Did not finish. I was hoping for a return to the type of stories and crimes Scarpetta first solved. Serial killers, suspicious deaths, etc. But I find this particular story scary and boring. Like watching the news. Too much CIA, FBI, and terrorist fory taste in a crime thriller.
I'm sure others will love it but just not for me anymorethanks to @Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Well, after reading this book and the next one in the series, Unnatural Death, I am through with Kay Scarpetta. I had stopped reading her books for a while but tried giving them a try again a few years ago. Unfortunately, the characters are irritating, the story line was blasé, I couldn’t stay invested in the story and just didn’t care what happened. The way the prosecuting attorney treats Kay on the witness stand at the beginning of the book was appalling. This would not be allowed in real life and was such a turn off. To be honest, I could not find anything about the book that redeemed itself. That makes me sad because I was such a huge Kay Scarpetta fan with the earlier books and was so looking forward to getting back to the nitty gritty moments experienced while reading those earlier books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

"Livid" by Patricia Cornwell is a crime thriller featuring the iconic character Dr. Kay Scarpetta. While the book offers the signature forensic detail and investigative intrigue associated with Cornwell's novels, it falls short in comparison to some of her earlier works. The plot lacks the intense suspense and gripping twists that readers have come to expect from the author. Additionally, the pacing can be uneven, resulting in a less immersive reading experience. However, fans of the series may still appreciate revisiting familiar characters and settings in "Livid."

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Really solid read.

I have been reading the Kay Scarpetta series since the 90s. This series started my love of reading forensic crime novels and I love the character that @1pcornwell has created in Kay Scarpetta. The 26th novel in this series, Livid, finds The Dr., Marino, Benton, and Lucy all working to find a new domestic terrorist group before more people die. I recommend reading if you love this series!

Thank you to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have been reading the Kay Scarpetta series from the beginning. I had stopped reading with the last few books as they seemed to be focusing too much on niece Lucy or techno stuff or high-action rather than good-old fashioned mystery solving and police procedural type stories. I requested this ARC for old-time's sake and am very happy to say that seems a bit more like the Scarpetta that I know and love. She did seem a little more laid-back and not as intense as in the past, but closer. The story begins with a court case and becomes a murder mystery for Kay and Marino. Love Marino! Someone is out to destroy Kay and she may have a spy in her own office! Well, I am back to being a fan! I hope this is the vein that future books will continue in.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Patricia Cornwell and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own!

Kay Scarpetta is 't happy about having to testify in a electrifying murder trial. She wasn't the original medical examiner and found fault with what the original examiner said happened to the young woman. After leaving the court she is notified that the judge's sister from the case has been found dead and it is most likely murder. The clues aren't adding up to a home invasion so why was she killed. Kay soon realizes the death was caused by something truly sinister and they need to figure out who is behind it before.something even more awful occurs. Can Kay bring down a killer and keep everyone out of harms way or will it be the end of all she knows?

I had a bit of a struggle getting through reading Livid. It started out with my intense dislike of how the judge was handling the courtroom case….I mean that prosecutor was way out of line and the judge just sat there???? And Kay Scarpetta seemed to just be so nonchalant about it all. She just wasn’t the Kay Scarpetta I remember from previous books. I can say the same for Marino.
Not a favorite book by Patricia Cornwall but it get keep my interest enough to finish it.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own

A Kay Scarpetta Novel #26

We are back with Kay, Lucy, and all the gang! And you know there is about to be drama! Of the murderous kind.

Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Kay Scarpetta is testifying in a sensational murder trial. Cameras in the courtroom, abrasive attorneys, and a judge who seems to not have Kay’s back.

The trial is causing problems in Old Town. Traffic, true crime enthusiasts, and as she gets in her car with Pete, news of a murder in the home of the said judge. The story is that two years ago a former beauty queen washed ashore. Last seen on the boat with the fiance’, who has been sitting in jail since.

Kay is uneasy about a lot these days. The case as well as finding the mole in her office. Someone is set on ruining her for good. Could it be the last case?

Well, Patricia Cornwell always delivers a taut, and believable story. This was a good one!

NetGalley/October 25th, 2022 by Grand Central Publishing

It was my sister who got me reading the Scarpetta series. Even though the series sounded right up my alley, for some reason I had never picked them up. It wasn’t until I was helping one of my sisters pack up for a move that I noticed she had the books on her shelves. Needless to say the books came home with me and shortly there after I was hooked. I must admit though that I missed out on the last Scarpetta book as I hadn’t realized Cornwell had returned to the series.

As for Livid, starting off we find Scarpetta, our favorite medical examiner, testifying as an expert witness in a case being presided over by an old friend. Shortly thereafter the judge’s sister is found dead and Kay and Co. are on the hunt for the killer. After being away from the series for so long it was great to ‘see’ so many familiar facers. (That said, if you’re not familiar with the characters in the series this might not be the best place to start.) The story is gripping and the only way to describe the pacing is breakneck. This is a return to classic Scarpetta. 4.5 stars. I’d like to thank Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Livid.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R138MDVV5YRUBF/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Chief medical examiner Kay Scarpetta is the reluctant star witness in a sensational murder trial when she receives shocking news. The judge’s sister has been found dead. At first glance, it appears to be a home invasion, but then why was nothing stolen, and why is the garden strewn with dead plants and insects? Although there is no apparent cause of death, Scarpetta recognizes telltale signs of the unthinkable, and she knows the worst is yet to come. The forensic pathologist finds herself pitted against a powerful force that returns her to the past, and her time to catch the killer is running out. I was thrilled to see that this story takes us back to more of the original style of Scarpetta stories which consists of a really solid murder mystery. Some of the Corwnwell books in this series had gotten a bit far fetched and almost more spy thriller type stories as opposed to a good murder mystery. The usual characters are back and the ending does not disappoint. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Chief medical examiner Kay Scarpetta is the reluctant star witness in a sensational murder trial when she receives news that the judge’s sister has been found dead. At first glance, it appears to be a home invasion, but then why was nothing stolen, and why is the garden strewn with dead plants and insects? Although there is no apparent cause of death, Scarpetta recognizes telltale signs of the unthinkable, and she knows the worst is yet to come. With the help of her husband and niece, Kay investigates the possibility of what caused the murder and then discovers a beloved grocer apparently killed the same way. Will she find the killer in time before more murders are commited including hers?

I am so glad the author returned to stories dealing more with forensics than personal lives as evidenced by her last two books in this series. I have read them all but was becoming more disappointed in the stories until the last entry, Autopsy, and now Livid. She has returned to her forensic roots, and I, for one, am so glad she did. This storyline is interesting and keeps you reading to find out what is going to happen next. Thank you to NetGalley and the pulisher for granting my request to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

This another Kay Scarpetta mystery. However, it will never be one of my favorites. The story begins with Kay, now in VA again, giving testimony in a murder trial. The prosecutor manages to rip her testimony apart, pointing out every error or would be error. Then, it moves to a killing of the siter of a close friend, who also happens to be the presiding judge of the trial in which Kay has just given testimony. The killing is definitely different, as some sort of futuristic weapon has been used. Kay and her crew, Marino, Lucy and, of course, Benton, work to figure out what just what happened. The investigation is difficult because of the extenuating circumstances of the weapon used and the fact that the president had been in town that day and may have been the intended victim. Thus, Kay and her crew has to navigate carefully through normal law enforcement procedures as well as those of the FBI and Secret Service. The story moves along nicely, but there are a number of things I found difficult to take in and to keep my interest. The weapon used was some new, futuristic weapon, that uses microwaves to do the job. Thus, Kay and her crew has to navigate carefully just through normal law enforcement procedures as well as those of the FBI and Secret Service while still working with a future type weapon. Not sure if I liked having this futuristic mumbo jumbo tossed into the story. However, things do go along rather smoothly as they work their way through clues and procedures. I still prefer Marino from the earlier books. The storm trooper character he has evolved into just does not grab me. Nevertheless, Kay and Benton are the same as ever, which does help. As I said this will not be one of my favorite Kay Scarpetta books, but it did hold my interest. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Kay Scarpetta is testifying in a murder case where her former college roommate is the judge. Scarpetta is being grilled by the defense attorney, plus her former roommate seems cold and distant.
To make the situation even more complicated, the judge's sister is found murdered on the family homestead. Scarlett, the medical examiner, is tasked to find evidence which will solve the murder mystery. As usual, Patricia Cornwall gives us good writing and an interesting read.

In her latest Scarpetta crime novel, Patricia Cornwell delivers a muddled story set in Old Town Virginia. The novel opens with a court scene in which the attorneys rip into Scarpetta's theory on how a young woman died. From there, Scarpetta and Marino are caught up in a court riot where Scarpetta is attacked by one of the rioters. After leaving the courthouse, Scarpetta and Marino are called to investigate a murder scene. The victim is the sister of the judge overseeing Scarpetta's case, and we quickly learn that Scarpetta and the judge are longtime friends. (This is one of the plot points that didn't ring true to me. How can Scarpetta be a key witness in a court case overseen by one of her friends? Isn't that a conflict of interest?)

While the Scarpetta novels are known for being on the cutting edge of forensic science, the plots very rarely hold together. The autopsy scenes are the most interesting parts of the book, because Cornwell goes into enough scientific detail to make you feel like you're in the room. However, the writing is riddled with awkward phrases that a more judicious editor might have prevented; and the climax is ... anti-climactic, which is often the case with Cornwell's books. I hope that someday Cornwell will return to the glory days of her earlier books, which kept me reading late into the night.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my opinions.

Wow! And again, I say WOW!

What an excellent installment on the 'relaunch' of the Kay Scarpetta books.

I haven't read one of the Scarpetta novels in quite a while,k but this book and the last one Autopsy make coming back to this series worthwhile. I have even taken a couple of books from the library to get myself up to speed; there are characters I don't really remember, so I have a lot of refreshing to do.

This book starts out with a trial that Kay is an expert witness but is being treated like -well, I just don't know how to describe it, but it sure isn't with any respect! This trial has a lot to do with today's political climate in the USA.

Now add to this mess, the murder of the judge's sister, add in a threat to the POTUS, another murder, and really strange clues to the murders. Ho boy, this was a fast-paced, twisty-turny read!

There was good character growth (just a little growth since the series has been around for years, so you expect the character's to have done their growing) -just enough to keep them fresh. An interesting new weapon, at least to me.

It is bloody and somewhat gory if you aren't a medical examiner!

I loved it and finished this book in one day!


*ARC supplied by the publisher Grand Central Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.

Livid is a good title for this book. I was livid from page one as Dr. Scarpetta (not "ma'am") was being torn apart on the witness stand by an antagonistic prosecutor while the judge remained silent. Appropriately, this scene sets up the entire book as being one of aggression and conflict and I was hooked! Not only were the characters and the plot full of conflict, but so was I. I felt a bit overwhelmed by the paranoia, politics, and back stabbing that seemed to fill the book. Did the previous books all include this level of turmoil? I think they did but in a somewhat different version. Politics were at a lower level and the crimes weren't so hi-tech. I think I might miss those days. The newer books, though thankfully out of that weird place a couple books went, feel more like espionage and terrorism than the mysteries with psychotic serial killers I started reading. I still enjoy the characters and the writing and continue to wish for more Lucy. I was well engaged while reading this installment but think I need to work on resetting my expectations for where the series is going.

Fans of Cornwell will find it all here in this latest in the long running series- a courtroom scene, a mysterious death, a conspiracy, and an answer you might not see coming. Oh, and the familiar characters (which are the best part for me). This time out, the sister of Scarpetta's friend, who happens to be the judge presiding over the trial where she's taken to pieces, is found dead in the kitchen of their home but her death doesn't make a lot of sense. This has a very topical underpinning which takes the means of death into a new realm that will connect the facts of the trial to a bigger picture involving terorism (I know!). To be honest, I was a bit annoyed by the opening courtroom scene because there's no way Scarpetta would have been questioned that way. That said, once out of the courtroom, this moves into the places Cornwell excels such as autopsies and dealing with others. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's fast paced and not entirely far fetched.

Another good installment of the Scarpetta series!

What I enjoyed:
-as this series has progressed, it has pivoted a bit to be less about strictly coroner-related mystery solving to include more technological mysteries. This book in particular deals with a type of technology that isn't particularly well-known, so it was interesting to read about.
-the relationship between Kay and her husband Benton
-the way that Kay and Pete Marino, her investigator, act like a bickering old married couple

What wasn't as good as usual:
-not much Lucy (Kay's niece)
-the tangents between the 3 cases weren't all that clear until the last 2%

I think I've read every book in this series, and while I've enjoyed them, it might be time to retire it and start a new one. Go out while still fresh.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Maybe it's because it's a timely topic with more questions than answers that's intrigued me for at least a couple of years now. Maybe it's because forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta doesn't seem quite as paranoid as usual (even though in this case, her suspicions may be rooted in fact). Whatever the reason, this, the 26th book in the popular series, is another one I really didn't want to put down.

It begins with Scarpetta's testimony at a contentious murder trial - and her scientific evidence and methods not-so-politely challenged by a defense attorney determined to win and sully Scarpetta's reputation in the process. The judge, Annie Chilton, is Scarpetta's long-time friend; but this time out, her rulings are falling outside the norm. Later, Scarpetta - who not that long ago returned to Virginia to serve in her old job as chief medical examiner - is called out to a murder; the victim is none other than the judge's sister, Rachael, who's been living with her sister at the run-down family estate. When she and her longtime friend and investigator Pete Marino arrive, they're struck by the stricken; everywhere are dead bugs, birds and what appears to be finely tuned destruction. That, in turn, leads to suspicion of the method of the murder - a really scary one that Scarpetta and her FBI husband Benton and niece Lucy are well acquainted with by way of their seats on the federal Doomsday Commission (and for readers, it's an issue, albeit controversial in some circles, that's made national news in recent years).

In between trying to solve the motive and means for the murder - plus, of course, identify and capture the culprit - all the major players must dodge the slings and arrows of protestors (think: Jan. 6, 2021, but with different targets). One clue leads to another to revelations about the death of a former colleague - one who has ties to the trial at the beginning of the book. All told, it's a fast-paced, well-researched story and a great addition to the series. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.