Rating: 
Summary: Hammer and Brazil = NOT Scarpetta
Review: The first Hammer/Brazil novel was much better than this new book, but neither of them can compare with the "Scarpetta series". The Scarpetta books, even though very heavy on lesbianism, were well researched and the story-telling was gripping. The latest, The Isle of Dogs, is tepid in comparison; its only saving grace is her vitriolic view of politicians - which I share. Would I buy it? No, but I have read it after borrowing it from the library. Note to Ms. Cornwell: you are a fine writer and so, please go back to the knowledgeable amd absorbing writing of the "Scarpettas".
Rating: 
Summary: How disappointing!
Review: I am a fan of the Kay Scarpetta stories. I loved the suspense and the "I can't put this book down" feeling! But this time, I have this "I can't read another page of this terribly bad book" feeling. I had the hardest time to finish Southern Cross and it is the same with this book. Do not buy it! It will be a waste of your time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Too bad, So sad
Review: As many others, I felt this book was a real waste of time. I love Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta character and adventures. I couldn't finish this one and I am usually compulsive about finishing books. It wasn't funny, nor interesting. JayW
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the worst thing to come from her pen/computer
Review: I have read all of Patricia Cornwell's books, and always enjoyed them, but this was awful. The story jumps around so much I kept wondering if she was under the influence of some mind-altering substance while she wrote. Trying to write from the perspective of the family pets and of the crabs that are supposed to be cooked for dinner does not help at all. I'm sorry I spent the money on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Her Style -- and it Shows
Review: Patricia Cornwell is an undisputed master of the crime/mystery genre; her Kay Scarpetta series in particular is wonderfully executed. In "Isle of Dogs" Cornwell tries her hand at the dark comedy genre, in the vein of Carl Hiassen, and does okay, but no more. Perhaps Lloyd Bentsen would say to Cornwell, "You're no Carl Hiassen" and he would be right. Some gifted mystery writers can change genres (such as John Gisham and David Baldacci) but Cornwell seems to be trying too hard to be funny. It just does not really work. The reader is mildly entertained -- Cornwell does write well, and is easy to follow -- but ultimately we just do not care that much. So this reader requests: go back to what you do best!
Rating:
Summary: Isle of Dogs
Review: An undergraduate assigned to Cornwell must have written this. Or her high school son or daughter. An adult did not write this book, and certainly no one edited it. That or Cornwell once had a really fantastic editor who re wrote for her. What happened????? I love the Kay Scarpettas. But Andy Brazil is boring, pendantic and has all the depth of a sheet of paper. The dog thinking was one thing, but when I got to the anthropomorphic plotting of a bucket of crabs (and a trout) I could not go on. This was not funny, or even amusing. I'm just glad I didn't buy this book. I'd be suing for the assault on and insult to my intelligence.
Rating:
Summary: Why did she bother?
Review: Patricia Cornwell has a great talent for writing intense mystery/thrillers and I have been completely disappointed by her lastest work. I found Isle of Dogs to be dry and boring without the famed Dr. Scarpetta. I see many opportunities in this book that could have included Scarpetta even in a background way. I hope that her next attempt will include Scarpetta, Lucy, and her detective sidekick. This is a book you will want to borrow from a library instead of spending your hard earned money.
Rating:
Summary: Isle of Dogs
Review: Take a tip from the title, this book was a dog. I would not have given it 1 star but there were no other options. How does such a talented writer put out such a meaningless plot with meaningless characters that you don't care anything about. I struggled to the middle and then decided my time was worth more than finishing this below average attempt at a novel. Come on, Patricia, get back to the good stuff, that holds the interest of the reader and made you a star author. More like this and you won't get my business.
Rating:
Summary: Reader Truth
Review: Well, this is what you get when you combine a too tight publishing schedule and WAY too much caffeine. Cornwell has some interesting characters in this book, but they are undeveloped, poorly developed, caricatures or stereotypical jokes. Do all Virginians like NASCAR? I'm not from Virginia, and I was offended by the stupidity and gullibility of many of these characters. And their were many!Are all governmental officials bumbling bureaucrats without licks of sense? I didn't care for the cartoonish politicians and state employees - it didn't foster my sense of well-being, or even false security. I think PC had a too-tight schedule, and compromised her characters, their personalities, and future novels about Scarpetta and Hammer by cramming too many storylines into one novel. Possum was most fleshed-out of the characters, and I would have liked to have known more about him. I would prefer more substance to Unique or Major Trader, and less "Gee Whiz, let's solve a crime!" Andy Hardyism from Brazil. "Disappointed" is such an understatement. Be careful out there!
Rating:
Summary: Writers block, good excuse for a vacation, not another book
Review: I have read all of Patricia Cornwells novels along with most of the novels of many of todays popular mystery writers. Many really good writers such as Ms Cornwell suffer occasional bouts of total writers block. The honest ones change their daily routines, go on vacation, whatever it takes to get the creative process restarted. Others make a deal with their publishers based upon their prior success to buy their future endeavor.
"Isle of Dogs" to my mind is a perfect example of such a hack job. The plot is inane, a serial killer named "Unique", hmm, that is unique. A semi blind governor, a web column written by a character named "truth Trooper" and so on and so forth. I have struggled thru 64 pages and said this is enough. Oop, I foregot, the govs assistant is named Major Trader...wow...stock market references too. I plan on saturating this book with firestarter and using it to start my Yule Fire...For Shame Ms Cornwell..
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