Brilliant (Point of Origin - Patricia Cornwell)

Member Name: Pingu

Product:	Point of Origin - Patricia Cornwell
Date:	27/06/00 (40 review reads)
Rating:

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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.
Cornwell's use of the English language is not particularly profound. In fact when she tries to be poetic it sticks out like a sore thumb. Her language is essentially functional, but fairly soon I stopped noticing, as the sheer power of the plot drew me in.
READ IT!! But don't read it first. It does contain important flashbacks to other cases which kind of ruined them for me.

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