I always read Patricia Cornwell's books as soon as they are released, but I found this one not as good as some of her older books. The addition of Lucy and her personal problems into her stories has taken away from the actual mystery/thriller facet of her books that I love the most. I adore Marino and I'm glad he's still with her, but after her departure from Richmond, I've never liked her books as well. This one kept me reading, as they all do, but not like her first books in this series. I just could hardly put those down.

Kim M. (
kimann71) wrote on 12/10/2006...
I have to honest, I never read the book yet, was in a book club and just had too many books.
Scarpetta is faced with solving the death of a 14 year old girl despite the smallest piece of evidence---traces that only the most thorough hunters can identify. It's up to Scarpetta to follow the twisting leads and track the strange details in order to make the dead speak---and reveal the sad truth that may be more than she can bear.

Christine H. (
xoxohall) - Huntingtn Bch, CA wrote on 9/10/2006...
Patricia Cornwell always writes interesting and intriguing novels.
Trace is the heart-stopping new Dr. Kay Scarpetta thrillerfrom America's nimber one bestselling crime writer.Now freelancing from South Florida, Scarpetta returns to the city that turned its back on her five years ago. She travels to Richmond, Virginia, at the odd behest of the recently appointed Cheif Medical Examiner, who claims that he needs her help. When she arrives, however, she finds that nothing is as she expected.

Kelly M. (
boxerx2) wrote on 8/24/2006...
Not one of her best. It seem she wrote in her sleep almost. You knew who the killer was from almost the start, which is not a typical Cornwall book. Also there was this really strange thing going where Scarpetta and Marino are in Richmond and having personal problems, Lucy is in Florida and having personal Problems and Benton is Aspen with a "freind" of Lucy and having personal problems and the book spends more time going back and forth between the personal problems of these 4 and the crime and the killer Scarpetta and Marino were called in to solve and catch just seem a minor roll.
If you a Scarpetta fan read the book to keep up with the soap opera, if you want to pick up a book to see what the fuss is about, I would not recomend this book at all. Black Notice, Body Farm, All that Remains are better books to read.
This Kay Scarpetta books picks up after she has left her long time post as chief medical examiner in Virginia. She has returned to her roots in Florida and begins consulting work.

Jamie M. (
jamieM) wrote on 7/11/2006...
Fantastic. This is one of my favorite authors.