Really enjoyed this latest Kay Scarpetta novel. Lots of action and intrigue. Having said that, I much preferred her earlier works in this series where more of the content was centered around the medical examiner/pathology. Ad a worker in the health field I love that part and feel like her last few in this series are trending more toward just mystery.

Sharp Force is an excellent addition to Scarpetta’s story. After reading Cornwell’s books for over 20 years Scarpetta’s storylines, family and friends are like a warm blanket. I enjoyed the usual twists and turns Cornwells story took. Looking forward to more!

Patricia Cornwell does it again! I’ve read this entire series and in recent years, it just keeps getting better! I fell in love with the characters many years ago, and love how they have evolved. The plot maintains the normal mystery and suspense until the very end. You might think you have it all figured out, then it takes an unexpected twist!

I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to be honest I've never read a Cornwell novel before never mind a Kay Scarpetta novel before - but do you know what? It didn't matter. Don't be put off if you've never read any in the series because you don't truly feel like you've missed out on anything. Anything that's happened previously is explained to you briefly.

To say this book is the 29th in the series and it is as strong as it was is highly commendable. Its fast action, high stakes and deeply complex characters. My only downside is that I wished the ending wasn't as solved as quickly, I would have preferred a little bit more...However, Cornwell has found themselves a new fan. Sign me up for book #30.

Even though I have been toying with breaking up with this series when I saw that the next instalment (#29) is out later this year, I decided to request an ARC thinking I will get rejected like I always have in the past for this author but if approved I will give it a go. Since you are reading this you likely have deduced I was approved (finally!) for this ARC.

I plowed through the story in a day, I have seen other reviewers reference a digital uncorrected ARC being 400 pages, my version was 311. Also, the description of the novel on the Goodreads landing page says the story takes place in July, on Kay Scapetta's birthday, that is incorrect. This story takes place over the Christmas Holidays.

So, without any spoilers to ruin anything for other readers, I am pleased to report I gave the series another chance. Is it as good as the earlier books in the series that I loved? No, it isn't but it is significantly better than the last two books in the series. I worried heading into this one whether there would be some silly vampire or werewolf storyline given we had Bigfoot and Aliens feature prominently in those last 2 books. Happily, those worries were unfounded.

With #29, we tag along with Kay, Marino and Benton as they deal with the latest victim of a serial murderer. Lucy and Dorothy also make appearances, albeit brief ones, in this tale. Janet, the annoying AI introduced several book back, is now ever present. The storyline is compressed over a couple of days so the book has a good amount of filler detailing the longest thunder-snowstorm that's likely ever occurred and long winded descriptions of bougie home decor. But nestled in there is the type of thriller-mystery that makes me enjoy these books and I did not figure out who the murderer was before the reveal despite the breadcrumbs there for super-sleuths, which is always much appreciated in a good mystery.

This book does work as a stand alone novel for first time readers and long-time fans of the series will appreciate the ongoing evolution of the characters we love to love and hate. At this point I think the only character I like 100% is Lucy's cat Merlin, everyone else is hate-able in varying degrees, but in a good way (except for Marino, he is just gross and I think the author is also tired of him at this point given how douchey she has made him). I hope future books will continue on this upward trend and for now, me and this series are back together again.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group Inc. (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

Scarpetta is back…and thank the heavens for that! Sharp Force brings the same strong, bold characters we know and love from this series. While I am not a fan of AI personally, it was very realistic of the times. Great read!

It's Christmastime and Kay Scarpetta is dealing with a case of a dead man who went missing while surprisingly fishing in frigid December, the powers that be trying to force her to close the case despite the fact she's not ready. Meanwhile, a bizarre serial killer is at large, using advanced technology to send a holographic ghost into victims' houses to scare and spy on them. As she and Benton prepare to go on vacation in England, a call comes in about the latest victim of the Phantom Slasher - a psychiatrist known to her an Lucy from years before. Complicating matters further are the Governor, a high-ranking Senator and the possibility that the Phantom Slasher is targeting her next.
As usual, the story is fast moving, the plot gripping, cryptic and unusual. The only factors I didn't care for were more of the over-the-top inclusion of the extremes of modern technology and the constant "everyone is out to get Scarpetta" of some of the characters in the book. However, in the end, the answer to the mystery was very surprising, albeit fairly out of left field, but it felt (happily) much, much more like the mysteries of the early days of the series. 4.5 of 5*

I've read all the other books in the Scarpetta series and I'm always looking forward to read the next one. This one was a bit odd- the mystery at the heart of it was actually quite interesting, and I thought much better paced than some of the other more recent books in the series. The incorporation of AI (Lucy's dead partner that she's brought back to "life" as AI) was interesting if a bit odd. It definitely raises questions in terms of how far AI can/should go and how it can impact us. The main characters have changed over the years (as one would expect) in terms of characterization - however in this one Benton seemed a bit out of character. The issues between Marino and Scarpetta (the former's unrequited love for the latter) have ebbed and flowed over the series and are now back with a vengeance. I wil say certain events that happened earlier in the series that would seem pertinent are not mentioned- at times it feels like the history of these characters has been altered. We're talking about a series that has spanned 30+ years at this point so that's understandable, but things like Scarpetta's sister's inclusion as a now somewhat major character is a bit jarring.
All in all worth reading and always enjoyable to check back in with Scarpetta. They're finally making a TV series based on these books it seems so I'll be interested to check that out a well.

Patricia Cornwall never disappoints. A fast paced great read for a weekend afternoon that keeps you turning the pages till the end. Thanks for the opportunity to read and good luck with the book

Many thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This book is perfect for the holiday season. Patricia Cornwall does it again with an action pact book from start to finish. The book starts with a bang with an autopsy of a man on Christmas Eve who had been found in the water after being reported missing. Then Kay is called to Mercy Island where a psychiatrist was murdered and a senator’s son was badly wounded. The Phantom Slasher is on the prowl having attacked two times previously with a projection of a ghost and a frequency jammer to cut off Wi-Fi and any way to communicate with anyone. And of course the two cases are connected in such a way that the author does a great job of and we get everything sorted out by the end of the book. I’m always eager to read Patricia Cornwall’s book as soon as I get them, this one did not disappoint. I can’t wait to get the physical copy as soon as it’s out.

Kay Scarpetta and her husband are planning to go away for the holidays leaving on Christmas morning but of course in true Scarpetta fashion she has to cancel her vacation. For Christmas Mariano decides to surprise Scarpetta with a spa visit at the hotel she is staying at and when his wife Dorothy finds out (who happens to be Scarpetta’s sister) she is upset and gets even more upset while talking to Jane the AI program that her daughter created and seems to be causing more problems the more sophisticated she gets the longer she communicates with people. And the house where a psychiatrist is killed also happens to be a house that Kay and her husband toured before purchasing their current home. A police officer pulls them over while going to the crime scene and even puts a disrupter under the Tesla that could have caused them to crash or anything else. This book has equal measure of funny and serious scenes but I loved every minute of it. There is more that happens of course but I don’t want to spoil all of it.

This is an outstanding installment in this long running
series ~ Book 29.
There are some completely fascinating storylines here
and no spoilers from me! Just enjoy every single thing
that happens knowing you have NO idea where we are
going to end up!
I highly recommend this book to not just long time fans,
but anyone who enjoys psychological and police thrillers.
Seriously, everything I’d try to say would result in HUGE
spoilers, so, just trust the process and enjoy!
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for this
download copy of the book for review purposes.

2.5 Stars rounded up to 3.

This book had a lot of promise. Overall it was good. The ending was just SO rushed. I won’t spoil it, but I was left scratching my head. All of that build up for a few closing pages? I will always love Cornwell, she is one of the authors that got me interested in thrillers. I still love Kay, Benton, Marino and Lucy. I just thought the story deserved a better ending than that.

Another wonderful comfort read!

In this case, our murders are very unusual. I loved trying to figure them out.

While I wasn't 100% surprised at the reveal, I still enjoyed it.

I did spend far too much time in this book extremely worried about one recalcitrant cat!

A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read and a great entry in the series.

* ARC via Publisher

Patricia Cornwell has done it again! Another masterpiece filled with suspense and mystery. Sharp Force will have you at the edge of your seat, turning pages faster than ever.

Kay Scarpetta never seems to get a peaceful holiday. It's Christmas morning and the Phantom Slasher is at it again. He stalks his victims and ensures they are filled with fear before he strikes. He is able to watch the victims every move in their home with a secret technology. Two red eyes appear and even sound. You are haunted by this before he strikes swiftly.

Mercy Island is where Scarpetta, Benton, and Marino are headed. They are shocked to hear there was actually a witness this time. The therapist that was unalived is someone that Lucy used to see. She was always overstepping boundaries and Scarpetta didn't think very highly of her but she never wanted to see her in this manner.

As you can imagine, things go sideways every which way they can. This only makes Benton more focused and he is definitely the right person to think outside the box to help Scarpetta and Marino get to the bottom of what's going on. Scarpetta doesn't feel safe though. Something is just not right and she has a feeling someone or something is on her property putting her and her family at risk. She has to get to the bottom of this before she becomes the next victim.

If you love a good thriller that has you trying to figure out how to solve the mystery at every twist and turn, you will absolutely love Sharp Force! Just when you think you have it figured out, the plot will thicken again. The dynamic between Scarpetta and Benton also really stands out in this book. You can see how their years together has sharpened their minds and pushed them to be the best they can at their jobs, but also how they find quiet moments where they can enjoy being in each other's lives. They are each other's safe space in the crazy world they live in.

Thank you so very much to @grandcentralpub and @1pcornwell for my copy to read and review! Thank you to @netgalley for the delivery of this amazing book.

We've reached #29 in Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series, and each new volume is a pleasure. Sharp Force is no exception. The characters are in top form, and we continue to learn more about them, even after all this time. The mystery is complex, with the mix of violent crime and political skullduggery that we count on from Cornwell.

Cornwell continues to explore the ways technology can be used both to commit and to fight crime. The usual interpersonal tensions are there, but Kay and Benton are doing well and working together effectively.

Even at 400 pages, Sharp Force is a quick read. Cornwell has a gift for for crafting engaging, fast-paced prose. Her books are almost certain to lead to a just-one-more-chapter experience, which can result in a bit of sleep deprivation, but losing sleep to race through a satisfying mystery is no hardship.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Welcome back to Kay Scarpetta in the 29th edition. Sharp Force is as good as you would expect. All the characters are here - Kay, Benton, Dorothy, Marino, Lucy and Janet. In addition to the storyline it is great to follow the lives of these characters. I feel as though Cornwell could be laying the framework for Janet to take a larger role in future stories.

Another gripping Scarpetta case. All the drama and suspense you would expect and relevance to current events and technology.

Fans of Scarpetta will not be disappointed!!

Wow! This was my first Patricia Cornwell read and I’m officially hooked!! (I bought three other books of hers just while reading this one!) I was engaged throughout the entire book. The ending was surprising and well written. As a hospice nurse myself, I appreciated the mention of another hospice nurse and how this role tied into the storyline. I could not love this book any more!! Above all, my favorite points are the details given regarding the autopsies and answering all of my ”why” questions. Definitely a satisfying read!!

I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this opportunity!! It did not disappoint 😊
@GrandCentralpub

I rated this book 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars.. In "Sharp Force" by Patricia Cornwell, I have always been a fan of the Kay Scarpetta series. This book could have easily earned a 4-star rating; however, after a detailed narrative throughout, the conclusion felt hurried and lacked sufficient background. Additionally, I found the portrayal of AI technology in the story to be excessive and somewhat distracting. Nevertheless, the familiar characters, Kay and Benton, continued to shine as usual.

I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to read and review. This reflects my genuine opinion.

Doesn't everyone love Patricia Cornwell?Her newest book, Sharp Force, is available this fall. It's a five star read, as I expected.

The usual from Cornwell. Her writing is still good. Stories are still intriguing. Alot of technical as usual