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I believe it’s one her best. But all her books are incredible!
I read only 3 chapters at first. I knew once I delved in so I waited until the right time to read thee whole book in one day. I am glad I waited until I had the chance to read its entirety !

This was one of my favorite series many, many years ago.

puff

(2.6)Full disclosure: These books diminished in quality but I was stuck w/a 4 e-book bundle of stories 11-14 so I'm determined to get there and get my money's worth.

My problem w/these books and those like them is the dichotomy that the better the characterizations the more I feel sorry for the main character and her never ending sea of trouble and anguish. The type of crime stories just treadmill on and on and the poor character has to suffer through many near death experiences, the violent deaths of loved ones, and in Scarpetta's case a litany of gruesome autopsies. On the other hand if the reader doesn't care much for the character I guess there's entertainment to be found, but if I don't care about the characters what's the point of any clever plot.

Specifically, Point of Origin borrows far too much from the Hannibal Lector trope and at times seems to sink deeper into the overwrought fantasies of Batman and Joker. Cornwell has talent and her books are better than they have been but she can't transcend the restraints of her genre like Ellroy or Mosely can.

Patricia Cornwell’s main series begins in 1990, when the internet was new and her computer whiz niece, Lucy, was little. I enjoy watching computers advance through software and hardware capacity that I remember, Lucy grow-up into an F.B.I. agent, and Pete Marino build true friendship with them. F.B.I. profiler Benton Wesley is also family. This approach to their team is why I am willing to read violent crime cases of a chief medical examiner; notably the first woman chief in Virginia. I do not read thrillers, with very few exceptions.

The next novel is in 1999 and I like moving towards our modern environment. I am glad a trio of mutilating psychopaths has been terminated. Many cases pertained to their gruesome crimes. I prefer fresh plots and characters per novel as it is, which is conducive to originality. Kay Scarpetta is always tired or busy, or has doubts about who she is dating and dreary weather is emphasized too often too. It causes blandness; not seeing Kay energetic about anything. Her job is gruelling but everyone has favourite music, television, animals... that animates them. Furthermore, Kay is only in her early 50s but acts ancient, which bothers me additionally. The nature of crimes and her job cannot be happy, therefore scenes of these characters’ personal time need brightening; some levity. Kay, Lucy, and Pete moaning at home as well as on the job, denies their stories of relief from the blandness.

“Point Of Origin”, meaning where a fire started, mixed too many layers. It entailed the worst mutilations and extended to the death of a major character. It was depressing in the extreme! The death of horses multiplied that; a needless, sad increase of drama that yielded no explanation! I hope there is a tone of renewal from now on.

I’m probably between a 3 and a 4 but overall the book keeps me intrigued so that’s why I gave it the higher rating. It is suspenseful at times even though a little out there.

Another incredible book. So emotional, so powerful, wow

Wow, just wow. Action packed and suspensful. Ār$on investigation and helicopter rides. Kay Scarpetta suffers a big loss in the one. Cornwell even warns the reader beforehand at the opening of the book in a letter and I still was NOT ready. That scene, as I read, I sat in my living room with tears rolling down my face, unprepared with tissues, cause she sneaks it on you.

Unfortunately I had a major plot point spoiled for this book so it didn't hit quite as hard as I think it would otherwise. It was still a pretty good read though.

Scarpetta returns in an explosive thriller sure to send fans rushing out to read it. When a fire at a horse farm leaves a mysterious body in the rubble, Scarpetta is tasked by ATF to investigate. All fingers point to the farm's owner, whose known to Scarpetta from past media encounters. Could the body and the fire be the work of someone with a larger agenda? Meanwhile, an old nememis escapes from prison with the goal of wreaking havoc on Scarpetta's life. The story comes to a head when paths cross and Scarpetta is left to put all the pieces together. Who'll get the last laugh in this cat and mouse game and can Scarpetta outwit this criminal mastermind and bring them to justice...again? Cornwell at her best, no doubt.

The ongoing character development of Kay Scarpetta continues to entertain the reader in this novel. Much of her personal life has come to light over the last few novels and this one adds another layer to the story. Scarpetta, and those around whom she is surrounded, continue to grow and develop, entertaining the reader throughout. With some great plot and excellent storylines, Cornwell does not disappoint or leave the reader bored.

Kudos Madam Cornwell on another great novel.

Hmm … well … Cornwell and Scarpetta are such a curate’s egg for me. The books are readable and so far I’ve always finished them but, for me, they could be much better. My biggest problem is that Scarpetta doesn’t grow; she’s stuck in her ways and terrified of change … as such she gets damned boring! Lucy’s new boss Teun McGovern says this of her in this book, “You’re awfully straight and narrow, aren’t you, Kay?” and so she is. Cornwell makes her say in response to this that this isn’t how she sees herself … no surprises there then! Later, Lucy is teaching Scarpetta to fly a chopper and she has to learn to go with the wind, the air, rather than try to correct them and she says to herself, - this was hard for me. I liked to make things better. - Yes, very true, she does and thereby stem so many of her difficulties. I really wish she could grow.

One thing in this book really got through. I lived ponies and horses all my childhood until my late twenties. At one point Scarpetta goes to see a farrier and there begins my problem with Cornwell’s research! Scarpetta tells us – farrier which was a modern name for an old-world blacksmith – No! you silly woman. Farrier is the name of a horse-doctor who, as part of his work, shoes horses. A farrier combines some blacksmith's skills (fabricating, adapting, and adjusting metal shoes) with some veterinarian's skills (knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the lower limb) to care for horses' feet. The word farrier comes from the Middle French ferrier meaning blacksmith and from the Latin word ferrum for iron. It has been in use in Europe for centuries. A blacksmith is one who works metal, makes gates, hinges, metal tyres for wheels and rings for barrels, cannon, jewellery, belt-buckles; and sometimes she or he is a farrier as well – but not that often. Things get worse!

She goes on to say – he snatched a curved knife out of a pocket in his apron and began trimming the frog until the marbled white hoof showed underneath. – Yelp! Yikes! He’s killing the horse! The frog is an important part of the horse's circulatory system — it pumps blood up the horse's leg each time the frog makes contact with the ground. The blood flows down the horse's leg into the digital cushion, a fibrous part of the inner hoof located just above the frog which contains a network of blood vessels. The horse's weight then compresses the frog on the ground, squeezing the blood out of the digital cushion, and pushing it back up the horse's legs. If the farrier cut the frog to the bone a) the horse would leap away from him in extreme pain and b) if he was able to cut to the bone the horse would likely bleed out and die. Do your damned research woman!

She finishes this ghastly fiasco with the words – Marino clung to the wall as he walked behind a horse that was at least fourteen hands high. – Well … gosh … that’s effing enormous! A hand = four inches therefore 14 hands = 56 inches, that’s four foot six inches in old money! Children and small people (like me) ride ponies (not horses – a horse is 15 hand and over!) and as she describes Marino’s height he’d easily be able to tuck this one under his armpit!

All this is not helping me get a good feel in reading the book. I keep getting annoyed. Her writing in this one isn't as good as some of the others, presumably she gets ups and downs like most people (except Scarpetta!). As Cornwell says - and most writers know - there's a lot of herself in Scarpetta. It's worth reading for the main tragedy which will make more sense of the later books (I hope). I'm also not convinced about this apparently indestructible baddy ... I've a feeling that may become dull and lead me to skip those bits.

The real tragedy of the story comes about 2/3rd through and as usual Cornwell gives you hints of this well before. It’s quite well done but not up to her usual standard. I’m not saying what it is at it’d be a real spoiler. It does give me some problems with later books though as I’m trying to work out how it was done and how it was possible … and why. I’m not sure Cornwell ever gives us all this, at least as yet. Am going to read Scarpetta and The Scarpetta Factor to see if she does.

As you can see, despite her occasional real idiocy and the fact that she seems unable to allow, or enable, Scarpetta to grow up, I still read her *smile*. Perhaps my annoyance with her is that she’s good but could be so much better. Sigh! Maybe she will …