Rating: 
Summary: Black Notice
Review: Contrary to some other reviews, I thought the book was very good. I like how Ms. Cornwell keeps you abreast of the lives of Dr. Scarpetta, Marino and Lucy. I feel like I know these people. All her books give very good insight as to how a medical examiner works (sometimes) side by side with the police in trying to discover clues that will help to apprehend the murderer. I highly recommend reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: What was Patricia Cornwell thinking?
Review: I am still trying to figure this whole thing out. Was this book supposed to be about a crime-solving mystery or whiny soap opera with a mixture of Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place mixed in together? There was so much WHINING and relationship problems in this book that it drove me crazy! This book does not live up to all of the other Scarpetta novels at all. Here are my suggestions to Mrs. Cornwell- Kill that little annoying niece Lucy, have Mrs. Scarpetta stop whining and blabbering about poor Benton and stop making Marino look like a stupid drunk. I certainly hope "The Last Precinct" is better than this novel!
Rating:
Summary: I just love Scarpetta!
Review: While I agree with some of the other reviewers that perhaps this wasn't her best Scarpetta book, I just love Kay Scarpetta! Cornwell draws her so beautifully, and I've become so involved with all the characters that I feel as if I know them personally. Like some of the others, I would prefer that there be some lightening of Kay's attitude, that after all the tragedies she could find a sense of peace in her life somehow, but I must admit this is probably a more realistic portrayal. After Benton, surely there will be another love interest that is worthy of such an intelligent heroine. For me, the mystery and details are always first-rate. Cornwell draws a powerful line in the dirt and dares us to cross.
Rating: 
Summary: Kay needs therapy
Review: Over the years, Dr. Scarpetta has become increasingly morose, and her 'glass half empty' life is becoming tedious to read about. Ms. Cornwell certainly puts her through alot, as well as Marino and Lucy. The mystery itself was intriguing, but the office shenanigans were over the top, and instead of getting lost in her books, as I usually do, I found myself speeding through just to see how it ended. Kind of like inhaling a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, instead of slowly savoring a juicy steak. I think Kay needs to go see her shrink, or maybe just eat some Cheerios. There are too many real people who live victorious lives in spite of incredible difficulty in the real world, which makes it hard to feel empathy or sympathy for the depressing Scarpetta. Get it together Kay- we love ya!
Rating:
Summary: first time "Cornwell" reader
Review: I thought I would see why Cornwell's books are always on the bestseller list, and after reading "Black Notice" I'm still wondering. There is way too much dialogue that added nothing to the plot. I also expected to find more action. Maybe I just need to read more of her books so that the familiarity of the characters becomes the important reason to read.
Rating:
Summary: Where Have Cornwell and Scarpetta Gone?
Review: Patricia Cornwell has been one of my favorite authors in recent years, so when a friend praised Black Notice as vintage Cornwell, I bought it immediately. However, I struggled to get through it - not vintage Cornwell at all. The characters we have come to know so well seemed to have no redeeming qualities and that includes Kay! There was an overall negativity about this whole book with heavy focus on Benton's death. The average reader does not want to wade through technical medical terms, gore and very angry and filthy dialogue. A grieving Kay would not jump into bed having known the guy for a day! Lucy just can't be trigger happpy and out for revenge. And Marino just can't have deteriorated to the degree she has painted him. He, however, was the only one with any common sense and foresight. The plot was a stretch - is she running out of content material? So, no more Cornwell for me! I see there's are new one out in July but it won't land on my bookshelf!
Rating: 
Summary: one of the best
Review: i personally thought this was one of the best, if not the best scarpetta book so far. it was incredibly moving. it dealt with scarpetta's loss of benton, her relationship with marino, as well as lucy's lesbianism, and it included plenty of suspense. the killer was excellent. a perfect villain, one that made you want to sleep with the lights on. it was an emotional rollercoaster. i was scared, i was sad, i was happy. it's definitely a book to read many times, and to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Black Notice
Review: I just didn't buy the premise. The story was not interesting and I had figured out what was going to happen from the very beginning of the book. I was really disappointed that Black Notice did not live up to her earlier works.
Rating:
Summary: What a stench
Review: Terrible book! I didn't know who I wanted to die more--Kay or Diane Bray! Wish it had been Kay. "Black Notice" is simply terrible. Arguments come out of nowhere and sanctimoniousness is at full throttle. And why was it again that Marino accompanied Scarpetta to France? Did he actually do anything but clobber Kay's stud (yeah the sex scene... unbelievable, if you can even call it a sex scene... and him declaring his undying feelings after an afternoon romp? Ridiculous!) Scarpetta's holier than thou attitude is getting progressively worse. And did she have a conversation with anyone she didn't get in a fight with or have negative feelings about? The French cab driver... her poor maid who forgot to change the towels... Sheesh. Let's not even get started on Lucy. She's a lunatic. By now, we all know about Cornwell's own proclivities, but does she have to give all gay people a bad name? Please, Patricia, stop typing and start spending some of that money of yours and have a good time.
Rating: 
Summary: Could be better....
Review: well, as a die-hard kay scarpetta fan, i was thrilled that patricia cornwell came out with another book. one of the best things i can say about this book is that it is not as bad as the last one. i was glad to be reunited with all the characters that i have grown to think of as family, but the quality of the stories has faded since the death in the subway (true fans will know what i mean by that). although i was disappointed in this book, i will be waiting, patiently, for the next one. if you are losing faith in kay scarpetta, try reading books by tess gerriston, tami hoag or jeffrey deaver.
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