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Summary: Hornet's Nest Packs Sting
Review: It is good to know that a novel can be set somewhere other than New York, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, or Smalltown Nowheresville, like just about everything in American popular fiction is. I'm older than most of those beautiful skyscrapers in Charlotte, AND I work in the banking industry, so seeing that Patricia Cornwell dabbled into a little of both did my heart good.Hornet's Nest definitely has a pro-female slant...I'm a bit surprised that neither the mayor nor the head of USBank was also female...And yes, the story has its typically Southern stereotypes, which I don't care for...But as a mystery thriller, Hornet's Nest simply isn't that bad...If nothing else, it will introduce you to a section of the country that is on the move and in the middle of America's financial heartbeat.
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Summary: Hornet's Nest role reversal
Review: I agree with most of the other posters that this book is a waste of time. It surprises me that no one else seems to have mentioned what I thought was a fairly obvious gimmick used by Cornwall. She reversed the sexes of her protagonists. If the male characters were female and vice versa you would have a very traditional thriller format. If there had been something interesting going on this role reversal might have created some excitment, but unfortunately Hornet's Nest has zilch. I think Cornwall needs a better editor, her last few books have lacked focus and her characters have been more irritating than engaging.
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Summary: Glad I borrowed it from the library
Review: I "read" this book on tape and now I'm wondering if I should just go get the book and read it. I know some taped books are abridged and I can't help but think that I've missed something. The ending did not do it for me either but I liked that Cornwell created some new characters. Dr. Kay was getting to be routine. I will probably "read" her next V. West novel. Sorry guys.
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Summary: worst by the author
Review: I love patricia cornwell's books from the time I read the first one. I assumed that Hornet's Nest was another Scarpetta. I wasn't disappointed to find out that it wasn't because I am always willing to read other stories by various authors. Writers should never feel constrained to write only about one issue or one protagonist. Having said that though, I was amazed and disturbed by this rather silly offering from a talented woman. Is this one of those offerings which happen when authors are under pressure by their publishers to produce a book quickly for clamoring fans? She is not the first it has happened to and she won't be the last. But I think Cornwell must be wealthy enough and strong enough to just say no, don't you? The copy I read had no blurb as to what the book was about. I assumed that this was because Cornwell was known so well, it wasn't necessary. Now I realise it was because the book was so bad, the publishers didn't have the nerve or enough creative talent to find something good to say. Admittedly Scarpetta was largely one-dimensional and one had to suspend disbelief in order to believe that she was always being cornered in her bedroom or house by some crazed killer, but she is certainly a much better offering in her worst incarnations than Hornet's Nest in this first effort. Sorry Cornwell, this was indeed your worst effort.
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Summary: Where's the Plot?
Review: I was looking forward to new set of characters from Cornwell. Frankly, Scarpetta was getting a little too grumpy for my tastes. Boy, was this book ever a letdown. The main characters were ridiculous (although well-dressed and gorgeous!) The minor characters were just cardboard cutouts of people. The author seemed content to just describe their actions and random thoughts without any specific purpose in mind. The ending seemed tacked-on, as if after 200 pages of meandering prose, Cornwell became tired of writing about these hollow characters (I know I was tired of reading about them!) and felt the need to wrap it up quickly. Maybe she had a deadline. I'm just happy that I didn't buy the darn thing! C'mon Patricia, you can do better than this.
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Summary: A very strange affair
Review: This book reads like Cornwell got a hefty advance and subcontracted the writing to an adult literacy class. A stunningly bad book, the pacing is truly unreal, and the ending is as abrupt and anti-climactic as any I have ever read. Only interesting for the increasing openness of Cornwell towards issues of sexuality.
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Summary: Characters in search of a plot
Review: This book held promise, and I enjoy when a writer steps out of the familiar. Unfortunately, Cornwell should go back to thrillers. This was a collection of (mostly) cardboard characters in search of a plot. There was little character development, no threads tying it together, and the ending was ludicrous. I lent it to a friend and she says she will never forgive me or trust me again. I was very disappointed.
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Summary: This book was enjoyable - lighthearted.
Review: Most reviewers of this book remind me of the woman in the Stephen King book/movie, "Misery" - you just can't seem to want Ms. Cornwell to write about anything other than Scarpetta. I enjoyed the book - she built the basis for a contuing series. I enjoyed the humor in this book - the cat's thoughts were a crack up. Hope she continues w/these characters....
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Summary: lighthearted yet still hardhitting.I want more Vrginia &Andy
Review: I thought the book was very good.Totally different from Scarpetta.People reading the book are the problem.I enjoy the variety and knowing Cornwell doesn't have one track mind.I also like Scarpetta books alot but I'm not so shallow as to want Scarpetta all the time (what about anticipation?).I also thought this book was very funny!It had me laughing out loud:D.I hope Cornwell brings virginia & Andy back.
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Summary: Disappointing -- A Real Sleeper!
Review: It took a two-week vacation to get a third of the way through it. I've read most of her other books and have usually finished them in two to three days. I don't believe that I'll ever finish this one. It was slow at the start, but I kept thinking that it would get better -- NOT! My biggest regret is that I purchased it, instead of checking it out of the library! I hope this is not the start of a writing slump, as I really do enjoy her work!
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