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The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17)
The Scarpetta Factor - Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17
Author: Patricia Cornwell
It is the week before Christmas. The effects of the credit crunch have prompted Dr. Kay Scarpetta to offer her services pro bono to New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. — But in no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of dramatic and unsettling events. She is asked live on the air about the sens...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780399156397
ISBN-10: 0399156399
Publication Date: 10/20/2009
Pages: 512
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 198

3.7 stars, based on 198 ratings
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Sleepy26177 avatar reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 218 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
The last two installments in the Scarpetta series gave some hope of improvement back to a series most readers once loved but that had lost it's bite. Unfortunately The Scarpetta Factor is a drawback once again. Although it seems that Cornwell tries to give back some substance to the series characters it just isn't what the reader wants. Those who have read the series right from the beginning will miss Scarpetta's investigations, autopsies and exciting morgue stories.
Instead there is a lot of high tech investigation like GPS, Internet and what not.

Cornwell rehashes a lot of the old junk between Scarpetta and now husband Benton. Why he left her and went undercover etc. . It is good to know but not enough substance to fill a 500 pages book.
I'm not sure if the reader still wants to read about the Chandonne family or wants the remaining part to return at all. The Chandonnes' were a part of Cornwell's books way to often and at one point it just gets stale. At least for my taste.

The personal stuff in each characters life got boring and uninteresting, it distracts from the rather thin main plot.

That being said, you'll still like Scarpetta after reading this book but if it is enough to keep you interested for another 500 pages book is the question to be answered.
barbsis avatar reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 1076 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Since Kay Scarpetta left the Virginia Medical Examiner's Office, she has changed and not for the better. Her integrity and honesty was her claim to fame. Now she's on CNN (like Dr. Phil for pete's sake) getting railroaded by the host, having words put in her mouth and feloniously misquoted.

This book centers around a high-society missing person case, a murdered jogger, an old nemesis of Bentons AND an old nemesis of Scarpetta's. There is a lot going on and in between the many investigations - which Kay, Benton, Marino, Lucy and Jamie are all involved in - the relationship between Benton and Marino (never good to start with) has totally deteriorated and the animosity between them really interrupts the storyline. I found myself saying "enough already" and thinking Benton needed to get past his issues with Marino or someone needed to just move on.

If it wasn't Benton and Marino, it was Lucy and Jamie. Something was bothering Lucy throughout the entire book and Jamie (her lover) was oblivious or just ignoring the situation. On a good day Lucy is a brilliant but troubled individual but she was totally out of control.

I enjoyed the various mysteries and how they tied together but all the other BS was annoying and distracting.
reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on
Helpful Score: 2
Not one of her best books but does answer a lot of questions many readers may want answered. I personally liked being able to make up my own answers. A good read though especially for a true Patricia Cornwell fan.
reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on
Helpful Score: 1
Scarpetta is wearing a little thin. I've been reading Cornwell since The Body Farm, but I've moved on and there's just so many books and so little time. Regardless, I'll probably follow her through to the end.
carolina-jo avatar reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on
Helpful Score: 1
Not her best work. Slow reading. Found it difficult to keep reading.
Read All 30 Book Reviews of "The Scarpetta Factor Kay Scarpetta Bk 17"

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reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 5 more book reviews
it took me awhile to read this. I read quickly usually....
reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 5 more book reviews
Cornwell's done it again - another great in the Scarpetta series. Kept me up reading after normal bedtime for two nights in a row. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 2 more book reviews
Disappointing. I have read all of the Scarpetta books and expected a lot more from this book. The story line was almost non existent and it was a chore to finish reading it. Of course I'll read the next book in the series when released but wish I had skipped this one as it adds nothing to the series at all
reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 18 more book reviews
Another disappointment, I am also waiting for the book that keeps me up at night and not just the same writing. I want to be entertained and Cornwell isn't delivering
Rychewoman avatar reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 10 more book reviews
I love Scarpetts! She is such a strong woman with way too big a heart. She needs to step up for herself a bit more but I love her. She is an example of making it through all sorts of issues and coming out on top. I definitely recommend reading her series.
reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on + 7 more book reviews
It was OK. Not up to her standards.
lorifoxb avatar reviewed The Scarpetta Factor (Kay Scarpetta, Bk 17) on
Great followup to Blow Fly!


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