Rating: 
Summary: A real disappointment
Review: Thank God I checked this book out from the library instead of buying it. Since Cornwell used to be a newspaper reporter, I expected this book would be as well researched and as well written as her Scarpetta books. Boy, was I wrong. (Take it from a real reporter, the journalism business is not as it's depicted in this novel.) I can't end this review without mentioning the chapters that are written from the point of view of the cat. Give me a break. (This book is not The Incredible Journey, Patricia. Leave the thinking to the humans.)
Rating: 
Summary: What a lousy book
Review: I was a little disappointed at first when I found this was not a Scarpetta book, but I quickly got over that as I found the main characters to be as interesting as Dr. Kay can be. Then I actually started reading the story. Some reviewers have mentioned that they thought this was all a big comic opera of a police story, and sure there are some funny bits such as Bubba gluing his hands together. But the sadness of the alcoholic mother, and the relationship between Hammer and her husband isn't at all comic. And for the love of God pick a point of view!! Jumping all around from the main characters to every single insignificant character as your point of view is just irritating, unless it's done well and for a point. And don't get me started on the cat. Man oh man. Overall: YUCK!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite author has completely bombed out.
Review: Unlike Ms Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels which are real page turners, filled with emotion,Hornet's Nest leaves me lost. I have tried three times to read this book and simply can not follow her shallow story line which switches between characters paragraph by paragraph. Purchase this one for any price and "You Lost".
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book is not up to Cornwell's standards. If you are a fan of Kay Scarpetta, you will be sorely disappointed. The lackluster characters and poor story line make for a tortuous reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: Patricia, don't go there, girl!
Review: Patricia Cornwell is a brilliant writer and I have read every novel she has written. Hornet's Nest is such a poorly written mess that I wonder if she even wrote it. I don't see how someone who wrote the Scarpetta books could stand to waste their time and skills on a book like Hornet's Nest. Speaking as an artist, if I had to spend the time on a painting doing a bad job of it, I would soon start over or abandon that particular painting. I couldn't stand to ignore my well-honed skills and break every painting rule in the book to make something that had no value. Please, Ms. Cornwell, don't go there again, girl!
Rating:
Summary: As a Parody, This Book is a Hoot!
Review: Patricia Cornwell has taken cliches, stereotypes, and the tacky writing techniques of several well known authors, mixed them together and produced "Hornet's Nest." This is a very funny book. The characters are somewhat predictable, but they're still fun. Some of the scenes are hysterical. This book is not meant to be taken seriously. It's meant to be fun--and it is!
Rating:
Summary: One of the most boring books I've ever read
Review: Patricia Cornwell's books about Kay Scarpetta are usually very interesting and entertaining.I had great expectations when I started to read this book. This one is just boring. It's a lousy police novel,is not the least exciting, has no interesting characters. Add to this a complete failure to tell anything interesting about women-officers in a man's world. The only thing in this book that makes me happy is that I borrowed it in my local library so I didn't have to buy it.Anyhow, one star is a generous mark!
Rating: 
Summary: you win some, you lose some
Review: I love all of Patricia Cornwell's books -- which means all of the Kay Scarpetta series. This one, though, was just flat. It was missing a plot, snappy dialogue, etc. It really reminded me of a first effort from some kid starting out as a novelist. I don't think Cornwell is a bad writer -- on the contrary, I think she's excellent -- but this book was most definitely NOT one of her best efforts. Try again, Patricia.
Rating:
Summary: I want Kay Scarpetta back !!
Review: Hornet's Nest is not half as good as any of the Scarpetta books. This book is not a thriller at all. Please Ms Cornwell, go back to the Scarpetta series.
Rating:
Summary: Stung by Hornet's Nest
Review: Patricia Cornwell is a tremendous storyteller ... most of the time. Hornet's Nest marks the rare exception. Lucy, Dr. Scarpetta, Marino, et al, are captivating characters; why the author took a detour from their storyline is beyond me. I'm glad I read reviews of the followup, Southern Cross, first and didn't make the same mistake twice.
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