Southern Cross

Rating:
Summary: A "Cross" to Bear
Review: This book is torturous, rambling, and a real downer. I made it to page 45 then turned on my television set--which was a REAL mistake; but please understand, I was desperate. Patricia, help!

Rating:
Summary: Be willing to give up Kay and you'll like this book.
Review: Patricia Cornwell is my favorite author and Kay Scarpetta my favorite character. However, once I was willing to accept the fact that this was not a Kay Scarpetta book I started to really like Southern Cross. Of course, some of the names are a little goofy but eventually do add to the humor and lightheartedness of the story. It's just a different book but a good read. I am looking forward to Kay's return!

Rating:
Summary: Stick to Scarpetta
Review: This is arguably PC's most incoherent novel -- and I thought she'd never beat Hornet's Nest on that count. I didn't care about any of the characters, couldn't follow any of the subplots, and as a Richmond native was highly offended by her portrayal of residents as idiots. Get over it Patsy -- leave the Charlotte characters behind and treat the city where you live with more respect

Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: a great disappointmen

Rating:
Summary: Why am I continuing to read this book?
Review: I have gotten to page 113 and have no interest in how this disappointing book ends. P. Cornwell should stick to Scarpetta. On the first few pages I thought there were typos. Is this a new way to 'describe' the characters? Very poor book.

Rating:
Summary: Not up to PC's usual standard for suspense
Review: I, too, am a loyal PC fan, and was very disappointed in this book...BUT...those of you who quit before the half-way mark gave up too soon. Yes, the first half was...OK - BORING. The second half pulled it together. The attempt at humor was admirable as a stretching exercise, but PC, you are a brilliant author but NOT a humorist. Personally, I enjoyed Hornets Nest and grew to like the new characters. That's one reason I was so disappointed in this book. It let them down. I know that writing about the same characters over and over can get boring to the AUTHOR, and I don't blame her for wanting a change, but I wonder if anyone else is thinking the same thing I am: These two books almost seem as if they were her FIRST attempts at novels, not written after Kay Scarpetta, but BEFORE. Second novels (Southern Cross?)have a way of going flat. PC, if you write more about these characters,(1) give them more room (too much of this book was taken up developing too many characters instead of a strong plot), and (2) we want SUSPENSE from you -- a page turner -- not a slog through a swamp. But in conclusion, let me say I WILL BUY THE NEXT BOOK. (I just hope it's a Kay Scarpetta.)

Rating:
Summary: Please no more of these characters
Review: I am an avid Patricia Cornwell fan. I have all of her books. I have yet to finish this one. It is like a form of torture just picking it up. I am a Scarpetta fan. You know her, you can feel her emotions, you become her. These characters lack this. If she is going to write, let her write a great suspense Scarpetta novel, not this boring, going nowhere novel.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was very disppointed in this book. I always look forward to reading Ms. Cornwell's publications. I could not bring myself to even finish this one. Please stick with Kay Scarpetta!

Rating:
Summary: She should have stuck to being a coroner
Review: Both my mother and I are avid readers of Patrica Cornwell, but this book literally stinks. Mom brought it back after 3 chapters and said, the language is atrociously filthy and the story is lost somewhere. I poo pooed her and started it myself, I got several chapters beyond her 3 and gave up. I read an average of 6-8 books a week, mostly hardback fiction and when I give up and close a book 1/3 of the way through, it has to be bad. she made an issue of changing her style to get away from the medical/coroner subject but she failed miserably. Patricia, go back to what you do best, and I may buy your next book.

Rating:
Summary: Southern Cross: A large one to bare
Review: I guess I'm too much of a Kay Scarpetta fan to feel anything for these characters. While Chief Hammer is tough, she can't hold a candle to Kay on the strong, savvy, emotional scale. I did thoroughly enjoy the 'Dispatcher vs. Police Officer' entanglement, in fact, burst out laughing upon reading it. The characters just didn't pull me in; they seemed flat emotionally with the exception of Weed. Which brings up another remark: names like Smoke, Weed, Butt Fluck???? PC if you're reading this....BRING BACK KAY!!!!