Blowfly

Kay Scarpetta #12

by Patricia Cornwell

In Blow Fly, Kay Scarpetta stands at the threshold of a new life after her work as Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner has come to a jarring end. At the close of The Last Precinct, she knew she would have to leave Richmond if she were to find any peace. She feared that she was about to be fired by the governor. More alarming, she was hounded in the media and in the courtroom, for what some claimed was her involvement in the murder of a deputy police chief. So Scarpetta packed up her belongings and set out for the warmth and solace of the Florida sun.

She is settling into a new life as a private forensic consultant and is deep into a case that has left colleagues in Louisiana profoundly disturbed. A woman is found dead in a seedy hotel, dressed to go out, keys in her hand. Her history of blackouts, and her violent outbursts while under their spell, offer more questions than clues about the cause of her death. Then Scarpetta receives news that chills her to the core: Jean-Baptiste Chandonne - the vicious and unrepentant Wolfman, who pursued her to her very doorstep - asks to see her. From his cell on death row, he demands an audience with the legendary Dr. Scarpetta. Only to her will he tell the secrets he knows the authorities desire: the evidence that will bring a global investigation to a swift conclusion. Scarpetta, her niece Lucy, and her colleague Detective Pete Marino are left to wonder: After all the death and destruction, what sort of endgame could this violent psychopath have in mind? And could this request be somehow related to the Louisiana case?

Her friends and family by her side, Scarpetta must unravel a twisting conspiracy with an international reach and confront theshock of her life - a blow that will force her to question the loyalty and trust of all she holds dear.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Murder Mystery

Hardcover

First published October 13, 2003

About the author

Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990 while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Postmortem, was the first bona fide forensic thriller. It paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring in all things forensic across film, television and literature.

Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers.

Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Celebrating 25 years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.

Fox 2000 bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta. Working with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg to develop the film and find Scarpetta a home on the big screen.

After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer.

Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.

When not writing from her Boston home, Patricia tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary: Patricia co-founded of the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums. She appears as a forensic consultant on CNN and serves as a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. She’s helped fund the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities. Patricia is also committed to
funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.”


Social and Digital Outlets

http://www.patriciacornwell.com

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...

https://twitter.com/1pcornwell

https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/


Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review
3 out of 5 stars to Blow Fly, the 12th book in the "Kay Scarpetta" thriller and mystery series, written in 2003 by Patricia Cornwell. In this book, Cornwell changes the point of view to third person, which is different from previous books. It was awkward at first, but I am usually good with these types of switches. I found some problems with it, but I wasn't as concerned as several other readers were. What did bug me a little was this felt a bit like the Hannibal Lecter series for a short minute. Kay needs a break and takes off to Florida. She's pulled into a case from another state. And suddenly, the Wolfman (a killer from previous books) who is still in jail, asks to see Kay. And he's got information about what's going on. I was like "wait wait wait..." but then it takes different turns, so it's OK. Given the interesting changes and confusion, I wasn't super keen on this book; however the plot and mystery aspects were strong, so I it evened-out for me. It's not the best in the series, not the worst. But it's a turning point.

About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.

[J.C. Wing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading through many of the reviews of this book on goodreads it's impossible to ignore the negative feedback Cornwell received after publishing this 12th installment of her Kay Scarpetta series. I will be honest...this review comes after having read this book a second time. I was a devoted Scarpetta reader and many years ago I quit following this series after reading Blow Fly. It wasn't because I thought the book was badly written. It isn't. I have always enjoyed Patricia Cornwell's prose. My problem was that (and I will attempt to write this as to not include any spoilers for those readers who have not yet discovered this series) one of the more prominent and, in my opinion, one of the best and well-liked characters had been killed off. That was bad enough. In Blow Fly, Cornwell decides to bring him back and for some reason it rubbed me the wrong way as a long time reader. It angered me and I quit reading the series and have just, in the past few months, decided to come back to it. I began with the first book, Postmortem, and as I've re-read each book, I have been reminded why I enjoyed this series in the first place. Blow Fly is very well written. I don't agree with the majority of the negative feedback or comments that I've read about this book. I think this one is every bit as good as the older ones and will definitely continue to read the rest of this series. I have become attached to Kay and Lucy, Marino and Benton and want to find out what is in their collective future. Blow Fly was published in 2003 and Cornwell has just released her 21st Scarpetta novel this year. I have much to read in this series and look forward to the reading I have ahead of me.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF. SPOILER ALERT

I used to enjoy reading the Scarpetta stories. The early ones were excellent with great cliffhangers. This one was truly awful. The Wolfman apparently blinded in the last book, is on death row in Texas a few days from execution. He escapes in the most unbelievable way. Then drives away?? Obviously not completely blind.

Benton is back from the dead and gone all looney tunes and on a Machiavelli binge which makes not much sense. Marino is basically the same a hamburger away from a coronary. Rocci his lawyer son is murdered by Lucy and Rudy in Poland. Why? She has created a death sentence for him with a red notice with the criminal family he works for likely to have him killed.

The wolfman’s twin brother Jay is living with his psycho girlfriend Bev in a Louisiana swamp. She goes out and gets him victims in nearby Baton Rouge at the local Walmart. I kid you not.

The author seems to have gotten tired at the end of the book and the story ends abruptly with Benton apparently killing Jay and a corrupt lawyer. Lucy crashing her helicopter near the hideout and then Rudy shoots Bev. On the plus side the dogs they got for gator bait may have survived.

There are so many holes in the plot it makes Swiss cheese look like cheddar. In the final few paged Kay sees Benton and realizes the peeled face she found wasn’t his in a previous book?

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Read: March 2006
Re-read: May 2017

When I first read Blow Fly I hated the switch to third person that Cornwell uses in this book for the first time. I disliked the multiple POVs and felt that the whole plot was disjointed as a result. On a second read I found the multiple narrators less of an issue - because I was expecting it this time round - and it was interesting to see how the other characters in Kay's world viewed her and their places in her life. I enjoyed the interconnected plots and how Blow Fly ties up a lot of loose threads from previous books whilst opening a new storyline for the next book. I also love the fact that Benton is back and alive and Kay now knows about him!

Rating: 4/5 stars

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re Reading march 2024

Story 3.75 stars**⬆️
Audio 3.5 stars**
Narrator Kate Reading

[Mikey B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good entertainment, good build-up with a dicey ending.

Lots of characters but the book is well compartmentalized – over 120 chapters. Not really a Kay Scarpetta-pathologist mystery. The ending lets one of the main protagonists escape setting up a sequel which I will not read. This book does have references to previous ones, but it didn’t hinder plot understanding.

One loop-hole is of the murder of Marino’s son in Poland – what happened to the car that Rudy used to get to the Polish city? This scene was logically constructed from the point of view of Lucy (Scarpetta’s niece), much less so for Rudy.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really used to like Corwell's books but the Scarpetta series seems to have become more and more ludicrous as time has passed. Perhaps that is what other readers want but the whole thing has become rather silly.

Everyone is the best at what they do, everyone has technology from NASA, fast cars and political contacts.The plot wanders far and wide with links to the past and the oddest meaderings of a murderous mind. All fair enough I suppose but to lead the reader through these corridors of fantasy to end the story in about five pages as though running out of time on an exam essay cheats us.

The plot had plenty of merit, the story not badly told although perhaps lacking some of the scientific investigation of previous tomes. The real downer here is that the end is so abrupt, so banal, so dreadfully squeezed into the last few pages the complexity of the storyline simply ignored, as though Cornwell said to her secretary "Listen I am off on holiday won't you finish this off before you go home?"..

A great disappointment, more so if you have enjoyed previous Scarpetta escapades.. I think that this is the last one I shall read, not up to scratch sorry.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of the few Scarpetta books that I hadn't read yet, and I must say that it doesn't live up to the expectations that Cornwell set with the earlier Scarpetta books. Not much mention through the entire book of the actual forensic work or investigation. I am a huge Cornwell fan and this one left me quite disappointed!

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't recognise that I'd already read this when I found it in a charity shop. This is one of the ones where Cornwell's lost the plot completely as far as I am concerned. At the start of the series I liked the books, despite Super Scarpetta's habit of coming home from an exhausting 27-hour day as the world's best forensic pathologist and pulling together a gourmet multi-course meal beginning with making the pasta from scratch. (Who did the shopping / cleaning in the mega mansion?) But at the end of each book she had to get a huge promotion which meant that very quickly the only possible promotion was divinity so then Cornwell decided to blow Scarpetta's perfect world apart - about as plausibly as the Smersh plots in James Bond.
This book also has far too much of Lucy - possibly the least attractive heroine ever created - and Benton Wesley - stupid name (yes I'm *that* childish but some names simply preclude your ever finding a person sexually attractive - they should point this out in obs/gyne clinics) and possibly even more unlikeable than Lucy.
Read Kathy Reichs instead is my advice.

[Alex Cantone · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one takes about 300 pages to get going; testing my patience, and about a third of that dredging the minds of prisoners awaiting execution by lethal injection in a Texas jail. One of these is Jean-Baptiste Chardonne, of an international crime family; born malformed and covered in hair, who viciously kills women he is unable to copulate with. The only thing missing here is a hunchback. There is a passing reference to Edgar Allan Poe, the writer of choice for malevolent weirdos. One of his intended victims was Chief forensic scientist Kay Scarpetta, and he fantasises about her constantly.

La Scarpetta seems to mesmerise men, among her followers are police investigator and whinger Pete Marino, whose son Rocco is the lawyer for the crime family, and her lover Benton, presumed dead, but ghosting under the witness protection program while manipulating everyone. He and Marino have a fallout when Marino nearly blows his cover.

The death-row weirdo has a twin, Jay who got all the looks and shares his brother’s murderous ways, hiding out in the Louisiana bayous with his sadistic lover, Bev Kiffin, the pair luring women to be raped, tortured and dismembered.

The bright spot in this gruesome killing saga is the interlude to the port city of Szcsecin in Poland, not far from the border with Germany, where Scapetta’s niece Lucy and Rudy (both former FBI agents with the Hostage Rescue Team), bring about the assassination of Marino’s son, Rocco.

400 pages in our happy little group converges on Baton Rouge - Scarpetta collecting 2 more admirers - and as the pages dwindled I thought I was about to be duded by yet another ‘cliffhanger’, tempting me to buy the next book in the series. The rushed ending reflects this, with the weirdo on the loose and the others despatched with hardly a by-line. This was the first book I’ve read by the author, and nothing here inspires me to read on.
Verdict: a week wasted.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kay Scarpetta 12: This series has all my attention at the moment, as I read this immediately after the previous book in the series - The Last Precinct. The Loup Garou saga continues beginning with him on Death Row; Kay and Marino make a major decision on the careers; there's a couple spree killing in Louisiana. Meanwhile Lucy has finally got The Last Precinct up and running. Finally there are more revelations about Benton's fate. The tale, and this the series gets darker and darker for Scarpetta and that more trilling for long-term readers. 7 out of 12

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pants crapping awful.

[Jerry B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor contination of the Scarpetta/Chardonne ugly soap opera...

That we've had to wait a few years since the "Last Precinct" [skipping the wretched non-Scarpetta "Isle of Dogs" and Cornwell's non-fiction book about Jack the Ripper] made us anxious to devour Kay Scarpetta's return. Alas, Kay is little more than a bit player as first niece Lucy, as head of her own investigative firm, then a resuscitated Benton Wesley (what a rip-off!!) steal most of the scenes. Pete Marino is around for little more than overweight color; and a few Louisiana characters trying to solve a series of killings there also play minor roles. If anything, the horrible Jean-Baptiste Chardonne, back from "Black Notice" is the star. While supposedly he was blinded in his unsuccessful attack on Scarpetta, he looks out windows and reads notes, so what gives? He manages to escape from prison while on death row (seriously?!) and apparently is still at large at the end, so something tells me we haven't seen the last of him.

This dark work sees Scarpetta as just a shell of her former self; dwells on Lucy as some sort of goddess; and disappoints from short chapter to short chapter (124 in all). We sensed with few pages remaining that the end would be just a brush-off -- and it was. "Blow Fly" is hardly entertaining, poorly written, uninspired, and uninteresting -- maybe the worst Scarpetta of all. For our money, we think the publishers owe the public a closer scrutiny of this author's future work and see if it really warrants publication. This one will soon go to the overprinted bin, along with Isle of Dogs, where it belongs.

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thoughts. My first is, Cornwell clearly needed the several-year break between The Last Precinct and this novel. I feel like the writing and plotting is much improved this time through.

I'm also thinking, "Ha! I totally knew it about Benton," and "Please, can we be done with the Chandonne storyline now?!" The reply I see coming to that one is... no.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to really like Patricia Cornwell, especially the Scarpetta series. However, this being the 12th in the series, she's getting a little wild. Cornwell has gotten much gorier and more gruesome in her writing. I think she's reaching rather than telling another story in Scarpetta's life.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced crime thriller. It has an intelligent, strong and capable female protagonist, an interesting cast of secondary characters, murder, suspense, Ms. Cornwell's classic dry wit, twists and turns, and an unexpected conclusion. This novel can be read as a stand alone, but it is better when read in order for continuity. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Kate Reading, does an outstanding job voicing the characters.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

More in my re-read saga. This book felt like a different kind of shift than the one I felt in The Last Precinct. There is a real style change to this book - we get 100+ chapters that are a few pages long and so many characters. This is a huge deviation from the previous book and there were times when I felt like I was getting a bit of whiplash.

A lot happens in this book and I do have some conflicted feelings. I'm still on the fence about the rewritten history of Benton's death. I was crushed when he was killed but the idea that he's been alive this entire time and basically everyone but Kay knew about it....argh....that still gives me some rage. I suspect his rising from the dead was a response to reader-rage. (I'm speculating.). He never should have been killed in the first place. Putting Kay through that and knowing the people around her that she loves and trusts the most - Lucy and Marino - to be creates the worst possible rift for these characters. I hate that betrayal and have a hard time believing they would betray Kay in that way.

I've been listening to the books and Kate Reading does a great job on the narration.

[Stuart Malcolm · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst ending to a book ever. I mean it wasn't great up until then, but it was really like she couldn't be arsed anymore and thought "Screw it, five more pages is all I can be bothered with."

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cornwell makes many changes to the twelfth novel in the Scarpetta series, easily identifiable to series regulars. Scarpetta, now a Florida-based forensic pathology consultant, returns to deal with the endgame presented in the final chapters of The Last Precinct while trying to acclimate to her new life. She investigates a crime down in Louisiana after receiving a call from the local medical examiner, full of questions and no easy answers. Meanwhile, Lucy is forging her own adventure hunting down a scheming lawyer whose identity shocked readers in the previous novel. Marino is also on his own adventure, helping to create more jaw-dropping moments for the reader and liaising with the crazed Wolfman whose capture stunned readers over the past two novels. When Scarpetta heads to Texas to face the Wolfman on death row, everything comes to a head and the eerie sensation Cornwell painted in her past two novels pushes to a higher level. With a powerful ending, Blow Fly keeps readers wondering what else Scarpetta might face in adventures to come.

Cornwell’s changes will shock series regulars, but, at least in this novel, proved both useful and effective. Scarpetta’s insights are told from a third person narrative, rather than the usual first person. This shift permits the story to blossom in a way incapable before. As mentioned above, events involving Lucy and Marino than do not occur in Scarpetta’s presence cannot be handled in the first person narrative, leaving Cornwell little choice. I will reserve judgment on the use of the narrative until I see how Cornwell develops in in future novels, or if this was a one-off. The second major change was the use of short, gritty chapters. Three stories blended into one, with cliffhangers at many turns, makes the use of these shorter chapters effective. I remember beginning the series and realising the chapters were gargantuan, which was harder to digest, but the narrative and plot do not suffer with this. Shorter chapters can work (at time a la James Patterson), but can also cause a jilted story (the same Patterson issue). For this novel, highly effective and useful. She also uses her trademark character progression to scatter the main characters around the plotline and to allow for a deeper and more thriller-based narratrive.

Kudos Madam Cornwell for a series that gets better with each novel. I cannot wait to see what else you, and Kay Scarpetta have in store.

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hopefully this will be my lowest rating on a Kay Scarpetta book. I so badly want them to get better! But this book just didn't do it for me. There were so many loose threads and things that came together too conveniently. And then suddenly the book is over. I was not happy with the ending at all. I don't mean the events at the end of the book. I mean the way we got there. I seriously just blinked and it was over.

Then we have Pete Marino showing sure signs of a heart attack, and then he just shows up again later in the book as if nothing ever happened. Did he have a panic attack? I'm assuming because it never was addressed again.

I'm going to keep reading them, wish me luck. I just didn't care for this one at all. Two stars. And that's only because we finally got some of the investigative writing I read this series for right around 90% into the book. Sigh.

[Noella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dit boek was in elk geval beter dan het vorige, waarin ik maar een klein stukje gelezen heb. Eerlijk gezegd, heb ik dit ook niet helemaal uitgelezen, vanaf blz. 250 heb ik nog een beetje diagonaal gelezen om te weten hoe het zou aflopen. Hoewel ik niet alle boeken gelezen heb, kon ik het verhaal van de Wolfman toch een beetje volgen. Maar het interesseerde me niet. Ik begreep ook dat het volgende boek weer een vervolg op dit zal zijn, dus ik heb besloten geen boeken van Patricia Cornwell meer te lezen, omdat ik vind dat er veel betere boeken in omloop zijn.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what the fuss was about this book, as I had received quite a few negative comments in regards to saying it was the worst book etc, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! I liked the change in perspective because I felt as though Scarpetta was getting a little stale and needed a change. "The Last Precinct" (the novel prior to this one) was the worst one I had read and had I not known it was paramount to the following books I would have thrown it away.

However "Blow Fly" was a refreshing change. Reading in the third person allowed for viewing things through all the other characters' eyes and didn't restrict everything through the eyes of Scarpetta. Her continual grumbling and carry-on in "The Last Precinct" was enough for me to tell her shove it, but this book gave different insights as we saw things from the killers, the cops and our other favourite characters' perspective.

"Blow Fly" I found was a refreshing change which gave the many answers for which readers sought throughout the previous novel (which gave anything but). We also saw a new chapter opening for Scarpetta as well an earth-shattering secret for her, which began several books earlier (unbeknownst to the reader), revealed in this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Blow Fly" and look forward to the next one in the series as we see the characters fall into their new roles, and Scarpetta settle into private practice in Miami

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The switch from 1st person to 3rd was disorientating and a lot of the characters didn't behave in ways I'd come to expect from them.

[Gwen Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these books but they are getting a little much with the niece acting more like a Ninja than a strong woman. As a woman, I get it. We all want to show the world we are strong but this is taking it a bit too far. The writing is great which is why I gave it a four star,

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, what to say. I guess there's hope for the Scarpetta series, but I've forgotten why I ever liked her. She'd be a major downer to know. And Benton, there's a bore. At first, I was sorry Ms. Cornwell killed him off, but now I'd rather see a more appealing character than him written in, one who doesn't need a fire built under him, than have Benton back to do little more than contribute to Scarpetta's already gloom-ridden persona. I'm sick to death of Wolfman Chandonne too. There could be some interesting new character spin-offs, however, with regard to the Chandonne grandson, who is now parentless and grandmotherless. No doubt the remaining Chandonne family in France will want to raise him, which should keep Scarpetta awake at night. I don't see though that the character of Jean-Baptiste can offer anything more. Now here's a thought! Scarpetta personally kills Wolfman (and soon), she adopts the little boy, then lives tragically ever after, depressed and wondering if the weird kid is a chip off the old block, i.e., Jay Talley. Gee, I can hardly wait. Then we'd get to read more about cruelty to animals, dogs in particular. What's with Cornwell and dogs anyway? Old ones get thrown into swimming pools with bricks tied to their feet. Puppies are used as alligator bait. I get the picture, Patricia. Enough.
Actually, I think Ms. Cornwell writes beautifully, handles plots and dialogue very well, the forensics are fascinating, and the character Kay Scarpetta has a ton of potential. But she's become such a sad sack. Put some life back into her, Patricia. Find her a new love interest. Something! Whatever happened to the man who owned the horses in Point of Origin? I liked him. His would be an intriguing re-appearance .

[lionlady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dr. Kay Scarpetta series is one of my very favorite mystery series. The character development from book to book is quite good, you really get to know them. The bad guys are really bad and, of course, there is one that keeps returning. There's some real good twists. Also, I loved the forensics.

[Jacob · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean lord help me that I actually finished this book. Patricia Cornwell has been on a downward spiral with this series for at least the past three books and this one is even worse than the others.

There were a couple of things I really loved about this series when it started out. One was the use of forensic science to solve the mystery of each book. Cornwell was a pioneer in that regard. Another was Scarpetta as a character. I liked that despite all the things she saw in her job and the ways that she was impacted in her personal life she was still a pretty well-rounded person: she loved to cook for her friends and family, she had a complicated romantic life, and a sweet - if at times fraught - relationship with her niece Lucy. I also liked the first person perspective.

Basically all of that was gone in this book. First person turns to third. There was no mystery, and virtually no forensics. The series has descended into pure conspiracy. This book was a simple continuation of the previous two books. There was no new whodunnit as we basically know from the outset that the murders happening in this narrative are also connected to the Chandonne crime family. Every main character is at odds with each other and are living in total misery, far departed from their original character trajectories (scarpetta cooks nothing. Nothing!) Not only that but the number of just plain bizarre story elements increased exponentially here. Jean-Baptiste Chandonne spends no less than two chapters sitting on the toilet of his cell doing... something? Masturbating? Straining to poop because he eats so much dirty paper? Who knows. Lucy get so turned on by a dangerous situation that she forgets she’s gay. There are exactly 3 types of men in the series: 1) sculpted hunks (hotness may or may not conceal evil) 2) fat drunk slobs (indicative of failure of morality and will). 3) ableist visions of monstrosity. Marino’s increasing homosocial desire makes me really think he doth protest too much with his ongoing homophobia. I mean I could go on.

And after all that, is the ridiculous Chandonne soap opera that had been sinking the series finally over? Looks like no.

I’m calling it. Done with this series.

[Frank Dodds · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got through 160 pages and can't take any more of this author. I think she is sick in the head. While all the authors I read can shock you a little from time to time, this lady is demented to the point I wouldn't want to spend a night in the same place she was at. Can't take anymore of Benton Wesley or Lucy either. I have three more of her books to read. Will probably donated them to the library. This is only the maybe the second book I have not finished in almost three hundred, but again, she is too twisted for me.

[Judith Shadford · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sigh. Well, it was airplane reading that lasted a little longer than the flights. Frustrating, because I think Cornwell is capable of slightly better writing. The book is a walking definition of MELODRAMA!

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Blow Fly’ by Patricia Cornwell, #12 in the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series, was different than the previous novels. For one, the main characters were not working together as they often do. Because of events in the preceding novels, Kay is taking what we call today a wellness vacation of a sort. She is suffering from grief and a lot of PTSD, so she has moved to Florida to escape her nightmares. Her niece Lucy has started a new business and is living in New York. In fact, all of the main characters have moved on from their old jobs. If the above descriptions haven’t been enough to clue readers in, these mysteries are not standalone at all. The ending of ‘Blow Fly’ has a lot of loose threads, including a serial killer still on the loose. But this novel was remarkedly different than the others also in the style of writing - it is a bit repetitious. The author apparently felt it was necessary to recap previous happenings from the previous books. A lot. I felt it could have used some cutting down.

I have copied the book blurb:

”In Blow Fly, Kay Scarpetta stands at the threshold of a new life after her work as Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner has come to a jarring end. At the close of The Last Precinct, she knew she would have to leave Richmond if she were to find any peace. She feared that she was about to be fired by the governor. More alarming, she was hounded in the media and in the courtroom, for what some claimed was her involvement in the murder of a deputy police chief. So Scarpetta packed up her belongings and set out for the warmth and solace of the Florida sun.

She is settling into a new life as a private forensic consultant and is deep into a case that has left colleagues in Louisiana profoundly disturbed. A woman is found dead in a seedy hotel, dressed to go out, keys in her hand. Her history of blackouts, and her violent outbursts while under their spell, offer more questions than clues about the cause of her death. Then Scarpetta receives news that chills her to the core: Jean-Baptiste Chandonne - the vicious and unrepentant Wolfman, who pursued her to her very doorstep - asks to see her. From his cell on death row, he demands an audience with the legendary Dr. Scarpetta. Only to her will he tell the secrets he knows the authorities desire: the evidence that will bring a global investigation to a swift conclusion. Scarpetta, her niece Lucy, and her colleague Detective Pete Marino are left to wonder: After all the death and destruction, what sort of endgame could this violent psychopath have in mind? And could this request be somehow related to the Louisiana case?

Her friends and family by her side, Scarpetta must unravel a twisting conspiracy with an international reach and confront theshock of her life - a blow that will force her to question the loyalty and trust of all she holds dear.”

The book was not dripping in gore and explicit descriptions of autopsies as much as in the previous novels. I would guess the icky stuff was cut down to showing up in the plot for only a quarter of the pages.

So. I am rating the book less than I normally do, though I still recommend these murder mysteries. No, it’s not because there is less gore!