I am a long-time fan of Patricia Cornwell and her work. I have loved most of the Kay Scarpetta novels, because they take such a unique look at the criminal justice and forensic medicine systems. This latest novel is, I believe, one of the best. It grabbed my attention right at the beginning and carried it until the end -- I could not put it down. Not solely because of the suspense, but because of the wonderfully descriptive narrative and well-written dialogue. It was a pure pleasure to read.
The main story line was really quite interesting -- the story of the tangled, complex, somewhat paranoia-driven lives of two "little people" -- one who was murdered, and one who was a likely suspect. The story pulls you into the drama of these people's lives, but continually reminds you of its numerous subplots, and the wonderfully complicated lives of all those swirling around the central murder. The tension created by all these multi-dimensional personalities and their relationships made this book a wonderfully satisfying experience. Cornwell provides just the right amount of background information for those who haven't read (or don't remember as well as they used to!) the prior novels in the series.
Through all the mysteries of the main event, you are constantly pulled back into the lives and personal stories of Benton and Kay (who have some explaining to do to each other), Marino, Kay and Lucy (not to mention Marino's new love interest), the less frequent appearances of Shrew (some name) and the fascinating drama of her life and work, Lucy and her new love interest, and a new detective, whose arrogance and ego causes everyone to love to hate him. Many authors get into trouble when there are too many characters or too many relationships to describe and follow, but Cornwell pursues and develops all of their stories with ease. It got to the point where with each new chapter, I couldn't wait to find out which part of the story she was going to focus on next.
Because this is a "forensic" novel, I have to mention one small complaint I have about its accuracy. (I hate to complain about this book because I really loved it.) A very important part of the story concerns the relationship Kay develops with the potential murder suspect, Oscar Bane, and her worries over her conflicted role as his physician, and her service to New York State as a forensic consultant. She believes her first loyalty must be to Oscar, her patient (because he has asked to see her in connection with some injuries he suffered, he claims, in connection with the murder), and that physician-patient privilege will force her to keep mum about ANYTHING Oscar tells her. But she continually clarifies for him that that loyalty may end if he in fact becomes a murder suspect, and she may then have to disclose what he tells her to the State. It creates such a fine dilemma: in fact, one of the most noteworthy passages for me is the dance done by Kay and her husband as they attempt to discuss the situation without Kay crossing what she perceives to be the proper line of physician-patient privilege.
It is so fine, that I hate to point out (but I must!) that this is not an accurate portrayal of the physician-patient privilege. First, while the privilege would attach under these circumstances, its scope would be limited to the things Oscar told Kay about his injuries (i.e., the privilege protects information given to the doctor in the course of seeking treatment). If he discloses other information to her, it is not protected!!!! Secondly, there are circumstances in which the privilege (any privilege, really) will disappear and a physician can be directed (by a court or grand jury for example) to testify concerning otherwise privileged matters, but I am not aware that simply becoming a suspect is one of them. Just a glitch in an otherwise fine novel.
At the end of the day, this is a novel you will not want to miss, even with its technical flaw.
writes,
In the last Cornwell book that I read, Benton died. His wife and daughters were at his
funeral. In this book Benton and Kay are married......... Now, if he really did not die
this should be covered in ALL the later books so that there is no confusion. Many
of us do not read the books in order of published date. I thought that there was
a new character with the old name.
writes,
Scarpetta (Kay Scarpetta)
WOW! What a great book, that you can't put down. This book has so many twist and turns in it you actually feel like you are in the book with the charcater's. I love the new ones, but still like the old one's too.If you don't have this book you need to go get it fast, you can't put it down once you start it. Thank you again Ms.Cornwell for a book well written, and please keep them coming. You are the best!
