Feeling in the need for a thriller and wanting to broaden my horizons beyond the UK, I decided to try something from one of the top US crime writers whose books can be found on our shelves at work. Patricia Cornwell’s heroine is Dr Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner for ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms), the federal law enforcement agency. In ‘Point of Origin’ (I’ll resist the temptation to call it POO), she is getting ready for a short break with her boyfriend, former FBI profiler Benton Wesley, when a cryptic, sinister letter comes through the post. It is signed by Carrie Grethen, a psycho killer (and former lover of her niece Lucy) whom ...  Read the complete review

I have always loved Patricia Cornwell's writing and her books. She is a sharp woman with great writing skills, and her knowledge of forensic science is certainly part of the reason people come back to read her again and again. This book was extremely depressing, more than frigtening because we've been through these same things with Scarpetta and her niece before. How many times can one person deal with such tragedy and loss in their lives. At a certain point, this becomes unbelieveable (except for the Kennedy family), and the reader loses interest. Yes, the author is aging her protagonist and life does change, but must it always be so negative? I get ...  Read the complete review

This was the first Patricia Cornwell book I ever read, and it had me hooked in a matter of minutes. I was instantly drawn in - I felt I knew the characters, and needed to know what happened to them. That is the key to Cornwell's writing. The range of characters, all of whom develop convincingly, and make you want to know them. The book is a magnificent achievement on so many fronts at once. The technical detail is perfect, the plot sufficiently cunning, and the pacing superb. This is not a Columbo mystery, where we all know who did it except Columbo. We no know more than Dr. Scarpetta, and are invited to speculate with her about various possibilities. ...  Read the complete review

I have read many many titles in the Dr Kay Scarpetta series. All which have kept me gripped, however this one is by far the best! We once again see the psychotic Carrie Grethen appear, and plan her revenge on Scarpetta and her loved ones, namely Lucy, Benton and Marino. This book was so gripping, I could not put it down, and i'm sure my fingers left burn marks on the pages. The character Dr Scarpetta has gone up immensly in my estimations, in this fine novel she comes across as strong and more determined than ever, considering the harrowing circumstances which she is in. I had not read the previous book in the series, to which ...  Read the complete review

Patricia Cornwall returns with another great novel. Kay Scarpetta returns with a new laboratory and a new case. A Building has been burnt to the ground and a body has been found in the bathroom. But, what has happened?? well Scarpetta teams up with her boyfriend benton, neice lucy, her cop friend and a woman from ATF which leads her to a conclusion that is filled with a huge twist that makes you want to pick up another one of Patrica Cornwall's books just to see what else is in store for this medical investigator. Although for some laymen the terminology of the medical side of the book could be a little confusing, I would say this book has it ...  Read the complete review