- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown & Company; Export only until 219 edition (21 Sep 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0316644404
- ISBN-13: 978-0316644402
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 452,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Point of Origin
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Patricia Cornwell's novels about Kay Scarpetta, forensic pathologist and nemesis of arrogant criminals, have long since become one of those series which admirers buy automatically, knowing and liking what they are going to get. For once, Scarpetta is learning, as well as lecturing, as she finds herself involved with a series of deaths by fire, and a killer who has learned to make her job difficult. The series' running villainess, the charming malign Carrie Grethen, once the lover of Scarpetta's niece, has escaped from custody with vengeance on her mind. Cornwell's own troubles of recent years find an echo in Carrie's media offensive--Holmes never had to cope with Moriarty writing to The Times to say that it was all a frame-up...
As always, the strong point of Patricia Cornwell's books is less the plotting than the exposition of technical details. She has the gift of fascinating with apparent trivia--just what are the metal shavings and clumps of ash caught in the victims' hair?--that turn out to lead in to the stuff of nightmares. Cornwell's reinvention of the forensic thriller combines expertise with anger at the inventiveness of human evil. --Roz Kaveney
Sunday Times
'One of the most interesting and singular bodies of work in popular fiction.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Each Cornwell novel seems to surpass its predecessor as she grows more confident, and Point of Origin is no exception. The forensic detail has always been gruesomely accurate, but what makes this book work so well is that forensic gore is allied to a real 'voice' for her heroine - world-weary, angry, determined - that conveys her character development more effectively than mere action. Her plots seem to get more complex and satisfying too, with plenty of twists in the tale. Kathy Reichs (see the brilliant Death du Jour) may be the pretender to the throne, but Cornwell is still the Queen. Forensic fans should also check out The Death Pit, by a male writer, Tony Strong, a page-turner mystery about a forensic archeologist. There's clearly still plenty of mileage in the forensic genre - keep the cadavers coming!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I stayed up until 2a.m. to finish this book. If you are a long time fan and have read the previous Scarpetta books you will be gripped.
The story carries you on a riveting ride through the world of criminal investigation poking and prodding at your emotions as the characters that you know so well are dragged through a traumatic chain of events, while investigating a case of murder and arson at the home of a media tycoon.
At least one unexpected twist to the tale awaits as this tale of murder and psychotic mind games unfolds.
I could not put this book down. Is Patricia Cornwell the best modern writer of this genre? Surely the answer is yes
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have just finished reading this book and after a slow start, I was yet again completely gripped by Cornwell's story. Silly as it may sound, I got into it so much I almost cried at the end. I am glad I don't read any spoilers so one of the main character's death came as a very unwanted suprise but that's what's good about most of her books - that something unexpected happens. I liked this book better than the first two but my favourites still are the Temple Gault ones.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A thrilling read
How do you put one of Cornwell's books down? Her style of writing takes you right into every scene. She makes you feel for each character and wonder what will happen necxt. Read more
Published 3 months ago by bookiesal
I loved this book!
I noticed this novel has some lower ratings, which surprises me greatly. This is the first Scarpetta book that I have read. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Simon Smith-Wilson
Point of Origin
I ordered this book along with the rest in the Patricia Cornwell series because I am such a huge fan! All of the books ordered arrived speedly and in great condition. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Nicola
Back On Track.
Point Of Origin as you probably already know is the ninth in Patricia Cornwell's critically acclaimed Kay Scarpetta series. And I have to admit I really enjoyed it! Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by molko
A slow start leading to an amazing second half
'Point of Origin' is the ninth book in the Kay Scarpetta series written by Patricia Cornwell and begins when a fire burns down a farmhouse, killing a woman and a stable full of... Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2007 by KM
Point of Origin
Patricia Cornwell started of with Postmortem and has carried on to write in an enthralling, chilling, gripping and "can't put down" manner. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2005 by G. Allan
Point of Origin
Looking at the other reviews posted here, it's pretty clear that opinions of this book fall into two distinctive categories. Read more
Published on 19 May 2005 by Rich Milligan
A great read
I enjoyed this book tremendously. It was much better than it's predecessor in the series. I found it difficult at first to get used to the idea that Lucy was no longer an FBI... Read more
Published on 27 July 2004 by R. MERCER
A book too far
I have read several other Kay Scarpetta novels by Patricia Cornwell. I started off thinking they were excellent, but they have worn a bit thin as I have read more. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2004
Why so popular?
I've read a few of Patricia Cornwell's books and I have to say, each and every one has been pretty disappointing. This title is no exception. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2002
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