A serial killer is stalking Virginia’s young lovers, taking their lives and taunting police with a single clue: a jack of hearts. For two years, the meaning of this card has eluded FBI investigators. But as Scarpetta begins searching the victims’ remains for microscopic clues, she begins to suspect that someone in the FBI knows more about the murderer.
Flesh and bone: investigate more of Kay Scarpetta's forensic cases.
©1992 Patricia D. Cornwell (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC
"Glad I didn't skip this one!"
I didn't read the print version.
Serious character development of peripheral characters- some cute Moreno moments.
I enjoy her reading if Moreno and his New York accent.
I'm so glad I didn't let other reviews sway me from purchasing this book. I'm going through the Scarpetta series for the first time and other readers had me worried. I have no idea what they were talking about! This story is smart, twisty, and dark like the pervious Kay novels.
Abby Turnbull returns. Additionally, we learn a lot more about Moreno and Wesley in this installment.I enjoyed the whole story and it definitely kept me listening, waiting to see whodunit.
For anyone reading the whole series, I can't imagine not including this book in the lineup! Worth the listen.
"I always enjoy Kay Scarpetta and this no exception"
This was one of the earlier of the Kay series and it was one that I had not read so I enjoyed how the story developed and I felt like an observer watching the development of not only solving the case, but in the shifting each character's personal life.
The strategy and the plot and development of the case
This was my first time listening to C.J. , it took me about ten minutes into the story and then I was used to her voice and it seem to fit very well.
There was a lot of emotion in this book, not enough humor, but not sure if it was needed. I was guessing throughout trying to figure the case and the life of the characters and the ending left me wanting to go to the next book.
I always enjoy Patrica Cornwell's books, she is complicated but yet puts it all so simple and smooth. I even like the way she takes the time to describe the scenery, the weather, the color of hair, clothes, all the small but important details that bring the story to life.
"Great as always!"
I love this author. I have readand listened to lots of her books. I haven't listened to them in ordered of date published but it hasn't mattered. It's interesing to hear about characters iin the earlier books and learn how/why they've evolved as they have!
Suspense!!!
I have actually gone to the internet while reading/listening to a Scarpetta novel and looking things! I've learned lots!
"Not The Best Scarpetta"
The book kind of dragged on and on.
This book was not as interesting or exciting as previous books by Patricia Cornwell.
I think the only saving grace of this book was C.J. Critt. She always does a great job. She does differentiate the characters well. I also enjoy her narrations in the Stephanie Plum books.
Not really. I'll look at other reviews before purchasing.
This was a sale book at $4.95...I'm wondering if it was on sale because it didn't do too well at the regular price.
"Wrong reader for me."
I did not remember that I had read this book when it was first published, long before I discovered audiobooks. The reader, C J Critt, is an excellent reader, but I am so familiar with her from her outstanding work on Janet Evanovich's books, that the voices just do not work for me on this murder mystery. I stopped listening on disc 1. Listen to a sample first before buying.
As I remember the book and plot, it's pretty good, from when the Scarpetta series was still fresh and good.
"Patricia Cornwell is an excellent storyteller"
Yes. Gripping story.
Yes. You never knew what wouldcome next.
Yes. She is Dr. Scarpetta to me.
No. Never have that much time.
Keep Dr. Scarpetta read by C. J. Critt coming.
"good intro to a new series for me"
Always on the hunt for new characters/authors so this was a good find. I will definitely be getting more of Scarpetta.
"I'll try more"
I'd heard of Cornwall's Scarpetta series but never tried one. This was an Audible special offer so thought I'd give it a try. It's book 3 in the series but I don't think I missed too much by not having read the first two. I'll probably proceed in order from this point. Interesting story and characters. Narration was not as good, but not so bad as to keep me from listening to others by Critt.
"Story was slow, anti-climatic - Critts destroys it"
Cornwell - yes. Critt - NO
Boring, predictable.
It could have been read by someone else. Critt takes pauses that are so long, I have checked numerous times to see if my device has died. Her voice for Benton is absurd - some snarky, angry-at-the-world jerk that snaps every word he says. Not Benton at all. And for god's sake, does she have the mic shoved in her mouth or does she breathe abnormally loud? Disgusting.
"My Favorite So far"
I have only recently been introduced to P Cornwell. I lived in Richmond for several years so I had heard of her but had never read anything of hers before. I am glad I picked her up. Her characters are believable to me.
This so far, is my favorite of her first 3. I definitely see her picking up steam as she goes along.