The Bone Bed

Scarpetta, Book 20

By: Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over 2,000 miles away, in Boston. She has no idea why. But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect that the paleontologist's disappearance is connected to a series of crimes - much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age.

When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator, Pete Marino, and FBI forensic psychologist and husband, Benton Wesley, have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and cruel.

This is Kay Scarpetta as you have never seen her before. The Bone Bedis a must-listen for any fan of this series, or an ideal starting point for new readers.

©2012 Patricia Cromwell (P)2012 Penguin Audio

A tedious disappointment - Don't Bother!

Where is the confident, take no prisoners Scarpetta gone? Over the last 20 books she has steadily deteriorated. Readers want humanistic heroes, but Cornwell allows her character to slide more and more into the abyss of self-doubt. This novel does not hang together and does not move any of the people forward you care about (except Lucy – for once and only just barely).

The first half of the book goes into way to much autopsy detail and drags on and on and on and on and on. The court case backdrop was not believable; nor, did any real resolution happen in it or to the confrontations that were provoked by it. The story is just flat-out weak. The general theme of Marino screwing up has been done to death (pardon the pun). It would also be nice to see a little more communication between Scarpetta, Lucy and Benton – the non-communication theme has also been played out. Conrwell glosses over this breakdown with flimsy one line justifications. One the positive side, at least Lucy might start to finally catch a break.

If Cornwell wants to keep this series going, she needs to find more inspiration. A great case, a thrill of the chase, let’s get the characters outwardly focused instead of inspecting their own navels. Let Scarpetta and her characters kick some butt instead of having their butts kicked. C’mon Conrwell, Scarpetta deserves better than this!

Not a happy soul to be found - - - -

Although I have read or listened to almost every Scarpetta novel, there has been disappointment in her last few. I keep hoping the writing will return to the kind of relationships and story lines in the early years--but no.

I had high expectations for this one based on the summary from the publisher- it sounded really good. It held my interest up through the first half of part one, but after that, the continual obnoxious behavior the characters all have for one another began to grate. No one, and I mean NO ONE, is a likeable person. Even Kay and Benton seem to have contempt for each other. There is just no connection between any of the the characters that makes me say "yes--I'd like to see what happens down the road" with these people.

Now I must comment on the narration, which is mentioned by several other people. At the beginning, Lucy sounded a bit like an aging valley girl. As the book went on, her voice smoothed out, but always sounds like she is agitated. Kate Reading is not very good with male voices either. It sounds like she is trying too hard. I really wish they would at least try another narrator--maybe Anna Fields.

The story line did come together at the end, but I didn't like the way it got there. If you can get past the narration, and you are a real Scarpetta fan, you probably will like this book ok.

Interesting plot

The story starts with Dr Kay Scarpetta freeing a leatherback turtle that is tangled in fishing lines and hung up on a buoy line, then she goes about bringing up a dead women. Then she is late for court and the judge and defence attorney rack her over the coals. Kay Scarpetta, of the earlier part of the series, would have not taken the question by the defense attorney. The Kay of this book has lost herself confidence and is questioning all her action and the people around her. Pete Marino is framed in a murder but it is Lucy who defends him not Kay. She is jealous of Benton Wesley new co-worker. The plot is interesting and suspenseful with enough twists to keep the reader on their toes. Lucy is the only person in the book that seems to be growing into a confident person. Wonder what the next book will bring, hopefully Kay will return to her old confident self.

Probably my least favorive Patricia Cornwell book

What would have made The Bone Bed better?

What would have made the Bone Bed better? A better narrator would have been a good start but would not have saved the lazy effort put forth on the story. Kate Reading provided a barely acceptable Scarpetta, but her reading of the other characters was awful. As for the story, Cornwell once again drones on about past and personal details, yet gives the reader little to go on as far as "solving" the mystery. In the end a barely developed character steps in to provide us with the villian. I really miss the old Scarpetta.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore

What didn’t you like about Kate Reading’s performance?

Her voices for everyone but Scarpetta were terrible.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Few, if any.

Any additional comments?

This book won't cause me to abandon Cornwell. She has disappointed in the past with a few of the stories I felt were mailed in, but I know one day there will be another Post Mortem and it will be worth it.

Cornwell, as usual, knocks it out of the park!

If you could sum up The Bone Bed in three words, what would they be?

Very darn Good

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Bone Bed?

When I figured out who the bad guy was and Scarpetta hadn't yet. I knew she was in deep trouble as she went on not fearing thie women and I knew she would have an attempt on her life!

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kate Reading?

It would depend on the author. I am unsure why she pronounce some words as she did. I certainly wouldn't listen to it because of the narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

High stakes thiller

Any additional comments?

I am a medical professional. The narrator pronounced several fairly common words oddly- not in any dictionary medical or otherwise that I could find (i.e. min u cha e' for minutiae.) There were others but they were nerve grating!

long time fan will never listen again

What would have made The Bone Bed better?

a good narrator. this one was so bad.

Would you recommend The Bone Bed to your friends? Why or why not?

no I would advise against

Would you be willing to try another one of Kate Reading’s performances?

no never ever ever will I listen to this reader again. any book she narrates I will not purchase

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

anger at reader disappointment i p Cornwell. I have read every Scarpettta. book. I will never listen to another if this is reader

Any additional comments?

I want my money back

Such Frustrating Narration!!!!

What did you like best about The Bone Bed? What did you like least?

I was so excited for a new Scarpetta - but pretty disappointed with the ho-hum story line and the overall tired feeling to the book. It seemed as though Ms. Cornwell was trying to meet a deadline...nothing new, nothing exciting but still nice to hear from the recurring characters.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

predictable

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kate Reading?

anyone else

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

yes

Any additional comments?

I hate to be cruel but Kate Reading has no business narrating. Her character voices vacillate between downright boring and just plain silly...just awful. She also mispronounces several words in this one - so annoying and distracting to the story.

Good storyline, horrible narration

What did you like about this audiobook?

Good plot. I always enjoy Kay Scarpetta. The story is ruined by the narration.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nasal tone, lack of good inflection.

Blah.

Kay is still unhappy with Lucy's choices, Marino's choices, and Benton's choices. So, I guess you could say that Kay is just unhappy. Cornwell showed some improvement with her return to first person narrative and to Scarpetta with a real job and real power. Unfortunately it hasn't gotten better from there and so I can only give 3 stars that lean more heavily to 2 than to 4.

Took awhile to get into!

I traditionally love the Scarpetta books but this one took me awhile to get into. I actually stopped listening twice, but went back to it. In the end it was a good book but not as good as some of her books. A bit slow, not to much action as others. Performance was good just not sure I love the overall story that much.