Rating: 
Summary: When did Patricia Cornwell buy a thesaurus?
Review: I am an ardent follower of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series. I admit that, in addition to the plot and characterizations, one of my favorite items has always been Cornwell's distinctive writing style - that is, her overuse of such adjectives as "big", "bad," and "good" to promote the simplistic morality so common in her earlier works. "The Last Precinct" was a definite change.I read only a few paragraphs before I wondered, "Did Patricia Cornwell hire someone to write this for her?" Or else perhaps she simply got an editor with some measure of literary ability. Complex sentence structure makes its first appearance in a Cornwell novel, and "big words" - rather than being peppered sporadically for the purpose of show - are integrated throughout the text for a much more holistic effect. This is not inappropriate to the novel, as it deals with much more "complex" issues than the good-vs.-evil standard that characterized "Postmortem" through "Point of Origin." Cornwell is telling a different type of story here, one rife with introspection and linguistic merit. Characterizations are practically rewritten through psychotherapeutic revelation - and no character escapes this shadowing effect. Lucy, Marino, Kay, and Benton - yes, the dead, ever-perfect Benton - are all revealed to be flawed. Such characterization parallels a murky plot, one which, like Kay's conversations with Dr. Zenner (a character who has been too long absent), rewrites past events. Though the plot takes a bit to get going, once it does so, the book is difficult to put down. Similarly, this book ties up some nice loose ends. In discussing "Black Notice" with another Scarpetta fan (the woman who recommended me to the series, in fact), we both expressed our disgust at the alphabetical coupling that occurred in that novel - that is, Jay and Kay's tryst. Fortunately, this bit of unpleasantness is turned into an excellent literary device. On the whole, "The Last Precinct" rectifies the mistakes of "Black Notice" and promises changes in the following works. It stands as a definite departure from Cornwell's previous works - but this departure is coincident with a literary growth which must be applauded. The few times "bad" was employed as an adjective, it stood out in stark contrast to the otherwise exceptional (for Cornwell) writing. Although, if Cornwell wouldn't spend so much time leafing through the damn thesaurus, she might be able to get the next installment out faster ;)
Rating: 
Summary: Skip it and wait for the next one
Review: Okay, I buy the new Cornwell without really paying attention to what it is about. Most of the time I've been pleased. This time, I am having a terrible time getting through the thing. I checked out the other comments just now, and I agree with most of them. I keep waiting for something exciting to happen, and I am still waiting. I have tons of books waiting for me to have the time to read them and I am keeping them waiting for this? Please bring back some excitement. I am sure I could find a textbook that is more boring than this, but I hope I would be hardpressed to do so. I hope the next Cornwell does not disappoint.
Rating: 
Summary: We Have A Problem, Houston
Review: I was initially very taken with Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta books, and was a loyal follower. However, the last 3 or so have continually gone downhill. Black Notice was almost unreadable, and I would give it two stars at best. Sometimes, authors have "bad patches" and pull out of it, but Cornwell has finally CRASHED with Last Precinct. This book is full of self-absorbed pap, and has a "plot" that doesn't hang together. Sadly, Cornwell doesn't seem to have anything more to say about Scarpetta that is worth our hard-earned bucks. DON'T BUY THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU WANT TO PAY TO SEE CORNWELL CRASH AND BURN ... NOT A PRETTY SIGHT. Patricia Cornwell should start afresh with a new series, characters and ideas. If she can't do that, she should retire with the large pile of money she has already undoubtedly made on this series. Authors should know when their "muse" is used up, and have the honesty to not continue trying to squeeze money out of loyal fans. (Others may disagree, but Tom Clancy is a perfect example of this.) GET A NEW SERIES, CORNWELL!
Rating:
Summary: Black Notice Two
Review: If Ms. Cornwell wasn't satisfied with Black Notice, she might have re-written it BEFORE it was published... because that's basically what The Last Precinct is: a re-telling of the previous tale. And some of the "ah-ha" insertions were less than believable. While I still enjoy her writing style, Cornwell greatly frustrated this devoted reader with a rambling back and forth plotless plot and re-hashed details from the last two books. And because of it's awkwardness, I could see the end coming from a mile away, which is something I count on Cornwell not to do. C'mon Patricia, hatch some new ideas and let Kay get ON with it!
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome
Review: Patricia's best yet! I can't wait for her next one. I was completely entranced! This is a must for all Kay Scarpetta fans. What a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: I Liked This Book!
Review: I am a huge fan of the Scarpetta series and was not disappointed at all. Considering the personalities of Kay, Lucy, and Marino and the day to day, life and death situations they deal with, its no wonder that anger and conflict emerges and dominates the interactions among the three, but it is also clear that the characters care deeply about one another. To me that is the most realistic part of this novel and the previous two. For me, the plot involving Chandonne and some of the subplots were a bit confusing, even at the conclusion of the book. Perhaps there will be answers in the next novel. All in all I enjoyed it and felt it was a great read!
Rating: 
Summary: The Last Precinct
Review: Wow. I am very disappointed with this latest Kay Scarpetts novel. The first thirty-some pages are consumed by Kay's indignation over becoming a victim; a deformed maniac has come after Kay, his pursuer. I had to laugh that Kay was so troubled by this latest victimization, given that she has been stalked and nearly killed by at least three different serial killers whom she likewise investigated in past novels. Why is she acting like this is a first?! She should be used to being nearly murdered by now. Par for the course. Oh, Patricia, work harder next time.
Rating:
Summary: Need a study guide
Review: While I have read every Kay Scarpetta book written I felt woefully unprepared when reading this book. There were far too many refences to previous books, I could have used a study guide. Having said that I really enjoyed the novel and Cornwell's elegant writing.
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Summary: Finally the insight I wanted....
Review: This is the book I've been waiting for. The insight in the good Doctor. Her elbow in a cast, from being attacked, she still continues to work. Her sessions with her close friend and confidant, that aren't on a "professional" level (her friend being a Doctor herself) - end up coming back to cause her problems. Her bad judgement in who she sleeps with (*gasps*) comes back to REALLY haunt her. we learn more about lucy and her finances (wow smart and loaded. what a catch!). we learn how devoted Kay is to her job and the truth... while it is initially kinda hard to get into - there is just so much to absorb (at least for me).. This is the book I've been wanting to see for a while. Although this isn't one I'd put at the top of the reading pile by my bed - finish the one you are reading and put this one like 2 or 3 after those you REALLY wanna read... Gee - somehow the pile never does seem to go down.
Rating:
Summary: Not Worth The Wait
Review: I was anxiuosly awaiting the new release from Patricia Cornwell, having been a fan for years. I was, unfortunately, disapointed in "The Last Precinct", it lacks the action, suspense and mystery of her past novels. It's a direct follow up from her last novel, so if you want to be able to follow along, re read her last novel before you bother picking this one up. I was disappointed throughout the whole novel and let down at the end. I'll continue to be a fan of the Kay Scarpetta series, hoping the next one is better.
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