Southern Cross

Rating:
Summary: It doesn't deserve a star.
Review: This book should have been called "How to write a book in 8 hours". There is no way Patricia Cornwell could have given this poorly written, ridiculously-named characters, no plot, boring (need I go on) more than 8 hours of thought. The best thing about this book is that it is only 280 pages. The most action it has is reading the "F---" word at least three times per page, which I had enough of by the second chapter. I am very pleased that I received the book for free through my book club, otherwise I might have to write to her demanding my money back. She had better come up with better books in the future or she will lose fans. I will certainly think twice before I purchase another one of her books. Actually I will wait until my local library has it in so that I will not waste my money. Unfortunately, it will probably cost me my time.

Rating:
Summary: AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL
Review: Worst book I ever read. Pat must have taken a strong dislike to our southern city and some of the more affluent folk. Why else would she waste time having this junk published?

Rating:
Summary: Totally unsophisticated writing attempt
Review: If this is Cornwell's sense of humor she should stay in the morgue with Kay Scarpetta. This is the WEIRDEST book I have read in a long time. Long stretches of painfully boring descriptions of pointless events and juvenile pranks ... lowbrow slapstick humor, suddenly interspersed with incredibly twisted moments of meanness. Bowels that keep emptying, in fear, or death, or bathroom humor. If not for the violence and language, I'd pass the book on to my 8-year old. He would probably think the book is hysterical, but I sure don't. I can't believe this writer is one of the most highly paid authors today. That's as revolting to me as all her defecation scenes. The whole book was an excuse for Cornwell's gee-it-was-funny-after-that-bottle-of-wine humor. The quality of writing is ruining Scarpetta for me.

Rating:
Summary: Not Cornwell's best, but better than most authors
Review: Cornwell has done brilliant writing with her Kaye Scarpetta series and the characters in it. Unfortunately, while this book is a few steps above Hornet's Nest, it still does not meet her own standards. Worse, for those who, like myself, have trouble recalling names, the main characters are not powerfully enough developed for me to remember who they are (I loaned my copy to a friend). I hope Ms. Cornwell can get her skills back on track soon.

Rating:
Summary: This is the worst book I have ever read!
Review: I have read all of Patricia Cornwell's books and have thoroughly enjoyed them. This book,however, was the worst book I have ever read. It was boring and unimaginative, to say the least. Don't bother reading it unless you are prepared to be dissappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Southern Cross. Five thumbs down.
Review: I have to agree with the majority of the other readers comments. There is no way an unknown writer would get published with junk like this. I've read all her books and sorry this sucks. I was ready to stop reading all together and then I started "A man in full". Thanks Tom Wolfe; shame on you Patricia.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely atrocious
Review: I am at the beginning of chapter 20 and for the first time in my life I am not sure whether I can bring myself to finish this book. I have absolutely no interest in the characters or what happens to them, and if there is a plot here, I'm not interested in it, either. I consider this book to be a complete and total waste of money, and I probably will never buy another Cornwell book.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of Print! Waste of money!
Review: the only reason I continued to read this book was I thought it would have to get better. I was wrong! I love to read, but this was a huge dissapointment. There were too many characters. It was impossible to remember who was who.

Rating:
Summary: Worst book she has ever written. Made no sense.
Review: Southern Cross was way below the standards of this author. Perhaps she needs a break. This book made no sense what so ever. There didn't seem to be a plot and it was very amaturish. I was very disappointed and would'nt recommend this to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: dried up story, dried up characters
Review: Cornwell continues the tale of 3 police characters from earlier books. The story has nothing but repugnant characters, even the heros. What's going on in your life, author?