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Kay Scarpetta #22
Flesh and Blood
Dr. Kay Scarpetta is about to head to Miami for a vacation when she notices seven pennies on a wall behind their home. Is this a kids' game? If so, why are all of the coins dated 1981 and so shiny they could be newly minted? Then she learns there's been a homicide five minutes away. A high school teacher was shot with uncanny precision as he unloaded groceries from his car. Yet no one heard or saw a thing.
Soon more victims surface. The shots seem impossible to achieve, yet they are so perfect they cause death in an instant. There is no pattern to indicate where the killer will strike next. First it was New Jersey, then Massachusetts, and then the murky depths off the coast. There she comes face to face with shocking news that implicates her niece, Lucy—Scarpetta's own flesh and blood.
Soon more victims surface. The shots seem impossible to achieve, yet they are so perfect they cause death in an instant. There is no pattern to indicate where the killer will strike next. First it was New Jersey, then Massachusetts, and then the murky depths off the coast. There she comes face to face with shocking news that implicates her niece, Lucy—Scarpetta's own flesh and blood.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
2816 people are currently reading
17323 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Cornwell
197 books19.8k followersPatricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990 while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Postmortem, was the first bona fide forensic thriller. It paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring in all things forensic across film, television and literature.
Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers.
Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Celebrating 25 years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.
Fox 2000 bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta. Working with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg to develop the film and find Scarpetta a home on the big screen.
After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer.
Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.
When not writing from her Boston home, Patricia tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary: Patricia co-founded of the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums. She appears as a forensic consultant on CNN and serves as a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. She’s helped fund the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities. Patricia is also committed to
funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.”
Social and Digital Outlets
http://www.patriciacornwell.com
https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...
https://twitter.com/1pcornwell
https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/
Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |
Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers.
Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Celebrating 25 years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.
Fox 2000 bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta. Working with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg to develop the film and find Scarpetta a home on the big screen.
After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer.
Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.
When not writing from her Boston home, Patricia tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary: Patricia co-founded of the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums. She appears as a forensic consultant on CNN and serves as a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. She’s helped fund the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities. Patricia is also committed to
funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.”
Social and Digital Outlets
http://www.patriciacornwell.com
https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...
https://twitter.com/1pcornwell
https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/
Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,934 reviews
November 15, 2014
I think I continue to read these novels because I enjoyed them so much years ago. Not anymore. As with the last few, this one is more of the same. More of Marino being completely unlikable, more of Kay being angry, more of Benton being secretive and absent, more of Lucy shutting loved ones out, and an ending that felt like Cornwell got tired and just wrapped it up with a strange scene involving scuba diving. I found the epilogue more interesting than the preceding chapters. I think it's time for Scarpetta to retire.
February 15, 2019
The Kay Scarpetta series clearly shows the work of a brilliant imagination, clever plotter, intelligent and savvy mind who understands people, and intense soul. After 22 books, I'm unable to put them down... and knowing what it's like to write a series, I'm in awe of Patricia Cornwell's talent. With Flesh and Blood, the 22nd of ~25, she continues building and developing a set of characters I often feel are so real, they're sitting in my living room or bedroom as I'm reading... being their usual sarcastic and bitchy selves... poking a stick in my direction to do more with my life... urging me to push the boundaries. That's the kind of character I love to experience.
So... why just 3 stars? I think the question for this book and my opening paragraph really goes back to the definition of a book review. Is it an honest opinion of a standalone book? An opportunity to highlight what you liked about it so others might read it? A chance to just complain because you prefer to focus on the negatives? A comparison of it to other books in its genre? A focus on its place within the entire series? A commentary on how well the author conveys something (a) new, (b) different, (c) above standard, (d) comforting, (e) I could go on forever... I often see other people's reviews and wonder... what were they thinking? do they just like to be mean? Are they so easily contented they give high ratings because they love the author? I'm not judging anyone at all, I'm merely highlighting different ways of writing a review.
That said, I ask again... why just 3 stars from me? To me, a 3 star book is one that is a good read, has interesting parts, has not so interesting parts, doesn't stand out from the rest of its genre/series/author/type, has no egregious errors, and leaves me feeling okay but not thirsting to read a sequel or another book by the author. Given I love this series, I will read them all, but I might think twice about picking up a different series.
Flesh and Blood has all the gore, science, technology, and deep-rooted psychology I've come to adore in the author's style and books. The writing is good, but not stellar. It didn't force me to read more chapters, but I didn't feel it was painful to read. I think it fell prey to average plot with no standout characters other than the main 4 (Benton, Lucy, Marino, and Kay). If we had a powerful viewpoint from the killer, or a strong secondary character who was loved or hated by one of the main ones, I might have latched on a bit more.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I wouldn't rate is one of the higher ones in the series. I didn't rush at night to get to bed to read. Thankfully, it was a buddy read with my friend Medhat which is always fun... so that helped since we could discuss it along the way. I'll still be borrowing the next one from the library in March, so stay tuned for more on this series from me.
So... why just 3 stars? I think the question for this book and my opening paragraph really goes back to the definition of a book review. Is it an honest opinion of a standalone book? An opportunity to highlight what you liked about it so others might read it? A chance to just complain because you prefer to focus on the negatives? A comparison of it to other books in its genre? A focus on its place within the entire series? A commentary on how well the author conveys something (a) new, (b) different, (c) above standard, (d) comforting, (e) I could go on forever... I often see other people's reviews and wonder... what were they thinking? do they just like to be mean? Are they so easily contented they give high ratings because they love the author? I'm not judging anyone at all, I'm merely highlighting different ways of writing a review.
That said, I ask again... why just 3 stars from me? To me, a 3 star book is one that is a good read, has interesting parts, has not so interesting parts, doesn't stand out from the rest of its genre/series/author/type, has no egregious errors, and leaves me feeling okay but not thirsting to read a sequel or another book by the author. Given I love this series, I will read them all, but I might think twice about picking up a different series.
Flesh and Blood has all the gore, science, technology, and deep-rooted psychology I've come to adore in the author's style and books. The writing is good, but not stellar. It didn't force me to read more chapters, but I didn't feel it was painful to read. I think it fell prey to average plot with no standout characters other than the main 4 (Benton, Lucy, Marino, and Kay). If we had a powerful viewpoint from the killer, or a strong secondary character who was loved or hated by one of the main ones, I might have latched on a bit more.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I wouldn't rate is one of the higher ones in the series. I didn't rush at night to get to bed to read. Thankfully, it was a buddy read with my friend Medhat which is always fun... so that helped since we could discuss it along the way. I'll still be borrowing the next one from the library in March, so stay tuned for more on this series from me.
December 11, 2014
Speaking as a long time Cornwell fan, this may be my last read of her books. They have become increasingly self-absorbed to the point that there is no longer even a pretense of a plot. This one started with a potentially interesting murder weapon, then swiftly degenerated into the usual self-aggrandizement. The ending was rushed and pulled out of the ether, as if her publisher called in the middle of the night and gave her one hour to finish the book. Cornwell has become a prime example of "should have quit while she was ahead."
August 14, 2014
Remember when Dr. Scarpetta ACTUALLY did what her character was supposed to? I miss that. Now she spends her days defending her family (Benton & Lucy) and friends (Marino) against those evil villains that are set out to sabotage them. In Dust it was Benton in F&B it's Lucy (again). A sniper has killed 4 people. Is it part of an Insurance cover up? An elaborate scheme to rid the streets of another drug mule? A terrorist? IDK. It's never Really determined WHY these people were selected as targets-well, one was pretty obvious. Unnecessary plot twists, the return of a thought to be dead character, the attempt to make Lucy more likeable, make this a confusing mess full of plot holes. The first 3/4 drag. The last bit was like trying to follow a conversation with the dog from Up. SQUIRREL
September 12, 2021
I felt cheated reading this book. The victims, how were they related? I tried to figure out who the shooter was, guessing all the way until the last few chapters and the BIG REVEAL!! What?? Really??
This is a case of a book that must be read in order. Normally, long series as this you can read the mysteries as a stand-alone, well not this one. In fact, even if you did read them in order, you'll never figure out who the bad guy is. 😂
Then another shocker, "cliffhanger" SNAP! Terrible. The only good thing about this book is the short chapters.
This is a case of a book that must be read in order. Normally, long series as this you can read the mysteries as a stand-alone, well not this one. In fact, even if you did read them in order, you'll never figure out who the bad guy is. 😂
Then another shocker, "cliffhanger" SNAP! Terrible. The only good thing about this book is the short chapters.
May 25, 2024
Re Read May 2024
Story 4.25 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Lorelei King
Story 4.25 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Lorelei King
January 29, 2025
In this 22nd book in the 'Kay Scarpetta' series, the medical examiner is concerned with a series of odd murders. The book works as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a plus.
*****
Dr. Kay Scarpetta, currently the Chief Medical Examiner in Cambridge, Massachusetts, often investigates the deaths of crime victims she autopsies.
Thus Kay is in the sights of many criminals, particularly psychopaths and serial killers. For this reason, Kay has a sophisticated security system in her home; carries a gun; and is savvy about self-protection.
Kay's husband, Benton Wesley, is a top profiler for the FBI and often consults (sometimes unofficially) on Kay's cases.
Kay's niece, Lucy Farinelli, is a genius and former FBI agent and ATF agent. Lucy - who's a computer whiz and master hacker - has become immensely wealthy by developing computer programs for law enforcement agencies, government bureaus, and the military. Thus Lucy owns a helicopter; has top-of-the-line bullet-proof cars; owns all manner of sophisticated weapons; has her own shooting range; etc.
Pete Marino is a cop whom Kay has known, and worked with, for many years. Pete is a coarse, loudmouth who's at least half in love with Kay, which makes their working relationship tense at times.
The Kay Scarpetta books are formulaic in the sense that Kay is ALWAYS in the crosshairs of some devious criminal(s). In this book, Kay is being baited by a killer who seems to want to attract the attention of Kay and Detective Pete Marino.
As the novel opens, it's Kay's birthday and she and Benton are planning to fly to Florida for a vacation. Before departing, Kay and Benton are grilling breakfast on their patio, and several odd things occur. Kay finds seven shiny copper pennies lined up along a wall in their backyard; Benton sees a glint in the nearby trees, like the sun reflecting off a rifle scope; and Marino calls with news of an unusual murder.
The homicide victim, a high school music teacher called Jamal Nari, was shot while unloading groceries from his car. The angle of the bullet demonstrates it came from a very great height, though there are no tall buildings in the area. Kay feels compelled to examine the crime scene, and decides to postpone her Florida trip to investigate Nari's murder.
Nari's autopsy reveals he was killed with a copper bullet polished in a rock tumbler. Marino notes the crime is exactly like two homicides in New Jersey, one of which targeted a woman Marino knew. To add to the eerie coincidences, Kate recently received a nasty message from a highjacked Twitter account called Copperhead.
As Kay inquires into these incidents, she consults with a firearms instructor, who explains all about bullets, guns, rifles, angles, distances, wind speed, snipers, and so on.
Later, when a high-profile homicide occurs in Florida, Kay flies down and scuba dive's an old shipwreck to search for clues. This provides an occasion to discuss scuba gear and scuba diving.
(Note: In an interview, Patricia Cornwell explained that, to write this book, she consulted a marksman and boned up on her scuba diving skills.)
In the midst of Kay's murder investigations, she's harassed by an insurance investigator called Rand Bloom. Bloom's company NEVER wants to pay out on policies, so when Kay's autopsy results - such as accidental death - lead to valid claims, Bloom badgers Kay, follows her, parks near her house, and tries to intimidate her.
Additional characters in the story include Jamal Nari's wife Joanna Cather - a high school guidance counselor whose student accuses her of inappropriate conduct; Leo Gantz - Joanna's student, who falsely confesses to killing her husband; Bob Rosado - a corrupt politician; Troy Rosado - the politician's sociopath son; Sasha Sarin - a fixer hired to keep Troy out of jail; Sil Machado - Marino's detective partner, who's up to something; Kay and Benton's rescue greyhound Sock; and others.
Unfortunately, the book is short on plot and long on extraneous threads. For instance, Kay is worried about Lucy's relationship with her longtime partner Janet, which seems to have hit a snag; Kay muses about romantic affairs/attractions that involve her employees; Kay is annoyed with her intrusive mother, who criticizes Kay's career but extols Kay's flamboyant, attention-seeking sister Dorothy; and more.
All the wrongdoing leads to a dramatic. heart-stopping climax.
The first few books in Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series were excellent, after which the novels were up and down for me. This story isn't one of my favorites, but I'll probably keep trying.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
July 29, 2023
If you own this book, tear out the pages individually and use them as kindling!
Some time ago when I reviewed Cornwell’s PREDATOR (Scarpetta #14), I panned it with a single star review and categorized
“… every single one of the characters as psychological shipwrecks. Kay and Lucy Scarpetta, Pete Marino, Wesley Benton ... nary a single happy moment, a smile, a chuckle or an upbeat moment in the entire novel. Cornwell seems to have set herself a personal contest to see which character she could portray as the weakest, the most uninteresting, the most dislikeable or the most dysfunctional.”
FLESH AND BLOOD is #22 in this very long-in-the-tooth series and over eight novels, it is obvious that all of the characters clearly skipped most of their therapy sessions. Nothing has changed.
The plot, such as it is, is an indecipherable hot mess and such resolution as occurs happens in the last few chapters as a villain is resurrected deus ex machina, with absolutely no warning, from an apparent death in a previous novel. (If you haven’t read that previous novel – which I hadn’t – then that’s just too bad!). And the rather sad sack epilogue at the end of FLESH AND BLOOD hints rather strongly that the villain has escaped the grim reaper once again which means two things. First, FLESH AND BLOOD had zero resolution and, second, this villain is held in reserve so that Cornwell can waste several hours of a hopeful future reader’s time doing it again.
Definitely not recommended. In fact, I’ve got three unread Patricia Cornwell titles on my bookshelves and they’re probably destined to find their way to the closest free neighbourhood library box.
Paul Weiss
Some time ago when I reviewed Cornwell’s PREDATOR (Scarpetta #14), I panned it with a single star review and categorized
“… every single one of the characters as psychological shipwrecks. Kay and Lucy Scarpetta, Pete Marino, Wesley Benton ... nary a single happy moment, a smile, a chuckle or an upbeat moment in the entire novel. Cornwell seems to have set herself a personal contest to see which character she could portray as the weakest, the most uninteresting, the most dislikeable or the most dysfunctional.”
FLESH AND BLOOD is #22 in this very long-in-the-tooth series and over eight novels, it is obvious that all of the characters clearly skipped most of their therapy sessions. Nothing has changed.
The plot, such as it is, is an indecipherable hot mess and such resolution as occurs happens in the last few chapters as a villain is resurrected deus ex machina, with absolutely no warning, from an apparent death in a previous novel. (If you haven’t read that previous novel – which I hadn’t – then that’s just too bad!). And the rather sad sack epilogue at the end of FLESH AND BLOOD hints rather strongly that the villain has escaped the grim reaper once again which means two things. First, FLESH AND BLOOD had zero resolution and, second, this villain is held in reserve so that Cornwell can waste several hours of a hopeful future reader’s time doing it again.
Definitely not recommended. In fact, I’ve got three unread Patricia Cornwell titles on my bookshelves and they’re probably destined to find their way to the closest free neighbourhood library box.
Paul Weiss
November 14, 2014
What is going on with this series???? I have read most of the books and loved the first ones but after book #18, I gave up on this series.
Why did I then read book #22? I was kind of missing Kate Scarpetta and thinking...hey the real KS might just be back????
Well, let me tell you right away..........she AIN’T!!!
Kate flits from one place to another...from one dead body to another....in between making fabulous breakfast for Benton, which never gets eaten!!!!
The plot confused me....much...a lot....snipers, suspected terrorists, people being murdered here and there...connected to this one and that one........twists here and then turns there....geez, i felt like I was watching the Wimbledon Men’s final........you know where your head goes something like this....
?
I didn’t get the plot!!! Why the killers kill who they did. Who were the killers??? Hell, beyond confusion!!!
And then there’s the characters........
I loved Kay S....but what happened to her???
I wanted more of her and Benton (who I loved in the previous books)...here he jumps from one place to another with a purpose I have no idea what it is!
Lucy...i adored her character but in the later books, she’s become like this weird person....i just don’t get her anymore!!! And in this story...another “fliter”......she “poofed” from place to place and EUREKA....when we are told who is behind all those weird murders!!!!! No, really!!!!
Marino..i loved the relationship between him and Kay but what the hell has happened to the guy...yes, he was always wacko and weird but now, he’s still that but more...whiney, moaning and shouting all over the place......who is this guy Marino in this story?????????????
And let me not start with the last word in the book..........SNAP!!! What the hell does that mean?????????????? Now, I HAVE to read book #23 because I NEED to KNOW!!!!!!
Yes, I will read the next KATE SCARPETTA instalment because I cannot be left hanging on there.........guess that’s what the author had in mind...or maybe not!!! Guess I will have to wait and see....and HOPE a LOT that it’s going to be an awesome read.
Why did I then read book #22? I was kind of missing Kate Scarpetta and thinking...hey the real KS might just be back????
Well, let me tell you right away..........she AIN’T!!!
Kate flits from one place to another...from one dead body to another....in between making fabulous breakfast for Benton, which never gets eaten!!!!
The plot confused me....much...a lot....snipers, suspected terrorists, people being murdered here and there...connected to this one and that one........twists here and then turns there....geez, i felt like I was watching the Wimbledon Men’s final........you know where your head goes something like this....
?I didn’t get the plot!!! Why the killers kill who they did. Who were the killers??? Hell, beyond confusion!!!
And then there’s the characters........
I loved Kay S....but what happened to her???
I wanted more of her and Benton (who I loved in the previous books)...here he jumps from one place to another with a purpose I have no idea what it is!
Lucy...i adored her character but in the later books, she’s become like this weird person....i just don’t get her anymore!!! And in this story...another “fliter”......she “poofed” from place to place and EUREKA....when we are told who is behind all those weird murders!!!!! No, really!!!!
Marino..i loved the relationship between him and Kay but what the hell has happened to the guy...yes, he was always wacko and weird but now, he’s still that but more...whiney, moaning and shouting all over the place......who is this guy Marino in this story?????????????
And let me not start with the last word in the book..........SNAP!!! What the hell does that mean?????????????? Now, I HAVE to read book #23 because I NEED to KNOW!!!!!!
Yes, I will read the next KATE SCARPETTA instalment because I cannot be left hanging on there.........guess that’s what the author had in mind...or maybe not!!! Guess I will have to wait and see....and HOPE a LOT that it’s going to be an awesome read.
May 6, 2015
I will start by saying that I read my first Scarpetta novel in 1996 and have FAITHFULLY read every one, some multiple times. Simply put, the stories USED to be great, scary, well-written fun! With amazing characters. That being said, I will NEVER EVER purchase another. Is Patricia Cornwell incapacitated and someone else writing for her? I thought nothing could be worse than Dust and The Bone Bed. Wrong. This book is a convoluted coundrum of crap. I could go on forever discussing the nose dive that Scarpetta novels have taken, but I will try to pare it down.
Dear Ms. Cornwell and Kay,
1. Enough with the obsession with helicopters. Your readers don't care about helicopters.
2. Please stop describing the state-of-the-art materials your morgues of the moment are made of. All we want is the brutal details of the autopsies. We want to feel the skin slipping and smell the bones boiling. Remember when Kay had to buy that pot and cook those bones? Yeah, like that.
3.Your obsession with cars and trucks is a bit much too. Just a fyi.
4. We actually DO like your obsession with pasta and pizza. And this mess of a story was missing lots of marinara.
5.This one is VERY IMPORTANT. Even in fiction, not that many people in the world can believably be obsessed with the life and times of a Medical Examiner and want to do her harm. It is not all about you Kay.
6.We KNOW that Lucy can hack into Jesus' email. Jeesh. And that she's smart and gay and superior to all other humans. Now what? And I do realize that new readers need to be introduced to characters. But your veteran readers need to see them evolve.
7.You're getting too technical. Less tech, more flesh and blood. That was why we grew to love your writing, the perfect balance of gore and humanity. Btw, flesh and bood a definite misnomer for this book.
8. Kay and Benton are boring together. Make him cheat or something. Like he did his first wife;) And where are his poor kids? Call 'em up or something.....make one of 'em a serial killer.
9.We still LOVE Marino. If you can't fix Kay, please put her out of her misery and spin-off a Marino book series to find her killer. This may seem a bit extreme, but your LOYAL READERS deserve more! Either get it together, or kill Kay.
10. No you DID NOT bring back Carrie????!!!! That was just it for me.
11. PLEASE re-read number 5^^^^^^^^^^^^
Finally, your publishers should be embarrassed to put this mess into circulation, but they aren't because they know that TRUE fans like me will continue to be hopeful and buy. Well, not anymore!! Kay won't get another dime from me and I mean it!
Just noticed how many times I said obsessed or obsession here, but no other word fit.
Sincerely,
A dedicated reader who started reading this on 02/14/15 and just finished today. Early Scarpetta books would be devoured in 48-72 hours. Reading this was a chore and a bore.
Dear Ms. Cornwell and Kay,
1. Enough with the obsession with helicopters. Your readers don't care about helicopters.
2. Please stop describing the state-of-the-art materials your morgues of the moment are made of. All we want is the brutal details of the autopsies. We want to feel the skin slipping and smell the bones boiling. Remember when Kay had to buy that pot and cook those bones? Yeah, like that.
3.Your obsession with cars and trucks is a bit much too. Just a fyi.
4. We actually DO like your obsession with pasta and pizza. And this mess of a story was missing lots of marinara.
5.This one is VERY IMPORTANT. Even in fiction, not that many people in the world can believably be obsessed with the life and times of a Medical Examiner and want to do her harm. It is not all about you Kay.
6.We KNOW that Lucy can hack into Jesus' email. Jeesh. And that she's smart and gay and superior to all other humans. Now what? And I do realize that new readers need to be introduced to characters. But your veteran readers need to see them evolve.
7.You're getting too technical. Less tech, more flesh and blood. That was why we grew to love your writing, the perfect balance of gore and humanity. Btw, flesh and bood a definite misnomer for this book.
8. Kay and Benton are boring together. Make him cheat or something. Like he did his first wife;) And where are his poor kids? Call 'em up or something.....make one of 'em a serial killer.
9.We still LOVE Marino. If you can't fix Kay, please put her out of her misery and spin-off a Marino book series to find her killer. This may seem a bit extreme, but your LOYAL READERS deserve more! Either get it together, or kill Kay.
10. No you DID NOT bring back Carrie????!!!! That was just it for me.
11. PLEASE re-read number 5^^^^^^^^^^^^
Finally, your publishers should be embarrassed to put this mess into circulation, but they aren't because they know that TRUE fans like me will continue to be hopeful and buy. Well, not anymore!! Kay won't get another dime from me and I mean it!
Just noticed how many times I said obsessed or obsession here, but no other word fit.
Sincerely,
A dedicated reader who started reading this on 02/14/15 and just finished today. Early Scarpetta books would be devoured in 48-72 hours. Reading this was a chore and a bore.
February 20, 2015
Wow. I used to love these books. This was my last. In between ridiculously detailed descriptions of every gourmet food she eats or even thinks about are snide comments about how cheap and unappealing everything around her is because it isn't all antique or top of the line. None of it adds to the story which is scattered and sandwiched between garlic and agave and expensive cheese. What the heck happened to the professionalism of every single character? Why is she more concerned with doorknobs that are "an insult" to the door than with a real plot. Details of everything are actually listed, not folded into the story, and are endless. It's like reading an obsessive shopping list written by a self important person with more money than the common folk who just have cheap imitations of a life, compared to her own. Throw in the unbelievable personal interactions and shallow characters and you have a gnawing gut feeling that even reality TV would be more believable and time better spent.
As the aroma of my cheap k-cup produced coffee, which was not imported from anywhere all that exotic, wafted up toward my light fixtures, not antiques nor one of a kind so probably an insult to my home, I contemplated my lunch options, wanting something that would cost less than a car and wouldn't require years of study under a top chef and more than five hours of preparation, just something to snack on while reading. In the end it required no rare imported anything and had no presumptuous name. Sometimes a sandwich is just a sandwich, unless you are Kay Scarpetta. I could describe what I am wearing down to the inner linings, and what I used to be wearing before I started wearing this, ala Ms. Scarpetta, but have decided it isn't worth the effort, so I instead enjoyed my perfectly normal food without the aggravation of this book.
As the aroma of my cheap k-cup produced coffee, which was not imported from anywhere all that exotic, wafted up toward my light fixtures, not antiques nor one of a kind so probably an insult to my home, I contemplated my lunch options, wanting something that would cost less than a car and wouldn't require years of study under a top chef and more than five hours of preparation, just something to snack on while reading. In the end it required no rare imported anything and had no presumptuous name. Sometimes a sandwich is just a sandwich, unless you are Kay Scarpetta. I could describe what I am wearing down to the inner linings, and what I used to be wearing before I started wearing this, ala Ms. Scarpetta, but have decided it isn't worth the effort, so I instead enjoyed my perfectly normal food without the aggravation of this book.
December 28, 2014
I for no reason that I can see got this for Christmas so I read it and good lord it was bad. I wouldn't even bother reviewing it except it was so bad that I feel obligated to tell other people not to read it. Don't read it.
December 1, 2014
I am so disappointed! I've read all the Kay Scarpetta novels. I really didn't care for the last one, Dust, and so hoped this one would be better. Alas, It was not to be. The plot is very confusing...too many things happening, too many murders, and the relationships between them are never clearly resolved. Through it all Kay's musings to herself run on and on....complaining, thinking about those around her as if she, Kay, had the only brain in the bunch. In the first novels of the series, the reader knew that Kay was the smart one, and Kay didn't have to continually remind the reader (as she does here) that everything is lost unless she personally jets here and there to save the day because, of course, all these other people are idiots. It is so narcissistic and annoying and depressing. Finally, what's with the final word "SNAP?" What does that mean? Bad enough that we don't have the multitude of murders in this story tied up/resolved, now we have a new mystery with the last word of the novel? One and one half stars, rounded up. I don't care whether or not "SNAP" is explained in the next novel; I won't be reading it.
April 5, 2015
There may be spoilers in here, but really, you shouldn't want to read this book. If you insist on reading it anyway and want to be "surprised" don't read this review.
I had broken up with Kay Scarpetta, and didn't even remember that I skipped the last book. Honestly, the only reason that I picked this up off the library shelf was that it was only 350 pages of potential crap, instead of the 500+ pages Cornwell has been turning in recently. Scarpetta has turned in to the pettiest, most critical, self-centered and egotistical character imaginable. She irritatingly sees nothing but flaws in her entire staff, and even goes so far as to say that she shouldn't have hired someone because she's too attractive. There remains nothing endearing about Scarpetta at all.
From the blurb: "It's here that Scarpetta dives a shipwreck, looking for answers that only she can discover and analyze. And it's where she comes face-to-face with shocking news that implicates her techno-genius niece..." OK. This book is allegedly a mystery. Scarpetta dives the shipwreck IN THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK. Also, I think I missed the part where anything she finds at the shipwreck implicates Lucy. Doesn't that all happen before she gets to Florida?
The "plot" is so riddled with holes, it's a sieve. A sieve with holes. They seems to just randomly connect a bunch of murders, based solely on very loose connections to Scarpetta. Because no one would ever murder anyone for any reason other than to scare/get revenge/toy with Scarpetta, obviously. There is no clear explanation as to why these victims were chosen. I suppose if the story was written from Benton or Lucy's perspective, we'd maybe have some insight, since they seems to scurry off to solve the mystery, leaving Scarpetta to micromanage her useless, stupid, incompetent employees, and then on their return give vague explanations as to what is happening.
Finally, I MIGHT have given this book 2 stars if it hadn't ended on a cliffhanger. Yes, this book is so terrible that in a last ditch ploy to get people to read the next one, she didn't even finish writing this one.
I had broken up with Kay Scarpetta, and didn't even remember that I skipped the last book. Honestly, the only reason that I picked this up off the library shelf was that it was only 350 pages of potential crap, instead of the 500+ pages Cornwell has been turning in recently. Scarpetta has turned in to the pettiest, most critical, self-centered and egotistical character imaginable. She irritatingly sees nothing but flaws in her entire staff, and even goes so far as to say that she shouldn't have hired someone because she's too attractive. There remains nothing endearing about Scarpetta at all.
From the blurb: "It's here that Scarpetta dives a shipwreck, looking for answers that only she can discover and analyze. And it's where she comes face-to-face with shocking news that implicates her techno-genius niece..." OK. This book is allegedly a mystery. Scarpetta dives the shipwreck IN THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK. Also, I think I missed the part where anything she finds at the shipwreck implicates Lucy. Doesn't that all happen before she gets to Florida?
The "plot" is so riddled with holes, it's a sieve. A sieve with holes. They seems to just randomly connect a bunch of murders, based solely on very loose connections to Scarpetta. Because no one would ever murder anyone for any reason other than to scare/get revenge/toy with Scarpetta, obviously. There is no clear explanation as to why these victims were chosen. I suppose if the story was written from Benton or Lucy's perspective, we'd maybe have some insight, since they seems to scurry off to solve the mystery, leaving Scarpetta to micromanage her useless, stupid, incompetent employees, and then on their return give vague explanations as to what is happening.
Finally, I MIGHT have given this book 2 stars if it hadn't ended on a cliffhanger. Yes, this book is so terrible that in a last ditch ploy to get people to read the next one, she didn't even finish writing this one.
November 10, 2014
4.5 stars
Earlier this year, when I reviewed Dust, I mentioned that my beloved Kay Scarpetta series seems to be getting back on track. Keeping a series fresh for no less than 22 installments is something not many authors can do. There was certainly a rough patch around the middle when I considered giving up entirely, but these last two books have shown me that Cornwell is still very much in control.
Flesh and Blood is, if possible, even more suspenseful, even more exciting, even more gorgeously written. Patricia Cornwell’s writing has always been elegant and rich, but lately she has been taking it a step further, dazzling us with her beautiful sentences and the emotion behind them. That sort of writing combined with scientific facts and procedures is recognizable as something that is solely her own, unparalleled in the world of crime fiction.
Kay Scarpetta was getting ready to leave for Miami with her husband, the famous FBI profiler Benton Wesley. But even the best laid plans often go awry, so when someone shoots a man who previously slandered Scarpetta in front of president Obama, no less, she and Benton have no choice but to postpone their vacation and investigate this crime.
Is there a killer more dangerous than a sniper shooter? It’s danger one doesn’t even see coming, which makes it impossible for people to protect themselves, people including our favorite Chief medical examiner. Danger is everywhere this time, on rooftops, windows and other high places and it could strike at any time.
All our favorite characters are back together this time. After 22 installments, Kay, Benton, Lucy, Marino and even Janet really feel like family to us loyal fans. As usual, they are faced with many random facts and pieces of evidence, things that don’t seem to make sense when put together, and they need to work as a group, each of them from their own angle, to solve the crime puzzle and save lives.
My relationship with Detective Pete Marino, currently of Cambridge PD, has been somewhat tumultuous over the years, and so has Kay’s. His behavior has ranged from sweet and touching, to rude, irritating and even violent. But I have to give it to him, he is the absolute best at what he does, and he is never intimidated either by politics or by various threats. As much as I want to dislike him, as much as he deserves it, even, it’s never quite possible for me. His rudeness is awful when it’s aimed at Kay and Benton, but absolutely hilarious when he’s dealing with a suspect.
I prefer not to go into the plot more than absolutely necessary. Fans of the series will be glad to know that this novel reads very much like old Scarpetta books, before Cornwell switched to third person, multiple perspectives and almost ruined the whole thing. Now that we’ve been back to just Kay’s voice for several books, they’re getting stronger with each written page and the old charm is certainly restored.
The cliffhanger at the end was completely unusual for Cornwell and I really don’t see the need. But to be completely honest about it, it will make me reach for the next book that much faster. Can I please have it now, Ms. Conrwell? Pretty please?
Earlier this year, when I reviewed Dust, I mentioned that my beloved Kay Scarpetta series seems to be getting back on track. Keeping a series fresh for no less than 22 installments is something not many authors can do. There was certainly a rough patch around the middle when I considered giving up entirely, but these last two books have shown me that Cornwell is still very much in control.
Flesh and Blood is, if possible, even more suspenseful, even more exciting, even more gorgeously written. Patricia Cornwell’s writing has always been elegant and rich, but lately she has been taking it a step further, dazzling us with her beautiful sentences and the emotion behind them. That sort of writing combined with scientific facts and procedures is recognizable as something that is solely her own, unparalleled in the world of crime fiction.
Kay Scarpetta was getting ready to leave for Miami with her husband, the famous FBI profiler Benton Wesley. But even the best laid plans often go awry, so when someone shoots a man who previously slandered Scarpetta in front of president Obama, no less, she and Benton have no choice but to postpone their vacation and investigate this crime.
Is there a killer more dangerous than a sniper shooter? It’s danger one doesn’t even see coming, which makes it impossible for people to protect themselves, people including our favorite Chief medical examiner. Danger is everywhere this time, on rooftops, windows and other high places and it could strike at any time.
All our favorite characters are back together this time. After 22 installments, Kay, Benton, Lucy, Marino and even Janet really feel like family to us loyal fans. As usual, they are faced with many random facts and pieces of evidence, things that don’t seem to make sense when put together, and they need to work as a group, each of them from their own angle, to solve the crime puzzle and save lives.
My relationship with Detective Pete Marino, currently of Cambridge PD, has been somewhat tumultuous over the years, and so has Kay’s. His behavior has ranged from sweet and touching, to rude, irritating and even violent. But I have to give it to him, he is the absolute best at what he does, and he is never intimidated either by politics or by various threats. As much as I want to dislike him, as much as he deserves it, even, it’s never quite possible for me. His rudeness is awful when it’s aimed at Kay and Benton, but absolutely hilarious when he’s dealing with a suspect.
I prefer not to go into the plot more than absolutely necessary. Fans of the series will be glad to know that this novel reads very much like old Scarpetta books, before Cornwell switched to third person, multiple perspectives and almost ruined the whole thing. Now that we’ve been back to just Kay’s voice for several books, they’re getting stronger with each written page and the old charm is certainly restored.
The cliffhanger at the end was completely unusual for Cornwell and I really don’t see the need. But to be completely honest about it, it will make me reach for the next book that much faster. Can I please have it now, Ms. Conrwell? Pretty please?
November 21, 2014
I've read all the Kay Scarpetta books, and from early on have been hooked.
This one begins well and rattles along quite nicely incorporating all the usual things I would expect - moody, secretive Lucy, Benton barely featuring except in the shadowy background, and Marino- what's happened to Marino? He used to be one of my favourite characters and he's turned into a bitter whiner, who does no discernible investigating. In actual fact, none of the characters seem to do that much investigating, the crimes are never really linked, and the perpetrator unveiled at the end smacks of desperation - yet again an 'assumed dead baddie' from the past comes back to haunt the 'gang'.
As for the end... did Cornwell have a deadline to meet? I really didn't feel a cliffhanger was appropriate, and unless sales are declining, its surely an unnecessary and lazy way to end a book. I actually turned the pages through to the very end to make sure I didn't imagine it!
This book felt lazy, sure there is the usual depth of forensic information, but Kay seems so jaded that this just feels like padding now in lieu of a decent plot and character development.
I will read the next one, for the sake of completeness, but it may well be my last.
This one begins well and rattles along quite nicely incorporating all the usual things I would expect - moody, secretive Lucy, Benton barely featuring except in the shadowy background, and Marino- what's happened to Marino? He used to be one of my favourite characters and he's turned into a bitter whiner, who does no discernible investigating. In actual fact, none of the characters seem to do that much investigating, the crimes are never really linked, and the perpetrator unveiled at the end smacks of desperation - yet again an 'assumed dead baddie' from the past comes back to haunt the 'gang'.
As for the end... did Cornwell have a deadline to meet? I really didn't feel a cliffhanger was appropriate, and unless sales are declining, its surely an unnecessary and lazy way to end a book. I actually turned the pages through to the very end to make sure I didn't imagine it!
This book felt lazy, sure there is the usual depth of forensic information, but Kay seems so jaded that this just feels like padding now in lieu of a decent plot and character development.
I will read the next one, for the sake of completeness, but it may well be my last.
February 12, 2015
After Dust I actually vowed to stop reading the Kay Scarpetta series but someone gave me this book for free so I thought well I might as well read it. And it wasn't too bad. Still a bit too much of everyone keeping secrets from everyone else which is a dangerous thing to do when a serial killer is out to get you. And all of the main characters are still narcissistic and totally unlikeable. But there is a good story in there trying to get out and it gets pretty exciting in parts. So three stars from me and of course I have to read the next one because this one leaves you hanging - big time!
March 24, 2015
Kay Scarpetta is Back
I've been reading the Kay Scarpetta series for a few years now. Dr. Scarpetta is a forensic pathologist who now runs the CFC, the Cambridge Forensic Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
I didn't start at the beginning of the series and I haven't read all twenty-two books; but I have read a number of them.
Patricia Cornwell writes some of the most thoroughly researched police procedurals around.
This is a solid addition to the series, although the ending is ultimately unsatisfying. So overall, the book is good, but not exceptional.
I still like all of the major characters a lot. At this point, they're like old friends.
Pete Marino seems a lot happier working for the Cambridge P.D. instead of for Scarpetta. He's still his usual indiscreet, loud mouthed, often obnoxious self. But although he can be a jerk and frequently is, he's also an excellent investigator.
Lucy Farinelli, Dr. Scarpetta's tough, tech genius niece, is back too, with a new Ferrari. She's unusually uptight and preoccupied in this book.
Benton Wesley, Kay's FBI profiler husband, is still around. As usual, he's elegant and discreet.
Bryce still runs Dr. Scarpetta's office. And he's still his gossipy, flamboyant self.
Then there's Dr. Scarpetta herself.
Some reviewers complain that she is whining a lot.
I beg to differ.
I think she has more insight into herself now, and no longer denies it when she's angry, hurt or upset. She's actually grown more than the others, who are more or less unchanged.
She also has the self-control to (mostly) keep herself to herself, although those who know her well can read when she's unhappy.
She often feels hurt and betrayed when those she loves don't include her.
In this book, she feels particularly excluded. She knows that Benton and Lucy have information that they aren't sharing with her.
But Dr. Scarpetta is still the amazing forensic scientist she's always been, if she isn't always the best boss.
And she is still driven by her sense of justice and compassion.
Also, Dr. Scarpetta works with both sides of her brain, which is why her feelings are so important in resolving a case.
She is a very brainy woman who uses her logical scientific mind in her forensic science. But---she also uses her feelings in solving a case. When Dr. Scarpetta has a strong feeling or intuition about something, it's almost always something that she needs to pay attention to. Her feelings don't seem to steer her wrong, EXCEPT when she choses to ignore them.
I really like the characters, as I already mentioned.
But the plot was only so-so.
There is a completely baffling series of murders in several different locations.
The perpetrator or perpetrators seem to be toying with Scarpetta and her associates. The tension builds nicely.
But the reveal towards the end of the perp's identity and his or her m.o. was ultimately disappointing. As was the predictable final crisis scene in which Dr. Scarpetta is in danger. This scene occurs in every Scarpetta novel. At least in this one, Marino didn't save her.
But the ending leaves the reader unsatisfied.
Lorelei King is a mixed bag as an audio reader.
She starts off the narration in a deadpan monotone. However, she improves as she goes. She voices most of the characters quite well, although I thought she made Lucy sound a bit too girly.
I've been reading the Kay Scarpetta series for a few years now. Dr. Scarpetta is a forensic pathologist who now runs the CFC, the Cambridge Forensic Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
I didn't start at the beginning of the series and I haven't read all twenty-two books; but I have read a number of them.
Patricia Cornwell writes some of the most thoroughly researched police procedurals around.
This is a solid addition to the series, although the ending is ultimately unsatisfying. So overall, the book is good, but not exceptional.
I still like all of the major characters a lot. At this point, they're like old friends.
Pete Marino seems a lot happier working for the Cambridge P.D. instead of for Scarpetta. He's still his usual indiscreet, loud mouthed, often obnoxious self. But although he can be a jerk and frequently is, he's also an excellent investigator.
Lucy Farinelli, Dr. Scarpetta's tough, tech genius niece, is back too, with a new Ferrari. She's unusually uptight and preoccupied in this book.
Benton Wesley, Kay's FBI profiler husband, is still around. As usual, he's elegant and discreet.
Bryce still runs Dr. Scarpetta's office. And he's still his gossipy, flamboyant self.
Then there's Dr. Scarpetta herself.
Some reviewers complain that she is whining a lot.
I beg to differ.
I think she has more insight into herself now, and no longer denies it when she's angry, hurt or upset. She's actually grown more than the others, who are more or less unchanged.
She also has the self-control to (mostly) keep herself to herself, although those who know her well can read when she's unhappy.
She often feels hurt and betrayed when those she loves don't include her.
In this book, she feels particularly excluded. She knows that Benton and Lucy have information that they aren't sharing with her.
But Dr. Scarpetta is still the amazing forensic scientist she's always been, if she isn't always the best boss.
And she is still driven by her sense of justice and compassion.
Also, Dr. Scarpetta works with both sides of her brain, which is why her feelings are so important in resolving a case.
She is a very brainy woman who uses her logical scientific mind in her forensic science. But---she also uses her feelings in solving a case. When Dr. Scarpetta has a strong feeling or intuition about something, it's almost always something that she needs to pay attention to. Her feelings don't seem to steer her wrong, EXCEPT when she choses to ignore them.
I really like the characters, as I already mentioned.
But the plot was only so-so.
There is a completely baffling series of murders in several different locations.
The perpetrator or perpetrators seem to be toying with Scarpetta and her associates. The tension builds nicely.
But the reveal towards the end of the perp's identity and his or her m.o. was ultimately disappointing. As was the predictable final crisis scene in which Dr. Scarpetta is in danger. This scene occurs in every Scarpetta novel. At least in this one, Marino didn't save her.
But the ending leaves the reader unsatisfied.
Lorelei King is a mixed bag as an audio reader.
She starts off the narration in a deadpan monotone. However, she improves as she goes. She voices most of the characters quite well, although I thought she made Lucy sound a bit too girly.
November 14, 2014
I'm not sure why I keep reading the Scarpetta novels. They have become like exquisite French confections, so beautiful in the shop window, yet curiously unsatisfying when consumed. This one unsatisfied in three ways. First, it is a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers. And it brings back a character from Lucy's past that sent part of my attention on a wild goose chase -- do I know this character? is this in a previous book? did I miss a book somewhere in the series? which one? It's kind of hard to keep focussed on the current plot when looking for the one I may have missed. Finally, the first few chapters are so bizarrely unCornwellian in tone and vocabulary that I actually flipped to the front cover to make sure there wasn't a co-author; the narrative so studded with adjectives I nearly choked on them. Espresso a "robust sweetened stimulant"? C'mon, Kay doesn't talk like that. And yet, the plotting is so devious, so intriguing, I can't stop reading --- and will be first in line to see where this cliffhanger picks up next. Those tiny sweets are so enticing...
November 17, 2014
I looked forward to reading this, the 22nd book in the series featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a crack medical examiner. The previous book, Dust, was Cornwell's best in a while - I'd grown weary of a whiny Scarpetta whose mostly unfounded paranoia seemed to grow worse by each successive book. Turning on my Kindle Fire and loading up this one brought expectations of a return to the Scarpetta of old.
I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed; yes, Scarpetta continues to think the world revolves around her (pouting when she discovers her husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley, and her technologically gifted niece, Lucy, shared information they didn't immediately pass on to her, for instance). But for the most part, that's kept to a minimum as they try to identify and catch a serial sniper who may, in fact, be targeting one or all of them as well.
The game begins on Scarpetta's birthday as she and her husband are preparing to head to Miami for a week's vacation. As they fire up the grill to make dinner, though, she notices seven pennies lined up on a wall at the edge of their yard - all polished to a fare-thee-well and all dated 1981. As she muses about what that might mean, she gets a call from longtime cohort and detective Pete Marino telling her she's needed at the scene of a nearby homicide. It's the work of a very skilled sniper, who appears to have left not a shred of evidence behind except a few copper bits. Almost before the crawly things begin to invade this body, another one bites the dust. Clearly, someone is on a spree with no end in his or her sights (pun intended).
There's plenty of technical "stuff" here, particularly on the topic of ballistics (almost too much, in fact). But as the investigations continue, what little evidence turns up begins to turn the spotlight on Scarpetta, her husband and niece. Are one or all next on the killer's list? Or is there an even more sinister, more personal connection? And will Scarpetta and Wesley ever go on that long-awaited vacation?
Most of these questions are answered, but be forewarned that there's a cliff-hanger ending - an apparent attempt to generate a ready audience for what will be the 23rd book (and a tactic I dislike intensely, for the record - hence the 4 stars instead of 5). As a Cornwell fan, I plan to read it anyway - but knowing that I must read it to get to the ending of this one doesn't sit very well with me.
I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed; yes, Scarpetta continues to think the world revolves around her (pouting when she discovers her husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley, and her technologically gifted niece, Lucy, shared information they didn't immediately pass on to her, for instance). But for the most part, that's kept to a minimum as they try to identify and catch a serial sniper who may, in fact, be targeting one or all of them as well.
The game begins on Scarpetta's birthday as she and her husband are preparing to head to Miami for a week's vacation. As they fire up the grill to make dinner, though, she notices seven pennies lined up on a wall at the edge of their yard - all polished to a fare-thee-well and all dated 1981. As she muses about what that might mean, she gets a call from longtime cohort and detective Pete Marino telling her she's needed at the scene of a nearby homicide. It's the work of a very skilled sniper, who appears to have left not a shred of evidence behind except a few copper bits. Almost before the crawly things begin to invade this body, another one bites the dust. Clearly, someone is on a spree with no end in his or her sights (pun intended).
There's plenty of technical "stuff" here, particularly on the topic of ballistics (almost too much, in fact). But as the investigations continue, what little evidence turns up begins to turn the spotlight on Scarpetta, her husband and niece. Are one or all next on the killer's list? Or is there an even more sinister, more personal connection? And will Scarpetta and Wesley ever go on that long-awaited vacation?
Most of these questions are answered, but be forewarned that there's a cliff-hanger ending - an apparent attempt to generate a ready audience for what will be the 23rd book (and a tactic I dislike intensely, for the record - hence the 4 stars instead of 5). As a Cornwell fan, I plan to read it anyway - but knowing that I must read it to get to the ending of this one doesn't sit very well with me.
December 19, 2014
After a long journey with Cornwell last winter, in which I found myself learning all about the wonderfully complex Kay Scarpetta, I returned to read the latest in the collection. Set to celebrate her birthday, Scarpetta discovers an odd collection of seven shiny pennies on the wall in her backyard, all struck in 1981. After a call comes in regarding a random shooting, Scarpetta's plans of vacationing down in Miami set sail. As she gets more involved in the case, Scarpetta discovers that someone is surely trying to draw her attention with mocking items; first those pennies and now an engraved bullet with a '3'. Working with her former investigator, Pete Marino, as well as her profiler husband, Benton Wesley, Scarpetta begins to loosely connect a few other cases that enter her morgue, as though this killer might have no specified motive, or collection of victims. Things are heating up with eerie sensationalism in a case that baffles the entire investigative team. Meanwhile, Scarpetta's niece, Lucy, continues her wild and reckless living, but with recent events, all eyes are on her as the potential killer. Cornwell has picked up right where she left off (and I remember), with a high-impact thriller sure to keep fans quite entertained.
Cornwell has mastered the Scarpetta character and the nuances of all the supporting characters. In the many years the series has spanned, Cornwell keeps a strong hold on all her characters, without losing the essence of those who play an important role in the mystery and its solution. I enjoy the give and take, as well as the dry wit that Cornwell spins into her own wonderful stories. With each novel, the attentive reader learns more about the gang and is pulled even deeper into the wonders of Italian cuisine. This novel is no different, in that it constantly uses the narrative to refresh the reader about the backgrounds of all characters, while adding new branches to this ever-evolving story. Cornwell has a great handle on the series, its characters, and Scarpetta's fingerprint on all cases she works.
Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for this wonderful story, filled with all sorts of entertaining treats.
Cornwell has mastered the Scarpetta character and the nuances of all the supporting characters. In the many years the series has spanned, Cornwell keeps a strong hold on all her characters, without losing the essence of those who play an important role in the mystery and its solution. I enjoy the give and take, as well as the dry wit that Cornwell spins into her own wonderful stories. With each novel, the attentive reader learns more about the gang and is pulled even deeper into the wonders of Italian cuisine. This novel is no different, in that it constantly uses the narrative to refresh the reader about the backgrounds of all characters, while adding new branches to this ever-evolving story. Cornwell has a great handle on the series, its characters, and Scarpetta's fingerprint on all cases she works.
Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for this wonderful story, filled with all sorts of entertaining treats.
September 8, 2016
Flesh and Blood is the twenty-second book in the Kay Scarpetta series by American author, Patricia Cornwell. Kay and Benton are about to leave for a vacation in Florida when Kay spots seven shiny 1981 pennies on the back wall. There’s a shooting nearby, and Marino turns up quick as a flash to take Kay to the scene. Apparently, shooting bears similarities to two in New Jersey. On the way, Marino has an argument with a gardener. A teenage girl drowns, a nasty insurance agent hangs around a lot, a young tennis player confesses. Aaand from there the plot just gets more and more convoluted.
Things to like about Scarpetta 22:
• It’s much shorter than previous books (<400 pages vs 500+pages)
• There is a bit less mind-numbingly boring and mostly irrelevant detail (a bit less, not a lot less)
• There are some interesting facts about ballistics and bullets to the neck
Things to dislike about Scarpetta 22:
• It’s all still about Kay. Everything is about how it affects Kay, every word, gesture, facial expression, painstakingly (or painfully) analysed for meaning. (yawn)
• Not a lot of medical examining going on
• The same old secrets and paranoia “Deceit. Lucy has her own agenda and she and Benton have been talking. She’s lying to me and so is he”
• Same unlikeable characters: paranoid Kay, aloof Benton, obnoxious Marino, lawless Lucy. Bryce is the only breath of fresh air.
• Kay is still unhappy with the behaviour of her staff (ho hum)
• Dialogue still wooden
• Same tired old plot: a show-off serial killer out to get Kay/Benton/Lucy/Marino
• Cliff hanger ending: gee, thanks but no thanks all the same
Hmm, not looking good for Scarpetta 23. Yep, it’s a pretty easy decision to make: Bye bye Kay.
Things to like about Scarpetta 22:
• It’s much shorter than previous books (<400 pages vs 500+pages)
• There is a bit less mind-numbingly boring and mostly irrelevant detail (a bit less, not a lot less)
• There are some interesting facts about ballistics and bullets to the neck
Things to dislike about Scarpetta 22:
• It’s all still about Kay. Everything is about how it affects Kay, every word, gesture, facial expression, painstakingly (or painfully) analysed for meaning. (yawn)
• Not a lot of medical examining going on
• The same old secrets and paranoia “Deceit. Lucy has her own agenda and she and Benton have been talking. She’s lying to me and so is he”
• Same unlikeable characters: paranoid Kay, aloof Benton, obnoxious Marino, lawless Lucy. Bryce is the only breath of fresh air.
• Kay is still unhappy with the behaviour of her staff (ho hum)
• Dialogue still wooden
• Same tired old plot: a show-off serial killer out to get Kay/Benton/Lucy/Marino
• Cliff hanger ending: gee, thanks but no thanks all the same
Hmm, not looking good for Scarpetta 23. Yep, it’s a pretty easy decision to make: Bye bye Kay.
December 1, 2014
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!
It is official. I am finished with this series. As far as I am concerned, Cornwell has taken these characters as far as she can, and then she has taken them even farther.
This book was a horrible read. First, I had a hard time getting into it (was finally successful when I jumped in at about page 75) and then when I actually got into it, things just didn't seem to flow. Also, towards the end of the story ... the scuba diving scene that should have been tied to the climax ... I have no idea. It just sort of fizzled. -- I remember more time being dedicated in a scuba scene (climax) in an old Magnum, P.I. television episode than what went on here. I do think Cornwell was trying to perhaps build up the suspense and then cutaway to the "afterwards". She was not successful.
There is a side story. Janet's sister is dying and she wants Janet to take and raise her little boy. Lucy doesn't want to have anything to do with this, which makes zero sense. She comes from an environment where mom did not want her / could not raise her and Kay had to step in. You would think that because of this Lucy would be more sympathetic / compassionate, but no, not really. This is a "child" that really needs to "grow up".
Anyways, no more. I'm finished.
It is official. I am finished with this series. As far as I am concerned, Cornwell has taken these characters as far as she can, and then she has taken them even farther.
This book was a horrible read. First, I had a hard time getting into it (was finally successful when I jumped in at about page 75) and then when I actually got into it, things just didn't seem to flow. Also, towards the end of the story ... the scuba diving scene that should have been tied to the climax ... I have no idea. It just sort of fizzled. -- I remember more time being dedicated in a scuba scene (climax) in an old Magnum, P.I. television episode than what went on here. I do think Cornwell was trying to perhaps build up the suspense and then cutaway to the "afterwards". She was not successful.
There is a side story. Janet's sister is dying and she wants Janet to take and raise her little boy. Lucy doesn't want to have anything to do with this, which makes zero sense. She comes from an environment where mom did not want her / could not raise her and Kay had to step in. You would think that because of this Lucy would be more sympathetic / compassionate, but no, not really. This is a "child" that really needs to "grow up".
Anyways, no more. I'm finished.
December 28, 2022
The book starts out great. A man is shot and killed by a sniper. The number 3 is engraved on the side of the recovered casing. As Dr. Scarpetta and her team search for clues, they realize this isn't the first murder. There's very little evidence but enough to know someone is after Scarpetta and her family. Cornwell depicts great action combined with vivid scenery.
Patricia Cornwell novels are hit and miss with me. This one was a hit until the last several chapters. I didn't like the ending. Although not horrible it left this reader disappointed.
Patricia Cornwell novels are hit and miss with me. This one was a hit until the last several chapters. I didn't like the ending. Although not horrible it left this reader disappointed.
October 4, 2015
I thought I'd give Cornwell another chance after several years away from the series. Totally not worth it as Kay perfectly prepares gourmet meals in her gourmet kitchen while still being an expert pathologist. Of course she is great at being a helicopter pilot - a hobby picked up in this book. She is too perfect and irritating and Lucy has become an annoyance.
Had an editor taken a scalpel to sections of this novel it would've been vastly improved. In a few places the book was interesting thus earning it a grudging 3 stars. I definitely won't be giving this author another chance though.
Had an editor taken a scalpel to sections of this novel it would've been vastly improved. In a few places the book was interesting thus earning it a grudging 3 stars. I definitely won't be giving this author another chance though.
December 5, 2014
Unfortunately, this is being added to my DNF list, which says a lot because I don't have many books sitting on that list.
I am not sure if it is the fact that it has been a while since I have read a Scarpetta novel or what, but this book was nothing like I remember the previous books to be. Nowhere close to the Kay Scarpetta/Patricia Cornwell I knew and loved.
I didn't even make it half way through before I had to set the book aside and move on. I tried once or twice to go back, but totally wasn't happening. I could not connect to the characters. It felt very lacking in plot, and the characters just felt whiny and angry all the time. With so little time and many more books to read, I do not have the time to force myself to read a book I am just not feeling.
At this point, I will stick to my rereads of the older books in this series, as other reviewers have stated it is time for Cornwell to retire our beloved Scarpetta.
Thank you, William Morrow, for a complimentary copy of Flesh and Blood.
I am not sure if it is the fact that it has been a while since I have read a Scarpetta novel or what, but this book was nothing like I remember the previous books to be. Nowhere close to the Kay Scarpetta/Patricia Cornwell I knew and loved.
I didn't even make it half way through before I had to set the book aside and move on. I tried once or twice to go back, but totally wasn't happening. I could not connect to the characters. It felt very lacking in plot, and the characters just felt whiny and angry all the time. With so little time and many more books to read, I do not have the time to force myself to read a book I am just not feeling.
At this point, I will stick to my rereads of the older books in this series, as other reviewers have stated it is time for Cornwell to retire our beloved Scarpetta.
Thank you, William Morrow, for a complimentary copy of Flesh and Blood.
February 6, 2019
DNFed by page 198.
Flesh and Blood had an interesting plot but uninteresting characters and dry writing . . . And I just couldn't go on. Kay Scarpetta's voice wasn't engaging and her thought process is annoying.
If you're reading this, sorry James. I really wanted to enjoy our chosen book for our buddy-read. But still, I'm looking forward to our discussion :)
Flesh and Blood had an interesting plot but uninteresting characters and dry writing . . . And I just couldn't go on. Kay Scarpetta's voice wasn't engaging and her thought process is annoying.
If you're reading this, sorry James. I really wanted to enjoy our chosen book for our buddy-read. But still, I'm looking forward to our discussion :)
December 5, 2014
I've been reading Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series for many years. I feel like I know Scarpetta and the other regular characters personally so I always look forward to their next adventure. One of the characters though has always stretched my powers of belief too far. Scarpetta's niece Lucy is just too brilliant, too rich, too strong, too everything. Everyone else has faults that make them believable.
In Flesh and Blood Lucy is acting strangely and suspiciously, and it begins to look like someone is trying to frame her for a series of murders. Of course Lucy isn't talking to anyone about her obvious problem so no one can help but Scarpetta is about the only person really confident that Lucy isn't involved in something illegal.
Scarpetta and her husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley, are scheduled to leave for a Miami vacation when a man is killed in his driveway by a sniper far away. Investigating this and other murders leads the team to a real estate company run by a politician. One of the company's employees keeps tailing Kay and Benton and seems to know too much about them, even the condo Benton has rented for their vacation. No clues are left with the victims except fragments of copper and in one body a complete bullet. Oddly, someone has placed seven shiny pennies on the wall around Scarpetta's back yard, each dated 1981, the year Lucy was born, and each facing the same way. Other items at murder scenes also show compulsive behavior.
In the end I was dissatisfied with this novel. I'm not saying it's a bad book. I don't think Cornwell could write a bad novel if she worked at it. What I am saying is that this one is a disappointment. Scarpetta and Marino are caught in an enormous traffic jam for too long (although since they're in Boston I understand) and are simply getting messages from others about ongoing investigations. Throughout the story Scarpetta seems not to be part of the action and Benton is obviously keeping secrets from her.
It's an intricate puzzle that took some work on my part to keep up with and in the end I didn't feel like it was all wrapped up. I didn't feel like Cornwell played fair with the identity of the killer either although I can't say why for fear of a spoiler. My advice? If you are a die-hard fan, you'll probably read this one to keep up with the characters but if you aren't, read any other book in the series rather than this one.
Recommended only for Scarpetta fans
Source: HarperCollins
In Flesh and Blood Lucy is acting strangely and suspiciously, and it begins to look like someone is trying to frame her for a series of murders. Of course Lucy isn't talking to anyone about her obvious problem so no one can help but Scarpetta is about the only person really confident that Lucy isn't involved in something illegal.
Scarpetta and her husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley, are scheduled to leave for a Miami vacation when a man is killed in his driveway by a sniper far away. Investigating this and other murders leads the team to a real estate company run by a politician. One of the company's employees keeps tailing Kay and Benton and seems to know too much about them, even the condo Benton has rented for their vacation. No clues are left with the victims except fragments of copper and in one body a complete bullet. Oddly, someone has placed seven shiny pennies on the wall around Scarpetta's back yard, each dated 1981, the year Lucy was born, and each facing the same way. Other items at murder scenes also show compulsive behavior.
In the end I was dissatisfied with this novel. I'm not saying it's a bad book. I don't think Cornwell could write a bad novel if she worked at it. What I am saying is that this one is a disappointment. Scarpetta and Marino are caught in an enormous traffic jam for too long (although since they're in Boston I understand) and are simply getting messages from others about ongoing investigations. Throughout the story Scarpetta seems not to be part of the action and Benton is obviously keeping secrets from her.
It's an intricate puzzle that took some work on my part to keep up with and in the end I didn't feel like it was all wrapped up. I didn't feel like Cornwell played fair with the identity of the killer either although I can't say why for fear of a spoiler. My advice? If you are a die-hard fan, you'll probably read this one to keep up with the characters but if you aren't, read any other book in the series rather than this one.
Recommended only for Scarpetta fans
Source: HarperCollins
January 12, 2015
(1.5 stars)
This series of books used to be one of my favourites but it recent years the stories have not felt strong and simply full of coincidence or people trying to hurt Scarpetta/family - more so than in earlier cases. This one is the weakest to date, and admittedly it took me a few hours to get 20 pages in because of the hilariously embarrassing opening scene between Kay and Benton.
In total there was four bodies and there was not the kind of autopsy scenes that were interesting, instead favouring her juniors missing evidence and cutting out the reconstruction of a shooting. The part that annoyed me most though was the "Two days later" jump that occurred at the pivotal moment of the investigation because they were experiencing bad weather in Florida.
It no longer feels like Patricia Cornwell writing yet the conclusion to these killings was just so that Scarpetta can continue for a few more books as they avoid being attacked by a character who really should have stayed away. I even expected more diving because following the author on social media made it seem as though this would be a main part. The scene which actually came from it was lacklustre and it was revealed Scarpetta had a head camera to record it which she had not watched - the Kay of old would have made sure she watched that regardless of what her family argued.
This series of books used to be one of my favourites but it recent years the stories have not felt strong and simply full of coincidence or people trying to hurt Scarpetta/family - more so than in earlier cases. This one is the weakest to date, and admittedly it took me a few hours to get 20 pages in because of the hilariously embarrassing opening scene between Kay and Benton.
In total there was four bodies and there was not the kind of autopsy scenes that were interesting, instead favouring her juniors missing evidence and cutting out the reconstruction of a shooting. The part that annoyed me most though was the "Two days later" jump that occurred at the pivotal moment of the investigation because they were experiencing bad weather in Florida.
It no longer feels like Patricia Cornwell writing yet the conclusion to these killings was just so that Scarpetta can continue for a few more books as they avoid being attacked by a character who really should have stayed away. I even expected more diving because following the author on social media made it seem as though this would be a main part. The scene which actually came from it was lacklustre and it was revealed Scarpetta had a head camera to record it which she had not watched - the Kay of old would have made sure she watched that regardless of what her family argued.
November 21, 2014
I admit the the last couple of books have not been as good as they were in the beginning, but I love these characters. I enjoyed this one but I admit that the ending has me worried. From a simple explanation earlier in the book, the last word, "SNAP" left me with a feeling of dread. Please don't let it be what I think it means.
Will be looking forward to the next book with trepidation.
Will be looking forward to the next book with trepidation.
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