Rating:  Summary: The Last Precinct Review: I believe that even bad Scarpetta is better than no Scarpetta and wouldn't think of missing a Cornwell book. However disappointing I found this book, what I found most disturbing was the author's usurping of Linda Fairstein, a real life person who also writes mysteries (though legal rather than medical) with herself as a model for the protagonist. The dedication to Fairstein seems like a forced nicety. I find it most disturbing that a character in a novel should be lifted both from a real living person and her alter ego in novels. Granted many Scarpetta characters are "based" on real people, but this seems too much. I await the next book with hopes of originality.
Rating:  Summary: The Last Stand Review: I was very disappointed with the ending of this book. There was so much build up to the story of the Loup Garou and all the people that may or may not be involved with Chardonne. I cannot believe she wrapped up the story in about 20 pages after building up the story for over 300 pages. There was so much more she could have done with the ending that when I put the book down, I had a very bitter taste in my mouth and felt very let down.
Rating:  Summary: Not a Scarpetta book Review: I have been a big fan of Cornwell and Scarpetta. This book was a big disappointment. I prefer a murder mystery. The story was focusing on Scarpetta's damaged psyche.
Rating:  Summary: Patricia Cornwell does it again! Review: What a great book! Once I got started, I didn't look up again for the next ten hours. Patricia Cornwell has a talent for drawing you in to Dr. Scarpetta's life. You feel like you really know all of these characters. The only recommendation that I would make to someone contemplating buying this book, is to read Point of Origin and Black Notice first. The Last Precinct is a continuation of those two books. Believe me, you will not be disappointed with any of them!
Rating:  Summary: Not Cornwell's Best Review: Being a huge Patricia Cornwell fan I could not wait to get a copy of The Last Precinct in my hands. I only give the book 3 stars because it just does not pull the reader in like previous Cornwell novels. I hope Kay Scarpetta is only having a mid-life crisis. Don,t waste your money wait for the paperback.
Rating:  Summary: Getting Better, but not there yet Review: Patricia Cornwell's first few books were great. I read each with great anticipation, to learn about Kay and Lucy and Benton and Marino. Then, her books started to get weird. They were angry and bitter. The story became unimportant. What became important was the interplay between Marino and Kay/Kay and Lucy and neither of these relationships was rational. In the Black Notice, the weirdness was taken to an extreme. I looked forward to the Last Precinct and for the first half of the book, I was not disappointed. The story of Kay's emotional catharsis was excellent and well written. I thought that we were on track to getting back to the story and getting rid of the anger. Well, the 2nd half of the book does not hold up to the promise of the first half. There were plenty of opportunities to make the 2nd half great, put Kay in a strong position for future books and take the story to a new level. Ms. Cornwell fails to achieve that. Too bad. I would certainly read this book if you are a Kay Scarpetta fan. Just dont expect the excellence of the first few novels.
Rating:  Summary: Getting worse Review: Patricia Cornwell's earlier works are simply her best. That is how I got hooked. I eagerly awaited this one only to be bored with it from the start. She really needs to regroup and backup and write as I know she can. Too much Lucy and not enough ME stuff.I wanted so much to like this one and I was very disappointed.
Rating:  Summary: To long and drawn out with no real surprises Review: I am one of Patsy Cornwell's biggest and longest fans. I have her personal autograph setting on my desk. So it is with regret that I say this is probably her worst work to date. For some reason she has decided to use an over abundence of words to tell a very predicatable story. Almost to the point you can guess what you are going to read on the pages before you turn them. She has added caracters that really have no relevance to the story or maybe I should say they would certainly not have been missed. Also leaving no question where the next book will start and who it will include. I also think she made a really big effort to include Lucy's sexual preference more often than necessary. I have absolutly no problem with homosexuality, but it seems as though she has made it one of the major themes of this story. Nevertheless, having said all this I would never miss one of her books!
Rating:  Summary: Short but sweet review Review: I'm a big fan of Cornwell so she gets the 3 stars for her ability to write. This book, however, does nothing to enrich the series. It is basically a long, drawn out therapy session in which Kay discovers and embraces her demons. To be honest I found myself wondering why I paid for the book when she should have paid me for listening. NOVELIST, HEAL THYSELF!! The characters of Kathy Reichs (Tempe Brennan) and Robert Walker (Jessica Coran) still deliver the goods. Spend your money there!
Rating:  Summary: Cornwell's Well Running Dry Review: This book is really Black Notice Part II. The question is, did Black Notice need a part II? First of all, forget all that promotional talk about Jamestown and a 400 year old mystery. Cornwell obviously had an idea for a book then changed her mind and went in a totally different direction. I wish she hadn't. First, you have to wade through excruciatingly boring psychobabble with Kay's friend Dr. Zenner (the real mystery here is why Kay forgets Zenner was her shrink in earlier books but denies it here -- besides the fact that the weak setup of Kay for murder required it). I nearly didn't make it past that part, which is a full third of the book. Second, the book is low on action. An enormous part of the book either replays old scenes -- we relive the Loup Garou attacks, Bray's murder, etc. -- or has Kay watching other's actions, like a long section where Kay watches a videotape of the werewolf being interviewed by someone else. All of which leaves very little new and real action for Kay. Then there is the ending, which is absurd. Without giving anything away, let's just say when you stop to think about it all, you know it could and would never happen. In addition, Cornwell seemed compelled to tie in her last few books. Just about everything gets answered here, including things you never asked. It just adds to the dopey ending. On a down note, Marino does nothing but get drunk and act foul. I can't recall if he had a single police action to perform. Lucy becomes an even more unbelievable and unlikable superwoman, if you can believe that. On the upside, I still like Kay, even though she's only a shadow of the wonderful character first introduced over a decade ago. And Cornwell has good pacing. Even when scoffing I had no trouble turning the pages, once out of the Zenner psychobabble, as I do with her non-Scarpetta books. And Jaimie Berger, the Linda Fairstein-ish ADA from NYC, is wonderful. Gee, maybe Cornwell can start a new series with Berger.
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