Rating: 
Summary: Chumming the Waters
Review: I always feel for an author whose fans won't allow her to experiment, to grow, or to change, but PDC must hold up her end of the bargain as well. This book is just "odd." Talking crabs, broad farce, dire circumstances, tons of bathroom humor, a nearly perfect trooper (Andy Brazil) and an equally intelligent boss (Hammer) lost in a sea of one dimensional Virginia morons. I'm willing to let Kay fade away and Judy and Andy to flourish, but this book is poorly written, poorly plotted, poorly paced, and is neither in the humor camp nor the police reality fiction camp. It's just plain odd. Worst of all, I feel cheated. I bought this book without checking the reviews and, worse!, in hardback. Cornwell's just chumming the waters for her money machine with this title. Skip it.
Rating:
Summary: What a Disappointment!
Review: I'm new to Cornwell's novels. I read Black Notice and The Last Precinct and became a Cornwell fan. I looked forward to reading Isle of Dogs then couldn't read beyond the 30th page. Shame on you Patricia! Go back to your straight forward Dr. Scarpetta mysteries. That is where you shine! Your attempt at "humor" comes off as silly, silly, silly. When you came up with the character "Windy Breez," I gagged and stopped reading the book. I'm sure this book will be a disappointment to all your faithful readers.
Rating:
Summary: Painful Reading
Review: This book was horrible. I could not endure past the first few chapters. Terrible dark book with that stupid language and all the explanation of what they really meant. Very disappointing from Ms. Cornwell. Reader beware, it is nothing like her past novels and, hopefully, nothing like her future ones.
Rating: 
Summary: A Dog Gone Decent Book
Review: I think this latest effort by author Cornwell was a fine effort. It was a change of pace from her usual mysteries, but I enjoyed this book. I thought her setting and characters were rendered well. The humor was enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: LESSON LEARNED
Review: Since I am a big fan of Patricia Cornwell, I didn't find it necessary to check out the reviews. I have learned my lesson! This is the biggest waste of time I've ever spent and I have nothing positive to say about the book. It is hard to understand why any author with a faithful following would change their style of writing. Others have done it but while initally disappointing their readers, their books usually have some redeaming factors. This one has nothing going for it unless you enjoy a book with totally stupid people in it. Comic? I don't think so.
Rating:
Summary: My Dog Writes Better Than This!
Review: After reading all of Cornwell's previous Kay Scarpetta series, I was obviously overly excited at purchasing this book before carefully reading its contents. From the ridiculous character names to the lame attempt at creating any type of coherent storyline, this book was an all out failure.
Rating:
Summary: A waste of both money and time ... a real 'dog.'
Review: When I first looked, it was difficult to believe that there were no customer reviews of this book. On the UK Amazon site, there are dozens. Perhaps the site has simply been overloaded with well-deserved criticism, disappointment and sadness. I wish there was a Zero Star category - I would certainly use it to rate this waste of resources.
I am a rather devout Cornwell fan. Of pretty much all of it - until now.
(...) This book does not satisfy the most basic criteria for the most basically passable fiction. Its humor isn't, nor is the plot. The characters simply aren't.
After forcing myself (out of characteralogical stubbornness) to read through 300 pages, I realized it had become painful - I was not engaged in it - I didn't care what happened in the end... I simply wanted and needed it to be over. Finally, I closed it... unfinished.
I have heard it argued that readers need to be open to 'different' attempts by familiar authors. I think I am. The difference here, however, is like the difference between 'affluence' and 'effluence'. Some misleadingly similar sounds - but one is desirable- the other simply (is bad).
Rating:
Summary: My sentiments exactly!
Review: I received this book as a Christmas gift because I have usually enjoyed this author, or at least the Scarpetta series. About a quarter way through the book, I started reading a different book and cannot make myself start reading Cornwell's book again! I decided to read the reviews to see if anyone agreed with my assessment and found out that practically all the reviews to date have duplicated my thoughts. It's really sad to see such a reknown author produce this kind of literature. If I wanted to read this kind of sick humor, I'm sure I could find a MADD magazine at a much cheaper price.
Rating:
Summary: EVEN THE CRABS ARE DISAPPOINTED!!
Review: By far, the absolute WORST book I have ever read in my life. I normally don't like to write bad reviews, but if I stop even ONE PERSON from wasting their time on this book, it will be worth it. I had to see what else Jamie von Becken had on his "Best" list so I don't accidentally pick one of those at the library!
Rating:
Summary: a dog of a read
Review: very glad to have received this book for christmas - would have been upset if i'd paid for it with my own money. was extremely surprised and disappointed in the dialogue ...very English 101. example: an african-american police officer who starts and ends almost every sentence with, "wooo." the story was disjointed and unimpressive. left me wondering, "who REALLY wrote this?" again, the dialogue poorly written and distracting. "plot" is far-fetched and disappointing.
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