Black Notice

Rating:
Summary: Not great, not awful
Review: This book was so-so. Actually, I am getting tired of the Kay Scarpetta character and especially of Marino (who is at his most unpleasant in this book). The stories in this series are all starting to sound the same.

Rating:
Summary: Stop me before I finish this book
Review: I was about half way through the book before I realized I had never read a book where each character was more unhappy than the previous one. Depressing and uneventful.

Rating:
Summary: good character development but poor narrative
Review: Finally Kay seems like a real person. However the whole Bray affair should either be in a separate book or better yet ignored. The book was very enjoyable until the last 1/3. There were too many coincindences and the ending was too abrupt. It is time for Cornwell to retire Scarpetta and try a different character.

Rating:
Summary: Cornwell's latest gets her back on track.
Review: After a few pretty awful books, Black Notice shows once again that Cornwell can write riveting mysteries. However, there is little subtlty in her narrative: readers know right off the bat who the bad guys are in Scarpetta's life and that they will be involved in nefarious activities. In fact, these characters were more interesting than the murderer that Scarpetta pursues, but Cornwell doesn't take the time to provide sufficient background information to make them multi-dimensional. Still, I finished this book in less than 2 days because it was hard to walk away from it for too long.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I expected more from a Patricia Cornwell book than this delivered (and I pre-ordered based on her previous work!). Quite frankly, it was a reprise of her other novels, someone's out to "get" Dr. Scarpetta's position, there's sabotage in the lab, niece Lucy is stressed out again and Marino, is well, Marino and the most put together character in this book.

Rating:
Summary: A great continuing saga...
Review: The opening letter from Benton set the stage for a possible comeback, but not to be. Even though the plot borders on supernatural, it is believable. Happy to see that Dr. Kay's life may go on with some personal happiness. It's time for another serial plot that carries over several editions. Loved this one. Good closure. Now, its time to move on.

Rating:
Summary: Good - but lacked a strong ending
Review: I have read all of the Kay Scarpetta series, as well as Hornet's Nest and Southern Cross and, for the most part, I have enjoyed all of these novels. After Point of Origin, I was thrilled to see that Ms. Cornwell brought back Kay Scarpetta for another round. I was immediately drawn into the book, and especially liked the ability to see Kay Scarpetta grieving, showing that she is a human after all. I think the character of Kay Scarpetta was well developed, but after reading Black Notice, I don't think that Dr. Scarpetta would be a person I would like if given a chance to know her. She comes off as rather cold and uncaring, and I could understand how there would be others wanting to sabotage her. The Loup-Garou plot was fascinating, although I wish there had been more emphasis on this aspect of the book. I was disappointed by the ending which was very weak and unimaginative, and reminiscent of every other suspense novel or movie I have encountered. The ending certainly left room for another Kay Scarpetta novel, though, which I look forward to reading. Overall, this was not the best of the Scarpetta novels, but it certainly kept me turning the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but maybe time to let these characters rest
Review: The book was good but predictable. Maybe it's time to let Kay Scarpetta and friends have a vacation. I seem to be alone in my feelings about Southern Cross. I really liked it, although I didn't care for Hornet's Nest. Maybe Cornwell can start a new series with the characters from Southern Cross

Rating:
Summary: intence, heart pounding suspence. two thumbs up.
Review: Dr. Scarpetta really has to think to figure out who's "it" in this one. Several unrelated hits can only be coincidence. There is no coinceidence only trouble. Maybe even anew friend.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as others because the characters changed
Review: Maybe it's me, but Cornwell has turned Kay Scarpetta into a bitchy, controlling character - a most unpleasant person and probably horrible to work for. Marino is cynical and constantly complaining.

Whatever happened to their professionalism?