Average customer rating:
- Muddled ending disapoints
- solid Scarpetta police procedural
- Lots of loose ends.
- I guess it was a mystery
- Very nice book
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Cruel and Unusual: A Kay Scarpetta Novel (Kay Scarpetta Mysteries)
Patricia Cornwell
Manufacturer: Pocket
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Similar Items:
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All That Remains: A Scarpetta Novel (Kay Scarpetta Mysteries)
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Body of Evidence: A Scarpetta Novel (Kay Scarpetta Mysteries)
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The Body Farm
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From Potter's Field
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Postmortem
ASIN: 1416505407 |
Book Description
"Killing me won't kill the beast" are the last words of rapist-murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell, written four days before his execution. But they can't explain how Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds Waddell's fingerprints on another crime scene -- after she'd performed his autopsy. If this is some sort of game, Scarpetta seems to be the target. And if the next victim is someone she knows, the punishment will be cruel and unusual...
Customer Reviews:
Muddled ending disapoints.......2007-04-16
The good: The basic plot line is interesting- a man who has just been killed by the electric chair has his finger print turn up at a murder scene. The writing itself is good. The main character Kay Scarpetta and an old professor of hers are well `fleshed out'.
The bad: Other characters are not well `fleshed out'. The plot never fully explains itself. Is the book about figuring out how a dead criminal could commit crimes - or is it about Scarpetta - redeeming herself in the eyes of everyone around her - after developing an anti-social workaholic tendency after the death of a loved one? The latter seems to be the path the author choose - leaving some of the twist in the plot unresolved. Though others in the story have made Scarpetta out to be the villain (on many different levels - as a family member, as a friend and as a professional) in the end her `goodness' is redeemed. How the bad guys in the story turn out seems to be unimportant - which I found to be a major flaw.
solid Scarpetta police procedural .......2005-12-06
Henrico County, Virginia Detective Joe Trent calls the state Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta because of a situation involving thirteen year old Eddie Heath shot in the head with potential sexual components involved. At the same time the Commonwealth executes Ronnie Joe Waddell convicted of the murder of anchorwoman Robyn Naismith ten years earlier on evidence founded by Scarpetta.
Scarpetta's autopsy of Heath uncovers the fingerprint of Waddell on the corpse. As anti capital punishment lawyer Grueman turns up the heat with the media claiming Scarpetta is incompetent, files are stolen from her office. More murders that apparently were committed by a dead Waddell lead Grueman orchestrating the press even further that perhaps the smoking gun of capital punishment has occurred, an innocent person executed. Other evidence against Scarpetta leads to a grand jury investigation into the possible criminal activities of the medical examiner.
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL is a solid Scarpetta police procedural in which the beleaguered heroine is struggling to understand how a dead man could be murdering people and what happened to her once thriving career. The story line is filled with twists and turns that makes sense afterward but will surprise the reader while the grand jury inquiry is insightful and a bit shocking for instance the "defense" cannot bring in witnesses. Patricia Cornwell provides a strong Scarpetta thriller with the star in jeopardy of more than just her livelihood going down the tubes.
Harriet Klausner
Lots of loose ends........2005-12-02
I really like both this author and her popular heroine Dr. Kay Scarpetta because of the maturity of the character in addition to the stoicism that is displayed by her cool and collected manner. She is the ultimate professional. This book "Cruel and Unusual" is not up to the author's personal standards set in other books such as "Trace" which is one of the very best she has written to date.
I have spent the past 10 minutes rereading parts of this book and am still confused by the mishmash ending. I don't have a real clue what happened to the bad guys here. Where is the ravening beast convict who was released from prison and resulted in a number of unsolved murders as one example? There is a lot of personal stuff to soften and "humanize" the image of Dr. Scarpetta, but even with the snarky neice Lucy with her smart alecky mouth, there is still the steely and distant feel to Dr. Scarpetta. I like that a lot.
IMO, the absolute worst thing an author can do to a strong female character is to make her suddenly get "melting bones" or those insipid hormonal storms, a la the Nora Roberts style, et al, that stimulate their "broody" instincts at the first sight of an acceptable male and the next topic becomes gooey babies and sucky conversations with relatives rather than science and focus and dedication to one's career that makes for a tight, fascinating and worthwhile read.
So, with that in mind, this book gets a 4 pointer simply because Ms. Cornwell avoids the "romance-crime drama" pitfalls and forges ahead with a decent, albeit patchy and vague story. I am glad that the author has also forged ahead in her craft and her subsequent stories are sooooo much better than this one.
I guess it was a mystery.......2005-11-24
In a word, Lacking. Her style of writing left me unable to appreciate the underlying story which, as a result, I found rather vacuous and inauthentic. So much so that I felt compelled to come write a review of this book so others might avoid making the same mistake I did. No offence Patricia.
Very nice book.......2005-10-28
I really liked this book. It is a page turner for sure. I would read before I went to bed and have to force myself to find a stopping point.I think that Patricia Cornwell is at her prime in this novel.
Product Description
7 Titles By Patricial Cornwell - First 7 Kay Scarpetta titles 1 Postmortem 2 Body of Evidence 3 All That Remains 4 Cruel and Unusual 5 The Body Farm 6 From Potter's Field 7 Cause of Death. seven mmpb books.
Average customer rating:
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Postmortem, Body of Evidence, All That Remains, Cruel and Unusual, The Body Farm, From Potter's Field, Cause of Death, Unnatural Exposure, Point of Origin, Black Notice, The Last Precinct, Blow Fly, Trace, Predator (Kay Scarpetta Series, Set of 14 Suspense Novels)
Patricia Cornwell
Manufacturer: Putnam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QWSGKS |
Customer Reviews:
It's Carolyn Hart.......2007-03-11
I loved this book. It is a perfect who done it.
I am a big fan Of Ms. Hart & I really enjoyed this book & trying to figure out just who the killer was & why.
Rather tedious to read.......2006-03-08
I have read Caroyln Hart's other series (Death on Demand) and decided to try this one. This is NOT as good as the other series. The plot of slow, the character boring...and its all very one-person. Its just Henrie O solving her crime. There isn't the depth of secondary characters that add life to a mystery (like there is in Death on Demand). Most of the characters are annoying and not likeable as well. Not a recommended read...a much better read is one of her Death on Demand series with Annie.
The Scandal Bogs Down.......2005-12-04
Henrie O. is looking forward to a week's vacation with a friend at a cabin in Tennessee. But first her friend needs emergency heart surgery. Then Henrie's first night in the cabin is interrupted by the friend's nephew.
It's the middle of the night when Craig Matthews arrives bloody and upset. He's just found the body of his wife, Patty Kay, in their house in the town of Fair Haven. The police are looking for Craig because they believe he did it, and the fact that he ran doesn't help his case.
Henrie thinks it's a set up. The case against Craig is based on nothing but circumstantial evidence, and too many details point to him. It just all seems a little to convenient. Posing as Craig's aunt, she returns with him to Fair Haven to see if she can find the truth.
On the surface, Fair Haven seems like a nice, mostly rich town scandalized by a murder in the community. This kind of thing just doesn't happen there. But the more Henrie learns, the more motives seem to emerge. The problem is, just as many clues point to Craig as against him. Can Henrie clear Craig, or will she just put the final nails in his coffin?
This is a book populated by strong characters. While most of them are thrown at the reader at the beginning, with a little effort, they are easy to keep straight. Part of this is their personalities. While almost all of them are rich, Ms. Hart has made them unique, which helps them stand out in the reader's mind.
Once again, the style is outstanding as well. Things flow so well it's hard to put the book down because the reader has been drawn into the story.
The only real black mark against the book is the plot. It starts out strong with a great puzzle you can't wait to see solved. Then other suspects and motives are introduced. For the first half, things roll along fine. The problem comes in the second half. Henrie learns little new but keeps going over the same clues again and again reaching no new conclusions. Things do build again toward the climax, but the ending is a bit sudden given what has happened before and ultimately not as satisfying as it could have been.
I really did enjoy the book and am looking forward to more from Carolyn Hart. Hopefully the next book will have a climax that is more satisfying then this one.
Flying cheesecake.......2005-07-31
Henry O pretends she is a relative of a young man who is
accused of killing his wife. She interacts with all of the
people in town and eventually solves the crime. Quite a good
mystery from Hart...one of her better plots. I think you will
enjoy it.
Scandal in Fair Haven.......2005-06-11
G.Hart, Carolyn. Scandal in Fair Haven. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell
Publishing Group, Inc, 1994. 275 pages.
"Scandal in Fair Haven" is an amazingly well written book filled with
lots of mysteries which will question you throughout the whole book. Set in
Nashville, Tennessee, Henrie O' goes to her friend Margaret's cabin located
on a mountain in Fair Haven for a pleasant and relaxing vacation. While she
is in Fair Haven and staying, she encounters Margaret's nephew, Craig
Matthews, whose shirt is stained with blood and is astonished as if
something had happened. This soon questions Henrie O' about what happened.
Craig tells that he found his wife, Patty Kay, lying dead in the play house
of their estate. "When I went to the kitchen, I knew something bad have
happened. Our kitchen had been vandalized. I ran outside. The playhouse
door was open. I found my wife's body there, on the floor" (pg. 26). Craig
admits that he didn't murder his wife. Henrie surprised from hearing the
story, leads herself to put in the shoes as of a detective and solves the
case on who murdered Patty Kay. To solve the case, she pretends to be
Craig's aunt and sets for the investigation to be solved. Apparently, Patty
Kay was a member of board of trustees at Walden School along with her other
friends too. Among her friends, was Brook Forest, who lived two houses away
from Patty Kay and were really good friends. Henrie O' finds out that after
when Craig and bunch of his friends had a poker game night, someone had
plotted him in a way, so that he would be accused of the murder of his
wife. In some cases, many liked Patty Kay and appreciated her, while some
didn't. From knowing a lot of information of Brook Forrest and what she is
like, it happens to be that Henrie O' solved her first case and found out
that Brook is the one who had murdered Patty Kay because she was jealous of
Patty Kay and didn't like what Patty Kay did for Walden School. However,
because this book is filled with mysteries it is really interesting and
upon this I recommend reading this book.
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
Book Description
Dragonseye:
Thread: deadly silver strands that fall from the sky like rain, devouring every organic thing in their path - animals, plants, and people alike. Who could believe that such a horrible thing could exist? After all, it's been two hundred years since Thread supposedly fell on Pern. No one alive remembers that first onslaught. There's no sign of it anywhere in the world. Only the dragons, originally created to be a weapon against Thread, are still around to remind people that once before their population was decimated, their hopes and dreams and livelihoods almost destroyed forever.
For two centuries the dragonriders have been practicing and training, passing down from generation to generation the Threadfighting techniques learned on the fly by their besieged ancestors. And most of the Lord Holders are prepared to protect their people, to provide sanctuary, to assemble groundcrews to search out and destroy any Thread that might be missed by the dragons soaring overhead. All but one.
Even now the ominous signs are appearing: the violent winter storms and volcanic eruptions that are said to herald the approach of the Red Star and its lethal spawn. Impossibly, one stubborn Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, refuses to believe - and that disbelief could spell disaster for all of Pern. So while the dragonriders desperately train to face an enemy they've never fought before, they and the other Lord Holders must find a way to deal with Chalkin and protect Bitra.
The Masterharper of Pern:
In a time when no Thread has fallen for centuries - when, indeed, many are beginning to dare to hope that Thread will never fall again - a boy is born to Harper Hall. His name is Robinton, and he is destined to be one of the most famous and beloved leaders Pern has ever known.
It is a perilous time for harpers. They sing of Thread, yet more and more people are beginning to doubt the return of that deadly scourge. They teach reading, writing, history, but Fax - who hates the harpers in general - is determined to keep his growing area of influence free of the learning that might sow unrest. And they extol the dragonriders, whom many view increasingly as a drain on the resources of the Holds. Now harpers are being turned away from the holds; and, worse yet, they are being derided, attacked, even beaten.
It is the climate of unrest that Robinton will come into his own. For despite the tragedies that beset his own life, he continues to believe in music and in the dragons, and is determined to save his beloved Pern from itself . . .so that the dragonriders can be ready to fly against the dreaded Thread when it at last returns!
The Skies of Pern:
Now that Pern can look forward to a future without the threat of Threadfall, the people are free to leave their protective stone holds and spread across more of the planet, as well as improve their lives with the newly discovered ancient technology. Not everyone is happy, though. Some resist the change, and consider anything new to be an "abomination." And the dragonriders are uncertain: without Thread, what will their purpose be in Pernese society?
Then a new danger - again from the skies - looms. Once again, the people must pull together . . . And turn to the only ones who can solve the crisis: the dragonriders of Pern!
Book Description
The first book to offer simple, natural alternative approaches to preventing and treating diseases caused by biological agents includes a history of biological warfare and an extensive resource guide.
Customer Reviews:
New Germs and viruses and some of the OLD........2003-10-28
I'm not sure if I agree with the author's spin on vaccines and the link with autism, but most of the information contained in this slim volume is true & accurate information.
On page 62, he discusses Brucellosis; the illness that plaqued Florence Nightingale upon her return from the Crimean War, which quite possibly was responsible for keeping her bedridden for the rest of her life. E-yup, Brucellosis is an oldie, and so are smallpox, TB, plaque and Anthrax, which he discusses in a somewhat boring fashion.
He goes on to explain such entities as Ribavirin, Antivirals and more yet about vaccines. (Which are our only hope - if ya want to know the truth about prevention of catastrophic diseases. Vaccines are GOOD -- not bad!)
Towards the back of the book, Null & Fest delve into natural methods on how YOU can prevent contracting these loathsome illnesses through...
proper diet
detoxification
destressing your life
Hebs and so on and so on......He even tells you how to take a proper bath! (see pages 208-10.)
The treat of all treats is on page 206 -- this is worth the price of the book...
The Liver and Gallbladder FLUSH!
You mix up the list of organic acids and bolt the concoction down first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Talk about explosive!!!! Oooh-la-la! My bowels will never be the same, and be sure nobody's in the house when you do this!
Finally, this book reminds all readers to take massages whenever possible, and to take life one day at a time.
I wish those brilliant authors would have emphasized to NOT WORRY, BE HAPPY, because one should not obsess over this icky subject matter. When your number's up, it's up, and then you move onto another relm where somebody slaps a new job on ya. It's a tough world our there, growing harder every day, but it is still a beautiful world -- there is still much joy awaiting all of us. In order to recieve the goodness of this Earth, we must first be willing to be giving...and we should do all we can to preserve our beautiful universe. PEACE out!
A very practical and informative health guide.......2003-04-14
Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations: What You Need To Know by health and fitness expert Gary Null (with the assistance of James Feast, editor of the "Journal of the History of Philosophy") offers the basic and readily accessible information about drug-resistant germs, biological warfare, natural ways to boost one's own immune system, and much, much more. A very practical and informative health guide, as well as a useful primer for protecting oneself against biological pathogens, Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations is a timely, authoritative, and invaluable informational resource for non-specialist general readers in these troubled and troubling times.
VERY Nicely done.......2003-03-30
If you read any of my past reviews on Gary's books, you'd see that I have been very critical of his approach. He always backs off when he writes a book, and never gives the kind of in depth information he always does on his radio show. I've always wondered why..
However, with this new book, Gary delivers in a huge way. He tells it like it is, and has finally written a book that is as hard hitting and cutting edge as his radio show is.
This book covers everything from the history of biological warfare, vaccines, conventional BW treatments, alternative treatments, how to detoxify, de-acidify, how to manage stress, and much more. Very dynamic delivery, and very well written. Excellent job, Gary.
A New Must Read from Gary Null.......2003-03-01
Gary Null has done it again in his timely new book, "Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations." As the looming war with Iraq approaches, Americans more than ever have to be prepared to deal with potential biohazards and terrorist threats. In this terrific, informative book, Mr. Null, with the assistance of James Feast, provides a detailed, yet gripping review of the history of biological warfare and what societies have done to defend themselves. To fully understand the nature of biological threats - both natural and manmade - Gary takes the reader on a tour of the most important biological hazards and how, without protection, they can wreak incredible havoc on society. All of the important hazards are described, from Small Pox and Anthrax to Botulism, the Plague, and Yellow Fever. Their histories are discussed in detail, as well as ways, if any, to protect against them. All of the CDC Class A biohazards, as well as others, are fully described, such as Lassa Fever, Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Tularemia, and Bunyaviridae. The history of these viruses and their destruction of human societies is discussed. The book also documents the history, particularly in the twentieth century, of the development of germ warfare, the accidents with it, and the attempts and failures to control it.
The book deals in great detail with various controversial and competing theories about the use and abuse of vaccinations against such biohazards as smallpox. The author makes a good case for examining much more closely the risks and overuse of vaccinations in certain cases. The book provides compelling evidence as to the dangers of overvaccination--for instance harmful side effects and the distortion of the body's natural immune system--and calls for a more reasoned and scientific approach to studying the effectiveness of vaccinations in general. It seems as though in some cases, such as polio (where the illness has been wiped out) and Hepatitis B, it is time to really re-think our national policy of coerced vaccinations, especially where the risks of harmful side effects may outweigh questionable benefits. Gary shows the checkered history of the development and growth of massive compulsory vaccinations in America and how it is supported and maintained by powerful business interests in the pharmaceutical industry.
Through a series of interwoven subthemes, involving the life of French scientist and theologian Blaise Pascal and American Revolutionary Benjamin Rush, Gary explores how new paradigms are created and phase shifts occur through history. Gary's thesis is that the medical establishment is on the cusp of such a paradigm shift, as it moves from the established modalities of merely treating disease to promoting proven holistic ways of living healthy and building our immune systems so that disease is never allowed to establish a foothold in the first place. Gary likens this change in American health to the type of fundamental change described by Thomas Kuhn in his seminal philosophical treatise, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions". As one of the leading advocates of public health in America, Gary is uniquely poised to assist in ushering in this revolutionary approach to leading more healthy, vital and robust lives.
Finally, Gary provides valuable information about what we can actually do to prepare for a potential bioterrorist attack. Initially, Gary says that we should strengthen our immune systems by detoxifying our bodies, eliminating risk items such as sugar and caffeine, eating healthy, nutritious foods such as organic fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of pure water, getting adequate exercise every day, and forming other important healthy habits. This is based on Gary's proven philosophy, that a strengthened, hardy immune system is one of the best ways to ward off even the most potentially deadly virus. Other protective measures include certain practices of cleanliness, avoiding contact between your hands and mouth, and certain special formulations of vitamins, herbs, and supplements that can be helpful in building the body's natural immunity in the event of an attack. Specific formulas of natural herbal and supplemental remedies to respond to and repel attacks of viruses, such as anthrax, are also provided. Gary also discusses traditional "Western Medicine" responses to viral attacks and their various efficacies. Armed with the tremendous knowledge provided by Gary in this very important book, one feels well equipped to respond in the best possible way to a bioterrorist attack. This is an excellent book, and it is must reading for anyone living in America at these potentially perilous times.
David
New York, New York
I'm In Control.......2003-03-01
Being helpless in this day and age should not be a choice for anyone. And whether we go to war or not, since my voice and hundreds of thousands of others' voices cannot be heard above the rumbling of the war machine, I at least now have knowledge that there are options and methods of protecting myself and my family. I urge every American and English speaking individual to reach for the knowledge and wisdom this book presents. I am now in control. Others can be, too!
Thank you,
Mike
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- Eva Hesse: Catalogue Raisonne
- Follow the Stars Home
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