To wish Patricia Cornwell would read some of her earlier books

[sherbetpips]

Old books - were brilliant, great plot lines and twists, interesting characters, a little romance and awesome baddies.
New books - no discerable plot line, everyone hates each other, no new characters, can't even figure out who the baddies are most of the time.

I have tried to finish the last two books and I just can't they are so boring and repetative and frankly if Lucy, Marino and Scarpetta ever actually met in real life they would never, ever, ever see each other again.

If you have never read the Scarpetta series read them from the beginning and dont bother with the last three.

[CeliaFate]

I totally agree. I gave up on these. I can't even remember the name of the last one I read, but it was unutterable shite and completely unworthy of the series.

[hermioneweasley]

Agree, gave up after Benton came back from the dead. First few were nerve shredding

[littlemissnormal]

I agree too! Peter used to be gruff but loveable, now he just seems like an arse.

[littlemissnormal]

Pete even!

[roundtoit]

love love love her early books,new ones are crap. Same with
james Patterson , he has gone right off too.

[roundtoit]

Michael Connolly is a great writer, try some of the Harry Bosch books

[NumTumDeDum]

Gave up on them around The time she wrote Hornets Nest. Much prefer Kathy Reichs if I'm in the mood for that kind of thing.

[RalphGnu]

Couldn't agree more.

I haven't botheted to read her latest one, they give me the rage now.

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

I agree. Her early books were riveting and very well written. I especially like The Body Farm. Increasingly her books became darker and more depressing, and the characters so unsympathetic. I gave up several books ago.

[Morgause]

Absolutely agree.

[qazxc]

Totally agree. The far fetched evil, monster villain family are horrendous.

[ipswichwitch]

Yep I agree too. In the latest books all Scarpetta does is whine about why nobody is getting along (possibly because she has a habit of hiring psychopaths), nobody talks to her (possibly due to whining) and the actual murder plot is basically a postscript at the end.

The Harry Bosch books are way better, as is Kathy Reichs (although I think her last couple were a bit meh)

[DollyTwat]

Totally agree
I keep thinking I've read the new ones before

I moved onto the Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo they are brilliant

Need another author now

[KirstyJC]

Completely agree. Am just about to start re-reading the first ones and am really looking forward to it, but her recent ones are really so-so.

[PseudoBadger]

I gave up when she switched narrative tense.

[EmpressOfTheSevenOceans]

Me too. After Predator I gave up - Tess Gerritsen's far better.

[PseudoBadger]

Think that was in The Last Precinct

[bigkidsdidit]

Yep. The first ones were amazingly good, then all of a sudden every killer had it in PERSONALLY for Scarpetta

She changed from third to first person too I think (or the other way round??) anyway, whichever way it was, it didn't work as well.

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

Totally agree too.

[TheFarSide]

Agree. I hate it when authors give up on quality and just start churning out rubbish. I wonder if she realises or even cares as long as she is making plenty of money.

[SugarSpunSisters]

Yep totally agree. I gave up after Blow Fly I think. The books used to be so good ignoring super annoying super Lucy then switched to total crap.

[IKnewHouseworkWasDangerous]

Agree. I think you were good to get to the last 3 I think I gave up about 5 ago and I am a persistant madam.

Try Tess Gerritson or, for the really strong of stomach, Mo Hayder. (Dont read "The Treatment" on the train if you dont want to end up sobbing like I did.)

[PseudoBadger]

I love Mo Hayder. I also like Denise Mina at the moment.

[hollyisalovelyname]

I agree. Her first books were so much better. It's as if she is trying too hard now.

[ipswichwitch]

I'm currently reading Tess Gerritsens Rizzoli and Isles series and they are fab