Patricia Cornwell is one of my favourite authors, and I have read most of her books over the years, so I was so excited to get this new book! I loved it a lot, and I was thrilled to be back with Kay Scarpetta, Pete Marino, Lucy and Benton again. They were always like a family to me.

The story was fantastic, and I really enjoyed it. Kay, who is a medical examiner in Virginia, USA, is a witness at a murder trial, and this forms the introduction. We then find out that the judge's sister has been murdered. From there, we go on a big adventure with Kay, with many thrilling, fast paced rides and a lot of twists and turns, which were exciting. I loved the psychology and science in the book, and the new technology that was brought forward. I also loved the way Patricia described everything so in-depth. Even though I didn't understand all of the medical and science information, I was very interested in it, as I love to learn new things.

I highly recommend this book to all who love crime books, thrillers, mysteries and medical thrillers. It is a wonderful book, and I can't wait for the next one!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

#Livid #NetGalley In the past I have devoured every Kay Scarpetta book from Patricia Cornwell, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to read this 26th book of the series. The plot was interesting with quite a twist as to the weapon used but not quite as exciting as previous books. I wish we could get back to Kay the investigator rather than another set of people who are out to get her. Also, I could not get my head round Marino now being married to Kay's sister and being a gym freak!! Nevertheless, the writing was excellent as you would expect from Patricia Cornwell, and I do look forward to future installments in this series.

I have all of the Scarpetta books and was pleased to get this a little early thanks to publishers.
Livid is a fast pace book and as you would expect from cornwell the attention to detail is amazing.
It was great to catch up with Scarpetta, Benton, Marino and Lucy again. Look forward to next book.

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 nothing was stolen and the garden strewn with dead plants and insects. Although there is no apparent cause of death, Scarpetta recognizes tell-tale 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.
The twenty sixth book in this long running series & whilst it wasn’t my favourite it was still a very good engrossing read that once started I read it in a couple of sittings. The characters have depth & are well portrayed, the pace is fast & gradually more clues were revealed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Livid is another great read in the Kay Scarpetta series. I have read all the previous books and it's great to catch up with all the regular characters. Livid is fast paced and it kept me turning the pages.
I highly recommend this and all the previous books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for my ARC.

Just what you would expect from a Patricia Cornwall novel, great mystery and medical insights, so glad to read another book with Dr Kay and Marino investigating.

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this gripping book

scarpetta and the gang are back...whoop whoop

the very start of this book sees kay in court giving expert testimony to a case that is highly volatile, and the defence is doing all he can to make out that kay isnt up to much, its a highly flammable case...and when kay gets to leave she is violently assaulted by a spectator and things are going to get a lot worse before it gets better

kay and marino are called to a murder scene and its one that could effect the trial she has just left as its the judges sister who has turned up dead....

oh my goodness me this book kept me up all night as i couldnt put it down...with the back biting and underhandedness of certain professionals and also down to what was used as the murder weapon...it doesnt even bare thinking about....

this book has surprises around each corner hence why i lost hours of sleep last night and it was lovely to catch up with lucy and what she is up to

all in all a very good book that keep you reading through the sheer horror of it all

cant wait for the next book by this wonderful author

Kay , Lucy and Marino are back and this book doesn’t disappoint.
Kay is an expert witness in a high profile court case , and it’s not going well the prosecution attorney is trying hard to destroy her reputation.
On leaving the court Kay and Marino learn of a murder , it’s the sister of the judge in the volatile court case .
What follows is a scary and eerie story which left me feeling a little uneasy at times.
Cornwall’s writing is at the calibre that I’ve come to expect , and the story moves on at a fair pace .
Scarpetta although stressed in this story doesn’t seems as suspicious and paranoid as she did in the last book so even though the subject matter is heavy , the character of Scarpetta appears less weighed down.
It took me a little longer to decide if I was going to enjoy this as much as the previous books in the Scarpetta series , but it won me round and I look forward to the next in the series..
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.

I’d like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Livid’, book 26 in the Kay Scarpetta series written by Patricia Cornwell, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Just as the trial is closing of Gilbert Hooke who’s accused of the murder of his fiancé April Tupelo, Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta is called to Chilton Farm, the residence of Judge Annie Chilton, as her sister’s body has been found on the kitchen floor. When Scarpetta and Pete Marino arrive they’re kept waiting as Secret Services have taken over the case and it soon becomes clear that this isn’t a going to be an easy one to solve due to the dead insects and birds Scarpetta finds around the grounds.

Although this is the first Scarpetta thriller I’ve read for a while, in the past I devoured every one I could lay my hands on so it feels great to meet up again with Kay Scarpetta and Pete Marino, Benton and Lucy as I feel that I know them personally. The characters are well-described such as the insidious secretary Maggie who comes across as so loathsome I don’t know how Scarpetta can work with her. It’s well-written with an interesting plot and twists and turns, but for me it was lacking the excitement of previous Scarpetta crime novels, but nevertheless I’m very grateful I’ve been given the opportunity to read it.

I welcome another chance to connect with Kay and Benton and Lucy and to see what trouble Marino has gotten himself in and how Dorothy is handling it. I love the feeling of reconnecting with old friends while still being entertained by good storytelling. And Ms Cornwell sure knows how to plot a novel. This is complex, disturbing, and full of intrigue. The intrigue is connected to the central crime but also to the personal relationships.

The book starts with Dr S in the witness box and she’s really getting a hard time, with little support coming from the judge. The story then takes off in a variety of directions involving seemingly pointless and unconnected murders. But this is Scarpetta, so she and her crew will sort things out. Even with the obstacles presented to them.

I love the secondary characters, although some like Maggie and Dorothy need a damned good talking to. Kay and Benton have a gentle, ‘real’ kind of love and Lucy is the geek as always.

An enjoyable addition to the canon and I hope Ms Cornwell is hard at work on number 27.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this novel.
You know immediately that you are in safe hands with a Patricia Cornwell novel. I have read all in this series and the characters and environments have a warm and cosy familiarity to them. This tale takes place over a very short space of time which is a bit different from her normal plot but is no less a great story. Will not spoil the plot for future readers however.
Always looking forward to the next adventure.

I’m a huge Kay Scarpetta fan and have read all her series, it’s always good to know how her, Benton, Lucy and Marino are getting on.
I enjoyed this plot and it was good to be back in the courtroom with Kay, some of her books recently got away from the early books that got me into her so it was nice to be back with Kay doing what she does best with Marino at her side. All in all I enjoyed this book and would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy

This was such a breath of fresh air and how have I never stumbled in this series before?! Really intelligently written with unique, well rounded characters and a Cleveland plot that leaves you guessing. It's not a plight read and does requite full attention so don't try reading it whilst you're supposed to be keeping an eye on the roast in the oven or the family will end up going hungry! A fab thriller to get stuck right into

Kay Scarpetta is giving evidence in a controversial murder case. The case has caused a lot of friction in the area and tensions are high. After she's finished giving evidence she is asked to attend a murder scene; the judge's sister has been found dead in suspicious circumstances. By the time Scarpetta and Merino arrive at the scene it has already been taken over by the Secret Services and her niece Lucy is there to give her the details. It becomes clear from the surroundings that an unusual weapon has been used hence the interest from the Secret Service. With tensions running high in the area while the verdict is awaited in the court case Scarpetta and her team work on identifying who is responsible.

An enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and Patricia Cornwell for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Livid, the twenty sixth novel to feature medical examiner Dr Kay Scarpetta, set in Alexandria, Virginia.

Kay is a witness at a sensational murder trial and it’s not going well when she hears that the judge’s sister has been murdered in a less than obvious way that sends chills down her spine.

It has been a while since I dipped in to this series (I stopped after book 19 when the constant persecution got repetitive) so, given the opportunity, I dipped back in and was pleasantly surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed Livid, which is an engrossing read that held my attention throughout.

The plot is interesting and, as ever, a learning experience. It starts with Kay giving evidence and it’s brutal as the prosecutor doesn’t like what she’s telling him and isn’t afraid to grandstand at her expense. It’s the only time I wanted to put the book down for a breather. Kay’s first person narrative and openness with her thoughts quickly gets the reader onside and outraged at the way she is treated. It’s an excellent piece of writing. After that the murder investigation is all go with the Secret Service, FBI and local police all staking a claim. There is cutting edge technology involved, which has all these agencies puzzled and a high stakes finale that had my heart in my mouth for a moment.

The novel moves along at a fast pace with reveals and developments at every turn, not too many twists but I wasn’t expecting many as the author tends to roll on forward momentum. There are still people trying bring Kay down, but it’s not front and centre, so it’s bearable. The real star, though, is the technology and it’s eye opening on both sides (government and murderers). It’s a whole world I’m not sure I want to know about.

I would have given this novel 5* because it’s compulsive and informative reading, but I was disappointed by the ending. It seemed rushed and the rounding up of coconspirators too low key. Add to this I found it impossible to believe that they could have produced such a high tech weapon.

Livid is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

'Livid' is another gripping read in one of my favourite book series'. As always, I enjoyed catching up with much loved characters and seeing what Cornwell puts them through each time. Lucy is not in this instalment much which I did think was a real shame - when she appeared she really made an impact and I missed her presence.
The plot is good and kept my interest, although the ending is very rushed and I would have liked more time to be dedicated to tying everything up, it did feel like it just ended. Although I did like the plot, part of me wishes the threads around people out to get Scarpetta would stop and we could just go back to crime investigation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy.

3.5 stars

I was struggling with a different book, when along came Livid.. I almost sighed with relief the second Marino showed up.
Not before that, because the court scenes are brutal.
It was great to be back with what I consider old friends, though I can never picture Pete as he is now described.
This had an interesting crime , but for me lacked in the excitement of a usual investigation.
It was speedily wrapped up too.
I enjoyed it, because I enjoy these characters, but it's not one to start with if you're getting into Scarpetta's world (and you should go there!)

Amazingly this is the first book by this author that I have ever read and now I think I have 25 or so books in the series to catch up on

I didn’t find it too much of a hindrance not knowing any of the main characters and was soon immersed in an exciting and well plotted mystery.

I found some of the medical and scientific aspects fairly hard to grasp but this did not prevent my enjoyment of a superior crime thriller.

I now have a lot of reading to do. Something I’m really looking forward to.