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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Flesh and Blood by Patricia Cornwell

Flesh and Blood (Kay Scarpetta, #22)

I am coming back to Patricia Cornwell after about two years. I had read everything there was in the Glen Waverley library at that time and was very glad to see this one which was a new one for me. No 22 in the Kay Scarpetta series. Despite being No 22 which does seem a lot the book has pace, intrigue and sufficient mystery to keep you going.

Cornwell's writing is meticulous. Her research is obviously detailed and scrutinized because you can see accuracy in every bit of her writing. Police procedures, legal procedures, medical procedures are all very much alive and for me holds my interest throughout the story. For me it adds to the basic bones of the mystery/murder/psychological thriller part of the book.

The story here sounds more personal with the discovery of seven pennies shiny bright all with one date which has significance for Kay. One homicide follows a few minutes later followed by what seems like straight forward deaths but which on further examining are anything but. Links to an insurance company which Kay has had run ins before surface along with a political leader whose history is shadowed. He is powerful enough to bury everything that has been done by him and his son and somehow these homicides are linked back to him. The personal link does not surface till the very end and it surprises them all.

Characterization is spot on. Marino blustering and gruff, seemingly unprofessional, Kay the epitome of being calm and collected, Benton suave and all others playing a part in a story which comes together as a cohesive whole.

Loved the read.

6 comments:

  1. If heard this is back to her old style and that makes me very happy.

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  2. It has been awhile since I've read a Scarpetta novel.

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  3. I've never read anything by this author, but I've heard so many good things.

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  4. I don't think I've read her books. Sounds like a good one.

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  5. Hope you share this over at Books You Loved: February. Cheers from CArole's chatter

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  6. I stopped reading this series a few years ago. I really haven't missed it, in truth. I am glad you enjoyed this one. It sounds like she's back on her game again.

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