At Risk

Publisher's Summary

For decades, Patricia Cornwell has demonstrated her extraordinary ability not only to entertain and enthrall but to surprise as well. Beginning in January 2006, The New York Times Magazine serialized a brand-new Cornwell thriller, a book filled with all the chilling suspense, rich characters, and trademark forensics that have made her an international phenomenon. But what she does with those ingredients is a revelation.

A Massachusetts state investigator is called home from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is completing a course at the National Forensic Academy. His boss, the district attorney, attractive but hard-charging, is planning to run for governor, and as a showcase she's planning to use a new crime initiative called At Risk; its motto: "Any crime, any time." In particular, she's been looking for a way to employ cutting-edge DNA technology, and she thinks she's found the perfect subject in an unsolved 20-year-old murder-in Tennessee. If her office solves the case, it ought to make them all look pretty good, right?

Her investigator is not so sure, not sure about anything to do with this woman, really, but before he can open his mouth, a shocking piece of violence intervenes, an act that shakes up not only both their lives but the lives of everyone around them. It's not a random event. Is it personal? Is it professional? Whatever it is, the implications are very, very bad indeed...and they're about to get much worse.

Sparks fly, traps spring, twists abound. This is the master working at the top of her game.

©2006 Cornwell Enterprises, Inc. (P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Books on Tape. All rights reserved. Penguin Audio is a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Terrible

This book doesn't even merit one star. I've read all Patricia Cornwell's books. She is one of my favorite authors. It's hard to believe that she actually wrote this book. I had to check to make sure I hadn't downloaded some abridged version. The plot is weak and confusing, character development is poor, and the ending is abrupt to say the least.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

At Risk Disappointed

Having been a fan of Patricia Cornwell for years, I was most disappointed in her newest novel, "At Risk". It was not nearly as suspenseful nor was the plot as exciting as her usual work. Bring back Scarpetta!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

She ain't what she used to be

Once my favoriate author, Cornwell should take a break and try to recapture her old style. Granted, this is an improvement over her most recent works but I miss the old writing style...But her first couple books are still her best works...

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Read at your own risk

I purchased this book out of loyalty to an author I have really liked in the past-but now I wish I hadn't wasted the credit on it. Characters are good, but the story goes nowhere & ends abruptly. Pay attention to the reviews before you buy this!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

At Risk

It was slow to get off the ground. Didn't really hold my interest. Finally it got interesting. Stayed that way for a while and all of the suden it just ended!!!! I thought maybe there was another part, but no, that was it. Had good potential, just didn't really finish the story to me.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Author at her worst

This author lost vision, character development, plot development and holding readers interest about four books back. However she has now reached a low that should have told her she no longer has it. Even on sale no reader should waste their money or credits.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not worth the listen

I am an avid Cornwell fan and would recommend most of her other books, but not this one.

It's downright boring and didn't hold my attention. The story line is very weak and it was difficult at times to follow along. I kept thinking that I must have gotten the abridged version. It seemed to skip ahead and then fill in the blanks with a lot of dialog. It is also very predictable and what you didn't figure out on your own was just told to you in the last 3 minutes.

If you want to experience Cornwell at her best, try The Body Farm or From Potter's Field and then follow Scarpetta - you won't be disappointed.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

At Risk

I was excited when I saw Cornwell had started a new series with a new character, but was very disappointed in this book. It does not have the deep or plot that her other books had. The end of the book seemed rushed and was hard to follow. Clearly not up to her standards.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Rushed and Unfinished

I have enjoyed her other books but this one seemed like she had missed her publishing deadline and just turned in the rough draft missing the final 4 chapters. I liked the early character development but during the second half of the book the only insight about the characters seemed to be a listing of the "brands" of their furniture and clothing.

I felt cheated and the ending was unsatisfying. I would not recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Don't bother!

Just as I was about to give up on following this hopeless storyline, it ended! I've read all of the Kay Scarpetta novels - and this isn't in the same league by a long-shot! She used to be my favorite author.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful