Predator

Like all Scarpetta's - i loved this book ... every character had a twist to them - which was extraordinary. I read many of the negative reviews and i actually feel that they alone would push me to buy the book (if i hadn't read this already) - every negative reviewer was expecting the same old same old from the characters embedded in their minds - and Patricia has masterfully shattered those images... I ask: why can't her characters be morose or psychotic? After all they are characters - right! - She does lay out the circumstance around each of them ... whether it's Pete's anti depression pills or Lucy's encounters... I liked it and i think Patricia is one of the best out there... Go - get it and read it!! But read it without expecting people to never change!

All I can say is what a fickle bunch of readers Patricia Cornwell has.I have read all her books and have enjoyed them immensely. That is until Trace which I really did not enjoy.I just could not connect with the book.It felt like it was written by a different author. So it was with some trepidation I started Predator.I read the book in one sitting.What a great read.I would rate this one of her best books.The lady is at the top of her game.The pyshcological interplay between her characters is stunning. I cannot understand how her avid readers could be so harsh in their criticism.I love books by J.Deaver , J.Kellerman ,J.Patterson ,K.Slaughter. This book I felt blew them away on this years output. Great read Patricia ,keep up the good work. Are there any more fans out there who feel positive about this issue.Let's here from you to counter some of the negative crits.

I have read every Cornwell book since POSTMORTEM and agree that the last few have been remarkable for their disappointment. I reviewed TRACE here not long ago. I miss Scarpetta's own voice narrating the story in the first person, but I will give Cornwell her due that she has improved her third person style. However, being inside Scarpetta's mind was an experience I miss enough to reread the old books. To sum it up: one finds oneself almost at the books end with few pages left and too many loose ends to resolve as intelligently as the earlier part of the book is presented. I get the feeling Cornwell enjoys weaving the tale more than she does resolving it, which is not uncommon but also not acceptable from a writer of her calibre. Lucy is now a nasty middle aged woman and Marino (whom I once had hopes for) is a sour old man with morals sorely lacking. I will continue to read Cornwell's books in the hopes she can restore her continuing characters to their former interest....but I haven't much hope. They are too damaged for much redemption. Where is the French madman...Jean-Baptiste? He was a horrifying character and one was led to believe he was stalking Scarpetta through several books. Now he is loose out there somewhere, seemingly to be utilized in a future episode. Another very loose end left undone.