The Bone Bed: Kay Scarpetta Mysteries, Book 20

A great story, full of great detail. The pace was intense and never let up. I read this 500+ page book in two sittings!

I did enjoy reading this book - it follows the Patricia Cornwell template. There are twists and turns, and in many ways it was a satisfying read. The characters are evolving, and for the most part, in a direction that most readers will accept. Nothing way out in left field here!As I read Bone Bed, however, it struck me that our lead character, for all her successes and impressive credentials, is not liked very much by the public, her supervisors, or her peers. For some reason, I am finding that hard to accept. She always seems to be in the middle of a mess that gets blamed on her. Maybe she is really a magnet for trouble but I would expect her to be so respected that people do not automatically turn against her and her staff the minute something odd happens.Overall, it is a good book. I could, however, handle reading a story where the characters simply solve devious, challenging murders without becoming personally interwoven with the perpetrator.

All of Kay Scarpetta books are good. I enjoy how all the characters are fleshed out. It didn’t matter that I read book #21 before #20. Each book stands on its own.

Kay Scarpetta is back -- I was initially ambivalent about buying this book, given I didn't care for the quality of the last two but reluctantly made the plunge. I was pleased to see somewhat of a return to the basics with less emphasis on wild conspiracies or the ongoing ponderous drama of Scarpetta's personal life (husband in witness protection -- thought to be dead but not, niece blackballed by the government agencies, etc).Background: this story focuses on a serial killer who has apparently sent a video clip to Scarpetta to taunt her. The entire plot involves Kay linking two deaths to multiple other deaths and drawing the connection to a central figure.The Good:1. More focus on the case than Kay's relationships. I confess I tired of her niece's antics, Benton's strange life, and Kay being at the center of every killer's thought pattern (or so it seemed). This book focuses much more on the case and how Kay prosecutes the case, so there's more emphasis on the process and detective work.2. The characters seem to have more normal roles and functions. Kay's niece assists with her unique skills but doesn't go overboard, Benton is more the normal FBI agent doing his duty and Marino is handled adeptly in a storyline that is fitting and appropriate.3. The case is interesting with an engaging plotline -- the pacing is smooth and easy to follow.The Less than Good:1. Fixation: Kay must be the only medical examiner in the world that is ultimately targeted for death or becomes the enemy of every serial killer on the planet. This plot feature gets old. When was the last time we opened the paper and a medical examiner was the target of a killer or convoluted conspiracy? In reality, you never even know the name of the medical examiner involved in a murder case! I realize this is what sells the books but sheesh, Kay, you're not THAT important to the safety of the planet. Why can't we just focus on telling a plausible, interesting, engaging, seiral killer story without making Kay the killer's focus all the time?2. Plot: it's generally solid. However, at the end, I was left wondering why the killer notified Kay of his crime by sending the video. It seems like he was asking to be caught by challenging her directly -- guess this is the point of the story, but it didn't seem to match the overall motives for the other killings. In other words, the killer wasn't killing for attention, he was killing for deeply personal (and psycho) reasons -- it wasn't supposed to be a challenge against authority.3. Characterization: Kay seems unusually focused on whether Benton is cheating on her and on her attraction to other men in this book. It's perplexing. After all they've been through, this is a concern? I mean, he was "dead" (in witness protection) and they've worked out far more serious issues and our number 1 all-star ME is worried about being hot for two other guys or Benton's fidelity? Ugh.All in all, it's a solid read. I'd like to see the pricing come down to the once-promised 9.99 range as I hate paying 14.99 for ebooks but that's a different topic. Die-hard Scarpatta fans will probably love this, for me it was a solid okay.

Watch out there might be spoilers!An absolute certainty at the end of reading "The Bone Bed": another wonderful masterpiece by Patricia Cornwell.Bated breath from the first to the last page. Rich of suspense as only PC can do.I goto to know at Scarpetta #20 after going through PC's professional career. This book, like Red Mist, deserves the best success.In the PC's novels there is always something new to learn. I like to call them didactic thriller, new things that you learn and that will stay in your personal knowledge.Her precise style is unmistakable: scrupulous, almost punctilious in small things as in important things: this is the trademark of her novels. This is another feature that distinguishes it and that has paved the way for other writers.As Patricia Cornwell says "I'm meticulous, but try not to be disgusting. Describe only what is necessary for Kay's investigation"Like in all her novels Patricia does not leave anything to improvisation. Nothing is reported without being first experienced and tested in first-person.On FB or on Twitter Patricia, , shares with her fans these moments of research, reflection; intense days lived "on the road". It is very pleasant to find these moments while you read the book ... you get the urge to say "there I was too."It's always nice to find her characters, they have accompanied us for many years and they have become part of our lives!In each novel as well as the suspense for the trhiller, I have the curiosity to know how the human adventure of Kay Scarpetta, her husband Benton Wesley, her beloved niece's Lucy and Pete Marino's is.In The Bone Bed Kay Scarpetta becomes more woman and less of a forensic pathologist, although she always keeps her high level of professionalism.KS feels the years go by, but is aware of her charm. After the temptation of her betrayal relationship with Benton is strengthened. Despite the silences and secrets, Benton represents for Kay a safe mooring.In The Bone Bed meet again Anna Zenner, a barely touched farewell, too discreet for those accustomed to live together the dead ...Lucy is always the free spirit that I have loved from the first moment. Alone against the world! But finally at the end of the book she gives us a nice and pleasant surprise.Pete Marino ... always the same surly grumpy good investigator that follows as a faithful hound Kay Scarpetta ... even for him at the end Patricia will give us a surprise!... Now what we can do is wait patiently for Dust. I feel it will be a wonderful book ... Always experienced life ... It is perhaps also experience of suffering in the first person by Patricia ... I can not wait!

This author is a great writer. All of her books are great!!!

J'ai lu la Série Kay Scarpetta dès son début ( uniquement en anglais ) .... après l'avoir délaissé momentanément j'ai repris la suite.L'auteur ( Patricia Cornwell ) sait se renouveler tout en restant dans le même chemin avec des personnages que l'on rencontre quasiment depuis le début et dont on suit également le chemin.Bien entendu, avec une légiste .... on reste dans le même domaine .... mais avec des scénarii variés.Un plaisir à lire ... pour ceux qui aiment ce genre de roman.

This novel has the usual complicated plot line and holds the readers interest from.start to finish. You find your indignation levels rising as Kay is subjected to a variety of personal attacks from different quarters. You will not be disappointed with this story.

The is ok. A lot of stories that in the end was confusing. A lot of murderers that didn’t make sense.

So glad this killer wasn't one of Kay's staff. I enjoyed this read. Well written with great content. Very satisfying.