Helpful Score: 3
Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the masses. I didn't think this book measured up to the Scarpetta series at all. I've come to expect more from Patricia Cornwell.
The characters didn't seem to have much chemistry -- they spent the entire book acting like children. I just couldn't relate to Andy Brazil at all. The plot seemed to be developing well but it fell apart near the end. I found myself thinking, "huh? that's it? Really?"
The characters didn't seem to have much chemistry -- they spent the entire book acting like children. I just couldn't relate to Andy Brazil at all. The plot seemed to be developing well but it fell apart near the end. I found myself thinking, "huh? that's it? Really?"
Helpful Score: 1
If you\'re a fan of the Kay Scarpetta series, it\'s hard not to be disappointed going to Hornet\'s Nest. The writing in the beginning of the book hit me strange, almost non-cornwell. There is very strong character development here, and while the overall story is just okay, there are parts that do shine. Enjoyable but I\'d probably steer a friend toward other Cornwell books.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent read, hard to put down.
Sandi K W. (Sandiinmississippi) reviewed Hornet's Nest (Andy Brazil, Bk 1) on + 265 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Unreadable. I don't know what's happened to Cornwell, but she just rides her little hobby-horses through this dull thing with characters about 1/2 inch deep.
Helpful Score: 1
An enjoyable book although I like her other series better.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this one quite a bit - at first I was missing the usual Kay Scarpetta, but I quickly got into the storyline.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a thriller, FOR SURE! There is a competent energetic young Andy Brazil, reporter & volunteer cop. Then two females, the police chief Judy Hammer & one of her staff Virginia West. And a herd of other interesting characters, from Bubba & Poison & Punkin Head to the bank's fat cat and the newspaper's publisher Niles the cat, etc. Some great dialog, too. She shifts point of view in neat ways, especially between Brazil & West. I shall pounce upon other Cornwell's when I can.
Helpful Score: 1
If you want to read a book that you won't want to put down, read this book. She always has a way with her vivid descriptions, that make you want to read on and on, until you finish.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm going to have to agree with a previous reviewer, fans of the Kay Scarpetta series are going to be extremely disappointed. The writing was uneven and the ending, well lets say it left a LOT to be desired. The entire book made me never want to ever visit Charlotte!
Helpful Score: 1
Good read, I am looking forward to the continuing story.
Helpful Score: 1
Just another great Cornwell novel. Characters that come alive. Just great
not a scarpetta novel, good but if your expecting kay scarpetta you'll be disappointed
Another Judy Hammer book. This is my favorite of this series.
Dr. Scarpetta is the best...this is series I can read over and over.
Good read; not a "Kay Scarpetta"; a little different genre for Patricia Cornwell, but very suspenseful.
I only read a few pages and went no farther. I was expecting a Scarpetta novel...which this is NOT. So if you read Patricia Cornwell books because you enjoy Kay Scarpetta, then this book isn't for you
Dr. Scarpetta is no cardboard heroine. She is smart, lonely, fighting for justice. She has informed me more about autopsies that I ever wanted to know.
An excellent mystery
Another great book by Patricia Cornwell. Worth the time to read, as usual with her books.
Meet the police department of Charlotte, North Carolina. And find out why they call it the "hornet's nest" of America.
"Gripping reading...So hard to put down your arms will tingle with intimations of rigor mortis before you reach the smashing climax."
-New York Newsday
-New York Newsday
Wonderful!
About a North Carolina police dept. where crimes are intriguing .
Good book. But Cornwell is always a good read no matter which book it is.
good read
I liked this as part of the short series by Patricia Corwell. I wish she would continue with more.
Meet the police department of Charlotte, North Carolina, and find out why call it the "hornet's nest of America.
A Number One New York Times Bestseller!
Meet the police department of Charlotte,North Carolina. And find out why they call it the "hornet's nest of America."
For me....this book just didn't measure up to the Kay Scarpetta series. I just couldn't get interested enough.
From Publishers Weekly
The decision to abandon her forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta (Body of Evidence; Cause of Death; etc.) leaves Cornwell lacking more than a fail-safe series heroine. The only credible element in this novel is the urban New South setting. The story-about two women top cops and a young male newspaper reporter in Charlotte, N.C.-is routine fare at best. The three characters-42-year-old Deputy Chief Virginia West; her boss, unhappily married Chief Judy Hammer; and handsome wunderkind journalist and volunteer cop, Andy Brazil-are preternaturally competent automatons, obsessive and utterly devoid of self-awareness. A sequence of serial killings of out-of-towners, men who are pulled from their rental cars, sexually mutilated, marked with orange spray paint and shot, creates tension in Charlotte. While Hammer struggles with city politics and a depressed, obese husband, West contends with Brazil (a "handsome and fierce" 22-year-old with "total photographic recall"), who is on assignment to write about police activity, having impressed his editor by turning in "a hundred of hours' overtime five months in a row." Rather than reveal her characters through their words and actions, Cornwell forces them on us predigested ("West believed women were great"; "Brazil did not believe prostitution was right."). In that same descriptive mode, she takes them on roller coaster rides of extravagant emotion-rage, grief, resolve, despair-and offers set pieces in place of plot: mid-book, more than 150 pages pass without mention of the murders. We are made privy to the fantasies of West's cat, but not to the motivations behind the killings. There is nothing to believe in on these pages beyond Charlotte itself.
The decision to abandon her forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta (Body of Evidence; Cause of Death; etc.) leaves Cornwell lacking more than a fail-safe series heroine. The only credible element in this novel is the urban New South setting. The story-about two women top cops and a young male newspaper reporter in Charlotte, N.C.-is routine fare at best. The three characters-42-year-old Deputy Chief Virginia West; her boss, unhappily married Chief Judy Hammer; and handsome wunderkind journalist and volunteer cop, Andy Brazil-are preternaturally competent automatons, obsessive and utterly devoid of self-awareness. A sequence of serial killings of out-of-towners, men who are pulled from their rental cars, sexually mutilated, marked with orange spray paint and shot, creates tension in Charlotte. While Hammer struggles with city politics and a depressed, obese husband, West contends with Brazil (a "handsome and fierce" 22-year-old with "total photographic recall"), who is on assignment to write about police activity, having impressed his editor by turning in "a hundred of hours' overtime five months in a row." Rather than reveal her characters through their words and actions, Cornwell forces them on us predigested ("West believed women were great"; "Brazil did not believe prostitution was right."). In that same descriptive mode, she takes them on roller coaster rides of extravagant emotion-rage, grief, resolve, despair-and offers set pieces in place of plot: mid-book, more than 150 pages pass without mention of the murders. We are made privy to the fantasies of West's cat, but not to the motivations behind the killings. There is nothing to believe in on these pages beyond Charlotte itself.
enjoyed it
There are a number of authors I always look for when I want an excellently crafted story....and Patricia Cornwell is always on that list. She never disappoints!
format a little different, but after my reading got in a rhythm i liked it
Gripping plot, great characters and ironic humor.
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!
Meet the police department of Charlotte, NC. Find out why they call it the "Hornets nest of america.
This is a very enjoyable book.
the bottem of the spin is tore off a little bit but still attached and readable.
A good mystery... it kept my attention!
this book has police chief Judy Hammer as the star character
Can't say I got into her new set of characters, but she still writes great.
another favorite writer of mine...She gets you from the start and doesn't let go until the end....Love her!!!!
A great Cornwell page-turner!
This book was slow starting but got interesting in the end.
I have just started this year reading PC books, and for the most part have enjoyed doing so. This is not a Kay Scarpetta book and I believe I have enjoyed those books more so than this one...
Interesting characters but not her best book.
The book was an easy read. I liked the characters & storyline. The ending was a little weird...it kind of left me hanging. Built characters up for a relationship, then never developed it.
Patricia Cornwell spins such a good series.
Excellent reading!!
I am crazy about all of Patricia Cornwell's book. This book holds your interest and is very exciting. Loved it!!
Very good, if you're a fan of Patricia Cornwell. The beginning of the Andy Brazil series.
Not my usual read but enjoyed it anyway
Have to agree with what many others have said here. This book is not up to snuff with the Scarpetta series. The writing is a bit disjointed, choppily moving from one 'scene' to the next without good flow. New paragraphs lead you to say "wha? how did they get to *this*, when they were just talking about *that*?? The book held my relative interest, but didn't leave me wanting more stories with these characters. The ending was completely rushed and unsatisfying.
Great read!! A different look into the world of crime with Cornwell.
this is one of Patricia Cornwell's legendary books with the forensic specialist Dr Scarpetta . Very good book for anyone who likes her series. I loved it.
Hornet's Nest was very insightful in the field of criminal justice.
well written. engaging main character.
Cornwell is a master of mysteries - once you start this book you cant put it down till the last page
excellent book, author is a great writer love all of her books
a new york times best seller ms.cornwell does it again!
Unlike the Kay Scarpetta books, this one focuses on law enforcement and not the medical examiner's point of view. As such, it is a little refreshing and still quite detailed. Lots of sub plots and lots of action, a very good book!
Excellent book. One of her best!
I honestly cannot remember, it has been awhile since I read it! I only read true crime or something I feel I can truly believe. If this book wasn't any good it wouldn't be under my roof!
one of my favorite of her books.
New series started featuring Andy Brazil and Judy Hammer.
Good one
The book is located in Charlotte, NC. This is the name of the Pro basketball team. The book is about a newspaper reporter who rides with a Police Liet. on cases and the serial killer stalking visiting businessmen.
With Charlotte as the simmering background, Patricia Cornwell propels us into the core of the force with three heroes: Andy Brazil, an ambitious young reporter with the Charlotte Observer, an eager--sometimes too eager--volunteer cop: Police Chief Judy Hammer, the professionally strong yet personally trouble guardian of Charlotte's law and order and her chief deputy chief, Virginia West, a genuine head turner who is married to her job. To walk the beat is to learn inner secrets of police work -- the tension, tedium, the heartbreak and hilarity, the unexpected pump of adrenaline and the rush of courage that leads to heriocs..... or death.
Not of the Kay Scarpetta quality but interesting reading.
Not of the Kay Scarpetta quality but interesting reading.
Excellent crime thriller for fans of Patricia Cornwell.
KAY SCARPETTA NOVEL BY PATRICIA CORNWELL.
From the number one bestselling author of Cause of Death, a knowing and wry novel of big-city police,big-city crime, and the ironic intersections of everyday lives.
It's a city of ambition and pride, a city long ago dubbed" the hornet's nest of America." A swarming symbol dominates the badge of the police department that protects it-the image of a darting,restless fighter: the whirling dervish of a hornet.Like the violence that swirls around Charlotte during a long,hot summer, the hornet traces a dark,angry path,touching down unexpectedly,bringing stings of surprise wherever it lands.
Patricia Cornwall's brilliant new novel carries it's own surprises. The creator of Kay Scarpetta, the most fascinating character in contemporary crime fiction, now cunningly reveals the heart and soul of a metropolitan police department. With Charlotte as her simmering background, she propels us into the core of the force through the lives of a dynamic trio of heroes:Police Chief Judy Hammer,the professionally strong yet personally troubled guardian of Charlotte's law and order;her deputy chief,Virginia West,a genuine head-turner who is married to her job;and Andy Brazil, an ambitious young reporter of The Charlotte Observer and an eager-sometimes too eager-voulunteer cop. To walk the beat with Hammer,West and Brazil is to learn the inner secrets of police work-the tension and the tedium, the hilarity and the heartbreak, the unexpected pump of adrenaline and the rush of courage that can lead to heroics....or death.
Like no one else before, Patricia Cornwell strips away the facade of the badge to lay bare the lives and motives of ordinary mortals in extraordinary circumstances.Hornet's Nest is a real as tonight's police blotter and as page-turning as Cornwell can be.
It's a city of ambition and pride, a city long ago dubbed" the hornet's nest of America." A swarming symbol dominates the badge of the police department that protects it-the image of a darting,restless fighter: the whirling dervish of a hornet.Like the violence that swirls around Charlotte during a long,hot summer, the hornet traces a dark,angry path,touching down unexpectedly,bringing stings of surprise wherever it lands.
Patricia Cornwall's brilliant new novel carries it's own surprises. The creator of Kay Scarpetta, the most fascinating character in contemporary crime fiction, now cunningly reveals the heart and soul of a metropolitan police department. With Charlotte as her simmering background, she propels us into the core of the force through the lives of a dynamic trio of heroes:Police Chief Judy Hammer,the professionally strong yet personally troubled guardian of Charlotte's law and order;her deputy chief,Virginia West,a genuine head-turner who is married to her job;and Andy Brazil, an ambitious young reporter of The Charlotte Observer and an eager-sometimes too eager-voulunteer cop. To walk the beat with Hammer,West and Brazil is to learn the inner secrets of police work-the tension and the tedium, the hilarity and the heartbreak, the unexpected pump of adrenaline and the rush of courage that can lead to heroics....or death.
Like no one else before, Patricia Cornwell strips away the facade of the badge to lay bare the lives and motives of ordinary mortals in extraordinary circumstances.Hornet's Nest is a real as tonight's police blotter and as page-turning as Cornwell can be.
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.
I have not read this book so I can't rate it. It is a mass market paperback that is in pretty good shape. It does have a Target sticker on the back cover.
Summary:
Patricia Cornwell turns from forensics to police procedures in her latest novel, Hornet's Nest. This book is less a thriller than a character study of the main characters: Judy Hammer, chief of police in Charlotte, North Carolina; Hammer's deputy, Virginia West; and Andy Brazil, a young reporter assigned to ride with the police as they go about their jobs.
Summary:
Patricia Cornwell turns from forensics to police procedures in her latest novel, Hornet's Nest. This book is less a thriller than a character study of the main characters: Judy Hammer, chief of police in Charlotte, North Carolina; Hammer's deputy, Virginia West; and Andy Brazil, a young reporter assigned to ride with the police as they go about their jobs.
