I have to say this is the first Kay Scarpetta book that I really didn't enjoy. It was a chore just to pick it up and keep reading (and its a LONG book so it took a while). The character of Lucy annoys me and this book didn't help (she's even more annoying); I'm not happy with Marino's character anymore or Benton......I'm wondering if this might be the last of the Scarpetta books for me. I have to say...even Kay annoyed me in this book. Really didn't enjoy this book at all. ( )

This is my last Patricia Cornwell book. I stopped reading her books a couple of books ago because I was fed up with her psycho perverted wolfman character. He's back in this book. On top of that, Kay and Benton are bland and boring, Marino whines constantly and a huge part of the book is devoted to Lucy and her troubles. Lucy maybe be brilliant but she is an unlikeable character who is surly and emotionless. ( )

Just finished The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell and I have to say it was the best one I have read by her in a long time. Same old familiar cast of characters (Berger, Marino, Scarpetta, Lucy, Benton), lots of layers to the mystery, great forensic detective work, personality clashes, tensions, fun new gadgets, ghosts from the past, and just the right dash of the grisly and macabre. A perfect mix.

The plot elements include a missing rich woman, Hanna Starr, and a jogger who was murdered in Central Park, last seen being helped out of a NY yellow taxi. The jogger has an unusual watch on, and even Lucy, the computer whiz, can find no record of the manufacturer. Also, Scarpetta thinks she has been dead for days, yet the dead woman sent a text to her mom and was recently seen going into her apartment. Add to the mix a weird psych patient of Benton's and Scarpetta's missing cell phone...Definitely recommended! ( )

I found this a real disappointment - just going through the motions - too long, no character development - a real pot boiler ( )

 The Scarpetta factor was yet another excellent book in the Kay Scarpetta Series by Patricia Cornwell. The story gives us even more insights into characters that, as an avid reader of the series, I feel like I know all to well. The series is not only a great crime series, but a great character study and a good look at human interactions along the human timeline and the timeline of society and progress. Overall, the book flowed nicely with very good build up, tension that held me, and had the good old suspense and mystery that makes me such a fan. As well, the book had the return of one of my favorite characters from Scarpetta's (and Benton's) past.
I wanted to give the book a four star rating, but I settled on three and a half because I felt the ending, the climatic ending, was rushed and to quick. I have felt this with several of Cornwell's latest books. The build up to the climax was fantastic, but the ending was brisk and didn't fulfill by expectations. But still, a marvelous read and I cannot wait for the next Scarpetta book. ( )