Helpful Score: 2
Cornwell has lost her touch--her last two novels don't measure up. I'm adding here to my do not read list right after James Patterson, the short story writer masquerading as a novelist.
Helpful Score: 1
This book took way too long to get to the point...almost 200 pages to get to any kind of action. Kay Scarpetta is tricked into traveling to Savannah Georgia to visit Kathleen Lawler (Dawn Kincaid's mother) in prison. Kay is incredibly paranoid and everyone she meets is suspicious, a possible person of interest. She suspects people are following her, people are going to attack her, etc. It gets really irritating. There is a lot going on and all of it seems unconnected and irrelevant so it's hard to get interested. There are various female prisoners including Dawn, Kathleen, Lola and three dead prisoners who might or might not have anything to do with what is going on (and what is that exactly? I have no idea.) Half the story is just a rambling stream of consciousness from Kay which is disturbing and so un-Kay-like. The story eventually weaves itself together though the ending was way too quick and convenient. I liked this one better than Port Mortuary but it's still nowhere near the beginning of the series which was 5 star all the way.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. Storyline of prison life and how easy people can tamper with others (even behind bars) is very true to life-like. The corruption like in today's world is very scarey and real. It shows how fragile life truly is and how something can change with a blink of an eye.
Helpful Score: 1
Actually I liked this book better than the last several. She went back to including some actual pathology, discussed an autopsy and even did some cooking. The things I think people liked about her original books. Of course it helped that it was set in GA too. What I don't like about the last several books, including this one, is Kay's developing insecurity and self deprecating mannerisms.
I have loved the Kay Scarpetta series since it began.
This is the end for me. The beginning of this book is so dark and depressing I couldn't finish it. Patricia Cornwell's writing style changed over the years and not for the better. VERY disappointed!!!!
This is the end for me. The beginning of this book is so dark and depressing I couldn't finish it. Patricia Cornwell's writing style changed over the years and not for the better. VERY disappointed!!!!
The book started out fast-paced and kept me interested. But about 2/3 of the way through it slowed down too much and the writing became redundant. I find Cornwell continually stating the obvious. This book could have used another edit, not her best work. But it's a good continuation of the Scarpetta story, if you plan to read the whole series.
Different than most of her books...Good...
Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) reviewed Red Mist (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 19) on + 453 more book reviews
I couldn't agree more with the previous reviewer--P. Cornwell has indeed lost her touch. It's as if the first group of her novels were written by someone else. I loved the first group (Body Farm, etc) and then it just all went sour. These latest two read boring, egotistical and the main character is not even interesting anymore. I hate to say this but it feels like the main character developed into a stuck-up, thinks too much of herself egotist and it makes the last two books even worse than the writing already was.
Very good book!
The Scarpetta series keeps me intrigued each time I pick it up to read.
