Rating: 
Summary: My 2nd attempt in reading this author
Review: I can not fathom how this book is on the best-sellers list?! I had read and was disappointed in the Hornet's Nest but thought I would give this one a try. How and why these characters stay together is beyond me? Any interaction between Kay and Marino, or Kay and Lucy or Marino and Lucy or Kay and Agt. Talley etc etc. is simply negative, rude and obnoxious. I don't know why they speak to one another the next day. I certainly had no compassion or concern for any of the characters. The "twists" were hardly a ripple in the story line that were simply dropped or so anti-climatic that it became frustrating to continue reading. I would not recommend this book nor will I pick up another Kay Scarpetta, ME "extraordinaire" again.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit tired
Review: I've read everyone of Cornwell's books and spent a fortune to have this shipped to HK when it was hot off the press.... glad Amazon gives a good discount since I was disappointed. Overall, the book was a bit tired...it lacks the excitement her previous books had and the story was a bit disjointed....the side-trip to Paris was a messy detour. Whatever "history" she provided sounds as though it came from a Michelin guide. Perhaps the introduction of a new young lover from the FBI may rev things up in the next book which should simply be termed a sequel... you can see it coming. Also, it's about time Cornwell has Lucy grow up and develop her "character" a bit more... her basic personna has remained the same throughout each book while Marino's shows signs of maturing although I don't think he is as "90's" as one reviewer suggested! Ms. Cornwell, why don't you retire your secretary, Rose, and replace her with someone who generates a little heat with Marino... love and efficiency all in one! Think Virginia West is a better protagonist than Kay Scarpetta is at this point. Kay, you should either get some of your spark back or opt to retire along with Rose and have Patricia Cornwell write about your successor!
Rating:
Summary: What a dysfunctional group of characters!
Review: This is the worst in a series of books that has been declining in quality. Same old gang - same old problems. Kay Scarpetta has to be the most unhappy person in the world. The weather is always gloomy. Marino is always testy. Lucy is always a brat. I've realized that I don't give a darn about these people and will never read another Cornwell book.
Rating:
Summary: Kay has become tiresome
Review: I loved the early Scarpetta mysteries. The last few have been pretty lame. It must be hard to write this type of stuff because I found Kathy Reich's second book over the top also. Who really believes that MEs are that involved in these cases that they are ever in danger? And when was the last time you saw a prominent newscast or newspaper including pictures of the ME? Implausible, hard to believe and tiresome. Kay is too self-important and claims to be an expert in everything from scuba diving to medical examining to computers to lesbians to FBI operations and now sex with the new young guy. Scarpetta is not likeable and has become so angry and paranoid that I don't want to read about her anymore. I realized in this book that Benton might be the only character I liked at all and now he's gone. And I never knew Kay loved Benton that much-- she fought with him all the time like she does with everyone else. Well it's all fiction and didn't happen-- isn't happening-- and the characters are not real. Hope her next one is better. Now I'm looking forward to Sue Grafton.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, at best
Review: I am an avid reader of Pat Cornwell's novels. Point of Origin was heartwrenching. But I was extremely disappointed with Black Notice. It was disjointed, vulgar, and implausible. PLEASE BRING BACK BENTON!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't care what the other readers think about it, I LOVED it
Review: Reading books for entertainment is a personal choice, like going to see movies. And I never heed what critics say. I draw my own conclusions. Black Notice, was incredible. I read it in one sitting, and am sorry that I had to come to the end page. Can't anyone but me "see" a follow up to this? I'd like to see this "on film". I just hope that Kay Scarpetta's transition to the big screen doesn't get botched up by poor casting. note to Ms. Cornwell, Keep up the great job, and bring Talley back for more!
Rating: 
Summary: The book started off well then sort of dies
Review: I love Patricia Cornwell's novels, but this one just loses steam. I think that Cornwell is making the characters too negative and self absorbed. Additionally, the book drives a couple good story lines and they all just die out or are dropped. It is almost like she wrote the book and about 75% through it, she just got tired or distracted and just ended the book. I think in another 50 well thought out pages, she could have turned this book from a C- to a solid B. I have read or listened to all of the Scarpetta books. Keep Scarpetta, but drop the childish thoughts.
Rating:
Summary: This one left me flat
Review: I have read all of the Scarpetta novels and have enjoyed them all. I was so happy to hear about the release of this one, and while the plot kept me interested, I felt the ending was just too flat. I read it and saw the blank following page and was disappointed that she left it where she did. Marino was a terrible character in this edition, and if this were the first Scarpetta book I had read I would wonder why in God's name Kay kept him around. I sincerely hope that the hopelessness that pervaded in this book won't flow into others.
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell can do better
Review: I was reading through some of the reader reviews and one reviewer called Marino the most "put together" character in the book and I realized with a start that this was true! How unexpected that this overeating, cigarette-smoking, tough and prejudiced cop would be the one to stay grounded, while "Bang Bang" Lucy struggles to stay balanced and Kay struggles to find peace and people that aren't out to get her. Problem is, I buy the Scarpetta books to read about Kay and her WORK, not the emotional stuff, and not to see how 90's Marino is becoming. Great forensics, as always, but a mess of emotions, a mess of a plot, and a silly ending that was just too abrupt.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a very dark Kay Scarpetta novel!
Review: When I first started reading about Kay Scarpetta, I couldn't wait for the next example of her as a strong, self contained woman. Now, I am beginning to feel sorry for her. Most of us have sadness in our lives, but there is enough true goodness and genuine happiness that we can live through the rough and tough moments. It doesn't appear that Kay Scarpetta will ever be happy and satisfied. The scientific basis for the novel is a little out there, I thought. Does this disease truly exist or is a figment of Ms. Cornwell's imagination? Reguardless, it is a good book for the Scarpetta fans. Kay once again proves herself to be smarter than the average Jane.
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