Rating: 
Summary: Bloody rubbish.
Review: This is an awfully bad novel. And I am a not a disappointed Scarpetta fan who thought he was buying yet another in that series. It was because I had vowed never to read another tale about that miserable whingeing emotionally pathetic woman and her cardboard cut-out dysfunctional niece that I was pleased to part with good money for this execrable pile of ordure. Ms Cornwell normally writes well, and can construct a story line which is strong enough to withstand more than passing inspection. However this effort defies description. It is very very hard to write good a good humorous novel and this one doesn't even come close to one. Someone should tell Ms Cornwell that a litany of exceptionally silly names and a bucket full of double-entendre does not a humorous-novel make. The story line is as weak and as appealing as dishwater and the characters are two-dimentional, paper-thin and unappealing, even the so-called hero. It took me a while to realize that this was an attempt at humour. My first clue was the growing list of idiotic names. My next was the stupidity of the characters and the final proof came at the attempts to be funny with the already tiresome names. I can just imagine a group of pre-pubescent schoolboys huddled together in a corner giggling and clutching their sides while dipping into the treasures of this novel. Enough. If I could obtain a refund for the 10 pounds I shelled out for this rubbish I would be less irritated. Don't buy this book unless you have only recently graduated from The Beano and The National Inquirer.
Rating:
Summary: Vulgar, common characters result in dismal book.
Review: Cornwell's former books were entertaining, witty and unoffensive. This book, about predejudice, bizarre, brutal characters and a beleaguered southern city is nothing new, though it borders on boring vulgarity. I am very disappointed in this book and regret even more that I purchased it.
Rating: 
Summary: Please bring Kay Scarpetta back!!!!
Review: The book is so so. It pales in comparison to her other books. Bring back Kay Scarpetta and her crew.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the effort.
Review: This book was pure drivel. The juxtaposition of the story with the anthropomorphic traits of the pets was more than anyone should have to endure. That Ms. Cromwell would have us believe that animals have the ability to think at levels well beyond the human characters in the book shows that she has lost touch with reality. I wish I hadn't wasted my time reading the half of the book I was able to get through.
Rating:
Summary: very disappointing
Review: For some reason, many detective/police procedural authors at some point get an irresistable urge to be funny (Reginald King's new series), far out (Ruth Rendall's non-Wexford books) or satirical as in the case of Cornwell's Southern Cross. Somehow, I managed to finish it, probably because of Andy Brazil. As a woman, I find it hard to identify with either Hammond or West, and the whole business of their pets wants to be madcap but is just silly and also distracting. Also who wants to read about characters who cant handle a computer and who can't imagine that a southerner could go hunt racoons and not be concerns with racial attacks. Ick. What a contrast to Scarpetta who (even if Cornwell is an any event not the best of writers) was still a compelling and credible character. From now on before buying a Cornwell book I will check to see which to which group it belongs. Unless, she takes a hint from the overwhelming majority of these reviews and drops this bunch.
Rating:
Summary: not her best book---maybe worst.
Review: cornwell must be trying to imitate carl hiassen. that being the case her attempts at humor are so bad that i'd rather read hiassen if i want humor in my mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Very poor literature. Pointless storyline.
Review: Read all of her books. This novel is so poorly written that I cancelled my Amazon order for her new novel that is to be released in July. Before I waste any additional dollars on this author I'll certainly need positive imput from other readers. THIS BOOK DOES NOT EVEN WARRANT ONE STAR!
Rating:
Summary: Extemely disappointed
Review: I have read all of Patricia Cornwell's books which I thoroughly enjoyed. but Southern Cross was a huge disappointment. It was too busy and too hard to follow. I couldn't wait to finish the book, not because I liked it, but because I just wanted to get it over with. Each time I picked up the book I dreaded it, but I finish every book I start, good or bad, and this book was bad. I will have second thoughts about picking up another Cornwell book. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, so I will probably give her one more shot before I either give her up or continue on.
Rating:
Summary: Terrible. Her worst book ever!
Review: I'm an avid reader of Patricia Cornwell. I've thoroughly enjoyed all her books, but this one was a waste of my time. I could NOT get into it. I was extremely disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I've read all of Patricia D. Cornwell books, and this one is the most disappointing. A contrived plot that does not flow well. Characters that appear constructed rather than existing. It seems the book was written to meet some sort of deadline rather than carefully conceived, developed and finalized.
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