Point of Origin (Unabridged)

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Summary: WARNING SOME OF THESE REVIEWS SPOIL THE BOOK!
Review: I HAD TO SAY THAT AFTER BEING "TREATED" TO SEVERAL OF THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS THAT SPOIL ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE NOVEL. HOW DISPPOINTING! With that said, I really enjoyed POINT OF ORIGIN. I'd nearly given up on Cornwell, after the past three disappointing Scarpetta novels. My criticisms of those hold true for POINT; (a) frankly, I don't care as much about Lucy as Cornwell obviously does. I just don't see the purpose served by all the text devoted to her. She spouts technobabble and explains it to Scarpetta and Marino. The rest of it, well, I find her a poorly-sketched character even after all these novels. (b) second, the Marino character is growing tiresome. I still care about him much more than I do Lucy, but, the device (and that's what he seems like now) is OLD now (but, to Cornwell's credit, it's been imitated ad nauseum). HOWEVER, yes, I enjoyed this book. The focus is on VICTIMS, not on getting-in-the-heads of serial killers. We see the devastating effects the events of past novels have taken on the stalwart Scarpetta. This adds to her believable traits. Then, there's the triumphant return to what gets THIS reader turning pages, the descriptions, from Scarpetta, of all the deliciously grisly little procedures and details and such. (come ON, I'm not reading this for the love scenes!)Cornwell walks a fine line with this stuff, and she walks it as surely as she did way back in THE BODY FARM. My faith has been renewed a bit, less written-for-contract-and-film-op schlock, and more poetic contrasts of death and life...

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Summary: Not Ms. Cornwells best.
Review: I really did not like this book for many reasons. I especially hated the ending. Lucy continues to get on my nerves. I will definitely read her earlier books again since I liked them better than these newer ones.

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Summary: Excellent - shame about the ending
Review: This was an excellent book! I couldn't put it down. The only thing I would have to say was the end went too quickly - it just seemed too easy. Now I'm going to start reading all the other Kay Scarpetta books that I've missed out on.

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Summary: Lobotomy anyone?
Review: I really don't like to criticize as I think it takes a great deal of talent to write to begin with. However, I feel compelled to do so due to the amount of effort that I've put into starting Ms. Cornwell's books. I have spent many months looking for her first book and finally chose this one instead. Bad choice! This book will be my "first" and last. I've read the other reviews and am flabergasted over the "great" comments - some of them claiming it to be the "best"! Wow! PC actually introduced a clue without any follow-up! The clue was never mentioned again (can YOU remember what it was?)! PoO was not THE most mind-knumbing book I've had the dubious privilege of plodding through, but it certainly ranks right up there. The ME's character did a lot of nerve-grating whining throughout the chapters and the plot didn't really have any direction...This piece of "factual" fiction put me into such a state that I can't even tell you how the thing ended because I was comotose by then. Now that time has passed, my coma has lifted and I hope to overcome Cornwell's miasma. The fact that I feel this way is a great sadness to me.

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Summary: what about explanations
Review: I thought that this book lack what every other book did. Cornwell did not fully explain the point of origins of the fires. I also did not like the fact that Kay had finally found someone she truly loved and loved her and was cut from the series. there was no point. Is she going to pine away as a lonely divorcee? Lucy is becoming a more interesting character though. As the series has progressed, Lucy has slowly become a real character, not just the smart niece.

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Summary: We share Scarpetta's loss
Review: Point of Origin was my second Cornwell novel. It was without doubt the best book I have read all year, and inspired me to read all the other Cornwell books. I agree that Cornwell's plots and characters can be predictable and that the narration can leave a lot to be desired. However, nobody can match Cornwell for the sheer tension in her novels, and the insight she gives into her lead character - Scarpetta's demons become our demons. We share her world and her fears, right down to the medical details in the autopsy rooms. When Benton dies, we feel her grief. Those who say Scarpetta is depressing miss the point. I cried when Benton died. I have not found another book to affect me so profoundly.

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Summary: PC'S BEST SO FAR
Review: AS A BIG FAN OF THE SCARPETTA SERIES I FOUND THIS THE BEST SO FAR. IT WAS A DEFINITE PAGE TURNER AND I JUST COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I WAS SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF BENTON AND I WAS GLAD TO SEE CARRIE GOT WHAT SHE DESERVED. CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT PATRICIA CORNWELL BOOK.

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Summary: Allrite but boreing in some plases.!
Review: This book was ok but it did get a bit tioueds arter a little while, It is slightly boreing but it had its good bits. Like when Bentot died wasent that cool huh?

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Summary: This was Cornwell's worst book.
Review: Ok, what's up, Patricia? Are you leaving room for yet another sequel...haven't you found out yet that your sequels usually fail. I was totally disappointed in this book altogether. I suppose killing Benton off was a way in which to introduce another lover (perhaps Lucy's new boss)? Perhaps Kay and Marino should just hook up and get it over with. In between making love, Kay could nag him to death. Cornwell's first few books were truly her best. We, as her fans, can only hope she goes back to that style of writing.

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Summary: Must Read...Not To be Put Down till completed Reading
Review: This was my first book, for Patricia Cornwell and the Scarpetta mysteries...I am addicted. I have gone to several bookstores to buy all her books. Patricia Cornwell is exciting, and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Totally committed to reading the entire series. Exciting to go back and read previous books, to learn about Kay, Marino, Wesley and Kay's niece. Thanks for the enjoyment...