“I've been a Cornwell fan since I read her first book. I've had some complaints about her recent books ("Blow Fly" was probably the worst). This is getting back to her roots, but still the magic of her earlier books isn't there. I hate what she has done with the character of Marino. In earlier works, I kind of pictured Marino as an Ed Asner type, but now he's buff and bald and riding motorcycles and I've lost my picture of him. I also loved the working relationship they had, and now it seems non-existent. I also don't like the way she has taken her niece Lucy. The thing I've enjoyed in previous Cornwell books was the weay that these three and Scarpetta's male friend, Benton Wesley worked together to solve crimes. Now...I don't know. The story was so convoluted and there was such a dark undertone to everything. Lucy hates herself, Kay isn't speaking to Benton because he kept Lucy's confidence about a health problem, Marino is whoring after anything with tits and have a love-hate relationship with both Kay and Lucy. The story held my interest, but it just wasn't her best. Also the evil Basil Jenrette, on whom the story appears to hang, has an almost non-existent role that fizzles out in the end. He can't even try to kill Kay and make it gripping. For Cornwell fans, this is a good read. If it's your first Cornwell book, go back and start at the beginning, when they seem to have had more substance.”
