Postmortem (1) (Kay Scarpetta) Mass Market Paperback – December 29, 2009

This is my second time around with Caldwell's Kay Scarpetta series. The first time was about 15 or 16 years ago on my own. Recently we started a local book club and, as the next hostess, I decided to introduce those not familiar with them, to the first two books in the series. I chose these so they could be introduced properly to the characters, careers, and relationships. Some book club members have read some of the series before, and they are telling me they are enjoying them all over again. If you like murder mysteries coupled with forensic science, police and Medical Examiner's investigations, and some intense situations, you will enjoy this series and enjoy watching the relationships change and grow through the years.

Rereading this book of the first time in years (maybe even since it originally came out). I remember loving the series at first, but then getting disenchanted with it when the later books focused more on the main character and less on solving a crime. The first book still holds up, but is seriously dated. Dial-up modems, monochrome screens, pay-phones, etc.. Not that big deal for me (since I lived through that time), but I would imagine someone who hadn't would be turned off a bit. I'm probably going to continue with the series, hopefully farther that I got before.Also listening to the Audible audio book edition of this book off & on, the narrator does a good job at the voices of the different characters. I'd recommend it if you're looking for an audio book.

I really did enjoy listening to this book so much that I couldn't wait to get back in the car and finish it but once it was over I kept thinking did I really like it that much or was I just ready for it to be over. I am torn on this one. I just can't make up mind on this one which is why I gave it 3 stars.I found the bad guy very amazing up until the end and then I found him to be very underwhelming. I did love the science (well my idea of science) on both sides -- the computer side and the medical side. I also found her niece very annoying and felt they were tiptoeing around her about everything so she wouldn't get upset.The narrator did a good job on the book and the characters and I have to admit I have heard other books in this series but I felt the author kept the characteristics of the characters that I enjoyed in some of the later books. They sounded like the characters I already knew except the character of Benton which I found this version different than all the other versions I have listened to.

One can see why they’re as popular as they were, and still are, especially back then. I’m a non-fiction true crime fan reading only the best, which includes the profilers themselves so only squirmed once or twice. It’s an investment to start at the beginning after reading her latest book but I’m interested in watching the technology progress as much as I like the characters. And a trip down Memory Lane is a fun escape for right now.

Social habits were different in 1990 when Patricia Cornwell wrote her first Kay Scarpetta mystery, "Postmortem." Many people smoked cigarettes and writers used their smoking mannerisms as a way to show mood, boredom, fear, relaxation, anger, personal habits--the list is endless. These descriptions took up a lot of space and time in the novel, and today many readers find it tiring, especially when nearly every character lights up.This is not a criticism of "Postmortem" because it was used by many writers of the time. There are other distractions in the story, however, such as the ever popular fixing and drinking cups of steaming coffee, the changing weather patterns predicting or underlining the action, and the inevitable sidekick that is experienced but prejudiced and annoying.All of this said, Cornwell has developed a sophisticated, strong and educated character in Kay Scarpetta. As the newly appointed chief medical officer of Virginia, her autopsies are meticulous and she is relentless in finding the cause of death. Her appointed partner in the Richmond police force is detective Marino, who knows the beat but expresses stereotypical opinions of different types of people. He and Scarpetta annoy one another immediately. Annoying the reader is Marino's misuse of the most common verb in English. He always uses "was" whether the subject is singular or plural. It makes him look stupid which he is not, and he proves to be quite valuable to Scarpetta in the end.The mystery is well detailed and informative as Cornwell has experience both in the Virginia medical examiner's office and as a volunteer police officer. The plot is exciting, but slowed by lengthy red herrings, and the end is out of the blue

Liked this first book about the ME and the cop Marino as they worked out the murder cases of slain single women . Kay has her niece visiting and has no time to spend with the child . Her mother pays little attention to Lucy ,so Kay tries to support the girl . I like the author's writing style and feel her characters are real and her job fascinating as well. Must read.

I love books written by Patricia Cornwell.I had gotten hooked when I read the book, “Body Farm”, by her. It too is a fantastic read.Apparently, I read the books out of order, because I have already read, “Body Of Evidence.”Her books give an insightful look at the workings of a medical examiner and keep you guessing till the very end!

I read somewhere that the author Karin Slaughter recommended reading this book. Following this advice I've decided to start at the beginning of the Kay Scarpetta series.I'm not sure it's going to be worth the effort.In this book, we see the introduction of all the Scarpetta regulars (FBI analyst Benton Wesley, redneck cop Pete Marino, and, in this book, child genius Lucy Farinelli), as Scarpetta investigates a Richmond VA serial killer.The book is... of its time. Everyone smokes in the offices (including Scarpetta, who berates an uncomfortably described technician about the idea that smokers will soon have to go outside to smoke). The offices are 1980s governmental/industrial concrete (it's set in 1991). The minorities talk different. Gay men are effeminate, lesbians are overly envious of their ex's who have moved on, and cross-dressers are... not fully understood. Oh, and the basis of Scarpetta's holier than thou attitude is there (despite the smoking inside, the assumptions above race, and the dubious views on the LGBT community).In short, this book IS moderately different to the later books, but not in a wholly positive way.The one problem is you'll struggle to work out whodunit, as this book is more of a character study of the future Cornwell leads, who are introduced here. The one thing I HAD forgotten was how competent a detective Pete Marino was. He still rednecks, but does investigations well enough for me to wonder why Scarpetta dislikes him so much.

I 1st read this back in the 90’s and was bowled over by it then! On picking this up again I enjoyed it for different reasons. Firstly because it was like taking a step back in time.If you are a 1st time reader you have to remember that this was 1st published 29/30 years ago. The forensics, a far cry from what we are used to reading and watching today were true for the time and very well described.I was also taken aback by the misogynistic undertones from colleagues that Kay Scarpetta has to battle against yet deals with in her stride. Something some of us will remember having to deal with back in the day!Patricia certainly had me wrapped up in the storyline once more, I loved every page.She certainly set the standard for female protagonists in this genre. We have a lot to thank her for!

To be honest, two stars is being a little generous; I have a lot of trouble actually coming up with something I like about this book. It's quite possible that the later books in the series are better, and it's quite possible that the problem here is that this one has dated badly.Ultimately, however, Scarpetta is not an especially likeable character here and she's basically impotent. I could see exactly which cliché ending was coming from about the first page. That would not be so bad if various plot threads dangled the possibility that I was wrong. But no. Maybe the trope wasn't so common back when this book was written, but now just about every book or TV series with a female lead has done this to death. Like I said, it's aged badly.

With the speed and roar of an avalanche, this forensically terrifying thriller grips you from page one. There are “grasping a deadly cold hand in the dark” scenes, built with elegantly simple elements: female doctor working at night in a desolate morgue, violently shaken doors. Women are being murdered in their homes. Dr Scarpetta will have to triumph over conflict to be able to do her job. There is a turbulent atmosphere and a general resigned acceptance with regards to an insensitive professional culture. But not every one’s eye will be blind; an unexpected character will give a ground shaking speech with the echo of past human kind struggles, worth waiting for. It brought the retribution of Ms Richardson’s cleaver to mind. Some technical passages will need several re-reads if, like me, you find it difficult. Alternatively, dismiss without remorse in order to proceed with the riveting story. As the story was reaching its full orbit I was dreading being interrupted.

Was advised to prep my stomach by the book and some avid readers of this author and found it to be far too watered down...all the threats that this is from a Pathologist and to expect some dark stuff were unfounded. Found Unnatural Causes from a Forensic Pathologist to be a more rewarding read. Happy to hear from readers if there is someone else out there from a Fictional perspective that really does convey without watering down well into a good story but this one was utterly boring for me right to the end. Do these get grittier or am I too desensitised for when it was originally released?