Post by Charlynn on Jun 2, 2012 15:59:33 GMT -5
From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell
From Potter's Field is the penultimate showdown between the series' heroine Doctor Kay Scarpetta and her most hated nemesis, the psychopathic serial killer Temple Gault. Instead of a new sweater for Christmas or a set of DVD's, Kay travels to New York City where Gault has displayed yet another one of his victims for her – naked, anonymous, and shot through the head. This is only the beginning of the Gault's latest string of murders, though, and, this time, things have become personal between him and his victims and him and Dr. Scarpetta. Unfortunately, however, this emotional elevation does not translate to the page, making From Potter's Field the least satisfying of Cornwell's books... so far.
Usually, a series is only improved by the inclusion of a big bad – a villain which carries through from one book to another, always plaguing the lead characters, eluding them for several novels, and then finally being captured and/or taken out during a nail-biting showdown. This only works, however, when the big bad is in the background, constantly lurking but not always present. Mystery novels containing an uber-villain need to contain shorter story arcs as well, ones that can be wrapped up neatly at the end of every book. After all, it's unrealistic to present a plot where the Chief Medical Examiner for the entire state of Virginia would be occupied for weeks on end by a single case. From Potter's Field did not follow this rule, instead focusing entirely on its big bad, Gault.
Now, this would have perhaps worked had the novel followed through with its introduction – a short excerpt from Gault's perspective. Had Cornwell alternated between her heroine's point of view and her psychopathic nemesis', this would have provided readers with an intriguing and enlightening juxtaposition. Instead, the novel's pace lagged behind at times, and it was further bogged down by the inclusion of too much Lucy, an unlikeable character. (Side note: just because Scarpetta loves her niece, that does not mean that readers will as well.) Additionally, after several novels explored the character of Temple Gault, including From Potter's Field which focused entirely on this singular villain, Cornwell devoted a few measly pages to the aforementioned epic showdown between Scarpetta and Gault. It was an entirely anticlimactic ending to a rather bland book.
Two out of Five Stars
From Potter's Field is the penultimate showdown between the series' heroine Doctor Kay Scarpetta and her most hated nemesis, the psychopathic serial killer Temple Gault. Instead of a new sweater for Christmas or a set of DVD's, Kay travels to New York City where Gault has displayed yet another one of his victims for her – naked, anonymous, and shot through the head. This is only the beginning of the Gault's latest string of murders, though, and, this time, things have become personal between him and his victims and him and Dr. Scarpetta. Unfortunately, however, this emotional elevation does not translate to the page, making From Potter's Field the least satisfying of Cornwell's books... so far.
Usually, a series is only improved by the inclusion of a big bad – a villain which carries through from one book to another, always plaguing the lead characters, eluding them for several novels, and then finally being captured and/or taken out during a nail-biting showdown. This only works, however, when the big bad is in the background, constantly lurking but not always present. Mystery novels containing an uber-villain need to contain shorter story arcs as well, ones that can be wrapped up neatly at the end of every book. After all, it's unrealistic to present a plot where the Chief Medical Examiner for the entire state of Virginia would be occupied for weeks on end by a single case. From Potter's Field did not follow this rule, instead focusing entirely on its big bad, Gault.
Now, this would have perhaps worked had the novel followed through with its introduction – a short excerpt from Gault's perspective. Had Cornwell alternated between her heroine's point of view and her psychopathic nemesis', this would have provided readers with an intriguing and enlightening juxtaposition. Instead, the novel's pace lagged behind at times, and it was further bogged down by the inclusion of too much Lucy, an unlikeable character. (Side note: just because Scarpetta loves her niece, that does not mean that readers will as well.) Additionally, after several novels explored the character of Temple Gault, including From Potter's Field which focused entirely on this singular villain, Cornwell devoted a few measly pages to the aforementioned epic showdown between Scarpetta and Gault. It was an entirely anticlimactic ending to a rather bland book.
Two out of Five Stars