Rating: 
Summary: Worst book ever read
Review: I bought this book in a secondhand shop in Deventer (Netherlands) thinking it a book by Patricia Cornwall (rather than Cornwell)- what a silly mistake!
The characters are not developed, and parts of their stories are hardly relevant. The plot is totally unbelievable: A kid hacks into a web-site and changes the screen saver on a police computers in people's homes ?!?!? Computers in homes that are turned on remotely !?!? Some weird URL created by someone who knows nothing about computers!?!? And the reference at the start of the book (also in the book title) to the strong families in the south never reappears. I'm not a woman, but would a woman really leave hints of another lover to bring to jealousy a previous lover and current colleague? And a cat who makes sure he sees these clues? 1/5 stars - because I was not allowed to enter 0/5
Rating: 
Summary: Not my favorite Cornwell read
Review: This one misses the mark for me. Try another like the Body Farm to enjoy this talented writer. From Potter's Field was also a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: It's a comedy people...lighten up
Review: Unlike many other readers I LOVED this book. What confuses me is why so many people couldn't figure out this book was meant to be funny. For the love of God, she writes about what a dog is thinking in this book. I don't understand why so many people thought this novel was meant to be read in the same tone of her Scarpetta novels. I did not buy this book expecting to read a Kay Scarpetta type novel . If Ms. Cornwell wanted to write a Scarpetta novel that is what she would have done. She would not have created a new set of characters. Further, I find it necessary to state the somehow forgotten fact that Ms. Cornwell is a writer of stories. Just because she has created one character that so many people love does not mean she is doomed to spend the rest of her life writing about that one character, or even typecast to only be able to write serial killer driven novels. I was pleasantly surprised that she had this novel (and the series) in her. Not many writers can flawlessly write books that make you want to sleep with your night light on then turn and write a book that makes you laugh out loud. I apologize if I seem to be bashing previous reviewers because I am not. I'm simply wearied by all of the current Cornwell bashing. It somehow seems to have become the vogue thing to insult Ms. Cornwell and everything she does. I, however, remain a fan of hers and plan to continue buying her books.
Rating:
Summary: weed
Review: Despite all the negative reviews, I recommend this book. I felt for Weed and hated Smoke, as anybody who has ever been bullied hates bullies. Maybe not the best of Cornwell's novels, but a gripping read all the same. Try it. To the reviewer who will never read another Cornwell because she didn't like this one, I feel sad for you.
Rating:
Summary: A failed exercise....
Review: .
This book struck me as a failed attempt by Patricia Cornwell to publicly flex her literary muscles. She tries to write dialog like Elmore Leonard, and she takes every opportunity to show off her knowledge of minutiae regarding automobile mechanics and other things. Like the one that's in the book, this dog does not hunt. Her characters are all stereotypes; there is not one that is the least bit interesting or complex. The dialog is garbage. The story line is not believable; it is, however, predictable. The suspense is not suspenseful. I do believe that Patricia is a very smart, very capable woman. No doubt about that. I also believe she *could* be a good writer. She just needs to stop trying so hard to show off how smart and capable she is while imitating other writers. In short, I think she needs to find herself and come to peace with what she finds. Then maybe she'll write a good novel
| 
