I have had this book tucked away for years, waiting for a good time to read it. This last week, I decided, was the time. Boy, what a disappointment.

About twenty years ago, my two best friends both read this book and raved about how good it is. They went on to read lots of Patricia Cornwell’s books. So I thought I would like it because we all have similar tastes in literature. I love police crime books, so I have always expected to like this. Additionally, the author is renowned in the field. She has written many Kay Scarpetta books, and they all make the best seller’s lists. So, again, I was confident I would like it. But I didn’t.

For a start, I didn’t especially like Kay Scarpetta. She has snide, mean, condescending thoughts about pretty much everybody. She thinks she is more intelligent than everyone else. Also, I found her a bit boring. I found the story a bit boring. Nothing really happened until my Kindle got to about 75%. Nothing happened that we actually witnessed, that is. Things happen in the background, and we are told about them.

Speaking of being told pieces of information ... I appreciate this book is over thirty years old, and the standards for writing may have changed since then, but this book is almost all telling and no showing. I found it really hard to read past this.

Which brings me onto the forensic details. I thought they would be interesting and engaging. But they weren’t. The main information we were given from the ME’s office was about the computer system and key strokes, etc. Yawn.

There weren't any characters I liked. Not even Lucy, Kay’s niece, is likeable. I don’t know. I almost felt alienated against the characters, as though the author was trying to make them all well-rounded by giving them flaws. But, really, it would have been good to have positive points also.

I would, however, be interested to read one of Patricia Cornwell’s more recent books. Just to see if she has evolved over time. She must have done. Surely. How else could she be so successful?

People who like Patricia Cornwell. People who like forensic science-based books.

The author's style. Almost all telling. Passive voice on every page. Dull, boring descriptions. All of the characters.

Scream.

Disappointed. Angry. Puzzled as to why the author is so popular.

I will try to read a more recent book of hers. I'm sure she must have improved over time. Mustn't she?

I don't.

It's badly written, and you will lose a small portion of your life in reading it.

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Created May 24, 2021 at 9:50am • Submit your own review...