Hornet's Nest

Rating:
Summary: awful
Review: Unfortunately, my review is only about the first 60 pages. I couldn't read any further--it was too awful. The plot didn't seem too bad but the quality of writing was what made me throw the book down. I couldn't take it any more. The sentences were so amateurish--they were long, the subject changed mid-sentence, many details just seemed to have been thrown in for good measure. It was just torture for me to read. It was as if Cornwell sat down at the PC and just wrote, as final copy, the story, with no rewrites. Where was her editor?

Rating:
Summary: Jump, Little Children is the only exciting part.
Review: I love the Kay Scarpetta character, and missed her sorley in this book. Unfortunately, since I am Patricia Cornwell fan, I was disappointed at all aspects of this novel because when I read one of her stories, I always intend to be entertained. The characters are boring, and a little too perfect. Andy Brazil is the typical pretty boy overachiever with a slight temper problem. The only other "quirk" he has, immaturity, is a result of his young age. And the plot is a little too predictable. The other characters, too, have very few human qualities. It is tough believing that this tale could actually unfold in Charlotte, North Carolina. Obviously, the author has visited the city, because her descriptions are accurate. The only thing that really kept my interest as I finished the book was the reference to Jump, Little Children as a band that is setting up to play while two of the characters are having a heated discussion. (Jump, Little Children is an actual band that has built quite a respectable following in Georgia and the Carolinas.) I kept reading to see if they make another appearance in the story.

Rating:
Summary: I kept waiting for it to get better.
Review: I couldn't wait to purchase another Kay Scarpetta adventure. Surprised was I when she was no where to be read. I slugged through it but was very disappointed. Please go back to Kay's adventures.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to believe this book was written by a professional
Review: As a long-time reader of Ms. Cornwell, I was intrigued to pick up a copy of a book not involving Kay Scarpetta. After only a few pages, I was startled to discover how utterly poorly this book was written! The characters are either cartoonish stereotypes or just plain unbelievable. The prose is stilted and the plot simply strains credulity. It is, in fact, one of the worst books I have ever read. I find it dificult to believe that a proffessional author of Ms. Cromwell's stature could have written a book this amateurish at the height of her creative powers. I would love to know the inside story as to why she ever allowed this book to be released. It would be plausible to me if she had perhaps written this book years ago as a college student and was curious as to what the reaction to it would be or if she was under some deadline from her publisher which she could not meet with a more thoughtfully written book. I can think of no other explanation as to how a successfully published author could produce such shoddy work.

Rating:
Summary: Worst book I ever read!!
Review: This is the worst book I have ever read. Couldn't keep my attention as it was going every where and not pulling it together. Wasn't making any sense at all.

Rating:
Summary: Not the usual cornwell that we are accustomed to seeing
Review: I found this book to be slow starting, although I am a faithful follower of all of Cornwells "Scarpetta" novels, i found this to be off to a slow start. Cornwell did a wonderful job of explaining her charachters although there was a little left to be desired with the explanation of this "criminals mind". Give it a try, we can't expect all of them to be about "Scarpetta and Lucy".

Rating:
Summary: YUK! Couldn't Even Finish It!!!
Review: This book is so disappointing. I had very much enjoyed several of the Kay Scarpetta novels and was a bit dubious that this book didn't feature her, but gave it a try anyway. It is simply awful. Halfway through I decided it was a big waste of time -- and judging by the other reviews here, it was a good decision.

Rating:
Summary: A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR CORNWELL! THIS BOOK WAS TERRIBLE!!
Review: I've read almost all of Cornwell's books, and this is by far, the worst book she has ever written. What happened to Scarpetta? This was one of the most boring books that I have ever read. Don't even bother to read it!

Rating:
Summary: Not a bit as good as the Kay Scarpetta series.
Review: Very disappointed. I, like one or two others I guess, picked this up quickly at an aiport just before a flight on the basis that it was another Kay Scarpetta story. I settled down to read it and oh-boy was I disappointed - please Patricia Cornwell no more like this.

Rating:
Summary: Not a Scarpetta, but a slice of life story
Review: I almost didn't read this book because of what critics, paid and unpaid said. However, I just finished reading Point of Origin and I needed to read more Cornwell and Hornet's Nest was the only unread title. I was pleasantly surprised with this book and its characters. I cared about Virginia, Andy and Judy and what went on in their lives. I like the way Ms. Cornwell describes her characters and the way she does it in this book is a total departure from the Scarpetta books, so if you're looking for a Scarpetta by a different name, you aren't going to get it. I have to say I was sorry to reach the end of the book and hope there is a sequel. The cat who receives messages from the bank tower is a bit of a stretch, but as a cat owner, most of the cat's other behaviors were right on! It was refreshing that the end of the book just stopped as opposed to tying everything up neatly with a bow.