A Massachusetts state investigator is called home from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is completing a course at the National Forensic Academy. His boss, the district attorney, an attractive but hard-charging woman, is planning to run for governor, and as a showcase she's planning to use a new crime initiative called At Risk, its motto "Any crime, any time." In particular, she's been looking for a way to employ some cutting-edge DNA technology, and she thinks she's found it in a twenty-year-old murder - in Tennessee. If her office solves the case, they'll all end up looking pretty good, right?" Her investigator is not so sure - not sure about anything to do with this woman, really - but before he can open his mouth, a shocking piece of violence intervenes, an act that shakes up not only their lives but the lives of everyone around them as well. It is not a random event. Is it personal? Is it professional? Whatever it is, the implications are very, very bad indeed ... and they're about to get much worse.
A well-known, attractive and aggressive Massachusetts district attorney is planning on running for governor. She wants to use her new crime initiative called At Risk to show off some cutting-edge DNA technology, and thinks she's found it in a Tennessee twenty-year-old murder case. If her office solves this cold case it will make this D.A. look good for her run for governor. In order to get some help with this case, she calls back home one of her Massachusetts state investigators who is in the middle of a course at the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville, TN.
The investigator isn't sure about his boss, the D.A., and when a violent crime is committed it makes him wonder even more about this woman who wants it all.
I enjoyed this book and finished it fast because it's a short book, only 212 pages with larger print than in paperbacks, so it went fast. The story makes you wonder who did what, and has a few twists like most of Cornwell's books. I think this catches me up on all of her books now.
Karen A. (karn818) from MELROSE, MA wrote on 4/10/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Quick read.. Strong characters.. Liked it..
Helena M. from PARADISE, CA wrote on 6/23/2008...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not one of her better novels; choppy and confusing.
Cis H. from FT LAUDERDALE, FL wrote on 4/11/2008...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A shorter Cornwell novel in the true twist and turn who-done-it style. Quick read, a bit confusing in the middle but the ending was worth it,
Marilynn L. (WildOrchid) from SHELTON, CT wrote on 1/23/2008...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Definitely not one of her better works, and I'm usually a big fan of hers. A quick read but I didn't care for the characters at all.
Karen F. (earlsgirl) from GRAND RAPIDS, MI wrote on 7/20/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I just couldn't get interested in it. Read the first half in an evening and then skimmed the rest. I think Patricia Cornwell's writing career is "At Risk".
Jane S. (Rapunzelcat) from DES MOINES, IA wrote on 4/22/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Interesting story, but doesn't measure up to her previous work.
Lin F. from SOUTH OGDEN, UT wrote on 4/20/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another good cornwell book...but the ending was lackluster
Linda E. (madamreadsalot) from BALDWIN, MI wrote on 4/18/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An At Risk program with a motto of, Any Crime any Time. Patricia Cornwell always tells a good story !
Alex S. (saber) from SAN BENITO, TX wrote on 4/4/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
mercifully brief
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Rhonda D. (superdupar) from SANTA BARBARA, CA wrote on 7/8/2008...
This is new series (not Kay Scarpetta). Although the characters are interesting the story is short and not well developed.
Winston Garano is called out of forensics school to solve a decades old crime. His boss, Monique Lamont, is using the case to further her political career. Before he can even get started, strange events happen, followed by an act of violence. Politics, personal lives and crime are intertwined in this story.
Julie S. (julesjergen) from KITTANNING, PA wrote on 6/17/2008...
This was a fairly quick read. Found it not up to usual Cornwell suspense. The ending was a bit confusing and hard to follow. Good descriptive writing to set up the grandmother and other characters. Would have been a better read if it were longer and she could build the story a bit more.
Stephanie P. (dastephan6) from LAWRENCE, MA wrote on 6/10/2008...
not one of her best books, although i haven't read many by her. win is asked to solve a cold case that took place miles away from him. he enlists the help of his friend. the secrets that they uncover are so shocking that he can't believe them.
Marla R. (maquala) from SEDALIA, MO wrote on 10/5/2007...
This was the first Patricia Cornwell book I ever read. It lead me to grab every book she wrote. She is a wonderful supense writer, knowing how to keep your attention and turn the pages just to find out who did it.
Andy T. (MayberryFlyBaby) from MOUNT AIRY, NC wrote on 3/6/2007...
one of her better ones since the Kay Scarpetta series but still not up to par.
Andrea S. (momof3kidz) from WAXHAW, NC wrote on 2/17/2007...
This book is about an investigator who is called in on a case but ends up protecting a DA as well. It was a weird book and did not keep my attention too well but it was ok!
Rachel H. from FLEETWOOD, PA wrote on 1/27/2007...
Good read by Patricia Cornwell, but not as good as her Kay Scarpetta series. Fast read.
Roxane E. from ELIZABETH CTY, NC wrote on 1/27/2007...
This book was good but not like the Scarpetta series. This was also a rather short story for Patricia.
Judy S. (DrJ) from ENTERPRISE, AL wrote on 1/23/2007...
A MA state trooper investigator is claled home from Knoxville TN, where he is completing a course at the National Forensic Academy to assist his boss, an attractive but hard-charging woman who is planning to run for governor and as a showcase is planning to use a new crime initiative--called At Risk. Sparks fly, traps spring, twists abound as the "master" works at the top of her game.
Irene W. (sky) from FORT COLLINS, CO wrote on 1/22/2007...
A Massachusetts state investigator is called home from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is completing a course at the National Forensic Academy. His boss, the district attorney, an attractive but hard-charging woman, is planning to run for governor, and as a showcase she's planning to use a new crime initiative called At Risk, its motto "Any crime, any time." In particular, she's been looking for a way to employ some cutting-edge DNA technology, and she thinks she's found it in a twenty-year-old murder-in Tennessee. If her office solves the case, they'll all end up looking pretty good, right?
Her investigator is not so sure-not sure about anything to do with this woman, really-but before he can open his mouth, a shocking piece of violence intervenes, an act that shakes up not only their lives but the lives of everyone around them as well. It is not a random event. Is it personal? Is it professional? Whatever it is, the implications are very, very bad indeed...and they're about to get much worse.
Sparks fly, traps spring, twists abound-this is the master working at the top of her game.