Rating: 
Summary: Well, I thought it was great!
Review: I bought this book for one of my sisters--a longtime Patricia Cornwell fan--for Christmas, and in true family tradition read it myself before sending it out. Sure, this took a different tone from most of the author's previous books, but it was fun to read and portions of it were absolutely hysterical. And Kay Scarpetta DOES make a cameo appearance or two. I had never heard of guide horses before (I'd wondered if the author made them up, but it turns out that they're for real), and the fight scene at the end with the Governor's daughter was just wonderful. I hope Ms. Cornwell writes another in this vein...after the next Scarpetta book.
Rating: 
Summary: Stick with Scarpetta
Review: I really enjoy Patricia Cornwell's books and have even read all three of the "Hammer and Brazil" books. They haven't been as interesting as the Scarpetta books, but have been somewhat entertaining. Isle of Dogs was a little "out-there," but was still entertaining. The Hammer and Brazil characters could have been developed a lot more and the multiple plots could have been pared down a bit. It took a while to get into, but the last 100 pages were fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Isle of Dogs not for Dog Lovers
Review: I just paged through dozens of those folks writing reviews that hated the book. Boy, did they misunderstand what this book is about! Anyone who is a fan of Saturday Night Live can see the biting sarcasm, the intrinisic irony, and the 'bite your tongue, and don't laugh out loud because someone might hear you giggling at something politically incorrect' humor of this story. Those hoping to read more darkly gothic storytelling with their favorite character, Kay Scarpetta, are sure to be disapointed--... Those who read this book to be entertained by a parody of Southern politics, hilarious distortions of basic human emotions, and who can recognize real-life folks just just trying to 'get along' are in for a delightful ride. The story is essentially about a crime-fighting team of a female Va State Police Commissioner (?) and her trusty side-kick, a 'good 'ol white boy' State Police helicopter pilot whose main mission in life is to do their jobs as well as possible despite all the stupid people getting in their way. If anyone remembers The Dukes of Hazard television show, the little fat town mayor will quickly come to mind when Cornwell describes the Governor of Virginia--blind, deaf, and dumber than a hunk of fat-back hanging in the smokehouse. His wife, equally stupid, vapid, and a TV shop-a-holic will bring to mind many close relatives many of us are forced to accknowledge in our own families. The daughters--equally dumb, fat, and obnoxious to boot, make up the discontent family of political squatters in the Richmond Capital Mansion. Enter a protagonist who stirs the Govenor's pot (figuratively and literally) to realize a lifelong burning ambition based on revenge for family honor for many generations. His methods of getting what he wants (OK, Patricia, this method of poison makes even my mouth water!) by manipulating the Governor's 'submarine' make for a cute plot amongst the several subplots with all the characters just trying to make an honest living and keeping all the vultures away. Tangier Island was appealing to me before, and I haven't visited it yet, but I want to drop by even more now after reading about all the unique characters that Cornwell 'slightly' exaggerated in the book to increase it's humor factor. OK, it's not a realistic, criminally dark and gothic book with sexy scenes of interacial coupling that Cornwell is known for with her Kay Scarpetta character, but she does right a compelling plot that wants you to read on to see what stupid event falls in to place next and how the characters react in a chain reaction of overdone proportions. Anonymous Internet Hero, a missing dog, good 'ol white boys, a dishonest dentist, race car drivers, and unpolitic behavior in this book promises a giggle throughout as you read and wonder what Cornwell has thought up next. If you are laughing within the first two chapters, then this book will entertain you to the end. But, if you expect and demand the same style of writing as Cornwell's Scarpetta novels, don't bother.
Rating:
Summary: Lighten Up -- It's Weird but Fun
Review: Yes, it's true that Isle of Dogs isn't like most of Patricia Cornwell's mysteries. But once I got into it I realized that it has merit on its own. Yes, it's bizarre and weird, but it all comes together in the end and is enjoyable in between. While parts of the story could have been better written, this is a new style for Cornwell and it will undoubtedly improve with practice. Just don't expect something totally serious and go with the flow. Love those talking crabs and the miniature guide horse!
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Cornwell Book Ever Written
Review: As a loyal Corwell reader, I purchased this book with the same enthusiasm as with all former reads. What a disappointment and I'd love to get my money back. I read the entire novel despite willing myself to quit after the 1st 100 pages. My advice to Patricia: stick with your successful format. You have an intelligent following -- please don't disparage us again.
Rating:
Summary: Can't believe I bought it!
Review: I am a big fan of Cornwell's. I love Kay Scarpetta and even enjoyed Judy Hammer in "Southern Cross", but this was truly disappointing. My read time for most of her books is about 2 days (one weekend), but this book I have still to finish and I have had it for 2 months! I can't get into the characters. I have read some of the reviews that say that the characters develop as you get into the book, but I can't get past the first couple of chapters to see what lies ahead. While I think it is commendable for Cornwell to spread her wings and try something different, but this will not be one avenue she should try again. Not unless she does not enjoy success, because from now on, I will read through the book jacket and a couple of chapters before I waste my money on anything other than her Scarpetta series.
Rating:
Summary: Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
Review: I can't believe I read the whole book. I was hoping Cornwell would get to the point and it would at least be a good book. How could someone who wrote this book be the same person that wrote the Kay Scarpetta stories. Patricia are you currently taking any Medication?
Rating:
Summary: Can't Believe She Put Her Name on this Book!
Review: I have been a fan of Patricia Cornwell for several years buying all her new books and acquiring older ones that I missed. I thoroughly enjoyed her work. However, this book doesn't seem like it fits in with her prior work. I have no idea where her head was when she was writing it. I am still struggling to finish it.
Rating:
Summary: If there's a rating less than one, this earns it!!!
Review: I have read every book that Patricia has written, and have loved them all with the exception of Southern Cross. That one I was just ok with. BUT, Isle of Dogs, however, is so totally not Patricia Cornwell that I would NEVER recommend it to anyone; they'd think I was nuts!!
Whatever she attempted to do here was an absolute failure as far as I'm concerned. As I kept reading, I could not believe it was actually written by Patricia! That's how bad it was!
I'm hoping this book was just "a little crumb", so to speak, that she threw out to us while we are waiting for her "greatest of all" Scarpetta mysteries!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Effort From a Favorite Author
Review: Sadly, of all this author's books I've read, this was the most disappointing. The plot was uneven. The connections between the characters were weak. The book felt disjointed and the attempts at humor fell far short. I did not like the character developement of Andy or Judy Hammer. It was disappointing.
I did get through it because I was loathe to quit and kept wishing for a strong ending that would help it make sense. Alas, it was not there. My apologies to Ms. Cornwell whose work I have always enjoyed tremendously. Your work has educated and even moved me in the past. I will not give up! I will remain a loyal fan and hope for the better we all know you are capable of.
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