Isle of Dogs

Rating:
Summary: A Posteriori Reasoning.
Review: Leave it to me to somehow seperate myself from the pack and go in a different direction. I keep reading the reviews for this book and wondering why don't I agree with them?

My fortay is legal fiction. I'm a lawyer, my escape is the fictitious side of the world in which I live. And no, I did not read "Legally Blonde", nor did I see the movie. It hit too close to home. (Yes I'm blonde.)

As I said, I stick to legal fiction. The John Grisham's, Perri O'shaughnessy's, Harper Lee's, Scott Turow's, Norm Harris's, and Steve Martini's of the world. Ocassionally I will choose to read something diverse. Patricia Cornwell's "Isle of Dogs" was my choice, in this instance.

Speaking of diverse. In "Isle of Dogs", Ms. Cornwell has taken a different direction from her normal medical thriller. Much like John Grisham did with his recent "A Painted House". Like the diehard Cornwell fans, Grisham fans did not seem amused either. I suppose it's because these diehard readers get into a groove and are just happy to remain there. And who would blame them? But what's wrong with a writer excercising his/her talent from time to time?

I found "Isle of Dogs" to be both well written and funny. Several times, as I read, I could imagine Ms. Cornwell chuckling along with her characters as she wrote and plotted their lives.

I won't discuss the plot, all prior reviewers have already done that. I will encourage any who asks of my opinion, to give this one a try. You be the judge. (hehe) A little legal pun. In this case one might apply, what we legal beagle's call "a posteriori" reasoning. Reasoning that achieves its goal by means of actual experience. Cammy Diaz, lawyer

Rating:
Summary: Isle Of Dogs
Review: I thought that I was one lucky guy, when the local library had a copy on hand so soon. That feeling lasted until later that evening when I , settled in my favorite chair, eagerly opened this novel by a much enjoyed author. This book was to be mine for five days: they had it back early the next morning, with not more than thirty pages having been turned. " Clueless in Carolina "

Rating:
Summary: What was she thinking?
Review: I've read all other Cornwell books, but couldn't make it all the way through this one.

I could never relate to any of the characters and the history lesson was boring.

I just don't get it.

Rating:
Summary: Has she seen her neurologist?
Review: This book represents such a total departure from Cornwell's previous books that it makes me wonder if she has had a stroke or a brain tumor. Has anyone noticed a drastic personality change?

I finished listening to the entire book looking for some redeeming value, some reason for it's existance. I failed to find it. The situations are unbelievable, and just barely funny. What is she trying to say?

This book would never have been printed if the author was an unknown.

Rating:
Summary: What happened!
Review: As a Patricia Cornwell fan, I couldn't wait to get her latest book! Halfway through, I couldn't handle one more page. It was with great effort that I read each page of tedious, nonsensical writing, hoping I would find on the next page the quality I was expecting. The book jumps back and forth between unbelievably dysfunctional characters. That was when I checked the reviews to find out whether it was me or others shared my opinion. I'll be more careful before I purchase another of her books. I'm so disappointed - her first books were wonderful. Will there never be another Patricia Cornwell book of the Kay Scarpetta quality?

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I anticipate each new novel that is released by Patricia
Cornwell. It may be that her publisher pushed her too soon to do another book but she should have waited.

One of the first times that I could not finish a book, I kept hoping it would get better but it didn't happen.

What does Cornwell have against the State of Virginia???

Rating:
Summary: Isle of What?
Review: I am an extreme fan of Pat Cornwell and when she went from Scarpetta to Hammer I was leary to make the switch to the Judy Hammer. The first two books in the Hammer were great and I would have given theses two books between four and five stars. The Isle of Dogs on the other hand I would have given a lesser rating to this book than one I did if you had a lesser rating available.

While it is a bit funny, that is not what I expect of her in what she writes, I expect to look at the "who done it". I could only get a third of the way through and then that took almost two months to do. I found that it was a book that I found Hard to Pick Up versus her others books that are hard to put down.

I may find it difficult to pick up another Judy Hammer book in the future. All I ask is that Pat stick with what got her here.

Sorry Pat, this one Your Weakest Link!

Rating:
Summary: Isle of Dogs, hardcover
Review: I am so disappointed in Cornwell's latest novel. Her characters of Hammer and Brazil are great additions, but they are wasted in this novel. It is a juvenile and uncomfortable read. Talking fish, crabs, dogs, and Crimm's "submarine" are just a few of the ridiculous subjects that Cornwell offers her savy readers? What was she thinking and what a shame! For those of us who purchase and read all of Cornwell's books, this was indeed a loser. Patricia, please don't go there again and disappoint your faithful readers.

Rating:
Summary: Agree with the others
Review: We, too, have read all of Cornwell's novels (and would buy a new Scarpetta volume in a heartbeat). This is at least the second of the Police Chief Plays House novels I have read--and the last to be sure. The first was mildly amusing--but this was an embarassment to an accomplished novelist like Cornwell. Just why she--and her editors--thought it was worth the time and effort I fail to understand. Cornwell is, in this sense, writing as two separate persons, one who understands mystery writing and one who fails to understand either humorous writing OR police procedurals. Ed McBain-meets-Rita Mae Brown and her cat....

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps She's Lost "It!"
Review: As a reader of all of Patricia Cornwell's books, I was anxious to see this one come out but now am extremely disappointed in "Isle of Dogs"!!! What happened to her? Is this suppose to be a comedic novel or a serious one? The names of her characters are inane such as "The Clot Sisters," "Hooter," "Major Trader," etc., and the vivid descriptions of the Governor's gastrointestinal problem is so unlike her previous books! I appreciate the research she did regarding pirates, the use of languages by pirates, but this book was not her usual excellent writing. Perhaps she has lost it or just ran out of ideas with the fiction genre and should write a nonfiction such as the one I hear she's doing on "Jack the Ripper."
Personally, I don't think I will read any more of her books if they are anything like this one!