Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9)

Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9)
Point of Origin - Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9
Author: Patricia Cornwell
ISBN-13: 9780425169865
ISBN-10: 0425169863
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 397
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 630

3.9 stars, based on 630 ratings
Publisher: Berkley
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

78 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

soraidh avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Reading the other reviews I have to laugh. For me this is the first book I can point to where I start saying the series went downhill, and fast! Really didn't like the books.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is an excellent book of the Kay Scarpetta series.
Always good reading. I have read several and this is a must.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Not my favorite of the Scarpetta novels, but still entertaining.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Part of the Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner of VA, series. Several of the CSI episodes on TV are based on this series. I say, start at the beginning... check patriciacornwell.com for a list of all the books in the series.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I would have to say this one is the best she has done.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
From the prolific author of mysteries with Kay Scarpetta, her strong protagonist. I found it thrilling and all that a mystery could be.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I love Patricia Cornwell, her books are the type that hook you and leave you wanting the next one right now.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Always enjoyable.
pegva avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great Book! Loved the venue on Tangier.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Cornwell admirers will love this
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful Kay Scarpetta book - it makes you want to read the next one!
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 70 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the usual suspensful Patricia Cornwell book!
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 110 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Patricia Cornwell's books are well written and fun and long enough to get me through the delay's I experience when I travel.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Usual great suspense story with Dr Kay Scarpetta
chasing an arsonist and murderer- and is her old enemy Carrie Grethen involved? good book.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book, as always with Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta Series. I know we all don't like it when an important character to us is killed off, but that's what keeps it real. Very descriptive, very informative, kept me reading - too fast - until I was finished and bummed out because it didn't last longer! It's taken me awhile to get used to the awkwardness between Benton, Kay, and Lucy...but then you have to keep an open mind to people's different personalities.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Yet another great one by Cornwell.As usual, she succeeds in keeping you on the edge of your seat,and guessing. her style of writing brings vivid images to mind that leave you able to nearly visualize every detail.As always, the beloved Kay Scarpetta draws you into her world, and leaves you wishing you were invited to dinner....
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"Sears its way into the psyche...Ablazed with Cornwell's finest, scariest writing."-Atlanta Jouranal Constitution
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on
Helpful Score: 1
excellent read
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Definitely a page turner!
hunterchick avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Patricia Cornwells Kay Scarpetta is a character who becomes addicting. Smart, Funny, brave, and tough she is a character who sticks with you, and you will find yourself wanting to read the whole series. Chapters are on the shorter side so the book is easier to digest.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Scarpetta at her best.
precycle avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 87 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains -- the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis CArrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somewhat involved, the investigation becomes personal.
hunterchick avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 78 more book reviews
Patricia Cornwells Kay Scarpetta is a character who becomes addicting. Smart, Funny, brave, and tough she is a character who sticks with you, and you will find yourself wanting to read the whole series. Chapters are on the shorter side so the book is easier to digest.
IMADiva avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 43 more book reviews
Kay Scarpetta finds that former nemesis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is involved in a devastating fire which tore through a horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains and the investigation becomes personal when the tragedy strikes close to home when this story comes to a shocking climax.
justreadingabook avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 1726 more book reviews
Wow! This was a great read, you will like the quick pace and all the wonderful cool forensic information that is used in the storyline. You can't miss with any book in the Scarpetta series.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 298 more book reviews
This author rocks I enjoy all the books by this author this one was another of the greats..I will continue to look for her books.
duffeybooks avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 59 more book reviews
really good
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 17 more book reviews
great mystery book
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 36 more book reviews
Dr. Kay Scarpetta murder mystery novel.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 7 more book reviews
A good one
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 458 more book reviews
I have read the entire Scarpetta series and have loved them all. This one is no exception.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 20 more book reviews
Patricia Cornwell is a great author... or so I've been told. I have read several of her books and I just don't think they are that great. However, Many other people like her and she's selling more books than I am, so I don't feel I have room to complain.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 593 more book reviews
Like all of her books this is a great read with a twist at the end.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 59 more book reviews
Love this author.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 10 more book reviews
This book does have a cover but the numbers were torn off by the price sticker, so I couldn't find it and it was written as no cover. Great book by the way. A very easy read.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 6 more book reviews
I love all of the Patricia Cornwell books and have read them all twice.
hunterchick avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 78 more book reviews
Patricia Cornwells Kay Scarpetta is a character who becomes addicting. Smart, Funny, brave, and tough she is a character who sticks with you, and you will find yourself wanting to read the whole series. Chapters are on the shorter side so the book is easier to digest.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 111 more book reviews
A Kay Scarpetta novel that pits Virginia's chief medical examiner against an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his crimes. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis, Carrie Grethen, is somehow involved, the investigation gets personal and tragedy strikes closer to home.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 193 more book reviews
Another pleasing read from Cornwell
mvtrekkie avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 231 more book reviews
VERY GOOD!
my2luvsemmyandmally avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 758 more book reviews
Good book but I also have to agree with "daedelys's" review and comments! A lot of that stuff drove me nuts too! I always feel the author should KNOW her story and her characters well and not confuse the reader!
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 59 more book reviews
Dr. Kay Scarpetta battles an "audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his crimes. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis, Carrie Grethen, is somehow involved, the investigation gets personal and tragedy strikes closer to home."
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 10 more book reviews
If you like the CSI or Crossing Jordan types of tv shows, this author is for you. Very detailed descriptions of forensic studies.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 51 more book reviews
My favorite Scarpetta novel.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 247 more book reviews
This is an excellent book. I really enjoyed it. It is easy to read and keeps you entertained throughout.
maquala avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 12 more book reviews
Scarpetta's past has come to the present in this 10th book of intrigue and crime. As all of the Scarpetta novels, you will be reading until dawn.
fox20000 avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 6 more book reviews
Very good (but a little far fetched) story line has a lot of action and plot twists. Good ending. It may help if you have read any of her previous books as they often refer to things that have happened prior to this story. But don't pass it up even if you haven't.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 5 more book reviews
This book is a good mystery; however, it would have been just as effective without the strong language. I put it down several times because of that, but really wanted to see how the "perp" was caught so I finished it. I also enjoyed the references to Virginia since that's my home state.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 27 more book reviews
This was another one of my favorite Scarpetta stories. Fast moving with lots of surprises.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 145 more book reviews
As always, Cornwell is exellent!
hunterchick avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 78 more book reviews
Patricia Cornwells Kay Scarpetta is a character who becomes addicting. Smart, Funny, brave, and tough she is a character who sticks with you, and you will find yourself wanting to read the whole series. Chapters are on the shorter side so the book is easier to digest.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 24 more book reviews
excellent reading as are all her books
ErinMc avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 373 more book reviews
The devastating fire through the horse farm,destroying everything it touched.Picking through the wreckage,Dr.Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains-the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders.And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved,the investigation becomes personal,Tragedy strikes close to home.Scarpetta must match Grethen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that thteatens everyone around her..
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 57 more book reviews
The NINTH book in the series featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta who is a chief medical examiner in Richmond, Virginia.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 162 more book reviews
AWESOME READ!!!!!
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 3 more book reviews
Dr. Kay Scarpetta, coroner, solves murders. Good characters, not the run of the mill. Cornwell was writing about forensic stuff long before CSI was on TV, and her stories are more original.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 11 more book reviews
Dr Kay Scarpetta is called out to a farmhouse in Virginia which has been destroyed by fire. In the ruins she finds a body which tells a story of a violent and grisly murder.

I love Patricia Cornwell books and really enjoyed this one.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 53 more book reviews
One of her best. kept going till it was done.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 164 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains - the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis Carrie Grethen as escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becomes personal. Tragedy strikes close to home. And Scarpetta must match Grethen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her.
thecomet avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 125 more book reviews
Patricia Cornwell as usual has written another great book. Lots of twists and turn in the plot before the crime is solved (as we expect Kay has gotten the criminal). A great read.
Cycle304 avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 135 more book reviews
Another excellent Kay Scarpetta mystery. Although, it brought on tears at the death of a main character. Love the way she keeps your interest!
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 19 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains--the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becomes personal. Tragedy strikes close to home. And Scarpetta must match Grethen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her...
BigGreenChair avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 461 more book reviews
The best murder mystery writer around--a novel that pits VA's Chief Medical Examiner against an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his crimes. Always thrilling and complex murder mysteries. Not your run of the mill same old stories.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 1474 more book reviews
A series of fires, each apparently an attempt to cover up a murder, leads Scarpetta and her team down a pathway into the past. There are a couple of plot threads left dangling, and even though Cornwell has done some research into horseshoeing, she still should have had a real farrier read that section to catch a couple of distracting bloopers.
reader71 avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 2 more book reviews
I have had a hard time getting into this Scarpetta episode.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 715 more book reviews
Oversized softcover Scarpetta at her blistering best
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 93 more book reviews
Just so so.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on
Is in good used condition.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 63 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains....
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 130 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything in its wake. Picking through the wreckage, DR Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains--when Scarpetta discovers her old nemisis , Carrie has escaped from the hospital of the mentally insane, the fire becomes personal.

This book really kept me on edge and was a true page turner.
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 13 more book reviews
Kay Scarpetta novel. A devastating fire tears through a horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Kay uncovers human remains, and the work of a killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders.

Good read
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 125 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains--the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemisis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becomes personal. Tragedy strikes close to home. And Scarpetta must match Grethen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her....
sealady avatar reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 657 more book reviews
Book Description: "From The New York Times #1 best-selling author of Unnatural Exposure and Cause of Death comes a white-hot new Kay Scarpetta novel that pits Virginia's chief medical examiner against an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his crimes. Wehn Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis, Carrie Grethen, is somehow involved, the investigation gets personal and tragedy strikes closer to home. America's leading crime writer combines literary talent and style with that fierce commitment to justice in this thrilling and complex new Carpetta novel. Point of Origin will stand as one of Cornwell's best, a gripping story that transcends the genre to examine the dark side of the human soul. Patricia Cornwell is the Gold Dagger- and Edgar-winning author whose international best sellers include Unnatural Exposure, Cause of Death, From Potter's Field, The Body Farm, Crueal and Unusual, All That Remains, Body Of Evidence, Postemortem, and her first no-Scarpetta novel, Hornet's Nest."
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 711 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains---the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becomes personal. Tragedy strikes close to home. And Scarpetta must match Grethen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her...
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 18 more book reviews
The devastating fire tore thru the horse farn destroying everything it touched. Picking thru the wreckage, Dr Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains, the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becomes personal. Tragedy strikes close to home. And Scarpetta must match Gretchen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 12 more book reviews
"The devestating fire tore through the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains - the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta lerns that her old nemesis Carrie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becoems personal. Tragedy strikes close to home. And Scarpetta must match Grethen's every move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her..."
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 134 more book reviews
[from inside the book] The devastating fire tore throught the horse farm, destroying everything it touched. Picking through the wreckage, Dr. Kay Scarpetta uncovers human remains--the work of an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his brutal murders. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis Carie Grethen has escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is somehow involved, the investigation becomes personal. Tragedy strikes close to home, and Scarpetta must match Grethen's rvery move with one of her own to douse the inferno of evil that threatens everyone around her...
reviewed Point of Origin (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 9) on + 18 more book reviews
good condition. minor shelf wear.