After reading all of Patricia Cornwell's series with Scarpetta, Lucy, Marino & the elusive Benton Wesley, I had amazingly high hopes that this time Patricia wouldn't bombard me with abbreviated agencies and ruin the reputations of much cherished characters.

I decided to give her one last try to win me over and she has done it! I have raised the rating to 'good' because I feel she has mellowed in her elevation of Scarpetta. Which was starting to bug me, and she left Marino alone this time, Lucy wasn't as crazy chick which is a shame because this is what we know and love. Benton was as FBI as they come, so all I know is he has silver hair (again)

A thoroughly enjoyable read, not scary and at a slower pace than normal, so you have time to register facts as you go along.

I feel Cornwell could have been stronger with her approach and owned what she was saying in the story, brilliant scientific knowledge and research as always, and for once she describes areas in detail that really make you feel a part of it.