Not one of Cornwell’s better works. The ending was abrupt like author was in a hurry to finish, or she was kimited to a number of words to complete the novel.

Familiar characters but new case; really interesting

Shockingly poor effort from Cornwell which reflects badly on the previous books in the series. Boring, poorly developed and characterless. Do not waste your money.

Excellent

Cornwall should stop writing. This book was terrible and truly stupid. She appears desperate.

Good story line.

Not up to Cornwell standards. 90% unnecessary description and 10% shallow plot. Reads like a hastily written book to meet a deadline.

Boring. I’ve read every Scarpetta book and the early ones were so good. Now I read almost out of sentimental obligation - just to see who lives and who dies. This assumes anything happens at all, which isn’t often. This book basically serves to remind us that the main characters are very intelligent, very important and very well-connected people. They are, evidently, the only ones standing between us and certain death on a mass level. As with other installments in the recent past, the action takes place over a day or two and the crime is wrapped up swiftly, in the last few pages. There is no character development whatsoever. One could easily read the last book in the series and whatever the next one will be and have no trouble understanding where the characters are in their lives and how they got there. This time we are spared details of Lucy’s love of expensive and fast machines and Scarpetta’s own familiarity with pricey luxury goods is displayed only through her recognition of a victims’ possessions. I found all that both pretentious and tedious in earlier novels so I didn’t miss it. I did miss Scarpetta cooking, though there are several mentions of food that makes clear that she and Benton are foodies. Oh - and if I read one more detailed account of Scarpetta getting soaked in a thunderstorm, I’m going to purchase a raincoat and an umbrella for the author. Undoubtedly she prefers Burberry. Save yourself the time and skip this one. If you really miss Kay, Benton, Lucy and Marino, read the final chapter to say hi and move on with your life.

This may be the most ponderously slow book this author gas ever written. Good fir ubsimnia

Scarpetta and her crowd are boring. No surprises anymore. A lot of build up about the crime and then a fast wrap up. The topic is current and scary, but these characters lucked out in catching the bad guy. Nothing to see here.