Search - The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17)

The last two installments in the Scarpetta series gave some hope of improvement back to a series most readers once loved but that had lost it's bite. Unfortunately The Scarpetta Factor is a drawback once again. Although it seems that Cornwell tries to give back some substance to the series characters it just isn't what the reader wants. Those who have read the series right from the beginning will miss Scarpetta's investigations, autopsies and exciting morgue stories.
Instead there is a lot of high tech investigation like GPS, Internet and what not.

Cornwell rehashes a lot of the old junk between Scarpetta and now husband Benton. Why he left her and went undercover etc. . It is good to know but not enough substance to fill a 500 pages book.
I'm not sure if the reader still wants to read about the Chandonne family or wants the remaining part to return at all. The Chandonnes' were a part of Cornwell's books way to often and at one point it just gets stale. At least for my taste.

The personal stuff in each characters life got boring and uninteresting, it distracts from the rather thin main plot.

That being said, you'll still like Scarpetta after reading this book but if it is enough to keep you interested for another 500 pages book is the question to be answered.

Since Kay Scarpetta left the Virginia Medical Examiner's Office, she has changed and not for the better. Her integrity and honesty was her claim to fame. Now she's on CNN (like Dr. Phil for pete's sake) getting railroaded by the host, having words put in her mouth and feloniously misquoted.

This book centers around a high-society missing person case, a murdered jogger, an old nemesis of Bentons AND an old nemesis of Scarpetta's. There is a lot going on and in between the many investigations - which Kay, Benton, Marino, Lucy and Jamie are all involved in - the relationship between Benton and Marino (never good to start with) has totally deteriorated and the animosity between them really interrupts the storyline. I found myself saying "enough already" and thinking Benton needed to get past his issues with Marino or someone needed to just move on.

If it wasn't Benton and Marino, it was Lucy and Jamie. Something was bothering Lucy throughout the entire book and Jamie (her lover) was oblivious or just ignoring the situation. On a good day Lucy is a brilliant but troubled individual but she was totally out of control.

I enjoyed the various mysteries and how they tied together but all the other BS was annoying and distracting.

Not one of her best books but does answer a lot of questions many readers may want answered. I personally liked being able to make up my own answers. A good read though especially for a true Patricia Cornwell fan.

I love Scarpetts! She is such a strong woman with way too big a heart. She needs to step up for herself a bit more but I love her. She is an example of making it through all sorts of issues and coming out on top. I definitely recommend reading her series.

It was OK. Not up to her standards.

Another good Kay Scarpetta book that brings back together Kay, Lucy, Benton and Marino. Keeps your attention to the last page. You'll like this one!