Isle of Dogs

Rating:
Summary: NO MORE HAMMER!
Review: As with the other books featuring Hammer, I thought this one was horrible. Cornwell really needs to give up this character and line of books and stick with Scarpetta.

Rating:
Summary: isle of dogs
Review: BORRING, BORING, BORING!!!
I didn't care about any of the characters. A slow read. Read many other of Cornwell books and enjoyed them. This one I couldn't finish - skipped to the last chapter and could have skipped that! Wish I had read the reviews on Amazon.com before I purchased the book.

Rating:
Summary: Not her best!
Review: I found this book to be too long. I love Patricia Cornwell, but this is one I wish I had missed. Stick with Kay and this reader will be thrilled.

Rating:
Summary: Insult to readers
Review: Like another reviewer, I listed one star only because there is no choice for no stars. You can work at reading this book as dark humor or whatever, and no doubt produce clever deconstructions of it. It still sucks. In Canada hardbounds cost [$$$]. I'd been a Cornwell fan up to now. This isn't just a bad book. Cornwell had to work to make it as bad as it is. Three friends, all previously Cornwell fans, blasted the book, so I thought I'd write this to help get the word out. Too bad; Cornwell brought me entertainment pleasure in the past. I've kept all her other books, but won't be buying the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Mind Numbing
Review: I can not believe this book was actually written by Patricia Cornwell. I bought this novel knowing it was not a Kay Scarpetta series but I assumed it would be well written. The HodgePodge references to Nascar; Tangier Island and the unlikable charachters made this book a chore rather than a page turner. The only redeeming quality of the book was the tidbits of history about Virginia revealed in the equally mind numbing columns penned by Trooper Truth; and I am begining to believe this book was more about using up any reference materials Ms. Cornwell discovered in her writing career than to actually entertain her reader. Do not waste your time or money.

Rating:
Summary: Some people seem to have no imagination!
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely! I had been put off buying it as I hadn't particularly enjoyed the first two Judy Hammer novels, preferring Scarpetta and finding them too serious, but this book was wonderful and I am so glad I relented. I found it hugely entertaining and highly amusing, something I hadn't expected. I have read some reviewers' moans about Cornwell's use of humour but all I can say is they must have had a sense of humour bypass not to enjoy this riveting read! It was very enjoyable and for those with an imagination; I am sure you will be as charmed by this book as I was. My only disappointment was that it ended to soon, I would have liked a bit more detail at the grand finale especially in relation to the demise of the villains ... perhaps another chapter or 2 but perhaps Cornwell will treat us to a whole book as a follow up where we can meet these animated and interesting characters again! Particularly the lovely Andy Brazil!!

Rating:
Summary: More fun reading the reviews...
Review: I borrowed this book with prior understanding that it is a departure from Cornwell's Scarpetta series, and is supposed to be darkly funny. I managed to plow through about half of it before I turned to the customer reviews in desperation. I'm happy to see I am not alone in my disgust. In fact, I laughed out loud reading the reviews, because the review authors DO seem to understand humor -- something Cornwell does NOT. Read on -- the reviews are much more worth your time.

Rating:
Summary: Ugh...
Review: I am hoping that a character in this book is dreaming all this because it is just so bad. People just aren't that stupid and crabs and dogs aren't that smart.

Rating:
Summary: Only because there isn't a choice of zero stars
Review: I've always liked the Patricia Cornwell novels - And I'm also a big Carl Hiassen fan. So I was happy to see Cornwell go in the Hiassen direction....until I actually read this garbage. There's a way to be dark and funny, and then there's simply trying too hard. And Ms. Cornwell tried WAY too hard to show off her "sense of humor". I'm sure if I could let my eight year old read a book about a group of killers, she might find talking seafood funny, but I'm sure even she would get annoyed at all the NASCAR name dropping in one sequence. What point did that part serve, anyway? Probably the same thing the whole book was trying to prove - Ms. Cornwell saying a giant "look what I can do, isn't it great?". Maybe it's not her fault. Maybe it just comes down to the fact that Virginia just doesn't have the comic value that Florida does. Leave the dark comedy to the Florida guys, Leonard and Hiassen, and go back to what you do well.

Rating:
Summary: Bad story, bad writing
Review: When I am reading a book, I find I have to finish it either for the story - I need to find out how it ends - or the writing - the beauty of the story telling is what drives me. In this case, both stink. I have to finish the book because I started it and am too obsessive compulsive. I feel this book has drained me of 10 hours of my life I will never have back. Stay away!