When Patricia Cornwell introduced the quicksilver, cut-to-the-bone style and extraordinary cast of characters of At Risk, the result was electrifyi...
read full description
reviews
Jul 26, 2008
Tad
rated it: 
Started reading Cornwell for the forensic science before CSI made it cool. The early Kay Scarpetta novels are downright frightening, the closest I get to reading horror. (No Stephen King books or slasher movies for me!) Now Cornwell has started a new series with a cool detective in Boston, which has extra appeal to me. (From USA Today: In The Front, Win Garano is investigating a 45-year-old cold case that could be linked to the infamous Boston Strangler. Or is the investigation merely a ruse to
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 09, 2008
Thomas
rated it: 
This book was horrible as so many of her previous novels have been. I think Cornwell has lost touch with what made us readers want to read her books. I keep coming back to her new books hoping she will regain what I once loved to read her for, but this may be the last attempt for me.
2 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Mar 17, 2009
Rod
rated it: 
The second of the Win Garano books, The Front is written in the same breathless present tense as ‘At Risk.’ This has the effect of differentiating it from books in the Scarpetta series, which may have been why Ms Cornwell adopted it.
The plot construction is very clever and, as in the first book, Garano digs Monique Lamont out of a hole of her own making. As before, Lamont sets Garano up somewhat and, also as before, he follows her moves and saves her from her own stupidity. In most More...
The plot construction is very clever and, as in the first book, Garano digs Monique Lamont out of a hole of her own making. As before, Lamont sets Garano up somewhat and, also as before, he follows her moves and saves her from her own stupidity. In most More...
Nov 19, 2011
Annabelle
rated it: 
I am used to Cronwell’s novels with the women pathologist and disgusting sociopaths who skin women and things like this. So this was a welcome relief to have the main character be Win Garano, an African American detective, why do we need to know that he is African Amercian. No one says, “oh by the way, this detective is white.” But in any case he was refreshing. The writing style is abrupt and almost abbreviated like the authors is saying, “Oh, you know I’m famous and I’m just going to give y
More...
Mar 16, 2009
Mark
rated it:
At one time, her Kay Scarpetta books were some of the best mystery/thriller fiction around... and then they grew dark & nasty & mean - and I stopped reading them.
Since the "At Risk" series meant a new set of characters and a possible fresh start, I gave both of the books a try this weekend. I'm sad to report that the books read like TV pilot proposals: the sexy ice queen prosecutor with political ambitions who bosses around the good-looking African-American detective hero. More...
Since the "At Risk" series meant a new set of characters and a possible fresh start, I gave both of the books a try this weekend. I'm sad to report that the books read like TV pilot proposals: the sexy ice queen prosecutor with political ambitions who bosses around the good-looking African-American detective hero. More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 05, 2009
Lady Ozma
rated it:
This book was OK. There was promise, but I think it was too short. Under 200 pages, I just felt like the surface of the story was barely scratched. It took me three days to get through it, and I think the reason is partly because I couldn't ever truly sink my teeth into it.
I'm not sure if that is indicitive of Cornwell's writing or not. This is the first book I've read by her. The characters seemed interesting, but once more it wasn't deep enough to truly become attached to anyon More...
I'm not sure if that is indicitive of Cornwell's writing or not. This is the first book I've read by her. The characters seemed interesting, but once more it wasn't deep enough to truly become attached to anyon More...
Aug 31, 2011
rameau
rated it:
I almost didn't click to update my status on this book, simply because I didn't know what to say about it. I finished reading it last night and I've had few hours to think about it and I still don't know.
Cornwell can write. She knows how to craft a character, or ten, and she knows how to create a mystery. She wouldn't be as popular as she is if she couldn't. Still, this is the first Cornwell mystery I've read and I was less than impressed. I shouldn't have been. It was all right there More...
Cornwell can write. She knows how to craft a character, or ten, and she knows how to create a mystery. She wouldn't be as popular as she is if she couldn't. Still, this is the first Cornwell mystery I've read and I was less than impressed. I shouldn't have been. It was all right there More...
Aug 16, 2011
Debbie
rated it:
This novel is a very fast read, especially since a movie for television did both this novel and At Risk. The differences between the novel and the movie for The Front are great. A major difference is the outcome of female detective Stump. I enjoy reading Cornwell, but this novel is not up to par with her other novels, and the characters are not as good. Monique Lamont, the District Attorney, is a despicable character. Lamont's only concern is herself and her future. She will use whatever a
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 13, 2008
Breaca
rated it:
What a disappointment. It was lacking substance, grit, passion. It's almost like the author was just going through the motions. And I am a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell but her latest works just don't have the same 'edge' - there's no camparison between these and the Scarpetta series. Characters were very dull and the storyline so-so. I have a strong feeling that this may well be my last PC purchase. What a shame.
Jul 31, 2011
Ruth
rated it:
"c2007. Not the best of her books that I have read. This was a somewhat random choice from the library. I believe that this is the 2nd book in a new series featuring Win Garano from the State Police, a DA Monique Lamont and “Stump,†the lead detective in Watertown. There are hints and clues of all sorts of skullduggery from accusations of terrorist funding, to murder, to mob hits etc. Jumps all over the place. The Front is actually an acronym standing for FRONT … Friends, Resources, O
More...
Jul 30, 2009
CindyLulu
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 26, 2009
Mark
rated it:
Told in present tense, this short novel (54k words, but a big font and lots of white space pad it out to look like a £6.99 paperback should do) takes off at speed and never slows down, skimping on everything from description to characterisation (it’s the 2nd in a series) and plot. Losing the well-written tone and atmosphere of the Scarpetta novels, this reads more like the plan for a novel, rather than the finished product. It’s difficult at times to work out what’s going on, the Lamont charac
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jun 11, 2008
Cindy
rated it:
A nice enough little romp solving an old crime.
I liked "Geronimo" and I know I liked his grandmother! I would certainly like to read about her again! "Stump" was an admirable character as well but I'm not sure I cared much for the others.
I'm glad I picked this up at the library. I would have been bitterly disappointed had I actually paid for it.
I liked "Geronimo" and I know I liked his grandmother! I would certainly like to read about her again! "Stump" was an admirable character as well but I'm not sure I cared much for the others.
I'm glad I picked this up at the library. I would have been bitterly disappointed had I actually paid for it.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 29, 2008
Kay
rated it:
This is a light book. In fact, I believe it is something Cornwell wrote between Lunch and dinner one day. She should have watched a movie or made better use of her time! Her early books were great, but these last 5 or 6 are scraping the bottom of the barrel! Her characters are not developed and the plots are so simple that you just think 'who cares'.
Aug 02, 2011
Much better than her Southern Cross, Hornet's Nest series, but I still felt lost throughout most of the novel. The plot is good, but she jumps from one thing to another and often begins new chapters and/or sections with fragmented thoughts and sentences that leave you feeling as though you are missing information. I noticed this same problem in the more recent Scarpetta novels and find it extremely frustrating to read. Cornwell really needs to fully develop the various components involved in
More...
Jan 15, 2009
crayolaab
rated it:
I've long been a fan of Patricia Cornwell, in particular her Kay Scarpetta series. Unfortunately, this book didn't quite work for me. Something about the writing style (present tense, very abrupt, lots of broken sentences) was very jarring and I really struggled to get into this book.
Once I did, I enjoyed the book - but I still feel like something was missing. I'm not sure if it's because I either didn't read the first book in the series or have forgotten all about it (I really di More...
Once I did, I enjoyed the book - but I still feel like something was missing. I'm not sure if it's because I either didn't read the first book in the series or have forgotten all about it (I really di More...
Mar 01, 2010
KarenC
rated it:
Not really a "better than tv," but more a "made for tv" plot. Still better than her Andy Brazil series. Liked Win's character best; Lamont is just so-so. A very quick read - did it in a day. For the "real Patricia Cornwell" go bact to her early Scarpetta books with which she built her reputation: Postmortem, Body of Evidence, The Body Farm.
More...
Jun 02, 2008
Jan
rated it:
Long-time fan of Patricia Cornwell, but this book didn't hold my interest. Finished it since it's so short, but was easily distracted. Just didn't care for the characters.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 29, 2008
The latest fro Patricia Cornwell. Typical Cornwell, fast read, lots of forensic info. The whole book felt rushed and undeveloped. The ending seemed like an after though.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 29, 2008
Trish
rated it:
I have been a Patricia Cornwell fan from the beginning. But this book is disappointing. It feels like the ending was very rushed and it wasn't very satisfying.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 19, 2011
Julie
rated it:
2 1/2 stars. More like a novella than a novel, though priced like a novel. It is written as a sequel to "At Risk", which was equally short and under-developed. The story is written with the style of a screen play, complete with staging directions, undoubtedly so Cornwell could have it tv-movie ready, in case it follows the made-for-tv "At Risk". If she had taken her time with character and plot development, it could have been good. Detective Win Garano and DA Monique Lam
More...
Jul 08, 2009
Katherine
rated it:
What a huge disappointment. It truly felt like Patricia Cornwell needed to write a book and turned in something....the plot was insane, the characters underdeveloped and the ending was anti-climatic. She ended it as if she just simply ran out of time. Even the supposed love affair between Win and Stump was close to being unbelievable. One saving grace is Win- if she can develop this character more and get rid of Monique Lamont the DA (another impossible character- she's so smart that she did
More...
May 29, 2009
Janice
rated it:
Another good read from Patricia Cornwell, and a nice find at the local library. Read it in an evening, and while I liked it, I still REALLY like her Scarpetta series better. This book reminded me for some reason of the writing of Elizabeth George - maybe it was the writing style. EG's stories are set in Britain tho, while PC's are on the east coast of the US. But both write about police officers & detectives, although that's not why this seemed similar to EG, since PC's other books don't resembl
More...
Aug 05, 2011
Quite a short book in essence, at about 200 pages, ready to be crunched up in 2-3 hrs. However, twists and turns in the plot abounds, although they are arranged out of order, and can be intimidating at times. A good book to grab for a lazy afternoon.
The author makes good use of current issues like Youtube and the current American election to good effect. In the end, the storyline falls into place but I am still a bit puzzled by some of the finer details. Cornwell writes well as judged from the f More...
The author makes good use of current issues like Youtube and the current American election to good effect. In the end, the storyline falls into place but I am still a bit puzzled by some of the finer details. Cornwell writes well as judged from the f More...
Jun 03, 2009
Linda
rated it:
304 pgs. May 2008. I have a lot of respect for Cornwell, but I find that I do not read her all that often anymore. I have to really think about what it is I feel is 'missing.' Somehow, there was an incompleteness to the story, almost like I was reading an outline. This may be a result of the fact that I haven't been immersing myself in the novels; perhaps there is a fullness in the linking of the stories and characters. I don't know. So few pages, so few words per page - almost like a 100 page b
More...
Aug 12, 2011
Todd
rated it:
This book read as if it was written in order to satisfy a contractual obligation - competently but quickly with llittle eye towards plot or character development. I read this book in 3-4 hours but still feel cheated when doing a utilitarian calculation of time vs. enjoyment. I llike the characters and hope that future novels will use them to develop a more interesting and engaging story line. I can't recommend this book to anyone but the most die hard Cornwell fans and feel that many of them
More...
Aug 16, 2010
Joanne
rated it:
Having read several Patricia Cornwell novels from the Kay Scarpetta medical examiner series, I felt this book fell short from what I expected of her. The Front is a short mystery that takes place in Boston and involves a savvy headstrong DA and renewed interest in a 40-year-old crime. The main detective Win and his superstitious Nana and her spells are interesting characters, but the story lacked explanation of tying everything together cohesively and then sped up at the end to finish! The story
More...
Jun 28, 2010
Shelby
rated it:
Simply put; failure. Four hours of my life I won't get back. Lifetime made a movie out of it which happened to be on tv the day after I listened to this audio-book. I can't decide which is the more epic disaster.
Cornwell hasn't been good in some time now. The early books in the Scarpetta series were page turners with characters that were flawed but still relatable and they all had some likeability. I thought by picking up a new series that I might find that same satisfaction More...
Cornwell hasn't been good in some time now. The early books in the Scarpetta series were page turners with characters that were flawed but still relatable and they all had some likeability. I thought by picking up a new series that I might find that same satisfaction More...
May 24, 2011
Ruby
rated it:
It's an affront.
This was the closest I have come to giving up on a book since Satanic Verses. The non-dialogue is truncated in the style of a film script and makes for difficult reading. There are five main characters but none of them satisfy. The plot trips over itself with several improbable threads that don't come together or follow through, culminating in an implausible ending out of the blue. This book looks like a rush job by Cornwell. I need to revisit other of her work to und More...
This was the closest I have come to giving up on a book since Satanic Verses. The non-dialogue is truncated in the style of a film script and makes for difficult reading. There are five main characters but none of them satisfy. The plot trips over itself with several improbable threads that don't come together or follow through, culminating in an implausible ending out of the blue. This book looks like a rush job by Cornwell. I need to revisit other of her work to und More...
Mar 11, 2011
Becky
rated it:
It was okay...not really my "cup of tea", I guess. Although I realize that the book states that it is a work of fiction and the use of names, places, etc. are the product of the author's imagination OR used fictitiously, it bothers me that the mention of the US Navy vessel, the USS Stump, is referred to as a WWII destroyer, when it wasn't commissioned until many years later. It obviously doesn't matter in relation to the story line, but those individuals who served aboard the USS St
More...
