Black Notice

Rating:
Summary: Last Book I will purchase by Cornwell
Review: These last two books by her are really terrible.Read Evanovitch.Great series !!!

Rating:
Summary: Finally - the REAL Patricia Cornwell is back!!!!
Review: The last few books have been so under par that I was almost afraid to try this one. It kept me up all night - back to the gripping story - the real feel of the chase. New characters were well developed. Could do with a little less of the foul language - it adds nothing to the story. But will continue to read Cornwell - as long as she stays with Kay Scarpetta. Please spare us any more trash like Southern Cross and stick to the things you know, Ms. Cornwell.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but not her best
Review: I've always enjoyed Patricia Corwell's books with Scarpetta. This is no exception, but it has its flaws. Like other reviews, I agree parts of it are depressing. The way Kay acts, one would think she was married to Benton. At several points, the storyline bogged down when repeatedly Kay discussed Benton. The foul language was absolutely horrible. On a more positive note, the loup garou case was fascinating. I liked how she revealed what made the killer tick. The forensic detail was superb, and excellently detailed. But after ten books, I think the time has come for Marino to have a life-changing experience, such as a heart attack brought on by his eating and smoking. Excellent emotional descriptions of the characters. Let's hope the next one is more cheerful.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I have read most of Patricia Cornwell's books and I have a hard time believing that the characters just seem to stand still and don't grow in any way. Marino seems to be a cartoon character built upon every generalization of middle-aged overweight men you ever heard of, Kay Scarpetta just can't be that unaware (we all knew the suspect was outside the door and who was stealing in the morgue). A book about Lucy could be very interesting at this point, she seems to have growth potential. I was disappointed with the overall story and the complete lack of character growth - no one here seems to have learned anything from their past.

Rating:
Summary: Tired of it all
Review: Too many posts---repeat of all the horrid blows inflicted,over and over. Way out disease:All too sad. New romance just doesn't fly....perhaps Cornwell should find another city like Charlotte and let Kay rest for awhile....

Rating:
Summary: A one star in comparison
Review: I have been a long time reader of Cornwell, having grown up in Richmond, and have to say this was the WORST of the series by far. The ending was tired and quite reminisent of past endings. It has to be hard to be original, but please...

Rating:
Summary: The human side of Scarpetta
Review: Having read all of Cornwell's previous Scarpetta novels, I must confess that I feel "Black Notice" is her finest work to date. In this novel, we are allowed into her "human side". We've seen Kay in all sorts of situations, and we've come to love her, feel for her, empathize with her... But in "Black Notice" we see a little more of her heart, as we experience her grief with her. Readers are also enlightened as to the grief that Marino and Lucy have felt, as well. I rather enjoyed this more personal take on our three beloved characters. As for the mystery - WOW! Details of Scarpetta's autopsies have never been so in depth, and the perpetrator of the horrendous crimes is the most interesting, yet terrifying of Cornwell's creations. Not since Temple Gault has a criminal so captured my imagination. An incredibly good read, indeed!

Rating:
Summary: depressing
Review: I agree with alot of the other readers, after I finished this book I found that I was depressed. Her last couple of books have been very disappointing. I also found the book very angry and there was alot of loose ends in the book. At the end I had to read it a couple of times because it went so fast I thought I was missing something. I usually buy all her books but I think I might wait to get the next one from the library.

Rating:
Summary: Hang in there Kay, it does get better!!!!!
Review: I have loved Kay for a long time and was very distraught when Ithought Cornwell had ended the series with the last book "Pointof Orgin". Now Kay is back fighting for grief recovery and dealing with life just like we all do. I do like her new love interest and found their relationship very true to life. The readers who have never gone through deep grief will have a hard time understanding why after a year all the main charaters are not "over it" but Cornwell has it down pat. Looking forward to see what Kay does next. Thanks Patricia for making Kay a human.

Rating:
Summary: Kay Scarpetta is back, and so is Cornwell's paranoia
Review: I've really enjoyed Ms. Cornwell's books recently, and the Scarpetta series in particular. My single complaint has been that the author always constructs the story such that the entire world is out to get the protagonist. Understanding the controversial nature of the job, some of that conflict is inevitable, but Cornwell takes it to dizzying heights, and we can only wonder whether this reflects the author's own fears.

The paranoia's tiring, the characters are predictable, and the ending's almost a carbon copy of at least two other of Cornwell's novels. One wonders whether Dr. Kay will ever learn.