Black Notice

by Patricia Cornwell

Book Overview

In this #1 New York Times bestseller Dr. Kay Scarpetta is on a deadly mission that will pull her in two opposite directions: toward protecting her career or toward the truth... Remains were all that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399145087
• ISBN13: 9780399145087
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
• Length: 415 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A little confusing at times

This was my least favorite of the Scarpetta series. There was so much detail written about some things that important information was omitted. There were times I had to reread some chapters just to make sure I hadn't missed something, only to find the info I was seeking just wasn't there. The details that were included were so boring that I almost fell asleep! However, it still wasn't a horrible read.

Good good book

What was wrong with this book? Only one thing I don't like about her books is she constantly covers the past of all of her characters in almost every book. It's probably good for new readers, but for readers who read her since the beginnng, it gets a little annoying. I thought this was a very cool story.From the start this book just keeps on gaining momentum in the classic Scarpetta tradition. The book opens with a body found in a shipping cargo box on the docks. Then Scarpetta's neice, Lucy, is involved in misshap down in Florida when one of her undercover operations goes bad. In her office, her staff members keep complaining of missing items, wierd e-mails from her, and her not getting back with people. And with Christmas around the corner, thoughts of Benton are stil fresh in her mind. To top it all off, there is a new Chief in town, Diane Bray, and she is looking to get rid of Scarpetta after she has already demoted Pete Marino from a detective. With the murders in Richmond piling up, she gets summoned overseas to discover the same MO over there. Alot of stuff going on at the same time that eventually leads up to alot of surprises and an exiting ending that doesn't really end as you will find out when you buy "The Last Precinct". This is basically a 2 part story (so far as I know right now). If you miss out by not reading this, you are really missing out.

Fascinating, as the rest of her work

I am really sorry some of the readers "did not get it"... Once I read one of her books I was hooked, and had to devour the rest. Of course,being a Lab Tech, I am biased. The author's thorough descriptions of the investigative process (e.g. autopsies, Toxicology and Forensic testing, just to name a few)are things I deal with on a daily basis, and fascinating to read about. Kudos to the author for doing her homework, unlike others who think the readers can be fooled into believing anything they make up! A hint for those that were a bit confused...read the rest of the books on the "Scarpetta series", in order. To answer one of your other reviewer's question: Yes, Marino has a thing for the good Dr! As for her relationship with Lucy, read the whole series, and you will see that having the mother this girl has, it's a miracle she's not a psycopath herself...

one of the best

i personally thought this was one of the best, if not the best scarpetta book so far. it was incredibly moving. it dealt with scarpetta's loss of benton, her relationship with marino, as well as lucy's lesbianism, and it included plenty of suspense. the killer was excellent. a perfect villain, one that made you want to sleep with the lights on. it was an emotional rollercoaster. i was scared, i was sad, i was happy. it's definitely a book to read many times, and to enjoy.

Edge of Your Seat Thriller

This book kept me intrigued until the very end. The intricate detail the author uses to define the autopsy procedures was a bit gorey, but impressive. Kate Reading, the reader of this book on tape, was amazing. Her vocal range of characters was perfect. She really made the story come alive. I have read other Patricia Cornwell novels, but this is the first Kay Scarpetta novel I have listened to on tape. I would recommend this book highly to any true crime/thriller fans.

Refreshingly different plot, couldn't put it down!

Before reading Cornwell's latest thriller, I read the on-line reviews and became a little disappointed. However, after I began reading the book, I couldn't put it down. There were enough twists and turns to keep me interested, and I was delighted to see that Kay did not hibernate alone at home for too long. I lost faith in her when she became sullen and distant one year after Benton's death. I'm glad to see she's moved on. Can't wait to see what Scarpetta will tackle next!