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Two years ago, the victim’s body washed up on the shores of Virginia. She had been out with her fiancé, who claims he has no idea what happened to her. When the authorities questioned him, through immediately tossed him in jail, where he sits today. Scarpetta holds the key to the forensic evidence and her word, should it be taken serial by the jury, could free a man or condemn him forever. The story starts out with Kay testifying in Old Town Alexandria regarding the alleged murder of a young woman by her husband. The judge is Kay's former roommate. The rulings the Judge makes during Kay's testimony would never happen, nor would the outrageous objections made by the prosecutor. The unrealistic story gets worse from here as people start getting killed, including the Judge's sister who is staying at the Judge's residence, with a microwave gun. There appears to be no connection to the killings, and there really isn't but for the author's unbelievable stretch at the end to make sure there is a connection. But the relief doesn’t last long. She and investigator Pete Marino are soon notified that presiding judge (and Scarpetta’s friend/former roommate) Annie Chilton’s sister has been found dead at the family’s home. Further, evidence at the crime scene—blown electricity, dead wildlife, singed greenery, etc.—indicates the use of a high-tech “microwave gun.” That the victim was employed by the CIA and allegedly having an extramarital affair with Flagler only complicates matters, which are steeped in personal and professional quagmire. When a second body is discovered at a separate location, Scarpetta and expert Co. (including husband, Benton, and niece, Lucy) know that the threat of further violence is imminent. Still, internal strife and jurisdictional turf wars (think CIA, FBI, Secret Service) threaten to delay resolution, even as the terrorist(s) prepare to strike again. I enjoyed reading this book and made a promise to read more of the previous novels in this series. I would rate it at 3.5 stars but some of that is probably due to not being fully up to speed with the series. There was good character growth (just a little growth since the series has been around for years, so you expect the character's to have done their growing) -just enough to keep them fresh. An interesting new weapon, at least to me.
Hailed as the first bona fide forensic thriller, Postmortem paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring all things forensic. CSI? You'll read it here first. The first few chapters were hard going due to the obnoxious prosecutor. You know that they have to try their utmost but he took the phrase "adversarial legal system" extremely literally. The overarching plot was good & I particularly liked how the different crime scenes were eventually tied together. All the main characters of the core group were involved: Scarpetta, Benton, Marino, & Lucy, & there were a few new ones too. As stated in my previous review of “Autopsy”, my problem is simply this. The characters never develop, grow, change, or evolve. They are way too predictable and obvious. I challenge anyone to name one book in the series in which other members of the family did not know more about one of Kay’s murder investigations than she did herself. There probably is one, but I cannot think of it. In addition, the plotlines also follow the same formula and structure, which includes weak, frustrating, and unfulfilled endings. Just like her previous outing – “Autopsy” – the structure of the novel was the same. Everything takes place over a period of less than 48 hours. It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience.funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.” This book starts out with a trial that Kay is an expert witness but is being treated like -well, I just don't know how to describe it, but it sure isn't with any respect! This trial has a lot to do with today's political climate in the USA. The Top 25 Christmas Cookbooks for 2023: A Smorgasbord of Inspiration for a Happy Foodie This Christmas They drive to Norfolk (to confirm her boss whom she doesn't like is up to no good) from Alexandria and while driving some of the "terrorists" are arrested. New Sports Biographies and Autobiographies: Gift a Book for the Sports Fan In Your Life this Christmas
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Christmas with the Best Drinks Books On The Shelves I find I enjoy these books more where there is a bad guy/ serial killer on the loose … I find my eyes glaze over a little when we begin to talk chemical warfare, politics, and terrorism. It’s not that I don’t think they are important in real life - I just don’t enjoy the subject matter as much in my books. It’s incredibly dry and tedious IMO. I have to say, on the same hand I always appreciate Cornwell’s attention to detail and her writing is consistent as ever. Scarpetta shows no signs of slowing down and she and Benton still make quite the power couple. A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of King and Crichton alike will enjoy.Way too much time spent on the scientific research, which overwhelms and almost drowns out the story at time.
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