Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24814 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10
• Released on: 2007-10-23
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Daily Express
`...classic Cornwell territory...a sharp political element that will ensure the book isn't on George Bush's bedside table'

Heat
`Patricia Cornwell is the queen of gritty, grisly, crime fiction writing and her latest offering doesn't disappoint. Book of the Dead will keep you gripped throughout'

Daily Mirror
`Serving up an ace...Cornwell is firmly back on the money here.'

Customer Reviews

This Must Be One Of Her Worst Books Ever !!!!!!!
I have been a huge fan of Patrcia Cornwell since her first books with Kay Scarpetta .. But it's now obvious that she has promised the "Agent" too many books a year, this is utter rubbish, very difficult to follow (I even purchased the audio cd in case it was all the Italian names that were confusing) .. but I had to give up on it, the plot is so full of holes you could drive an atriculated dumper truck through them .. concentrate on ONE book a year and may be you will get your fan base back... I will not be buying any new books from Ms Cornwell....

Scarpetta and co limp on..
Wow, certainly some vitriolic reviews here. I think any recent reader of Cornwell's books would know what to expect from The Book of the Dead. In the last few years the Scarpetta series has changed a lot. Yes, they are grim, the characters are pretty miserable, the criminals nastier. However, while it is much harder to get into the books these days, I like the darkness and complexity of them. I've even got used to Cornwell's more rambling writing style. No more neat and tidy first person narrative from Kay. Cornwell is no cosy airport thriller writer these days. It's a bit of a heart of darkness trip when you read her books.

I admit, it took me a while. I had this book from the library a few months back but couldn't get into it. Got it out again recently and read it in 2 days, really getting into the story and worrying about Lucy's brain tumour, Rose's cancer, Marino's horrible behaviour and once again not getting why Benton Wesley is in the series - he's the dullest character in my opinion. The villains are a little over the top. Has Doctor Self appeared before? She has a history with Kay, but I lose track of the incidental characters at times. She is a total nut job. The motives of the killer are also unexplored. One of the quirks of the last few Scarpetta books is the abrupt no-explanation endings. I find it quite frustrating, but again, in a way it does get you thinking at least.

I did enjoy this book, but I find it hard to believe that anyone but die hard fans are still buying Cornwell's books. I hope she continues with the Scarpetta series, I do care about the characters and while not to everyone's taste, I like her trippy writing style.

Still fantastic!
Book of the Dead

I love all the Scarpetta books, this is still a fantastic read, can't wait for the next one!!! I agree it does get pretty dark but it only intrigues you as to where the series is going.