This is number 7 in the series? It stands perfectly well on its own, and for me has been something not too strenuous to read while home with a particularly nasty virus. (Thanks, E) The strong medical female character (Scarpetta) is interesting,though somewhat flawed in her relationships with others- why did she pick a married man as a partner, and why do all the other male authority figures try and put her down? And why is she so protective of her neice, who is an adult and fully qualified FBI agent? Also, I found some bits in the book to be medical showcasing-why mention the hypospadias on the victim? Why not a mole on his left buttock? Neither would have altered the story in any way.
Clearly, after reading other GR reviews, I have to read the first few books in the series, that everyone seems to agree are better.