| Product: |
Book of the Dead - Patricia Cornwell |
| Date: |
01/05/08 (125 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Part of the series, so good for die hard fans
Disadvantages: The series is just getting boring and depressing.
===Overview===
Book of the Dead is the fifteenth novel in the Scarpetta series, written by Patricia Cornwell. For those who are not familiar with the stories, Kay Scarpetta is a trusted Forensic Pathologist who is extremely unfortunate enough to keep running accross numerous phsycopathic murderers. Luckily, with the help from her fiery but brilliant, millionaire neice, ex-detective and chauventistic side-kick Marino and ex-FBI profiler & long term partner Benton, she usually manages to come good and save the day. Even if there are a few life changing hiccups along the way.
===My Synopsis===
From the very first line we are catapulted into the mind of the killer. It is obvious he is above average intelligence and extremely dangerous. He calmy and coldly describes the torture of his victim and her inevitable end, he is completely without remorse.
Several days later, the body of Drew Martin, a 16 year old tennis prodigy is found savagely mutilated and dumped in Rome. Kay and Benton are brought in to help the Italian law enforcement, specifically, Captain Otto Poma, who seems to have a 'thing' for Kay . This of course does nothing to endear him to Benton, who is struggling to understand Kay's commitment , or lack of it, to their relationship.
Back home in Charleston, life does not seem to be much better. Kay has had to downsize considerably while still fiercely trying to protect her privacy. When an overambitious and very creepy funeral home attendant tries to deliver a body to her home it sparks a chain of events which make her question her safety. Against the wishes of her nearest and dearest she opts to trust a near stranger, but is this a huge mistake?
Marino is also having problems. His mood continues to deteriorate and he has serious issues with his self worth. His choice in women hasn't got any better either but he is just too blind with jealousy and self loathing to realise Shandy, the new girlfriend has major problems and jealousy issues of her own and a disturbing interest in one of Scarpettas cases, the abuse and death of a little boy. Her teasing and goading leads him to make terrible mistakes in the morgue. When it becommes evident that the morgue ledger, or the 'book of the dead' has been tampered with Kay and Marino's fragile friendship takes a serious beating, but is it one Kay can forgive this time?
Meanwhile Benton finds himself grudgingly involved with treating ex t.v physco-analyst Dr Self who we have met before in the last novel, Predator . Dr Self is dillusional and fueled by her hatred of Kay Scarpetta. It soon becomes clear she has ties to some of the victims, but is that all?
===My Conclusion===
I began reading the Scarpetta novels about eight years ago and was quickly hooked. I bought and read all these books up to date and since have eagerly awaited the release of each new hardback. The last couple though I have found disappointing. The characters are beginning to stale. Kay's tight laced ways are starting to annoy me, after all she has been through you would think she would learn to live life a little! Her neice, Lucy was fun whilst she was dealing with all the changes growing up brings, and although being intense and hot headed, I feel her character could be so much more. You may notice I haven't mentioned her above, because I don't feel there was much worth writing about unfortunately. Marino always has been (and still is) homophobic and chauvenistic but has also become depressing. I want the old Marino back! On the good side, Cornwell is as descriptive as ever and some of her writing, especially through the mind of the killer as he described his past was quite haunting.
===Recommended?===
Only if you are a die hard Scarpetta fan. You can read this without reading the previous novels, but the history & relationships between the main characters will be lost, making it worse. And, there is always the hope it is just a weak link and the next book will be better! I would recommend reading the previous novels though, as I think they are much better. Although the earlier books lost me a little with all the medical and technical jargon, I still found them easier to read.
===Information===
Released 23/10/07 in hardback, 416 pages by Putnam. RRP £18.99, although currently avaliable for £9.99 new from Amazon.
For info on this book and all the others by Patricia Cornwell, visit www.patriciacornwell.com.
This review is also posted on Ciao.
Summary: Don't read if this is your first Scarpetta, read the early ones first or this will put you off!
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