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Summary: Isle of Dogs
Review: I own every book that Patricia Cornwall has written, including her last one. It will by MY last one. It is a cross between "The Dukes of Hazzard" and a Dean Koontz novel, both of these being far superior to Isle of Dogs. I can not say how utterly disgusted I am with myself for having purchased such tripe. I regret having to give it even one star.
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Summary: Skip It -- Evanovich It's Not !!
Review: It's tough to say something original about how bad this book is. I thought Cornwell's other two Judy Hammer/Andy Brazil stories were pretty good and a somewhat welcome departure from the ongoing saga of Kay Scarpetta and her niece. But this one is like dumb and dumber -- an assinine plot, little character development, a weak wrapup; basically the whole book is an attempt to prove (NOT) our usually great author could be as funny as she usually is serious. I totally agree with whoever said that if this were a first novel, it would have been rejected by one and all. Suggest you, dear reader, do the same.
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Summary: Isle of Boring Dogs
Review: I couldn't wait until this book was available. I SHOULD have kept waiting. Half the book needs translating - what is that language? What a boring (it has taken me two weeks to get through only half the book) and confusing read.
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Summary: What was she thinking
Review: Did Patricia Cornwell really write this or let a child use her name?I too have loved all Patricia's book and very much looked forward to the latest installment of Judy Hammer, Andy Brazil, and Virginia West. This was defniitely NOT worth the wait. I hope this isn't a new trend for future Cornwell books. I do believe I'll wait until the paperback of the next novel comes out.
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Summary: I was embarrased for a great author
Review: The reviews calling this book a "dark comedy" aside, I felt embarrased for Particia Cornwell. The more I read, the worse I felt. The chartacter development is lacking, there are too many spotty, unresolved story lines, and nothing that reads as if it were meant to cause you to laugh. It felt more like going to a movie and finding that everyone was laughing AT the movie rather than wITH it. Ms. Cornwell has written so many better books. If you must read this, buy it used or wait for the paperback. You'll probably want to pass it on rather than keep it. I did.
Rating: 
Summary: A New Vibe
Review: I've read all of Cornwell's books and enjoyed her newest title Isle Of Dogs. I even caught myself laughing out loud while reading it because of her twisted humor. I found it to be the the perfect read for laying around a pool sipping a drink, relaxing, and allowing the book to just unfold.
Rating:
Summary: One Star is Too Many
Review: Yes I'm a Kate Scarpetta fan (though those books are going downhill), but I loved Southern Cross , nearly went off the road laughing a few times from the audio book. So I was expecting the best from Isle of Dogs. I got the worst, and so will you. The plot is a second-rate ripoff of Southern Cross - the sweet innocent adolescent in the company of young hoods, Judy and Andy chasing them, etc. But it stretches the most elastic of poetic licenses. Just what is Trooper Truth and why is he on the internet with Hammer's understanding? Publishing all those long-winded and pointless essays that for some reason have all Virginia going wild? (I will give you this - the skeleton at Jamestown with the bullet in his knee is real, was on PBS last night) Didn't he ever hear of libel? Totally unbelievable. And boring too. The Tangier islanders are dull and poorly delineated beyond belief. One expects a showdown at a Nascar race with all the (weak) plotlines snarling together, but we're not even given this. Second-rate Cornwell, fourth rate Hiassen. Save your money on this one.
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Summary: Who are you, and what have you done with Patricia Cornwell
Review: I wish I had read the other reviews before I bought this book. I could not get past the 8th chapter, and now I will not be forced to read about the talking crabs and fish. I too thought it would get better, now I don't have to endure the painful process of trying to finish a real DOG of a book. ... Why write and publish a piece [that is not up to her standards]such as this and suck in us loyal readers, who up until now bought everything with her name on it. Has greed reared it's ugly head? How convenient that Cornwell's website is not currently available. I'm afraid, the only redeeming feature of this book will be as a kindling starter in my fireplace!
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Summary: Where have you gone, Kay Scarpetta?
Review: Imagine my surprise, and soon, displeasure when I realized that what I have come to rely on in Patricia Cornwell's writing - that is, a fast paced, intelligent mystery - is non-existent in Isle of Dogs. If I wanted to read Carl Hiassen or Elmore Leonard, I would. Explanations of the governor's lower intestinal distress, Major Trade's lunacy, and this band of pirates are not only totally unbelievable, but frankly, not very interesting. Throw in the island residents, dental distress and the wacko wife and children of the governor, and what you have is a big waste of whatever you spend on this book. My advice is, don't.
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Summary: HHS ENG 12 BR
Review: Isle of Dogs finds the author, Patricia Cornwell, completely out of her element. She normally writes dark mystery novels with a medical examiner as the main character, but in Isle of Dogs, she attempts to write a black comedy involving the Governor of Virginia's decision to paint speed stripes on the island of Tangier. When the islanders revolt and kidnap a dentist on the island, a comedy of errors is supposed to escalate. The problem with the whole book is that most of the situations do not come off as blackly comic but as ridiculously absurd. While the island situation is the main thrust of the story, the other important thread of the story deals with a group of gang members involved in the hijacking of eighteen-wheelers. Cornwell's attempt to depict gangs is unfortunately very lacking, especially her depiction of the leader of the gang: "Smoke." While she is attempting to show how evil yet cool Smoke is, she unintentionally paints him as a caricature of a real gang member. Smoke comes off as a white boy who has listened to too much rap music. The most disappointing part of the novel would have to be its conclusion. As Cornwell tries to bring the two disparate plot lines together in the hopes of a big finale, she strains too much, making characters do irrational and unbelievable things. In conclusion, this book is very disappointing because it doesn't seem to manage to do anything right. If it wasn't for Patricia Cornwell's name, this book would not have been published. Period.
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