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Has anyone else read Patricia Cornwell's books?
I have only ever read her Kay Scarpetta novels. I would recommend these books to everyone and anyone who loves crime thrillers

Well, I once read a summary of the typical Cornwell novel: "Someone gets murdered and everyone else goes skiing."

It's kind of a book version of "Murder She Wrote".

Also, in recent years -- I don't know when Cornwell started this -- but she had a ghostwriter who did most of her writing, they got into a dispute, she fired the writer, and since then her books have nose dived. Any author who hires ghostwriters to do the real work are despicable. Sorry.

I have read several of her books, but got tired of her. I loved her early books, but her latest books bored me. After reading the above post, I understand the reason for it.

I don't know at which point Cornwell chose to use a ghostwriter, but it was after she'd reached some success. And things went along pretty well, she essentially rubber stamping the ghost's efforts until they split, and her new "persona" (ghost) isn't as good.

There was a thread in this forum about ghostwriting. I've been asked to ghost some stories. It's always the same, someone knows you're a published author and tells you "I've got some great ideas for stories. What if I give you those ideas and you write the stories, and we split the money?" and my reply is always "Tell you what. You write your stories, I'll write mine, and we each keep a hundred percent of what me make."

I would never ghostwrite.

As for Cornwell, I never cared much for her stuff but I don't like those types of "genteel" mysteries anyway -- too many mansions and rich people and stuff. For me, I'm a fan of the noir and darker stuff. As Raymond Chandler said of Dashiell Hammett, "He took murder out of the drawing room and put it back into the streets where it belongs."

Yes, I've recently started reading Post-Mortem and I really like it so far!!

gali wrote:I have read several of her books, but got tired of her. I loved her early books, but her latest books bored me. After reading the above post, I understand the reason for it.

I feel exactly the same about her. Her latest were stale and boring, I couldn't even remember many details.

I didn't have any idea about the ghostwriting though, very disappointing

I have never read her books, but I have listened to many of them on tape or CD. I like to read romance, but my husband would not let me put that on the radio for our road trips. We compromised on some of her Scarpetta books and really enjoyed them. I don't think I could have read them, as they are not really the type I enjoy. I would highly recommend listening to them on a long trip - or just for fun.

moderntimes wrote:For me, I'm a fan of the noir and darker stuff. As Raymond Chandler said of Dashiell Hammett, "He took murder out of the drawing room and put it back into the streets where it belongs."

I agree! Pretty sure you and I have either had this same discussion or both participated in a similar one on another thread.

I have read several of Ms. Cornwell's earlier novels and they were okay-ish...my problem with her work is that it becomes somewhat generic after a few books.

I have the same problem with many other popular mystery authors and even popular T.V. shows (C.S.I., Criminal Minds, The Mentalist), after a few books (or episodes) they become more or less interchangeable.

Not to say they aren't entertaining or interesting but they just don't have a lot of distinctive storylines from one to the next. If you have an extremely talented writer they can sometimes make that situation work, but most writer's with that kind of talent don't waste time retelling the same story unless they have a new angle to it.

I enjoyed her earlier books, but I, like many other commenters, lost interest in her books. Though I did really enjoy her non fiction "Portrait of a Killer" about Jack the Ripper. She writes well, but if she did indeed begin using a ghostwriter, that is rather disappointing. I enjoy the realistic stuff (I work in a coroner's, and read crime and thriller novels voraciously....weird as it sounds lol) and especially like when the science and techniques are authentic.That is what I originally enjoyed about her novels. Kathy Reichs' scientific explorations in the Temperance Brennen novels is fantastic (though the stories aren't as spectacular as before)

Yes, and I too really appreciate her work. She can get pretty twisted at times, but that is what makes her books hook you.

I used to read Patricia Cornwell years ago. I got tired of her books because I liked how they started, and then it seemed like the last three chapters were a rush to finish the book. It was like the book deadline was suddenly due and she sat up all night to finish it.

Post Mortem was not a bad read. Not my favorite genre but enjoyed it

I have to agree that the earlier books were more enjoyable than the more recent ones. My whole family used to read them! My sister would buy a copy for Christmas, and then it would be read by the relatives until everyone was done but me--since I lived in a different state, it was sent to me last

Maybe the last books aren't as good as the earlier ones. But since I haven't found any totally reliable source that says she does have a ghost writer, I'm not judging her yet. I love her writing and I appreciate the times she got me glued to my bed unable to get up because of all the tension. Kay Scarpetta pulled me through some really boring times as well.

I have read the Scarpetta Factor and All that Remains. Loved them both. I read them in Spanish and I'm looking forward to reading them in English as well as her other works.