Rating: 
Summary: Very Character Driven - Lots of Developement ! A Good Read.
Review: This latest "edition" of Kay Scarpetta's life was one of my favorites. It's a different kind of Scarpetta novel. This one is more about the characters with the "mystery" taking very much the back seat.Lucy is back and Marino and they're all sharing in the pain regarding Benton's death. Of all the books, this one moves the characters themselves further than any other (as with "The Body Farm"). It's good to see that Kay is, indeed, capable of depression, that she is NOT a superwoman (no matter what SHE might think). I'd recommend this book to anyone - especially the fan who considers themselves part of Kay's extended family. I only wish Cornwell would publish more Scarepetta mysteries (I'm not thrilled with the "Hornet's Nest" bunch). Also, I think it'd be great if Lucy got her own book! These are all characters we've come to know and love - this book will further that. Regards to all. TurTleX
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely could be better!!!
Review: If you skip the first several chapters of emotional blather [Kay didn't give Benton that much of her time when he was alive!!], suffer through the usual attempt at character assassination by one of her coworkers, and ignore the increasingly foul mouths of Scarpetta and Marino, AND accept that the fastidious Dr. Scarpetta will fall in love [or lust] in such a short time, this book isn't all that bad! How about more plot development and less talk? How about an ending that ends a book instead of coming to a certain number of pages [or words] and stopping? Kay and Lucy are purported to be highly intelligent women, why do they act so oddly all of the time--this is not something that started with Benton's death--Lucy is always angry and out of control and Kay needs some serious R & R!!!
Rating: 
Summary: This novel is way below a "Patricia Cornwell" standard.
Review: Although a somewhat exciting read, this is far lacking the previous polished Kay Scarpetta novels. The characters have ended up depressed and miserable, it's time to start writing something uphill. There wasn't a hint of suspense, and I found myself reading more of a soap opera drama starring the key characters in goofy dire straits. The story didn't flow, and i found many instances of descriptions that contradicted what was just a few lines or a page previous. I feel this was sloppy writing by an otherwise excellent author. We dedicated Cornwell fans could go the extra few months for a book release if it meant a tidier, more believable story.
Rating: 
Summary: Back on track
Review: I'm more of a fan of historical fiction like "Ancient Evenings" or "The Triumph and the Glory", but I ALWAYS read Cornwell's books. After a couple of less than gripping works, "Point of Origin" and "Southern Cross" come to mind, it looks like she has hit her stride again. I thoroughly enjoyed the new one, the autopsy sequences are intensely vivid, and all of the old magic that made Cornwell a blockbuster best-selling author are here in "Black Notice". Maybe she's looked behind her and saw a few newe novelists stealing her thunder and decided it was high time she got down to business again. Five Stars! A great effort.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read, Sorry Ending, Kay Robs Cradle?
Review: I love Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series and always await the newest one with abated breath. I feel like I know her and Pete Marino and love them both and all the adventures they go on together. Although sad about Benton's death in prior book, it gives the series a realism. But come on, Kay and a younger, snotty, stuck up, goody boy? This is NOT Kay's style. We've gone from intelligent Benton to this? Is Kay going through middle age crazies? I don't see her with this guy and didn't think it fit at all. The story line about the "freaky" serial killer was a little farfetched too, but interesting reading. It seemed that Ms. Cornwell tried to finish the plot too quickly. It got you, kept you, then kind of let you down at the end, it all happened so quickly. I hope Ms. Cornwell sticks with Kay and Pete for her next write, and not a story line such as Southern Cross. I couldn't even finish that one.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed the read.
Review: What a fun read! Would have liked to know more about the culprits family history. Figure there's another story in there somewhere. Really glad Dr. Scarpettas has found a potential replacement for Benton. Miss having Lucy in the story. Love these books. Thanks for the entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Familiar, too familiar
Review: I bought this book at London's Heathrow Airport and read it literally in one seating: from the UK to SF, USA. It served its purpose as "a good read". But like even the best tv serials, there are huge, predictable chunks one simply needs to sit through to get on with the story. Marino is a thin cliche character by now. How many times do we need descriptions of his sloppiness? Scarpetta's hard as nails facade is a bit tiresome. Lucy is not fleshed out as a three dimensional character in this book and comes across in her bitter angry presence...and is just not welcome anymore. The ending, as a few previous reviewers have already cited, is quick, not rewarding and extremely unsatisfying. But, as I say, it held my attention during a tedious flight. Is that a compliment? I don't know. I think I am going to say adieu to Ms. Scarpetta. I am a little too tired of retreading the same terrain over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: SCARPETTA DOES HAVE CLAY FEET!!!
Review: I enjoyed this novel, contrary to what other reviewers thought.Scarpetta as a role model - COME ON!! She's a character in a book, whoin this most recent effort, has seemed to have joined the rest of us mere mortals in her ability to grieve, get depressed, relapse smoking, and feel out of control. I was beginning to get sick of the Scarpetta novels - I felt Kay was too much of a machine - a boring know-it-all. I think this book approaches "The Body Farm" and her other earlier efforts, where the characters were believable, sympathetic, and not-to-perfect. So there's a new love interest, and he's younger - SO WHAT? I'm looking forward to the next Scarpetta book - I feel like my old friends are back!
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: Stay away from this one. It's hard to be specific about thisbook's many deficiencies without giving away plot twists, but: Can'tCornwell invent a believable criminal any longer? Motivation and forensic-pathology procedures are given short shrift; Scarpetta herself goes two-dimensional. This is most manifest in the pallid, watery descriptions of Kay's heterosexual activity. Coded and overt lesbianism, however, luridly and lovingly takes center stage. Put it this way: If this were the first Kay Scarpetta mystery you picked up, you'd never pick up another one.
Rating:
Summary: disturbing
Review: I am a great fan of Patricia Cornwell and have read all her books to date. The latest Black Notice was disturbing to me due to the depressiveness of the characters and the amount of foul and vile language on the part of the main characters. I purchased the book unabridged in audio format and was driving to Richmond with my teenage daughter and both of us were excited about listening to the book. I was shocked by the language coming over the speakers in the car, and embarrassed in front of my daughter. The language was so disgusting, vile, and foul on the part of Dr. Scarpetta, and Capt. Marino that I will no longer purchase any new works of Cornwell. Furthermore, I will tell everyone I come in contact with how disappointed I am with the new book. It truly is a shame that a great storyteller such as Ms. Cornwell would have employ such language to get across the painful emotional state of the characters.
|
