UNNATURAL EXPOSURE - G
Cornwell, Patricia - 3th kay Scarpetta

A sadistic serial killer, the weapon a deadly virus Dublin, Ireland and Richmond, Virginia: separated by thousands of miles - linked by murder. For Dr Kay Scarpetta a lecture stint in Ireland provides the perfect opportunity to find out if the murders on both sides of the Atlantic are indeed connected. Five dismembered, beheaded bodies were found in Ireland five years ago - now four have been discovered in the States. But the tenth corpse in Virginia is different. There are vital discrepancies, and an indication that the elderly victim was already seriously ill. A copy-cat killing. Ghoulish, perhaps, but not unusual. And then abject terror grips Scarpetta and her colleagues when the next body is found. The circumstances of death broadcast a clear and horrifying message: the killer is armed with the most lethal weapon on earth - smallpox.

Cornwells first four books were great. They have fallen off since then. This was better than some of her recent books but there were still a low of loose ends.

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced crime thriller which is relevant today. It has an intelligent, strong and capable female protagonist, murder, mystery, wit, a touch of humor, a surprising twist, and a satisfying conclusion. This novel can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but it is better when read in order for continuity. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. C. J. Critt, does a wonderful job voicing the characters.

This was an odd one. I enjoyed it and the whole thing, in retrospect, was very clever. I continue with this series because the plots are interesting and the characters are memorable (that doesn't always mean likable - there are some characters I don't like at all and some other characters that I sometimes don't like). There were some points that didn't wrap up when the main plot did and they don't seem to be things left open for future books. I am trying to be vague so I don't do spoilers. I know some subplots continue through future books (which I enjoy) - I am just saying I think some things were missed that aren't going to be part of future stories. I could be wrong. I will continue with this series as long as I enjoy the books this much. I listen to the audiobooks and the narrator is fantastic - adding a lot to my enjoyment of the book. Thumbs up!

This is Cornwell's 8th Kay Scarpetta book and it is an improvement over her past 3-4. In fact, so far, this is the best ending Cornwell has put together. I was worried she would have her typical yawner of an ending but she has shown me she can put some twists in play.

As I was reading the book I was thinking to myself, "Whatever happened to just your typical serial killer?" You see in this one we have someone who is killing people with a disease very like small pox and they are threatening to unleash such a plague on the world. This is the second book in a row that Cornwell had used Kay to save the world from disaster. Dismembered bodies were being found in land dumps. The most recent one found had a rash that was later traced to small pox. The killer was then using aroma therapy spray to transmit the virus directly to people including people in Kay's office.

Despite Cornwell trying to make Scarpetta the savior of the world again, this is a good story with a twist at the end that saves the day. Another good thing is that Wesley is now divorced so Kay is no longer the skank ruining his marriage. But get this...now that Wesley is free Kay has pulled back and doesn't want a relationship with him. There is probably some psychological issue there.

Lucy is still in her homosexual relationship with Janet and Marino is still needy. Kay is also not a very nice person at times. She tends to look down on people. Yet, despite all of this, this story is really better then her last few.