Disappointed with the abrupt ending but wonderful book overall

This Kay Scarpetta adventure is fun but different from the last few. There is a lot of “cyber forensics” in this book. I put it in quotes not because I’m being sarcastic because it’s actually what they do, but rather because the technology is so outdated as I read this early 90’s book in 2024. I’m definitely not holding that against the book. A lot of people will use the term “product of its time” when talking about a book full of slurs and misogyny, but I’ll use it in a more positive and charming light. This book is a product of its time in the best possible way.

It’s not the episode of CSI that I normally love from these books, but it was a nice change since I’ve been reading all these back to back. Four stars is fair for my enjoyment and I can’t wait for the next one.

Wow!

What a thrill ride that was! Great story, great pace, great author. Looking forward to the next installment of this great series.

Good, but not great. I would consider this book much better than the previous book in the series. This one focused solely on the serial killer that they have discussed in prior books. The chase is on and they are determined to finally catch the guy who is terrorizing the east coast and Dr Scarpetta.

One thing that is starting to bug me is that Scarpetta's character is not very likeable at times. She is super stubborn. She is still hung up on feelings for a man who is married. And she doesn't seem to trust her niece to make her own decisions as an adult, aka super over protective. Maybe the flaws are the point and she'll grow as the series goes on. For now, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

I am really enjoying my re-read of this series and of course how differently I view the characters now that I am a similar age to Kay. In my 20s when I first read these books, Kay always seemed so old :-P.

This book was set in both Virginia and NYC (specifically Central Park) and was a carry on from previous books with trying to track down serial killer Gault. I remembered how this book ended - so there was a lack of mystery this time around and the ending was pieced together really quickly (a frustrating trademark of these books) - but 4 stars for the book as a whole as I do love Kay, Lucy, Benton, Marino and of course the writing of Ms Cornwell.

I just wish the killer(s) in these books would give Kay a break - she does always seem to be the target of their obsession.

On to book 7.

Bellissimo e intenso. Il classico libro che vuoi divorare fino all'ultima parola.

Notes for me:
Final showdown with Gault. He is one hell of a villain. There is something so bitingly tragic about the attempted murder and final murder of his sister. A sociopath is born not made in this book and I watch his parents struggle with their own child's malevolence.

Kay is struggling with a heart yearning for Benton and unable to have him. Marino shows off how narrow minded he is when it comes to Lucy.

Good suspense with this one.

This book just felt so lackluster. Then after getting through the entire book and taking time to get invested in what is going on and who the characters are the end wraps up in less than a page, which at that point I was already skim reading because it just wasn't holding my attention. There are characters flaws with the main character that I don't agree with and I don't know if I will be continuing this series even though I thoroughly enjoyed the first few. If she stuck with simply the forensic murder mystery side these books would be great it is all the other stuff that drags the book down.

From Potters Field was the most riveting story I've read so far from the Scarpetta series. Captain Marino was a riot, as usual, and Lucy is growing up whether her Auntie Kay likes it or not. Benton Wesley seems more uptight as the FBI gets closer to capturing Temple Brooks Gault. Since Gault appeared in #4 and wasn't caught in #5, I was more than happy to bid good riddance to that psychopath in #6. Hooray!!!!

Kay is feeling insecure because of Benton's actions and I honestly hope that she lets go of the relationship that has sparked between them before she gets in too deep, for her own good. It's not good for business. And besides, he's a married man.

Could it be that Kay has bitten off more than she can chew by becoming a consultant for the FBI in addition to all the dreadful hours she spends as Chief Medical Examiner, at the morgue? Only time will tell.

I loved reading this book I have read it more than once

Story plots are generally constructed by opposites; heroes and villains, the better the one, the more diabolically contrasting the other; in From Potter’s Field by Patricia Cornwell pits Medical Examiner/Forensic Pathologist Kate Scarpetta against the ever illusive and increasingly unpredictable and violent psychopath Temple Brooke Gault. Kate moves north of Virginia to the Big Apple where her arch-enemy has started again. An unknown and naked woman is found murdered in the snows of Central Park. I generally read for pleasure (and I’ve enjoyed this and all the other Patricia Cornwell books I’ve read) but that doesn’t mean I can’t also be critical. My one general criticism is that Dr. Kate Scarpetta’s public service goes above and beyond the call of duty. Sometimes it borders the unbelievable. With this one flaw revealed, I must also add that the writing is fast-moving and very interesting and I would readily recommend it to all.

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is a medical examiner and FBI consultant. For years she has helped the government track the notorious serial killer Temple Gault, whose victims are easily recognized due to his distinct killing patterns. After eluding capture over a long period of time, Gault begins killing again, and Scarpetta and her partner Pete Marino are sent to investigate the body of Gault’s latest victim. The pair meet up with Commander Frances Penn, Chief Benton Wesley, and several other FBI and police personnel to attempt to identify Jane Doe and to piece together her connection to the killer. A few days later, a police officer is found murdered in a subway, and once again the killer appears to be Temple Gault. Upon deeper investigation, Scarpetta stumbles upon a horrifying fact: Gault has somehow stolen her credit card and is pretending to be her son. She is able to trace the stolen card to her niece Lucy, who is the creator of CAIN, a government computer system used to keep track of criminal files. Lucy claims that a number of her personal items were stolen, including the credit card that her aunt had loaned to her, in a security breech a few months back. Scarpetta concludes that there is reason to believe that Gault was the intruder, and that he might now have access to top secret government files. As the death count continues to increase, Dr. Kay Scarpetta soon comes to a chilling realization: she is Gault’s focus, and he may be killing to impress her. Suddenly, everyone who is close to Scarpetta is in danger, and the FBI and New York Police Department work quickly to stop Gault before he kills again.

This novel is great for anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery!