Dust (A Scarpetta Novel): by Patricia Cornwell -- Review

by Expert Book Reviews

Patricia Cornwell fans anticipate the latest murder mystery involving Dr. Kay Scarpetta as she continues serving justice as Massachusetts' Chief Medical Examiner in Dust. Readers new to the 21-part series will have no trouble connecting with the protagonist who narrates the story. When Scarpetta receives her newest case, a murdered grad student from MIT, she embarks on one of the most complex journeys of her career. The novel Dust is filled with political corruption and nefarious financial masterminds in a highly detailed world provided by Cornwell's expertise with words.

Through first-person narrative of Dust, readers experience the troubled thoughts of Dr. Scarpetta as she deals with the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy and her own critical perception of society. Those with a passion for mystery and forensics will quickly become immersed in the realistic environment Cornwell has created in Dust. Find out how the author's personal background and career influenced her characters and the Kay Scarpetta series. This review features critical views of Dust, including the book's strengths and drawbacks. Dive into the fast-paced plot as you uncover hidden connections between law enforcement authorities, past murder cases, and Scarpetta's own family members.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

544 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2013

About the author

Expert Book Reviews is an imprint of BookScribed, an independent digital learning company with a mission to bring the joy of reading and insightful discussion of great literature to readers everywhere. Expert Book Reviews provides reviews of today’s hottest novels.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was extremely disappointed in this book, which I had very much anticipated. I've read all of Cornwell's novels, and this one was, in my view, the worst. Gone is the page-turning, action-packed story that I found in each of Cornwell's older books featuring Kay Scarpetta. In this book, Kay tells far, far too much, and hardly ever "shows." This makes for less dialog and less action, and, instead gives the reader page after page of long paragraphs explaining the past, explaining the motivations of multiple characters, and explaining what was, what might be, and even what is. What happened to one of my favorite authors?? I did stick to it until the end, which was also a disappointment. The reader is told how, in Kay's mind-numbing lengthy introspections, how it will end, and then it does end in exactly that way--no surprises. I won't be picking up a Cornwell novel again very soon.

[Jill Manske · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been reading Cornwell for a long time, and this is far from her best effort. In fact, it was downright depressing. I'm tired of reading about Kay Skarpetta's tumultuous relationships; her sociopathic niece, her "bordering on burnout" husband, her crazy sister and foremost, her tolerance of the idiot Marino (who, by the way, isn't even much of a detective anymore). Now she even has a neurotic dog. Her non-stop obsessing about these tortured souls detracts mightily from the storyline. At the conclusion of the book, you have to wonder if the murders could have been solved more easily had many of these characters exited, stage left. Anyway, the story is ho-hum, there's a lot of needless drama, and it overall leaves the reader with a bad taste. Not sure I'll read any future books.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not recommended. This book was boring. For such a large book, it was nothing but dialogue babble. I usually read a book in 1 to 2 days. I have had this book for weeks. I tried to force myself to read through it. 3/4 of the way through, I skipped to the end and read what I knew I would read. The book is certainly slow to take-off, but did not get any better as one reads along. The book takes up only 1 day of dialogue and babble. Amazing for such a long book, just 1 day of possible events.

[Andrew Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It‘s getting really old rehashing Scarpetta‘s relationships with Marino, Lucy & Bently. This book was 2/3rds about the relationship and the rest was the story. Cornwell has lost her magic. This book like her last couple of books have been a tough read, not the page turning thriller we have come to expect.

[Rho · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in this book. I am sorry I bought it. Scarpetta's whining about Benton and complaining about Marino has taken all the intrigue and suspense out of the more recent books. She and Benton feel they are superior to all other characters, Lucy is in her own world above all others. This was such a waste of time.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waaaay too long. And it takes place in basically 1 day. Only James Clavell can pull off a multi-hundred page tome in such a short time period. Cornwell repeats herself many times during the course of this eventually disappointing mystery.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw that Ms.Cornwell wrote another Kay Scarpetta book...I really wantedto enjoy this read...I didn't. Darn it! It was 495 pages of not much happening, honestly. The time elapsed in the book was .... one day? The plot (what little there was of it) could have been covered in far fewer pages. Actually picked it back up the next day after I finished it to try to put the pieces together and concluded that there just wasn't much there and I just didn't enjoy it. I'm loyal and I wanted to jump right back into the lives of characters who are, at this point, old friends; however, these definitely aren't the characters of old. They all seem weary and unhappy. I am weary also.... of them in their current state. Not interested in paying very much for the next installment in their lives. I'm wondering if it is time for Kay, Benton and Marino to retire? They no longer seem to enjoy what they do. I'm sad that I couldn't enjoy this latest from Patricia Cornwell. I wouldn't actually pay for this book...if you feel like you must read it, I recommend doing what I did...check it out from the public library!

[Erlinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me two tries before I finished this book which is unusual for me because usually I can't wait to get my hands on any Scarpetta novel that Cornwell has written. The pacing is off and it is way too long. I felt a little judicious editing might have gone a long way to improving this novel.

It was also very dark and creepy. I don't mind that generally. But it didn't work for me here.

[Doris Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms. Cornwell's knowledge of forensics is extensive. Scarpetta really knew her stuff. I didn't really care for most of the whole book taking place in a day's time. It seemed like the book had a tendency to drag because of it. I did really feel sorry for Benton. He had such a hang dog aura.

[Trish Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of Kay Scarpetta novels and they are always exciting and dramatic and great stories.

The only thing I found a little tedious about this one was the way the author slowed the pace all the time by interrupting actions with Scarpetta's thoughts. A little glimpse of what is going on in the character's mind is great, but I like a fast-paced novel and this one just dragged.

The story is about a serial killer whom Scarpetta's husband, Benton has been chasing in DC in his role as an FBI agent. The only problem is, it almost appears as if his boss is trying to thwart his efforts.

Then the killer moves to Boston, and Benton works with Scarpetta to figure out who he is, and bring him to justice.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cornwell does it again. I fall more in love with Kay, Marion, Benton and Lucy with every book I read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought she was back on her stride with this one.

[Merelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cornwell has gotten to far "out" there for me.

[Marycee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kay Scarpetta chief medical examiner her husband Bentley Wesley fbi profiler, niece Luci Frangelli, her former lead investigator, Marino usual characters for Cornwall in the long running series. Books can be read as stand alone, but more easily understood if familiar with characters and complex relationships that Cornwell has developed over the past 30 years.
Gail Shipton, MIT grad student has been found dead in the rain. A dark figure lurks outside Kay’s home. It’s a week before Christmas. Days of fever and illness have laid brilliant Kay flat, unable to work, unable to decorate, unable to flush the grim reminders of her last case, an elementary school shooting in Connecticut that left 27 children dead. After 10 years as Scarpettas lead Marino has quit the Xxx office and gone back to police work. Now he is a Massachusetts detective, and he calls recovering Kay to work this case with him.
Benton too is preoccupied with three murders in DC, but they seem connected to Shipton’s death if only to he and Kay.
Serial killer, a Tech pyramid scheme gone wrong, a twisted love triangle. Not finished more later.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kay Scarpetta mystery #21. Kay returns to work in Boston after a case of the flu and helping with the mass murder in Newtown, CT. Kay joins Pete Merino, who is now her boss, in trying to figure out the reason for the death of a young girl, Gail Shipton. Kay's husband Benton and her niece Lucy get involved in the crime as well. The trio discover that Gail Shipton's death is related to previous murders in the the DC area. Kay and her family/associate tie up lose ends to solve and conquer a serial killer. Ending is a bit far fetched I thought.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose when an author's name along sells copies the publisher doesn't challenge with too much editing. this 495 page book would have been so much stronger at 300 pages. although an easy read it frequently felt like plodding through a muddy field on a cold rainy morning. For dedicated Cornwell readers there was too much repetition, self talk and not enough action even though the majority of the book takes place in a single day. Then, we come to the last three chapters that seemed totally like a late night addendum with a very weak link to the previous 400+ pages.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Cornwall’s style and devotion to scientific detail, but this book was a disappointment. Unlike most of her previous books, this one was written in the present tense, resulting in an almost obsessive need to have Scarpetta describe irrelevant details that added nothing to the progression of the story. I am sorry to say that after 300 pages, I wasn’t able to even finish the book—unheard of for me.

[Barbara Personett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the first 20 books of Patrica Cornwell and enjoyed all quite a bit. It has been a hiatus of 10 or more years since reading her. I remembered how much I enjoyed them , so I read number 21 Dust and did not find it as stimulating as previous books. I will go on and read #22 Flesh and Blood, hopefully I can get back into the life of a forensic pathologist.

[JoAnn Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to another Scarpetta novel. It was only ok. Parts were good yet way too much time was spent on past issues and psycho-drama. The continued “stuff” with Benton and Merino was excessive and dull. When she sticks to the guts of the story…. That’s good.

[Louise Marwick · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointed, I’ve always enjoyed Patricia Cornwell’s books and was looking forward to reading this when I saw it in our local book box. I struggled to follow what was going on until the last few chapters. Never been so glad to finish a book before 😬

[Carolyn O’Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of her earlier books of the Kay Scarpetta series. I think she is a much better writer now. This book was good with mystery, murder, greed and finally truth. I just thought it was just too drawn out with details we didn’t need to hear more than once.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scarpetta is very introspective. The story is suspenseful and intriguing,

[Margaret Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

December 2020

[Judy Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads contest. I have read better Patricia Cornwell's books but it was an OK story. Book was too long.

[Valeska Kiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the full novel, not a review!!
A very intriguing story. certainly up to the usual standard.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished 3/17/22.
Yes, this book is talky, no detail left undisclosed , except at the finish. Who was paying Grumby? I will still listen to Her books, when I need a distraction.

[Linda Heavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it amazing that the book took place in a little over a 24 hour period. Cornwall definitely had a way with words and has described rain in so many ways I feel the dampness.

[Cynthia Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her better ones.

[Sherrie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cornwell never disappoints