Depraved Heart

I\’ve read every Scarpetta book, some more than once, but this is the last one. Depraved Heart may be the worst book I\’ve ever read. Plodding doesn\’t begin to describe it. I made up my mind that I would finish it and I did, but it was a chore. I don\’t understand Cornwell\’s intent with this series, but the plots strain credulity and Kay Scarpetta has become insufferably smug and elitist. Half of this. book was about Lucy\’s estate and cars and original art work and the perfume Benton orders for Kay from Italy, etc. And I was VERY unhappy that the monumental cliffhanger ending of the previous book was not even mentioned!!! Goodbye, Kay, it was nice while it lasted.

I\’ll say it right out…Patricia Cornwell needs to find/create some new material. She has really painted herself into a corner with the Scarpetta series. She has removed all real tension by giving her main characters, Kay and Lucy, everything they want, so there is nothing left but to puff them up to over-the-top proportions and then infuse them with paranoia and arrogance and surround them with people who want to take everything away. This isn\’t a murder mystery. It\’s psychological warfare, six layers deep, and it\’s boring as hell. Kay has become all about gourmet cooking, fancy vacations, designer clothes, expensive haircuts and life with her tedious stick of a husband, Benton. Lucy and Carrie have become both sides of the same James Bond super-villian, complete with gadgets, cars, helicopters and planes, endless government conspiracies, and limitless money. Jeez, enough! What happened to random murders, new psychos, and autopsies? Cornwell has made the huge mistake of changing her main characters until they are no longer sympathetic, believable, or interesting. And I agree with the others; ENOUGH ABOUT CARRIE! Back to basics, Patricia!

I used to love the Scarpetta books for the science, the unexpected story arc, the relationships. I think Cornwell is merely regurgitating the same old, same old now. Enough with Carrie already. Enough with how corrupt FBI is. The only interesting idea, data fiction, was just a throw away. Wish the author would get her game back.

I used to eagerly anticipate the next in Kay Scarpetta series. However, the past couple of books I have begun to wonder if maybe it is time for Kay to retire. I found myself dragging myself through Depraved Heart and it took me much longer to read than usual due to my lack of interest. The data fiction aspect, the \”villian\” that never seems to die all made it more tiresome than not. It doesn\’t help that Lucy becomes more unlikeable and unpleasant in each book. The \”family\” is super secretive and unbelievable. Even Kay has lost her luster. If you are new to the Scarpetta series I would definitely not recommend it at all. It\’s definitely a book that you need to know the background of the characters for. If you are a Scarpetta fan, be forewarned that it is not the Scarpetta that you are used to.

I have been reading Scapretta since the first book. For years, I waited until the next book was released, but that is not longer the case. The books are about the family more than and outside \”bad guy\”, solving crimes. The books seem more melodrama than mystery/thriller. Get back to solving crimes and chasing bad guys, leave the family drama and Carrie behind. We fell in love with Scarpetta\’s quick brain not with her familial entanglements.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member