Predator: Scarpetta (Book 14)

I keep buying these books in the hope that there will be a return to form but I am always disappointed. This one is the worst by far. We are now asked to stretch out imaginations to the point that Lucy is richer than Bill Gates and has a highly sophisticated computer network that the US Government, never mind the myriad super-hackers out there, have no idea exists. She then leaves the whole thing wide open without anyone noticing the breach for months. In reality the Marino phone tapping would have been noticed by any cheap call logging system, let alone Demi-God Lucy. Do some research Patricia!Secondly, I found the resurrection of Benton Wesley tiresome when it happened, as it was so clearly a case of major backtracking once Cornwell realised that she actually needed him to pad out the stories quite a bit. Now we are supposed to believe that she and the so-called love of her life live mostly apart, communicate by email and nearly seperate when the child-from-hell Lucy comes between them, despite her 'burying' him once.Thirdly, I just don't buy into the Marino falling-out. They have been close for years, with some unrequited feelings on Marino's side, and yet we are asked to believe that they fall out over a simple mistake on Marino's part. His transformation to pretendy hells angel doesn't work either.The last few pages are rushed and laughable, and leave the reader feeling cheated out of a fiver. Avoid!

I like most of the other reviews am again feeling disappointed with this book. I have read every book in the Kay Scarpetta series and have found that the last 3-4 have been somewhat lacking, this is by far the worst. The story is poor, with lots of questions left unanswered (not in a nail biting, can't wait for the next book way!!) with a very rushed and weak ending. Even though it saddens me to say it, I think that the Scarpetta books have come to the end of the road and it is time for Cornwell to find a new charachter that she can become passionate about again.

We had this for our book club read. I found there was just too much violence and unnecessary detail and would not read any more by this author.

This is one of Cornwell's later book. I found it difficult to get into it but in no way could I not finish it. Her characters allprogress together through her novels, getting older together and moving around the states. Her characters are all complicated, and are so well portrayed in all her novels. The storyline is realistic, often gorey and everything is well described. I always look forward to the next book of Cornwell

Another good read from Patricia Cornwell in the on going series of Kay Scarpetta. Always a slow burner, building up to where everything comes together, neatly at the end.