Rating: 
Summary: Not up to par
Review: After reading 250 pages or so I was thinking to myself, "this is really slow. Everything I've read so far could be summed up in a paragraph or two." I was expecting something really exciting to happen but as I got to within a few pages of the end I realized I had been let down. It seemed P.C. wanted to end the book in a hurry and just let it go. I prefer Jeffrey Deaver's books. You know with his books you're in for a surprise.
Rating: 
Summary: Typical Cornwell book
Review: This book is OK...I've read all of hers, and they are tending to become much the same...In this one, her government office uses AOL as an email client...that is ridiculous...would never happen...
Rating:
Summary: Diasappointed
Review: Once again I am drawn in to Kay Scarpetta's world by the fascinating details of forensic science. But with with each novel I am finding the chief character increasingly annoying, self-centered and and one-dimensional. When the story strays from the police procedural stuff I find myself wading through the worst kind of melodrama involving Kay, her murdered lover and everyone surrounding her. I mean, can anyone read the dialogue between Dr. Scarpetta and Talley (at the Paris restaurant) without gagging or giggling. The whole issue of how Kay faces adversity is treated by the author without the slightest hint of (intentional) humor or irony. The book is extremely joyless. How could someone with no coping mechanisms stand to be a medical examiner at all?Tne major flaw of the book, and one that occurs in several of Cornwell's novels, is that the eventual capture of the serial killer has very little to do with the following of forensic clues to expose the criminal. Rather, once again, the villain is undone by his obsessive need to go after the Chief Medical Examiner herself, and is defeated in hand to hand combat by our heroine. Won't these guys ever learn?
Rating:
Summary: Good, As Usual, But . . .
Review: . . . I get the feeling that she used this book to set up plot elements for future books. That made the "Werewolf" plot disjointed--it was introduced well, faded in the middle, then just burst towards a conclusion at the end, making it incomplete and somewhat ungratifying. A lot of unanswered points remained. However, I think Ms. Cornwell did a spectacular job chronicling Kay's grief and her unresolved feelings over Benton's death. (And I really, really hope she goes with the younger man thing!) She's also throwing Marino off the deep end, which started to grate on my nerves even though I usually enjoy his surly personality. Actually, everyone seemed to be headed off the deep end in this one: Kay's grief and grieving is making her a workaholic, and Lucy's anger over too many things to count is turning her into a raving lunatic with a gun (ditto, Marino). A bit much, I think, but overall, a good read--I like these characters and Cornwell can always keep you engrossed, even with this not-up-to-par effort.
Rating:
Summary: What's with the constant preaching and whining?
Review: I was SO looking forward to reading this latest Scarpetta, but what a letdown! The entire book seemed to be little more than the author pushing (via Kay's preachy dialogue) some kind of bizzare whining, pro-NRA, rah-rah America, quasi-Republican, Anti-beautiful woman/pro-lesbian adgenda. Some of which I agree with, some not -- but none of it is what I want to read for entertainment! The worst bit had to be when Kay tells her Latin American housekeeper "But, Rosa -- the police here aren't like they are in your country". A close second was her assuring Lucy's latest squeeze that "Love is never wrong". When, oh when, did Kay become such a trite, pontificating bore? I'm not sure if P.Cornwell has a new editor, or if she herself is going through a mid-life crisis, but I hope the old Scarpetta comes back in the next book. And for God's sake, enough with the firearms! Paragraphs that used to go into great detail about medical/forensic procedure are now describing everyone's handguns in practically erotic sensual prose. All in all, a kind of strange read.
Rating:
Summary: A Strange Loup
Review: I was starting to feel that the Kay Scarpetta series was getting a little tired. But, my roommate bought Black Notice, and I decided to go ahead and read it. On the whole, it is a fairly good book. The strange victim with a strange tattoo found with strange hairs starts the book off. The primary plot revolves around this death, and becomes a little too fantastic (Who's Afraid of Virginia's Wolf?) . However, the book is saved by having a subplot involving what appears to be a new nemesis for Dr. Scarpetta: a strong woman Deputy Police Chief, attempting to shake up the department and Marino, Kay's close police friend, and Scarpetta herself. Ultimately, these two seemingly divergent plots must come together. I have read all the books in this series, yet I will not profess to understanding all the complex personalaties and relationships in the primary characters. Therefore, if you are thinking of delving into this series, try the earlier books first. The secondary plot, which almost becomes primary, and solid writing help make up for an odd story and a weak ending. Furthermore, Patricia Cornwell attempts to throw some things in the mix to keep interest, such as the question of "Is Benton really dead?". My suggestion: Read the book and enjoy, but don't analyze it.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Kay Scarpetta Winner!
Review: After loosing the love of her life, it is time for Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta to pick up the pieces and carry on. Loosing herself in work is not helping one bit, nor is the fact that her niece, Lucy is undercover working for the DEA in Miami and her best bud, Captain Pete Marino is back to uniform duty. A new Police Chief just brings on more problems. When a dead body is found in a container at the docks and it happens to be covered in baby fine hair a new mystery begins that takes Kay to Paris and into the arms of Interpol operative Jay Talley. Patricia Cornwell scores again with another Scarpetta winner! None of her books are for the weak of stomach but, once you start one, it is hard to put it down! Mary Ann Sell
Rating: 
Summary: Scarpetta Grieves
Review: Black Notice is a very satisfying addition to my favorite series of mystery novels. The combination of science and sensitive character development in each new adventure is a treat. Scarpetta, Marino, and the rest are like old friends now, and though at times our intrepid M.E. seems a little superhuman, she comes to terms with devastating personal loss in this novel. My only criticism of this page-turner is the uncharacteristic, blundering way that Scarpetta puts herself jeopardy in the final pages -- it almost seems that Cornwell ran out of ideas and decided to wind things up rather hastily. Or, perhaps I just hated for it to end (I always do!). Looking forward to The Last Precinct. . . If you have just discovered Dr. Kay Scarpetta, be sure to start with the first novel (Post Mortem) and read them in order!
Rating:
Summary: all of Patricia Cornwell's books
Review: I have read all of Patricia Cornwell's books and find them to be intensely satisfying in regard to character development through time because she uses the same characters in each book. You need to start with her first book to get the full benefit of character development. ( These books are the ones she has written about Dr. Scarpetta, et al.) Her books will also keep you page turning much longer than you should if you read before bedtime. The information which she researches (and provides the reader while reading) is quite complete in relation to each story theme. Patricia Cornwell is my favorite author of suspense novels. READ HER! She's great!
Rating:
Summary: This entry is middle of the "pack."
Review: While I finished this book at midnight, after only two nights, I'm not sure it's one of her better ones. The wolf theme is creepy, I'll give it that, but the interpolice agency intrigue and someone trying to sabotage Scarpetta at work (someone posing as her on email, etc) are old themes that are a bit tired. I'm not sure how Lucy and Jo got together. I must be forgetting the previous book. It's typical Cornwell, though the forensic work is not as thorough or as interesting. I supposed it's a must for followers of the series. I concur to start with previous ones, but I'd suggest Postmortem or All that Remains. Then work into my favorite, From Potters' Field (not sure if I got the title right...)
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