This book gets a three because I like the series as a whole, will probably always like it, and will keep reading until she either dies or ends the series. I liked the fact that there was new Kay Scarpetta material, I guess. I also like that she has her own office and facility again - that whole Florida episode was just odd.

What I don't like is the fact that Cornwell insists on making every single major character completely miserable all the time. Can't someone be at least reasonably content for at least the duration of a single novel?

Ever since Benton "died" (whatevs, Wesley, whatevs), things have generally gone downhill. Like I said, I'll keep reading, but I hope that future volumes are a little less daytime soap melodrama and a little more vintage Scarpetta.

And if anyone finds Marino, would you kick him in the nuts for me? Please?