Rating: 
Summary: highly recommended
Review: The Kay Scarpetta series is best read in chronological sequence, as each new novel builds on developments from the previous ones, and knowledge of this history is to some degree assumed. Thus, if you're going to read one of the series, this is the one.Some reviewers here criticize the lack of non-stop action. To the contrary, I think the style is highly effective. Cornwell indulges in her well-developed, diverse characters with introspection and dialog. Furthermore, investigations are not a linear progression -- everything isn't always wrapped up in a tidy little package, every piece of evidence isn't used, and every fact isn't explained. But that's life. The series has also been criticized for being a bit "nerdy". But that's appropriate -- it's strength. The use of evidence and the examination of the crime scene reminds me of my favorite crime author, Canon Doyle. The magnifying glass is replaced by a substantially more expensive apparatus, but the attention paid to analytic methods and thinking is quite enjoyable. The combination of rich character development and intellectual analysis makes this a really enjoyable book, and worthwhile series. I really highly recommend it. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is I reserve that for the highest tier of fiction, and I'm not sure this is quite there. But it's certainly some of the best work I've read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Since that one, I've not read a coolest book by Pat Cornwell
Review: Mrs. Cornwell is one of these authors that writes a couple of good books and all the rest of her books sell a very well quantity only because of those written in the past. Obviously, she really knows how to do the thing she does, she criated her own style out of nothing and she has more than just "a couple of good books". Patricia Cornwell is famous and has an intriguing life that would give to the readers a very nice biography. BODY OF EVIDENCE is the best Kay Scarpetta book I've read till now. No other book by Patricia Cornwell moved me so much and gave me such pleasure. It's modern and it has also very nicely written characters that you'll love. And a wonderful plot, for sure. You won't be disappointed if you read that book. It's really worthwhile. One of those rare books by Patricia Cornwell that you buy and don't regret for doing it.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one
Review: Kay Scarpetta fans will thoroughly enjoy this one. In looking for a good mystery this book will satisfy that desire. A page-turner that doesn't dissappoint. Good reading!
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell is very good at plotting
Review: This mystery involves a series of deaths that somehow all tie together -- yet it is far from clear how, as there are no clear suspects. After the first 50 pages or so, this turned into a real page-turner for me. The plot involves a young female writer who is being stalked and, at the very beginning of the story, stabbed to death in her own home. Who has been stalking her, why, and is that the killer? The writer may have been writing her autobiography, which would include things someone didn't want written. This could be a motive -- but it could be something else entirely. Eventually Scarpetta (the medical examiner/detective in Cornwell's mysteries) is herself being stalked, apparently by the same killer -- whoever that is. A missing manuscript may hold the key clue to the identity of the killer, but where is the manuscript? And why has a an old lover suddenly reappeared in Scarpetta's life and then just as suddenly disappeared? There's a lot of questions to be asked and the pace of the book is pretty quick. Now the down side: I find the editorial voice in Cornwell's mysteries annoying, and it's a shame, because the books are so well researched and plotted. But Scarpetta isn't very likable, and Cornwell clearly places great priority on physical beauty. Good people are generally attractive and thin, unattractive people are either comic, annoying, or evil. The narcissism of the author also seems to come through in her character Scarpetta, who is supposed to be wonderful and admirable, but just isn't. Scarpetta comes across as self-absorbed, arrogant, and shallow. Otherwise, this is a very well-written book.
Rating:
Summary: Facts. Characters. Twists. Love Interest. It's there.
Review: Unlike Post-Mortem, Body Of Evidence lays itself out like a roadmap with many blind curves. Kay Scarpetta knows her stuff but is a little out of touch as far as police work goes. (I don't know many people who maintain constant dialogue with the FBI to help out with their case-load.) That's the only down-side to the character. The one thing I appreciated was that the "Who-Dun-It" was introduced in the series of fact-finding points throughout the story. So, at the end, when they caught the person, you as the reader could say, "OK. I remember how this fit earlier." Post-Mortem pulled the killer out of a proverbial hat, as if the author suddenly needed to end the book. But Body of Evidence was a good read with mystery, a twisted love-interest, and Detective Marino. (I think Marino secretly likes Kay.) Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: After reading the first book in Patricia Cornwell's series Postmortem, I knew that I was going to want to read the next book. I really enjoyed the first book and knew that this one would be even better. This book kept me so interested and I never wanted to put it down. In each chapter something else exciting happened that made me want to keep reading. I really loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in forensic science and who loves a great mystery.
Rating: 
Summary: Cornwell¿s Second Novel is a Blockbuster too
Review: The savage murder of a young female novelist, who'd asked for protection from the police, because she was being watched and harassed, and didn't get it, angers Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta. She leaves no stone unturned as she tracks the killer with the expert detective work of her pal Marino. Also, as someone who lived years on a boat in the Caribbean, I can say that I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Florida Keys. It made me miss the islands. Cornwell is good and this five star novel is every bit as good as her first. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Rating:
Summary: Tension Galore
Review: I didn't think I'd ever be saying this about a police procedural with a female protagonist, but I actually enjoy the romance between Kay Scarpetta and Mark James. Cornwell is the absolute best at making her characters real. When a reclusive writer is brutally stabbed to death after being denied police protection, Dr. Scarpetta gets on the case. However is she on the trail of the killer or is the killer of the killer or is the killer on her trail? There is tension galore in this book, however, I was a little disappointed in the ending, because I didn't think we were given enough clues to figure out who the killer was. I sort of felt, you know, cheated, as I'd spent so much time thinking about the clues that didn't point to the bad guy at all, so overall I guess I have to give this book four stars. Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
Rating:
Summary: For me - Not as compelling as the first one.
Review: Although I didn't find this book as compelling as Postmortem, I still enjoyed the book. Ms. Cornwell really knows how to build up suspense in a story. This book is compelling because of the affinity that Kay feels for the first victim. She feels that she must find the killer, and sure enough she gets drawn into the web that caught the first victim. There were a couple of things that I really noticed though. First, there were lots of twists and turns in the plot, and two strands of story. Unfortunately, the two strands don't seem to relate and the one that is not to do with the murders gets lost in the plot. Secondly, does Kay ever have a sense of humour? I certainly haven't seen it yet. Still, the forensics are great, and the psychological thriller part is good.
Rating:
Summary: Unique and Riveting!!!
Review: To be honest, I feel Patricia Cornwell has a true knack for Mystery writing. After all, she was everything this character is in true life. I must admit she is very detailed and leaves no stone unturned. But I do feel as in the suspense department is lacking a little bit, other than that, she is a great writer. I feel if your someone into forensic this is truely the book for you. Someone (my girlfriend) recommended this book and I think it really great.
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