The Last Precinct

Rating:
Summary: Great build-up, but it needs a sequel for the finale.
Review: To get the gist of The Last Precinct, one must read Black Notice -- quite probably, Point of Origin is also required.

Whereas Black Notice was a complete and satisfactory novel within itself, even though I had not read Point of Origin, this book falls short of Cornwell's immense talent. There is sufficient dialogue that the effusive use of descriptions and time lapses are somewhat explainable, the continuous narrative quality, however, turns this into a tell story rather than a show story -- a fatal flaw in manuscripts by new authors. Those with a reputation get away with it, but the fan club dwindles. When I finished reading Black Notice, I wondered why I stopped reading Cornwell, now I remember.

This does follow through regarding the Chandonne crime family based in France, but the involvement of Interpol, ATF, FBI, CIA, Virginia and New York medical examiners, law enforcement, and District Attorneys, and though I can not recall specifically, maybe the NSA, and it censures the plausibility of the story. Is ATF Lucy's shoot out in Miami connected? What does this have to do with crimes in New York, which occurred prior to the Virginia events? Three men are murdered and disfigured -- why? Why is the New York DA in charge of a Virginia case? Who killed the young boy and why? That does, at least, have an answer. However, most of the questions do not.

Characters that have been apparently way in the background of her earlier novels suddenly appear in this one -- the main one being Marino's son. Most likely, he was discussed in earlier books, but I do not recall. He seemed to be a pro bono addition to make the story more interesting and give Marino a bigger part. If Cornwell had simply completed the novel rather than open it for a sequel, then I never would have missed many of the characters.

If you have read Point of Origin and Black Notice, then you will want to read this. This book was published in 2000, since that time there has been a Kay Scarpetta cookbook. Kay Scarpetta, for those who do not know, has been the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Virginia since the series began, and she is an Italian Chef with an unlimited supply of time and food when the mood suits her. Blow Fly (released in 2003) is the sequel for this story. I have not read it yet. I can wait.

Sorry, this is just worth three stars for the total frustration of leaving so many questions unanswered, and telling me what is going on, not showing me.

Victoria Tarrani


Rating:
Summary: Much to do about nothing
Review: After Listening to Black Notice and then The Last Precinct, I just feel like this author needs to take an anti-depressant or something. What she does to her characters is just simply abuse. I dare you to find anyone in these books who laugh or tell jokes or anything. Everything, all the time is just so serious. Not to mention there is NO suspense what so ever in these two books. NONE. A lot of scenes are just a waste of time. We find out too much information on unimportant characters. Yes, she knows her stuff about forensic pathology but you need more than that for a SUSPENSE story. Mainly, you need to feel your main character is danger--and I don't mean just the last two pages of the book. Once upon a time, Kay may have been cutting edge...now, she's too much of a victim. Everything happens to her. She doesn't come off as in control of anything. From her ex-lover to her job--she's a victim. That goes for her neice too. She's trigger happy but somehow it's some kind of conspiracy theory of why ATF wants to get rid of her. And that whole-by the way, I'm a millionaire bit is just hogwash. The moment she filed her taxes ATF would have know about her "extra income." Chapters on her just watching a video. Long sessions just talking about herself to her friend/ phychiatrist...it's just boring.
Plus, there is just too many characters and too many balls in the air. Maybe Lucy needs her own series. That way we can deal with her trouble family life, lesbian lovers, problematic career, and questionable monies there and not clog up this series.
Can Cornwell write--yes. Can she tell a good story...I'm not too sure. But hey, she's not the first to make Bestseller status on mediocre books and I doubt that she'll be the last.