Southern Cross

I love everything this author has written. This was an excellent story.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a great change of pace from superwoman Kay Scarpetta (although I really enjoy Kay's exploits as well). The characters have human foibles and mis-understandings abound. I especially have to feel for Bubba, the earnest, kind-hearted everyman with no luck at all and for Weed who maintains his integrety in spite of suffering loss, neglect and cruelty. I hope to see more in this series from Patricia Cornwell in the future

I liked this book - I finished it in two days. I found the characters both simple and deep, and I could even identify with a few of them. I enjoyed the way that every action my a seemingly minor character was justified by a short profile or history of that character. In addition, the dialogue was lively, and often funny. I liked reading this book. I would read it again. Did I learn anything? Not really - but I got a chance to escape for a few hours, which was my intention in reading it.

I can't understand all the horrible reviews this book got. I almost didn't read it because of them, but I loved Hornets Nest so figured I'd give it a shot and I'm really glad I did. I went into this book not expecting a whole lot due to the negative reviews, and I was pleasently surprised. I really enjoyed this book and the characters, I found it a very funny, entertaining and light story. I'm glad I didn't listen to the majority of bad reviews and hope that Ms. Cornwell will continue the series with another story involving Hammer, West and Brazil (as well as many more Scarpetta novels!).

Patricia Cornwell gambled... and won! Why is everyone whining about the fact she is doing the Hornet's Nest/Southern Cross series in third-person? It's fantastic! Don't get me wrong - I was skeptical at first, since I am a die-hard Scarpetta fan. But the genius in this new style, this new group of diverse characters, was immediatley apparent. This series frees Cornwell to show her incredible comedic abilities. Ms. Cornwell skillfully conveys the thoughts and personalities of each character, often so humorously that this reader found herself wiping tears of laughter from her cheeks. It is this humorous approach that makes Cornwell's descriptions of specific criminal acts and tragic events so startling and heartbreaking. The extreme contrast makes for a perfect symmetry.To all the "nay-sayers" who have shredded a most amazing author to bits for this series, I say, "Small minds insist upon upholding what is familiar and constant. Rigid minds resist change. Thank God Patricia Cornwell is neither small nor rigid. May she never allow herself to boxed in by public opinion."

Perhaps some people missed the point- this is a SATIRE. Ms. Cornwell is a craftsperson, and knows the difference between a straightforward thriller and a sendup of one. This is still a masterful book by an expert in the genre.