Chris C. (willowwendy) - reviewed on 4/14/2011

Helpful Score: 2

I have read every Scarpetta novel and a few of Cornwell's others (loved, loved, loved the Jack the Ripper non-fiction!) In Cornwell's books it's the interpersonal relationships and the techno-jargon that I find make her books so entertaining. What keeps me coming back are the forensic details and the mystery. I didn't see as much of that in Port Mortuary and frankly felt that the disjointed withholding and revealing of information to Kay was contrived and uncomfortable.

There were times during the reading of this book that I wondered whether I had fallen asleep and missed whole parts of the book. I usually love to read stories that jump around and play with time and knowledge to keep you guessing. In Port Mortuary felt that there were many pieces that Cornwell never went back and completed and the reader was left wondering/hanging. There were emotional moments that seemed to be missing dialog and were cut short before conversations came to any natural conclusions.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that the gang is back together at the CFC and I enjoyed Kay's recovering relationship with both Marino and Lucy, but her estrangement from Benton just made me sad. Hopefully these relationships will continue to thrive in the next novel and we'll get to see them working TOGETHER and solving crimes with serious forensic detail! (My vote is on a more linear plot development!)

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