Book Reviews of At Risk (Winston Garano, Bk 1)

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".

This book may be the one that finally convinces me not to bother with any more of Patricia Cornwell's works. The writing was choppy and insubstantial, and the same could be said for the plot. The cynicism and meanness of the main characters (the good guys!) overshadowed their interesting qualities, while characters that had lots of promise were relegated to supporting roles. Fast to read, but not satisfying.

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.

Not one of her better novels; choppy and confusing.

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.

Quick read.. Strong characters.. Liked it..

mercifully brief

The only things suspenseful about this book were "Is the story going to get any better?" and "What's Up with all the blank pages and spacing?". I just couldn't get into it. I was really hoping that after my disappointment with the Kay Scarpetta series getting old that a fresh series by this author was what I needed. I couldn't have been more wrong. The writing style was lame and I couldn't help but compare it to watching a "B" movie when I wanted to go to the theater and see a new release. There's definitely better authors out there that I'll give a chance to since I won't waste any more time on this one.

I just finished this book and had hoped for the typical Cornwell style. It was different from any of her others and not in a good way. I understand that it was written serialized for the New York Times magazine, maybe that's the explanation. She was trying something new. But I didn't like it. It was boring in places with too much technobabel, it jumped back and forth throughout the book, and its characters were mostly unlikeable. I finished it by really pushing myself. I hope she won't continue with this "possible" series. The ending hinted she would. If you're listening Ms. Cornwell, please don't!

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,

Interesting story, but doesn't measure up to her previous work.

Another good cornwell book...but the ending was lackluster

An At Risk program with a motto of, Any Crime any Time. Patricia Cornwell always tells a good story !

Not in the Scarpetta series - a good book with unexpected twists.

I had to force myself to finish this book, and that's really disappointing since I liked her last book. Characters are not well-developed, plot is confusing and the entire thing is disjointed. Poorly written. Don't waste your time.

I couldn't get past Chapter 5. Never thought I'd use a 100 page rule with Cornwell, but just wasn't catching my interest.

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.

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.

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.

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.

one of her better ones since the Kay Scarpetta series but still not up to par.

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!

Good read by Patricia Cornwell, but not as good as her Kay Scarpetta series. Fast read.

This book was good but not like the Scarpetta series. This was also a rather short story for Patricia.

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.

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.

A much shorter work of fiction that what Cornwell usually puts out, and a new character too!

I thought this was a great start to a good book and then it was over. I would even like to see Cornwell write another book with the main character, Win, and his nana. It was more like a short story. I liked it but she must have gotten in a hurry to end it.

I didn't think this was as good as the other Cornwell books (Scarpetta), but was still a good short read.

My first Cornwell book and it won't be the last

Despite the negative comments, I requested this book to read. I hope Cornwell is going to start a new series, much like her Kate Scarpetta novels, with "Win" as the protaganist. When I read that other PBSers didn't like the "main character," I guess they were thinking of the DA, because I really enjoyed Win and I thought of him as the main actor in this novel. It's a quick read, and I wonder if Cornwell is testing the waters for a new series. I so hope that such is the case!

Not a word wasted. Interesting new characters - especially the protagonist and his gifted grandmother.

FINALLY...Patricia Cornwell is getting back to what she does best....murder mystery writing without getting completely wacked out. At 211 pages it is a short read but she is still worth reading.

And now, for something completely different...

Not as lengthly as her usual novels, but a good read.

Different kind of book for Patricia Cornwell. It was good but didn't seem to be a very in depth book like her others.

I was very disappointed in this book -- more like a novella than a novel. Short and the pages are small with lots of white spaces. I was unimpressed by character development or just about anything else.

Not up to what I would expect from P.C., but it was an ok read.
Kinda like her last Scarpetta book...different feel to it.

This is a different set of characters, and nowhere near as grisly as the Scarpetta series.

Not as good as her others, but still an OK read. Very FAST read.

Quick read
FROM THE PUBLISHER: "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."

This was a good read, Cornwell's usual forsenic descriptions, and I loved the characters.....I am sure you will enjoy it!

Well written Patricia Cornwell novel

For decades, Patricia Cornwell has demonstrated her extraordinary ability not only to entertain and enthrall but to surprise as well. Beginning in January 2006, The New York Times Magazine will serialize a brand-new Cornwell thriller, a book filled with all the chilling suspense, rich characters, and trademark forensics that have made her an international phenomenon. But what she does with those ingredients is a revelation.
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, attractive but hard-charging, 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 cutting-edge DNA technology, and she thinks she's found the perfect subject in an unsolved twenty-year-old murder-in Tennessee. If her office solves the case, it ought to make them all look 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 both their lives but the lives of everyone around them. It's 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.
AMAZON.COM BOOK DESCRIPTION

Terrific!

Good mystery. I always read Patricia Cornwell's books.

Did not like this book. There was no cohesion, no suspense, the characters were unlikeable and I still don't "get it"......all I could say when I finished it was "What in the world was that?". Total waste of my time.

Great Cornwell

Quick read. Like the Winston Garano character, right mix of humility and moxie

Quick read. The plot not as well put together as some of Cornwell's other books.

Please note that this is not a Scarpetta book. It is intriguing and a fast read, though. I enjoyed it, but it doesn't have the same "feel" as Cornwell's other works. That doesn't make it bad, but if you're a die-hard Cornwell fan, it may take some getting used to.

Hated it. Read the reviews on Amazon. This is NOT vintage Patricia Cornwell. It's a poorly developed story.

I was disappointed, not her best work.

Well, I know "if you don't have anything nice say"... but, I have to say this book is lame, disappointing and boring. I hope whatever aliens abducted Patricia will bring her back and stop writing books in her name because this is NOT up to par.

Her new book starting with a new main player, starts slow but Cornwell's usual style takes over Good read

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