All That Remains (original 1992; edition 1993)

This was a very fast read. It is a good crime/detective novel with several plot twists. Its only weak point is with the on-again/off-again romance between Dr Scarpetta and her ex-boyfriend. It's obvious that this book was written in the early 90s by a woman in that a woman of that era sees all the negatives in a relationship. It's all take and no give, two selfish people with no interest in seeing the other person's point of view. ( )

Conditioned by my previous experiences with detective novels whenever I begin a Scarpetta book I expect a straightforward mystery, and every time Cornwell crafts a story that's everything but. Oh, there is a mystery alright, but there is also a very strong human element and the more I get to know Kay Scarpetta and her circle the more clearly I see it. It is possible of course that this human element is becoming more prominent, with every consecutive book being more about the people than the crime, the crime being a catalyst for this humanity to manifest itself and provide a macabre backdrop for it. And you know what? I like seeing something more layered than an cold investigation into disappearances and deaths, I like seeing characters stretch themselves, doubt themselves and their friends and colleagues, struggle through life's problems and emerge changed, even just a little bit. I like seeing relationship develop through the mundane things, and Cornwell delivers that every time. In case you're wondering what it is I'm talking about: here Kay doubts her friendship with Abby Turnbull, the reporter she first met in Postmortem, because Abby isn't being particularly straightforward about her involvement in Scarpetta's latest case. It is also in this book that she realizes that the more she works with Marino the more she likes him, despite his unkempt appearance and irritating behavior, and a true friendship begins to emerge. And last but not least there are the frustrations of finding herself in the middle of basically a face-off between the FBI, the DA's office and higher echelons of government. Cornwell uses these situations wonderfully to develop her characters and since they are so significant in the story they become the stage of power plays and the really dramatic scenes.
Politics is big in this book and Cornwell explores the effects of it on people's lives with her usual delicate but firm touch. The potential of a cover-up in her daughter's murder case pushes a prominent politician over the edge and the question of whether she ruined her own career or was helped along the way is a major point of contention in this book. There is also the matter of whether being a public figure at a time like what this politician's family is going through is a blessing or a curse and the reality that there is more than one answer to this question. The fact that Cornwell raises these issues and that everything filters through Kay, the protagonist, makes her a complex individual who navigates a personal and professional maze every day and knows that things are much less straightforward than she would like them to be, a person who regularly thinks about life and people, and not just on a simple day-to-day level.
My only concern with this novel is that if Cornwell continues along the path she is on the politics will grow to dominate the story and while it is a fertile field for character development I would hate to see it happen - politics tend to make things convoluted and much talk about views and positions on issues is not something I enjoy in my fiction. I think she struck a nice balance in this book and hope the next novels don't veer off into a lot of talk and little action. ( )

A series of young couples are being abducted in the Richmond area, their bodies found months later in the woods. This leaves little for Kay to go on when determining cause of death and few clues for police to follow up. When the daughter of a prominent politician becomes one of the victims the case becomes more important than ever, but with accusations of conspiracies and cover-ups by federal agencies, the truth is even harder to find.
I appreciate the attention Cornwell gives to the detail of the evidence and the realistic time frames involved. It seems like in books and on TV a case is solved in a matter of days. This book takes place over the course of more than a year, which is, again, a lot more congruent with actual procedure. Kay gradually becomes a more fascinating character as more of her past is revealed and she explores her relationship with FBI Agent Mark James. We also get to know a little more about detective Marino and his home life, which brings more depth to a character I haven’t been a big fan of.
The plot’s payoff was a little disappointing and not at all “twisty” but I was satisfied with the explanations of means and motive.
A decent murder mystery book for fans of the genre. ( )

Why read: Reading the series

What impressed me: The mystery in All That Remains was very well done. It was uniquely interesting, especially given the outside involvement of both the victim's mother and a reporter. Once again, Kay is stuck in a situation where she can't necessarily trust the other investigators - this time on a much larger scale - which is when we really get to see Kay shine. I'm really enjoying Kay's interactions with Marino, how with each book their friendship deepens and their respect for each other seems to grow.

What disappointed me: Nothing. All That Remains was a solid, enjoyable mystery.

Recommended: Yes. Each book is better than the last.

Continue series: Can't stop now. Things keep getting better. ( )

Cornwell really knows how to keep the pages flying! When young couples begin disappearing, medical examiner Kay Scarpetta must use her intellect to find the killer. With a fast pace, engaging characters, and a bone chilling mystery, Cornwell delivers big time in the third novel of her Scarpetta series. ( )