Rating: 
Summary: Great plot and writing; disappointing, weak ending
Review: I thought the writing in the first 3/4 of Black Notice was some of the best Cornwell has delivered. The plot was interesting, multi-faceted and believable; and Kay was definitely, to me, a more three-dimensional, realistic and sympathetic character than in the previous Scarpetta novels. But I did find the romance with Talley, which apparently is "still on" at the (non)end of the book highly implausible. Not because Kay couldn't or shouldn't be able to fall in love with another man after having lost Benton, but simply because he seemed too shallow and immature...mainly a pretty face.... to attract someone like her. But the reeeeally big complaint I have about this book is its incredibly abrupt, rushed-up, totally frustrating ending. Honestly, I kept looking to see if some pages were missing from my copy! An author shouldn't treat her readers in such a cavalier fashion. After having developed the story, with lots of fascinating sub-plots, to that point and then to have Dr. Scarpetta (duh!) open the door to someone who *says* he's a policeman (when we all know who's on the other side of the door and anyone with Kay's brains would be more wary), *then* to rush things from that point to an unrealistic, frustrating non-conclusion (obviously meant to whet our appetites for the next book)...these shortcuts on the author's part combined to ruin the book for me and leave me feeling really cheated when I finished it! I think I've decided to wait and look at other readers' comments on the next Cornwell book, rather than pre-ordering a copy of my own.
Rating: 
Summary: an ocean's length away from home.....
Review: ..but coming to rest in a good tying up of ends for Kay Scarpetta.. Comfy familiars Porky Pete, Lucy (toughening up nicely) and all the gang back again, Kay nesting with a freshie, opening up the old Wesley place - why do people think it's depressing? I was picked right up by all this. Phallic object Jay Talley seems a little like a character not quite developed. His lack of reaction to the somewhat impromptu liaison with Kay brings to mind - by contrast - "A Cat's Full Nine"'s Virgil's shattering of the rapturous postcoital reverie he shares with Excelencia Pola Sabine de Otho with the atstonishing testimonial: "Gosh, Your Grace, that was the best piece I ever had!" Let's hope Jay lives to grow up and has better luck surviving than Kay's others.
Rating:
Summary: Cornwell's characters are getting out of control.
Review: BLACK NOTICE is a "page turner", but it seems the language is getting out of the bounds of decency. It shouldn't be necessary to use foul language to sell a good mystery story. With the exception of HORNET'S NEST and SOUTHERN CROSS, I've enjoyed all of Cornwell's books. This one was not as good as the others, and that was partially due to the characters becoming more shallow--maybe a bit *too* human! Merino needs to take control of his life and not be so sloppy and foul mouthed, and as far as I'm concerned, in her next book she can dispense with Lucy! And--I hope we've seen the last of Talley.
Rating: 
Summary: A closer look at the real Dr. Kay Scarpetta.
Review: This book was not as graphic as some of the others, but, no situations are the same. We need to know that Dr. Scarpetta is a real person dealing with real grief. Sometimes job situations tend to be forgotten about in our grief, just as Kay's did. The "werewolf" explanation was a little out there, but, maybe it was useful in the coming out of one's shell and bringing everything to the surface. Patrica Cornwell is an excellent author, who's brilliance shines through intrigue and suspense.I look forward to reading the next Kay Scarpetta novel. Keep up the good work, Patricia!
Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed in the plot & characterization
Review: I keep wanting to like these books. I don't. Kay is not a likeable person. Marino is not a likeable person (is he even a person?). Lucy is the personification of a snotty brat. Who is the winner?
Rating:
Summary: rippling the mind with powerful emotional and social demons
Review: "Black Notice" involves you into a world of gothic belief in a modern day society. Bewildering the mind, with personal feelings concerning everyday job life. Consuming the weak and emotionally disturbed into a web of looking at life in a different way. She spells out grief in for the romantic lost loves. And leaves us all breath-takingly involved. The book is page turning and I couldn't put it down, being a 20 year old it caught my eye and I recommend it to anyone intersted in mystery, in my age group..
Rating:
Summary: Same old story
Review: I had been anticipating this book for months. It starts outgood but the ending is always the same. It feels like she runs out oftime and has 3 pages to end the book. The language is somewhat foul. The pro-gay themes are getting excessive. Perhaps the writer should separate her issues from her books. When Scarpetta comes out of the closet it will be the end of the story line.
Rating: 
Summary: Nifty mystery overwhelmed by soap opera
Review: Patricia Cornwell should consider renegotiating her book contract in order to space her work to match her muse. The early Scarpetta novels set a justified high standard that has deteriorated--particularly in "Black Notice"--to soap opera and continuing unresolved personality cul de sacs for her main characters. The Loup-Garou thread is intriguing, even unique, in its development and resolution--a small gem in recent mystery fiction. Unfortunately it is nearly submerged by the continual weeping, wailing and gnashing the characters inflict on the reader for the bulk of this dark book. Certainly the issues confronting Cornwell's protagonists are gloomy and serious. Unfortunately, the histrionics are unrelenting and any early empathy a reader might feel is soon turned to impatience and irritation from the continual breast-beating and the book's frequently grating tone. I have finished all of Cornwall's mysteries except for "Southern Cross" which I put down early because I thought it lacked direction and commitment. I had similar early feelings about "Black Notice." However, despite the screeching, self-indulgent background noise in "Black Notice," I stuck with it until the end just for the resolution of the Loup-Garou case. Sadly, the payback was too little compensation for enduring the soap opera in which the mystery is packaged. The book reminded me of the old line about "cramming forty minutes of material into eight hours."
Rating:
Summary: Left me neutral
Review: I've been a fan of Patricia Cornwell for years and waited anxiously for this book to arrive. Unlike her previous Kay Scarpetta stories however, this one never really grabbed my interest and too many questions were left unanswered. Why was Bray out to do her in, how did the "werewolf" happen upon the Inspector. Detective Marino and Lucy were such peripheral characters in this story that I was disappointed. Everyone knows Lucy is an ace with computers. She could have taken care of the e-mail bug post-haste, but no she's relegated to shooting bad guys in Florida. I finished the book but would have a hard time giving it any more than 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: The details of autopsies on burned bodies
Review: The story was farfetched, drawn out, and the characters improbable. But worst-the details of autopsies on burned bodies revolted me, a surgeon of many years
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