Rating: 
Summary: A thrill I can do without
Review: I came across several novels by Patricia Cornwell in the house I am currently minding, which is how I came to read Unnatural Exposure. I am not a fan of mystery and crime writing, however I found this novel to be a very easy and fairly entertaining read.
My problem with the book is that I found its "heroine", Dr Kay Scarpetta, to be extremely combative in almost all of her dealings with the man she supposedly loves, as well as with most other human beings. The Scarpetta character seems like a two-dimensional token woman to me, and is neither likeable nor admirable. Nor is she anywhere near quirky or loathesome or entertaining enough to rate as an anti-heroine.
I must admit I was also disturbed by the one sentence that I feel sums the novel up, when Scarpetta muses that "...the thought of Wingo and his vulnerable condition thrilled me with fear...". I don't find the potential outcomes of biological terrorism (which Scarpetta was referring to) "thrilling" in any way, shape or form - but I guess that's why I'm not a fan of mystery and crime writing.
In summing up, I would recommend this book to anybody looking for an easy way to kill a few hours. Otherwise, I would suggest leaving Unnatural Exposure on the shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: The book captivated my time and interest.
Review: Kimberly JelleyOOOO Patricia Cornwell knows how to grab a reader's attention. Every page of here novel, Unnatural Exposure, lured me into the twisted fate of Dr. Kay Scarpetta. This character known to her friends as 'Scarpetta', was a strong woman with a 'man's' job. She was the chief medical examiner for the state of Virginia, and was looked up to by all of her colleagues. The book unravels as the reader gets involved in the murders and unfathomable deaths laid upon Dr. Scarpetta's ice cold examining table. Suspense captures the reader until the very last sentence of the thriller. The writing style portrayed in this story can best be described to you on page 214, when Scarpetta nervously states her conclusion on the motives of the killer. "I'm saying that we might be dealing with biological warfare. A unabomber that uses a disease." This phrase summarizes the fear and confusion that the characters exhibit throughout their journey to find the murderer, and their reasons. Dr. Scarpetta is in charge of uncovering the cause of death, finding the serial killer that mutilated so many people, and escaping this insane person targeting her over the Internet. The use of America Online serves a major purpose in discovering the murderer, his motive, and why he/she has sour feelings for Dr. Scarpetta. This novel brings you apprehension, irony, and page upon page of new terms and medical knowledge that only Patricia Cornwell can provide. "Unnatural Exposure" is easy to read and will not leave you bored or too frustrated with suspense. This novel teaches you to never discount that evil may lie right where you least expect it. Overall I felt this novel was very powerful and it deserves a chance to be read by all readers interested in science and mystery. I personally award Unnatural Exposure, by Patricia Cornwell four stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the faint hearted.
Review: When a headless, limbless torso is discovered in a landfill in Virginia, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta is called in to investigate and is horrified to discover that the person was infected with a smallpox type virus which she herself could have contracted.The murderer contacts Scarpetta via the internet, showing her gory photos of bodies in the process of dismemberment, and going by the name of"deadoc". I guarantee that the readers interest will be held to the end, even if it gets pretty gruesome at times.
Rating:
Summary: Dr. Kay is back, but leaves you limp at the close
Review: I have read all of Cornwall's books and the last two Scarpetta novels have left me disappointed in the finish . When Scarpetta finally lets the reader in on who the germ warfare bad guy is, I had no idea to whom she was referring or when the character had been introduced. The conclusion was disappointing, confusing and gives the reader a sense that Cornwall lost interest in wrapping up the crime/book. From Potters Field ended with the same lackluster, rushed conclusion. In addition to being stilted, the finish seemed a bit preposterous -- without giving the end away, the perpetrator of the crime does not fit the classic psychological profile of someone who would commit such a crime. On a positive note, Cornwall has already set up the plot for her next thriller with an additional crime (albeit one that sounds remarkably like the crime in the recently fabulous competitor's book Deja Dead by Kathy Reich) that goes unsolved in Unnatural Exposure. All in all I give it a B -- entertaining but not compelling.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not my favorite
Review: This story is a good read, but I'll admit I enjoyed the others better. Still, if you're a Kay Scarpetta fan, you'll want to include this in your reading of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: reality check: pathologists are the dumbests MDs around
Review: It's funny: at med school a continuing joke is that the worst med students, at the bottom of the class, wind up as pathologists, because at least then they can't kill anyone. Here we're presented with a humorless, unlikable protagonist who is constantly flattered and told how brilliant she is -- I had heard these were bad, but I tried two and these really are the worst crime novels I've ever read. I know my dissenting vote won't affect the true fans, but this is subliterary dreck.
Rating: 
Summary: Patricia Cornwell Does Not Disappoint.
Review: This may not have been my favourite Kay Scarpetta, but I still enjoyed it to the point where I didn't want to put it down. I find that Dr. Kay is getting more and more human with each book, and that's a good thing! In my estimation though, Ms. Cornwell dwells too much on the homosexual angle with each book. This leads me to question Lucy's authenticity since she seems less and less real with each book. I think the books would be improved without her character. Ms. Cornwell tries too hard with her, and it shows. But Kay, Benton and Marino are real characters. In this book we don't see as much of Marino and that's a loss. The story is intense and gripping, and the tension really doesn't ease up. The book deals with biological terrorism, and that is certainly a hot topic right now. For those of us Scarpetta lovers who love a tense and gripping tale with lots of forensics, this book does not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Quick review- Unnatural Exposure
Review: Quick Review- Unnatural Exposure I adore Patricia Cornwell's books; the mystery, the murder, the suspense- and this book doesn't let you down. In Ireland five dismembered, beheaded bodies have been found and now five more have been found in America. Their murderer has struck all across America and has been named the Butcher.
But the tenth body is different. The victim was already seriously ill, when she was murdered- with an unknown deadly virus.
Soon people are dying from this disease across America, and no one knows what it is or what could possibly stop it- there's no pattern to it. It's like a super Smallpox.
Scarpetta is still struggling along, but seems to be getting tougher- well slightly.
But then along with stories leaking to the press about the virus, the murder is contacting Scarpetta. And the murderer seems to be taking over Scarpetta's identity.
But as if it seems, it can't get any worse- it seems that Scarpetta may have caught the deadly disease . . . I love the twists and turns of this book- the way you never know what is going to happen next. Patricia Cornwell describes the emotions of the characters and the situations in such a way that you almost feel that it's real- it makes you feel weird about going out at night and who you trust . . .
If you are going to get one book this Christmas- make it be this one, it'll be worth your while.
Rating:
Summary: From a fan of Patricia Cornwell
Review: I have always enjoyed reading the Kay Scarpetta series, and this book didn't let me down either. I enjoyed the story, and more so that it took place in Ireland, but all the clues pointed elsewhere. I enjoy the way Patricia describes every detail of the book. I can't wait until she releases another book!
Rating:
Summary: Not one of her greatest
Review: Patricia Cornwell is one of the best suspense writers i have read in a long time. Her knowledge on her stories makes it all the more better. The characters are very well written. I have read many of her beginning books and i think that some of them get better but some don't. This book was one that didn't get much better from her previous novel. I think that when she writes a book, she really knows how to pull you in and keep you wanting more, but in this one a lot of the situations dragged on. I still enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading more!
|
