Why did this take so long to read? Because this book is about 800,000 pages long and there was a waiting list on the ebook so I had to wait to re-check it out.

I've said it before, but I think I'm done with Cornwell and Scarpetta for good now. These books are slow and too long. The characters are confused, conflicting and always so damn depressed. I mean, seriously, do Benton and Scarpetta even enjoy being with each other or is it really about Italian food and sex with them? Everyone keeps secrets from Kay because, what? she's not brilliant and gets into MORE trouble because she doggedly follows every lead? Oh, also, she ALWAYS FIGURED IT OUT. Seriously, she's a grown woman who has been extraordinarily successful in her career. Stop demeaning her and treating her like a precious little flower.

Cornwell is a great author. She can be a master storyteller, she has just worked on Scarpetta too long and has damaged all of these characters beyond redemption. She broke Scarpetta for some unknown reason and has treated her as a victim ever since. In fact, as I write this, I'm getting even more upset with this author. For every success Scarpetta has in her professional life, Cornwell has to ruin one more aspect of her personal life. Enough already. Please, I beg of Patricia Cornwell: either redeem Kay and those in her life or just be done with it.