day, and I only got opne hour sleep! All day I talked about the book, and to my amazement, someone who hadn't read any of Cornwell's books had bought and read the book a few days earlier. She said she understood everything, and it only made her want to read more of Patricia Cornwell. So many authors have a hard time recycling characters from previous novels because readers will get bored with them. But Cornwell did this with taste and showed different sides to each character. It was like we needed to know everything about each one, and indeed we did. Each page centered on character and plot development, something not many authors do. You must read this book. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Maybe It's Time for a Break
Review: I hate to say it but, this book was about 150 pages too long. The ending seemed rushed and I felt that there were loose ends left intentionally dangling so the next book could 'prologue' another wistful memory section. Please Ms. Cornwell, we know the good doc's niece is lesbian (with a new lover for each book - or so it seems), she loves to cook Italian and suffers more angst than a real person ever did. Move on and get to the story. To her credit, Cornwell did a masterful job of weaving the tale after she stopped rehashing the past and telling us how to make Italian dishes. It might be time to read the reviews and/or wait for the paperback on the next one. I hate that.
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