Good Reads recommended this series because I reviewed a couple books that the Bones TV show was based on. Like Bones, this series has a female protagonist—Kay Scarpetta, the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia. Unfortunately, the earliest book that my library’s Libby account had available was #7 in the series. Since the characters had all been introduced in previous books, I felt I was at a slight disadvantage.

I improved my rating to three stars, because I think what I reacted strongly against was the way the narrator reads the dialogue. She sounds so angry, even when reading conversations between friends. I changed the play speed to 1.1x and for some reason, that helped a bit.

Cause of Death got off to a good start with the doctor getting a call about the death of a diver who used an above-water breathing apparatus and was found in a restricted area near retired Navy ships. The local police and military were in a hurry to take the body out of the water, but as a trained diver, Dr. Scarpetta makes it clear that she wants to see the body en situ and, insists they cool their heals until she can get to the location.

I like some events that move the plot forward, but others are ham-fisted. In 2022, we’ve been spoiled by our exposure to CSI and other crime investigation shows! Some things just don’t make sense: for example, why would the chief medical examiner for the entire state be doing personal interviews with a victim’s mother? I was also puzzled why she didn’t get her friend in the police to use his resources. When they found a list of recently faxed numbers at the victim’s home office, why didn’t she let the police identify who the victim had contacted? No! Instead she hand writes a request and faxes it, asking recipients to respond and identify themselves! Nothing like giving the bad guys a heads up!

Within a few chapters, one of the local police officers has invaded her personal space, touched her inappropriately, ignored her requests to stop the behavior and then filed a complaint against ~her~ for sexual harassment. When Dr. Scarpetta is called by his supervisor to inform her of the complaint, she loses her cool, which I don’t blame her for. But with her position, I thought the commanding officer would treat her better. After being so bad-ass in the first chapters I expected her to set him straight but she doesn’t go on the offensive at all.

The characters could be interesting. Lucy, the doctor’s niece, and her girlfriend, both work for the FBI. Dr. Scarpetta’s best friend is an old school detective who smokes every possible chance. Unfortunately, they seemed somewhat cartoonish and not three-dimensional characters.

I saw that Jamie Lee Curtis has been in talks to produce a TV show based on the books. Hopefully a good actor can do bring it to life.

I couldn't help but get immersed in this book. Literally, a diver gets killed and the action takes place in Norfolk Va, my old stomping grounds! It moves around VA... Chesapeake, Richmond, Back Bay and of course the US Navy is involved. I am an old Navy brat! I live on the opposite side of the country, now. So, I have to admit that some of my enjoyment of this book had to do with personal nostalgia. However,the female medical examiner/detective named Scarpetta was really well portrayed as the protagonist that does not give up. This book led me to read another Scarpetta detective novel, "Predator." Equally as good but takes place in Florida.

Ok, ovo je bilo vrlo čudno.

Encántame a protagonista desta serie de libros de novela negra, unha forense valiente e resolutiva. É unha novela moi áxil e nada pedante, escrita dun xeito moi superior ao que agardaba dun libro destas características.

Recomendo moito a esta autora!

Pd: para lectores estacionais, esta obra transcorre entre finais de decembro e comezos de xaneiro

This is probably my least favourite so far, but it is Kay Scarpetta, Benton, and Marino that keep me reading. I love their dynamic and, as I've said before, even though these are set decades ago I am still finding them fascinating. Yes, liberties are taken, the above mentioned never seem to get older, Kay Scarpetta is a one-woman crime-solving machine, but they are incredibly addictive.

This book was a great addition to the Scarpetta series. The only complaint I have is that it seemed to drag at times, but it was otherwise great! Strange antagonists!

It’s been too long since I’ve read a Scarpetta novel, and it was great to be back in her world again.

Aussie Readers Reading Challenge 2019:
MARCH: A book that starts with the letter "C"

I am continuing my re-read of the Scarpetta series. I haven't picked these books up for over 20 years and they have sat on my bookcase staring out wanting desperately for someone to read them. I am finally re-reading them and then passing them on to the second hand book shop (a book has one function - to be read and read often....keeping these as "ornaments" for over 20 years makes me feel very guilty).

Parting with this book is unfortunately not a hard task as this has been my least favourite book in the series so far. The mystery is convoluted and not overly logical (mainly because it is dealing with fanatics and tries to cram in too many topical (for the time) issues with nuclear weapons, fanatics, Libya etc. Also it is the book where Kay and Lucy and Wesley are all in bad places in terms of relationships and all are remarkably unlikable.

The whole book is rather quite miserable and unfortunately was a bit of a slog to read. Thank-god for Marino who just brought authenticity and joy to every scene he was in. Time to dust off book #8 now. Farewell book #7 may you find a brand new reader out there to embrace you...

Wanting Scarpetta fired or dead is getting to be an annoying trope. The science is interesting enough to keep reading.

#7 of the Kay Scarpetta series

Just like with tv shows that feature a medical examiner, I often wonder - is this all really in their job description?

Kay’s stress level has got to be through the roof. Between the dismal crime scenes, dealing with some obnoxious members of the police and navy, and her life as well as her loved ones being in constant peril, I would think her blood pressure would be about the same as Marino’s by now. Another very good installment to the series. Happily making my way through it!