Rating: 
Summary: Black notice and betes noires
Review: Once again Kay Scarpetta is pitched against the hidden monster with some arcane disorder; once again she is flung between law enforcement agencies both compelling and corrupt; once again she is threatened and vulnerable. But will she once again triumph? Here is Patricia Cornwell at her political best: she has matured as a writer and brings to the reader a consideration of the investigative process more developed than the early days of a few cobbled together FBI profiles. In Black Notice, Scarpetta has become smarter than her mentors and tutors: but is she smarter than the beasts, both real and remembered, that pursue her? Readers should not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than before but still morose
Review: Scarpetta has become so highly strung that it must be only a matter of time when she falls apart totally. Although the writing generates empathy in me for Kay, I agree with the reviewer who suggests a sabbatical. What she has to endure in each book borders on inhuman AND inhumane. All this heroine ansgt makes the book somewhat heavy and morose. I did find the office politics an interesting diversion (and for me, real life) from the usual absorption in detailed autopsies or gruesome discoveries. All that aside, I enjoyed this book more than recent previuous ones. I am slowly coming to terms with the horrendous death on Benton - this book almost helps that catharsis. I still prefer Kay Scarpetta as a character to those introduced in 'Hornets nest'.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating, as the rest of her work
Review: I am really sorry some of the readers "did not get it"... Once I read one of her books I was hooked, and had to devour the rest. Of course,being a Lab Tech, I am biased. The author's thorough descriptions of the investigative process (e.g. autopsies, Toxicology and Forensic testing, just to name a few)are things I deal with on a daily basis, and fascinating to read about. Kudos to the author for doing her homework, unlike others who think the readers can be fooled into believing anything they make up! A hint for those that were a bit confused...read the rest of the books on the "Scarpetta series", in order. To answer one of your other reviewer's question: Yes, Marino has a thing for the good Dr! As for her relationship with Lucy, read the whole series, and you will see that having the mother this girl has, it's a miracle she's not a psycopath herself...
Rating:
Summary: I think I read a different book!
Review: After reading Amazon reader's reviews of Black Notice I was disappointed and wasn't sure I wanted to read it. It sounded like such a letdown from what I consider her usually fine writing.Boy, was I surprised! I've been a fan of Ms. Cornwell's writing for a few years now. A friend lent me The Hornet's Nest (not a Scarpetta novel, by the way) and I've been hooked ever since. While I admit that Lucy's character may be better served by taking a different direction, and perhaps the beginning of the book was slow, all in all the adventure seemed to ME to be just another day in the life of Dr. Scarpetta; is it entirely plausible? Maybe not. Is it a good, solid read with familiar and not so familiar characters? Yup, sure is! I dunno, all I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised. I hope there are others out there who agree with me :)
Rating:
Summary: Not her best effort...
Review: This was a book read from the CORBEL Book Club. As a reader of other Patricia Cornwell books I would have to say this is not her best; although, it did get better in the end (the beginning is slow to get started!) Some in our group who had not read other Cornwell books wanted Kay to get together with Marino (I DON'T THINK SO!) It made us feel as though we should have read the previous book to better understand what happened to Benton. The ending is good. Worth reading, but only when you have nothing better.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: I have read all the Kay Scarpetta books (except Point of Origin) and I really liked her character up until Black Notice. The usually cool, intelligent, and self-possessed Scarpetta has morphed into a whiny, irrational simp. One minute she is in charge and doing her job, the next she is screaming and cursing at someone (mainly Marino). Yes, I understand she is devastated over Benton's death, but I wish she wasn't going through a new meltdown every other page. I agree with one of the previous reviewers who is tired of some of the themes (such as the "Lucy is angry" theme..she needs to get over it! ). The plot and the writing were fine, it was just the character changes, especially Scarpetta's, that I did not care for. I was glad to see Kay given a new romantic interest, but the fact that he is much younger does not bode well for it (I predict much Kay-angst over it in the next book). For anyone who has not read a Kay Scarpetta novel, I would recommend All That Remains. It is really good...the first one I ever read and it hooked me.
Rating:
Summary: Gotta Love it
Review: As the series went on and the character development has reached a point so as your read the events feel as though you are there watching them happen. All of the emotions become real as you read them. After reading the Black Notice I am waiting breathlessly for the release of THE FINAL PRESINCT.
Rating:
Summary: I guess it was just me...
Review: I'm so surprised to see the numerous negative reviews of this book. I really enjoyed it, more so, in fact, than any of her books since Cruel and Unusual. (I have read all of the Scarpetta novels.) I didn't find it totally implausible, just a little out there, but completely riveting. The affliction of the villain was weird, but not unrealistic.The softening of Dr. Scarpetta's edges since her first few books continues in this, and I found her to be a delightful and real character. At the same time, the technicality of the novel brought back the style of Cornwell's earlier works. At any rate, it was a really good read and a wonderful way to spend a long weekend. If you're looking for absolute realism, why don't you get out of the fiction genre?
Rating: 
Summary: One of the most unrealistic novel I'd ever read
Review: This is the first time I read Patricia Cornwell, and judging from the cover (which said "New York Times Bestseller) I figured it couldn't be that bad. I was quite disappointed, however, by the lack of realistic plot, cheap characters and some kind of personal vindiction the author feels against beautiful women. I don't like putting books down but this one book you can stop from buying.
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Summary: Ghost Writer?
Review: Another disappointment from Cornwell, I am wondering if she has employed a ghost writer to whom she gives the plot and nothing else. I will not be wasting my money on any more of her books. 2 bad ones in a row is 2 too many
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