Red Mist: Scarpetta (Book 19)

I used to love the Scarpetta novels, but the last few were boring. They are obviously just knocked out with the hope of turning it into a movie, and riding the coattails of the older books, which were great.

This is not Cornwell's best work. The characters are still good but she revisits a look of old territory. She needs to focus more on the story and less on the characters because we already know them. The plot had great potential but the execution fell short.

This book read as if Cornwell needed something to do but wasn't really into building a solid plot or story line. The usual cast of characters were shallow and typical in their roles. Her work is fading in my opinion and this may be the last Patricia Cornwell I will read.

Not her best. Many issues left unresoloved. Scarpetta was in too much of a funk. I guess really the characters are getting old. I have read every one of Cornwall's books, many twice. Always loved them but have lost interest. Too much complaining and not enough technical criminology.

Scarpetta as always is an interesting multifaceted character. But Red Mist slowly develops and is not as dynamic as some of the other Cornwell stories. Nonetheless, the changes in Kay, Lucy, Jamie and Marino are wonderful to read. They are not the same people they were before and Cornwell develops this rather nicely. Plus, the atmosphere she weaves certainly captures the claustrophobia and wet heat of the mid-South. The payoff is worth it as Scarpetta pulls each thread together in a nicely surprising fashion.

Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell was as exciting as all her other Scarpetta books. Another 'can't put down till I finish it' novel from Cornwell! Can't wait for the next one after this and Post Mortuary!

Cornwell's wrIting has become laborious and dull. Scarpetta needs to get back to her roots. I am so sick of Marino whining and Kay whining about Marino.

Cornwell is a brilliant woman and writer. I love her charactors, but, kay needs to be demoted so she can get down with real people. does Benson ever have a case? Lucy is an interesting person but, include her more...and soften her up a bit. and Marino, give him a girlfriend!! THANKS FOR LISTENING, CHERYL SCHMIDT

There are several well-developed new characters. The usual characters are referenced in a way that ties suspense together. The cat-and-mouse between Kay and several characters get close to tedium. Nice that the connections do not fit until the last few pages.

I liked the different location and the story line. I did not figure out the little twists in the storyline and enjoyed the characters. I gave it a three star because I am getting tired of Lucy and her blah personality, even though she was not present in the entire story, it still irks me that her character has not grown in all these books!

I found this book a bit frustrating. Kay Scarpetta was not her usual intelligent, thinking self. Because of the plot, she was sent into harms way and did things not characteristic of former Cornwell novels.

Very disappointing. Rambling and not what I would expect from Cornwell. She made Marino look like an idiot whereas in the past she always found ways to enhance his character and be respectful of him even with his rough edges.

Patricia Cornwell is really going downhill! I am about half- way through the book and nothing has really happened. Plus ,her character is starting to complain a lot and is really negative. I should have stopped at Port Mortuary. I would definitely not recommend this book.

Read in order of the books being published as they build on each other. Patricia Cornwell has wonderfully developed characters. I can't put these books down. I read the Scarpetta Factor, then Red Mist, then the Bone Bed, as they all build on each other.

A story with less high tech, this novel builds on the story line from Port Mortuary. It pulls you in, hungry, to know what happens next. This is the Kay Scarpetta I have loved reading over the years. I love her and Benton (likes anyone who loves the duo of Scarpetta and Wesley could believe that he would ever betray her!). I wish PC would finally find love for Lucy! Can't wait to read more.

I used to read Patricia Cornwell on the NYC subways when I was younger and now, at age 65, find her obvious and poorly written. I actually threw the book out after attempting to read about 1/3. How our needs change.

I've been reading Cornwell for years and love every one.. It's a continuing life story of all the characters with a new criminal case in each.. Now I'm rereading Book 1 called Post Mortem.. Start here if you're new to this author..

I've met Patricia at Forensic meetings, so I read her, usually. However, I thought this book was not up to her usual interesting tales.
I suppose I will buy the current one when I run out of other reads