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Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell

Blow Fly

by Patricia Cornwell
  • Critics' Consensus:
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  • First Published:
  • Oct 1, 2003, 480 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Sep 2004, 480 pages
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Reviews

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There are currently 20 reader reviews for Blow Fly
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Lila J

Are all these reviews by the SAME PERSON?
I actually liked this book. Sorry, folks! As people evolve, and things happen to them: they change. Such as in real life! I am wondering if all these reviews are written by the same person! They sound the same. Scarpetta is burnt out and so is Benton. The story line is captivating and Cornwell's writing is up to snuff as always.

I like how she tries to roll with the punches despite the odds and that is what makes this series good. And Lucy will always be a non-traditional heroine, like her or leave her. Marino was flawed from the very beginning - I think this is fine fiction to have him go in the direction he has.

Looking forward to the next installment.
Sharisse Lewis

I really enjoyed the book. It answered some questions that I had from previous books that I was able to put together from this book. The other characters got more life in this book, it was not all centered around Kay and her problems in Virginia, she let us travel this time. Patricia also brought back a character that I enjoyed from previous books, Benton. Hopefully he will put some UMPH! back in Kay's life and make her want to live again. It's a good read and I would most definately reccomened it to other Patricia Cornwell readers.
LJ

Giver her a break! I finished the book about an hour ago and am in a state of semi-post shock. I agree this isn't her best book, as the characters are all so defensive & angry and there is no humanity in it, but it is still a good read. The path is paved for a humane book next time that should be more satisfying. The only character I believe is becoming more & more unbelievable is Lucy - where has her personality gone?!?!?! In any case, give it a read.
Irene Cannon

Since Benton Wesley appears at the beginning of the book, it would not be giving away the information that--a miracle! Benton Wesley has been resurrected and is alive and in hiding. I own all of Cornwell's books and am a loyal reader, to say the least! Can Ms. Cornwell believe that we forgot that Carrie Gretham was the one to do the deed on Benton, and how truly upset Lucy and Marino were? And can she think that we would believe that a man of his integrity would hide out like a scared rabbit for all those years? (I am not giving away who did the cover up.) You see, the thing is that we readers are so into the characters that it sure seems to me that Ms. Cornwell could drum up other new believable characters and not treat Benton Wesley, the girls, and us this way. Still, there is much to enjoy about any and all of Cornwell's books. I bought the hardback of Blow Fly and liked the details a lot!

Oh P.S. I wonder if Cornwell could possibly have Scarpetta generate up a little more energy, she does get to be a drag sometimes!
Donna Scheel

I agree with most of the other reviewers that "Blowfly" was not even close to the author's best work. She used to leave the reader hanging at the end of each chapter so that you would keep reading into the wee hours of the morning ignoring the fact that you had to get up and go to work in 6, 5, 4, 3, etc. hours!

Our heroine, Kay Scarpetta, has lost her zest for life. Of course, who wouldn't considering all the tragedy that her personal and professional life have given her! Maybe that is what Cornwell is trying to give us a feel for. The problem is, that the audience, though not uncaring, are mystery lovers. We want a story with twists and turns where eventually the heroine succeeds!

If Ms. Cornwell is trying to expand her writing genre, my suggestion is that she not market her new works using her old characters. This definitely left this reader disappointed.
Rae

I was disappointed in this book. I generally love Patricia Cornwell's work, but not this time. I don't know what has happened. I wonder if someone else wrote this for her. The main characters are friends of ours from previous books, and it was fun to read about them until just past the midpoint of the book. Then it seemed to take on a different look, a hurried look, reminiscent of hurrying to finish a paper in college. Do read this book if you have spare time, just so you won't be lost when the next one comes out. However, I suggest borrowing instead of buying this one to read.
Bob Miller

I have never read a work of fiction where the principal characters were so over blown with their own super egos. I have read all the Cornwall novels and have always enjoyed the stories while at the same time finding Dr. Scarpetta an over bearing and egocentric persona. In this novel the entire cast of Scarpetta, Lucy, Benton and Marino all seem to be trying to out do each other in looking down their noses with their own superiority complexes. In Blow Fly it seems to take most of the pages before finally kicking into action. Much of what could have been interesting sequences between the good and the bad are just simply referred to as a happening rather than giving us any details. All in all, a very disappointing read.
JuleeS

Overwrought...I'm afraid Patricia Cornwall has fallen into the literary version of the soap opera genre with this one! Disappointing to say the least.
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