The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I like her older books better than the newer ones, of the Scarpetta series. And didn't care for the non-Scarpettas as well as the older Scarpettas, too.

I couldn't even finish the non-Scarpetta and I'm not doing too well on the more recent Scarpetta.

She's probably bored with it and she is boring us while she is at it.

Sorry, Martha - didn't mean to kill your thread....

I also used to read the Scarpetta books, but lost interest after Book Of The Dead. I didn't like where she was taking some of the characters. I will probably pick her up again in the future.
Sorry to be a damp squid.

What do Cornwell fans think of her non-fiction book Portrait of a Killer: Jack The Ripper - Case Closed. I thought the book was interesting and Cornwell makes a pretty good case - though who knows if she's exposed the real ripper.

I picked up my first Patricia Cornwell book a few months ago, Point of Origin, and I loved it. I think she is a fantastic writer. I can't wait to pick up more of her books.

I liked her 1st 5 of the Scarpetta series but I didnt care for the lesbian line for her niece. Sometimes I just wish I could pick up a book and not have that in there. Ugh. But it was great otherwise. But I agree. As time went on I didnt care for where she was taking some of her characters either. But she does write well!

I've enjoyed the Scarpetta books I've read, but it's been a long time since I've read one. It would be interesting to try one again.

I think Point of Origin was my fav!

I agree. Its almost like she doesnt like Scarpetta anymore. The first books are first person. The last are not.

She seems to have distanced herslef from scarepeta making the char more impersonal

I actually like her other sereis.

I have heard a few other people say that. In a way it is a bonus for me, lol. I mean I really like the book and I think it is number 9? So if the earlier ones are better then they must be amazing reads, lol. I might stick to reading the later ones and work backwards. Otherwise I don't want to be blown away by the first five and disappointed by all the others. Save the best till last... even though their the first!

I was fortunate to inherit my mother's collection of books which included all of the Patricia Cornwell SCarpetta books as well as most of Sue Grafton"Alphabet" books and a bunch ofJames Pattersonand Tess Gerritsen. Of all of these, so far I have enjoyed the Scarpetta books by Cornwell the most! I hope she comes out with another chapter in Kay Scarpetta's life!

Okay, I don't think I've read it already, so I picked up "Port Mortuary" today at the book store. I live in hope that I will enjoy it like the older books!

Glad I'm not alone in losing my taste for Scarpetta. I absolutely loved her earlier books but from Book of the Dead onwards, I mostly just found them irritating.

Having said that, I found the last book (Port Mortuary) to be somewhat better. I may not give up on her quite yet.

I recently finished The Body Farm and I can't help but feel that the series is getting stale. I'm to the point where I don't really care for Scarpetta as an antagonist. Does the series get better from here or should I part ways with this character. I own copies of Black Notice and Book Of The Dead.

I don't remember the sequence of books well enough to recall when I started getting bored with them....perhaps shortly after Benton meets with his disaster?

I've got Port Mortuary sitting in my TBR pile, but detoured from J. Kellerman's "Mystery" first.....

I read most of the early ones as well, and totally agree with T - the Benton situation and where the characters were going turned me off. I keep thinking I'll pick the series back up again and see if I had just "o.d'ed" on the earlier ones. About the time I lost interest in the Scarpetta books, I discovered Kathy Reichs and her series. Although some of them can get a little formularly, I like Tempe Brennan better as a character than I do Kay Scarpetta - probably because I'm more a Diet Coke and microwave dinner type of gal.

I guess sometimes I can get "o.d.ed" on an author or character. It seems like after a few novels, even simple things, such as the way a character is described, can become a bit predictable/repetitive. After denouncing a certain author, I always find myself coming back.

Ok, I think I'm going to start Port Mortuary tonight and see how that feels....I read John Sandford, Ridley Pearson, Jeffrey Deaver, Jonathan & Faye Kellerman, Kathy Reichs, Alex Kava, Tess Gerritsen, etc, and just haven't felt the same change in enjoyment that I have with Cornwell and her cast of characters.

But I keep reading, I guess hoping that the interest will return....

I enjoyed the first two or three of the Scarpetta series then tired of them.
The Ripper study I found interesting but honestly I don't remember the conclusion to her theory.

Michael wrote: "I enjoyed the first two or three of the Scarpetta series then tired of them.
The Ripper study I found interesting but honestly I don't remember the conclusion to her theory."

I agree she used to be one of my favorites but now I don;t even attempt to read them anymore. Not sure exactly why but they don't have the same feel anymore.

I got tired of her personal life and her niece ( I think). Just didn't interest me anymore.

She has become a character who I have no emotional connection to anymore. She has lost the spark that originally made her a compelling antagonist.

Less than 200 pages to go in this 500-page Port Mortuary, but general thoughts:

1. Scarpetta is getting wimpy.
2. Lucy is hard and callous, not very active in this book, though.
3. Too many acronyms.
4. I've probably gotten lost and that's why the story isn't quite hanging together for me. Seems like there were a few times where things seemed out of alignment.
5. A lot of words in this one, I'm not sure it really needed to be this long.

On the other hand, I'm not so bored as to consider not finishing it.....

I really like the Scarpetta books that I have read although I have not read them all or in order. I didn't really care for her non Scarpetta book that I read though.

Susan wrote: "I really like the Scarpetta books that I have read although I have not read them all or in order. I didn't really care for her non Scarpetta book that I read though."

Have you read her book about Jack the Ripper. I enjoyed that one.

Barbara wrote: "Susan wrote: "I really like the Scarpetta books that I have read although I have not read them all or in order. I didn't really care for her non Scarpetta book that I read though."

Have you rea..."

No I haven't read that one yet.

I'm a huge Scarpetta fan, but I too have to agree with the majority of you are saying. In my opinion, the series started going downhill after Blow Fly. I would say her first 8 or so books were her strongest. My favorites were The Body Farm and The Potters Field.

I echo most of the above- I enjoyed Scarpetta for the first 6 books but the character has gotten stale. Cornwell seems to have lost her connection with the original Scarpetta character and turned her into a generic, boring, disconnected person for whom my sympathy has dwindled. I struggle to finish her novels now.

I have been reading the Scarpetta series for years. I started back in the 90's with . I was burnt out around , the tenth book. I felt that Cornwell was losing her love for Scarpetta. I have often wanted to go back and renew my love and try the last nine of the series. Sigh, I do hate it when I lose my passion for a series.

Hmmm...makes me wonder if I should keep going..I am on book #9, and I am starting to get a little bored of the series...maybe I should try something else...anyone have any good mystery/crime series I should try?

Hi Melanie, I started 2 series this year that I am enjoying, the first one is by Linda Castillio (Kate Burkholder) there are only 3 books in this series but it is very good, and I have read all 3 of them. I also started by JT Ellison (Taylor Jackon), there are several books in this series, but I have only read the first one but it was very good and will be reading more in this series. I hope this helps!!

Linda wrote: "Hi Melanie, I started 2 series this year that I am enjoying, the first one is by Linda Castillio (Kate Burkholder) there are only 3 books in this series but it ..."

I just received a Linda Castillo in a shipment of books that I won - have not read any of hers yet, so looking forward to it!

Cindi wrote: "I was fortunate to inherit my mother's collection of books which included all of the Patricia Cornwell SCarpetta books as well as most of Sue Grafton"Alphabet" books ..."

I've got to read her books apparently. I love James Patterson and Tess. If you claim she's better well, I'd never put the book down. There is a nomination for Postmortum in the mystery book group. I may have to purchase that one.

I have one Patricia Cornwell book, but I have not read it yet. Have you read any of Karin Slaughter's books? I read the first 7 in 2 months, and I adore the characters.
I also have Sworn to Silence in my TBR list.

I enjoyed the first few scarpetta upto about blow fly and then lost interest- tried to read book of the dead a couple of months back and al month or 2 abefore that and couldn't get into . thought the whole attack was a bit much and too focused on hher personal like

tried the other series the guy with the strange name-which seems to allude me at present. hated it

Autumn I have read Karin slaughter and thought they were most part good

you should try lisa gardner- start from her earlier books

Afsana, perhaps you are referring to Cornwell's Winston Garano series? I agree, I didn't care for that character line.

And I too like Lisa Gardner FBI series. Would like her to update those characters, but perhaps Kimberley's starting a family makes her less likely to put herself into dangerous situations.

T wrote: "Afsana, perhaps you are referring to Cornwell's Winston Garano series? I agree, I didn't care for that character line.

And I too like Lisa Gardner FBI series. Would like her to update those cha..."

thats the one-hated his attitude the way about him

I, too, tired of Scarpetta as well as Alex Cross tho i hate giving up on a series. I enjoy the Alex Kava and Linda Fairstein series.

Beth: you may want to go to Alex Kava's website and browse as she does give-aways. I won 12 books from her last year, 12 of her favorite authors' books, autographed. About half were authors I already read, so it introduced me to 6 new-to-me authors.

T wrote: "Beth: you may want to go to Alex Kava's website and browse as she does give-aways. I won 12 books from her last year, 12 of her favorite authors' books, autographed. About half were authors I al..."

Thanks! Will do that.

Cornwellms Jack the Ripper was facinating and very detailed. For me, I read almost half before I began to skim. It got too.dry and detailed.

I am reading my first Patricia Cornwell book right now and really enjoy it. Postmortem, which I believe is the first Scarpetta book, right? I have to say after actually reading a Patricia Cornwell, I enjoy Karin Slaughter more.

I just finished Red Mist and wasn't impressed (more like depressed).

When I first started to read Patricia Cornwell, I really liked her books. From 1996 I was on a Cornwell
"kick" having read All good books, but when I got to Scarpetta I couldn't finish it. I didn't like it and I quit reading!!!!!!!!!!!!

The movie is going to depress me because Angelina Jolie is playing Scarpetta. The movie is based off Red Mist book. ;(

interesting choice...

Lord has mercy, anyone but Angelina please!!!! Anyone else.... Susan Sarandon, Jodie Foster,Maria Bello for sure ANYONE ELSE!
Get me something to dull my senses!

I haven't read Red Mist yet, but it's in the pile...My brother disliked it so much he put it down and wouldn't finish it....

I agree, Angelina isn't right for the part, and this novel isn't a good choice, in my opinion.