Rating: 
Summary: Thank God Scarpetta is back!!
Review: After that absulotely ridiculous Isle of Dogs. I swore I would never read her again. But, she;s back where we want her to be with the Scarpetta series. A god read!!
Rating: 
Summary: NOT HER BEST........................................
Review: Although well-written, this is not the usual Kay Scarpetta novel. Scarpetta takes a backseat to some of the other usual characters--Lucy, Marino, etc.Much slower than previous Scarpetta novels, this tale takes the reader on a connect-the-dots journey leading from the last Scarpetta book to the present, attempting to rekindle the reader's memory of past happenings. Scarpetta has fallen from grace, and is no longer esconced in her custom built Richmond VA mansion. No longer politically connected, she has been fired from her job as Chief ME and has relocated to Florida, working as a consultant. Still considered tops in her field, her assistance is requested from a Louisiana coroner--to investigate a "cold case" that had previously been closed. It soon becomes clear that this case is related to the current serial killings/abductions taking place in the same area. Beyond being pleasantly shocked in the beginning of this novel, Scarpetta fans will be disappointed in the what has always been the main character's lack of presence. Personally, I was also disappointed with the ending of this book. Did the timer go off, Ms. Cornwell? I'm hoping that PC will redeem herself in the next Scarpetta tale. It would help if they came in a more timely fashion--less effort would then have to be spent refreshing the reader's memory.
Rating: 
Summary: don't BLOW your time & money, FLY away from this book.
Review: I have always looked forward to Cornwell's books and was happy to learn that there was a new Scarpetta novel available. There were so many threads in this book and absolutely nothing was carried to completion. One bad dude is hidden away in the swamp land and seems uncatchable. In a matter of the last few pages, he is killed. His hostage who seemed to be a credible character is free with no heroics on her part. A brave little boy is used by the villains - but for what. I couldn't tell. The second bad guy escapes prison with no one even noticing and we are left on the string about what happens to him. I suppose he is resting up before he makes another run on Scarpetta. A hero from books long past shows up alive and he is so aloof that it seems that he broods a lot but doesn't do much about people he cares(?)about. I would like to know more about his time in exile. I ended the book and decided this was just a warm up to her REAL book. I certainly won't buy another Cornwell book till I hear a better recommendation than I would give this one.
Rating:
Summary: Stinks on Ice
Review: I have always enjoy the Scarpetta novels and I really like the characters, but this book leads me to belive that Cornwell has lost her mind. I've learned to overlook the fact that she cannot continue the suspense throughout the whole book. She always ends the book in less than two pages. I know this book is a work of fiction, but at some point doesn't it have to be believable. A person in a prison (on death row in a Texas prison, no less) cannot escape by wearing some guards clothes and just walking out. It's ridiculous.
Rating:
Summary: Big Disappointment!
Review: Right from the first page I got the sinking feeling that this was a "Kay Scarpetta" novel in name only! Gone was the brisk, fascinating view through Kay's eyes... alas, this book was written in the "third person", so it loses ALL of it's appeal for die-hard readers like me, who want to hear all the workings and observations of Scarpetta's mind and heart as the plot is intricately woven. No interesting forensic details, no interesting plot, and none of the gifted writing of previous Scarpetta novels! If you didn't know better, you'd think this book was written by someone else... I'm not going to waste my time finishing the book! And believe me, I'm not going to buy the next Scarpetta novel until I look through a copy first to see if PC has gotten back to writing books to her former high standards!
Rating:
Summary: One of her best.
Review: Cornwell's writing has improved and her stories have become much more like puzzles. This is definitely not a cut-and-dried murder mystery! The plot weaves in all directions, and if the reader has not read the previous Scarpetta novels, none of this will make sense. I have always had the feeling that Benton did not die, it was too convenient. All in all, it was fast paced and not easy to put down!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great companion book
Review: For Cornwell fans, check out 'Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab The Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales'. It is the story behind The Body Farm. Patricia Cornwell wrote the Foreword and suggested the title.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't we see this plot on Dallas?
Review: Patricia Cornwell must be desperate for plots. In this outing, she uses the "Dallas" tactic, resurrecting a character long thought dead. However, that person isn't the only one back for a repeat performance. We, once again, must contend with the werewolf man and his mad brother (who weren't that interesting the first time around). Both Scarpetta and her niece, Lucy, seem to have lost their way. They have been ousted from prestigious jobs for political reasons and seem to be floundering, trying to find some way of bringing the guilty to justice, but without having the force of the law behind them. It's hard to root for Lucy when her morals seem little better than the criminals she chases. And Scarpetta? Why are all the men in her life so in love with her? In this outing she appears to be a cowering, depressed middle aged woman whose appearance could use some sprucing up. Rather than cheering her on, I felt sorry for her. And the final scene, when she finally meets the person who has risen from the dead, was a big disappointment. (Even the Bobby scene in Dallas was better). Please, Cornwell, bring back the strong, feisty, woman in charge we used to love.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I have read every one of Cornwell's books and I have never been disapointed until now. This book appears to have been written by committee! Cornwell over focuses on her character's emotions. By this time, the reader knows what drives them. All this angst is distracting and takes away from the plot. Her people are well fleshed out; now is the time to turn them loose and let them do their jobs. I had a difficult time following the plot. One chapter appears to be thrown in. I never understood why. The ending disapointed me the most. Rather than witnessing what happened, we are told what happened. Where's the fun in that?
Rating:
Summary: Re-read an older story....
Review: This is the last PC book I will buy in hardcover unless something changes. I have ready every PC book and while I felt the last couple of efforts were not up to par, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, no more. Where to start? First, there is the distinct lack of a plot, plot twists, or any meaningful mystery--the things that have been PC's hallmark. Instead, we get to spend time on the analyst's couch with each of their characters exploring their personal angst. This might be cool if this added greater depth to the characters, but it doesn't--its just a rehash of territory covered in previous books. Your time any money maybe better spent re-visting one of her earlier novels.
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