Rating: 
Summary: What were you thinking?
Review: This is one of those books that present you with the option of putting it away or testing your endurance to reach the end. Unfortunately, I chose the latter course. Aside from the brief visit with our favorite forensic doctor, the book is filled with characters that frankly insult the reader's intelligence. Imagine, a crab that throws a bit of metal into a boat as a diversionary tactic. Or, perhaps it makes more sense to have state police search for a specific trout that was thrown into a river (to be verified by DNA evidence from the bucket from whence it was thrown) so that it could perhaps offer testimony or evidence related to the shooting of a fisherman by a flare gun. To add to the insult, the plot is entirely ridiculous and frayed. So much so that my wife and I (we bought the book on tape) would jokingly predict the most ludicrous plot twist imaginable only to sadly see these come about. Though I am generally a fan of Patricia Cornwell, I can recommend this book to no one.
Rating:
Summary: Gone to the Dogs
Review: I have read all of Cornwell's books, though I will admit that I much prefer the Kay Scarpetta series. Until now the Judy Hammer books were at least palatable, although they seemed to have little continuity. In Isle of Dogs, Hammer and Brazil are yet again in new law-enforcement positions, this time with the state patrol. No one seems to know whatever happened to Virginia West. In this new book, West is only mentioned briefly in a reference. I thought her character was too important to the chemistry of the Hammer series to be left behind. This book is even more disjointed and the characters are farfetched than in the rest of the Hammer series. It is a book of derogative stereotypes (the fat, ugly, mean-spirited lesbian, the backward island residents with their poor language skills, etc.), bathroom humor (the governor's "submarine"), one-dimensional supporting characters who usually have really, really stupid names(Windy Brees, Major Trader), and pathetic villains. There are, as far as I'm concerned, no redeeming qualities to this book--I'm glad I read it on loan rather than buying it outright!
Rating:
Summary: Man on fire, talking fish with eyelids
Review: I've read all of Cornwell's books, but I cannot fathom this one. This book takes the style of "Southern Cross" to the next level of infantile absurdity. Maybe it's a farcical comedy, except that it depicts a man shot with a flare pistol running with fire streaming out of his chest until he drops dead. Am I supposed to laugh or sweat? This happens within two pages of a dialog where fish and crabs talk among themselves about a human using a GPS, and then play dead by closing their eyes! Fish with eyelids? Sure, I can believe that fish talk about electronic items, but ... eyelids? I enjoy suspending reality to enter an alternative world, but what world is this? It fails at the farcical kind of humor of Dave Barry or Jean Shephard. It isn't well-crafted fantasy like that of E.R.R Tolkien, or J.K. Rowling. Yes, it has a mystery element. It has an underlying Cornwell mystery thriller storyline, but most characters, even Hammer this time, are buffoons. Even Andy Brazil, the mostly-normal main character, is a bit of a Dudley Doright. A fifth-grader, perhaps, would enjoy the recurring vivid description of the sounds of the Virginia governor's GI tract. That's a real knee-slapper, even after the fifth time (I'm writing in Tangier Island backward-talk). An editorial reviewer said that Kay Scarpetta doesn't appear in this book. I forgive that reviewer for quitting before Scarpetta appears in a cameo role. Scarpetta and Andy Brazil are the only characters depicted as having a normal IQ. I think that the historical references and theories are the fruit of valid research. This book has made me plan to visit Tangier Island. I'm betting on finding normal, hard-working people, however, not the ignorant oafs depicted in the book. On the other hand, the Internet depicted in this book is not the Internet that I know. It paints information, unbidden, onto client screens when it gets the urge, as it did in Southern Cross. Push technology, I guess. The people of Virginia, especially those of Tangier Island, are broad-brushed as retarded oafs. I recently read that Patricia Cornwell moved out of Virginia to New York. This was about the time this book was published. If I were she, I'd stay away. She should particularly avoid Tangier Island. If you liked Southern Cross, you'll love this book. For me, it was difficult to finish each. I'm giving up on Cornwell. I'll miss Pete Marino. Now there's a well-rounded character that wasn't in this book.
Rating:
Summary: on the shelf
Review: I'm a Virginian so I wanted to like this book. When the crabs started talking to one another I closed the book. What a waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of money
Review: This is the stupidest book I have ever tried to read. Patricia Cornwell should be ashamed to present this to her fans and readers. The characters are ridicules and the story line is a joke. Since when does a mystery writer consider dialogue between crabs and a trout adult reading? I wish it were possible to rate this as a minus. Shame on you Ms. Cornwell.
Rating:
Summary: Let Isle of Dogs Lie
Review: If you are a Scarpetta fan, don't consider buying this book. I understand this an attempt at a different kind of humorous detective story, but it really falls flat -- poor plot, horrible dialog, talking animals, etc. (BTW -- I could almost let this book slide if it weren't for the talking crabs and fish) I almost abandoned it several times, but kept hoping it would get better. Alas, I was disappointed in the end -- not worth the time or money. Bring back the medical examiner! At least her murderers were interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: Cornwell meets the Keystone Cops...
Review: This is a real departure for Patricia Cornwell. I've read the other reviews and I guess a lot of people didn't get it. I must confess it took me a while to get into the style of this book. While this will not rank as her best effort, it was still entertaining, especially if you forget this is Patricia Cornwell you are reading and just enjoy the book. As I have read all of her previous novels and am a big fan, I rather appreciate her diverging from the norm and trying her hand at this whimsical style. While it's certainly offbeat and the story line gets a little shaky in places - the characters are hilarious. Grab this book and read it just as the light diversion it is - you'll find yourself laughing out loud.
Rating:
Summary: This deserves the worst book of the year award!
Review: It is not often that I read a book and have 50 pages left to go when I can't take any more and give up on reading it! That is what happened with this book! TERRIBLE is an understatement. I think that you should add a -1 star for ratings, it's very deserving. Talking crabs, a typing dog, ridiculous characters and a senseless story plot. There are characters that in the beginning you think are going to be focused on, but don't show up again until close to the end. I've read everyone of her books, repeatedly, but this one I can't imagine why the publisher wasted good paper on it! I know that when her next book comes out I will research it and read multiple reviews before I spend my money on it! I do hold out hope that she will again capture her exceptional writing skills of the past, she owes it to her fans!
Rating:
Summary: The Worst
Review: This is the worst book by Patricia Cornwell that I have read. I make that assertion after only 150 pages, as I am debating whether I will finish it, or even continue. She should stick withthe Kay Scarpetta character.
Rating:
Summary: The Worst!
Review: I usually can't wait to get my hands on Patricia Cornwall's mysterys but this one was the worst! I couldn't finish it. She should stick with Dr. Scarpetta!
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