Southern Cross [Paperback]

With the phenomenal success of her Scarpetta books, Cornwell set herself something of a problem: how to strike off in new directions with different protagonists. It is good to report that the trio introduced so compellingly in Hornet's Nest, Police Chief Judy Hammer and colleagues Virginia West and Andy Brazil, make an assured return in this up-tempo sequel. The locale this time is Richmond, Virginia, and Cornwell quickly immerses us in the personal lives and politics of a big-city police force reeling from corruption and intrigue. Hammer is there to reduce the crime rate, but is still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband. And when a gang of juvenile killers starts creating havoc, she finds herself dealing with both public scrutiny and the resentments of her staff. While the characterisation and plotting (always Cornwell's strong suits) remain as razor sharp as ever, there is more emphasis on humour, making a piquant contrast to the high-octane action (although some might find the whimsical character names--Smudge, Muskrat, Weed, et al--a tad too Dickensian for this kind of urban thriller). Supremely entertaining stuff, and though some may yearn for the return of her doughty pathologist heroine, Cornwell has demonstrated that she is no one-trick pony. --Barry Forshaw

'Cornwell peels off every layer of this taut society in a careering crime drama that is full of suspense and excitement and has a shaft of humanity beneath the tough talk and the wisecracks.' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 'some very fine comic scenes.' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'this highly entertaining confection shows Cornwell clearly has more than one string to her bow.' IRELAND ON SUNDAY 'Always a winner.' NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE CHRONICLE 'fast and funny.' EASTERN DAILY PRESS 'The humour is new for Cornwell, and combined with the farcical storyline is entertaining.' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY 'Action packed.' ESSENTIALS 'It all adds up to a highly entertaining confection.' SOUTH WALES EVENING POST 'A thoroughly entertaining read.' GATESHEAD HERALD, SOUTH TYNESIDE HERALD 'Highly enjoyable.' (IRELAND) EVENING HERALD 'Cornwell has demonstrated that she is no one trick pony.' CRIME TIME 'a rattling good yarn from one of the masters of the genre,' U MAGAZINE

'A riveting, stayupallnight chiller. Hugely enjoyable'

'Gripping plot, great characters and ironic humour'

Judy Hammer has accepted the challenge of Richmond, Virginia's police department to try and reverse the escalating crime statistics in the city. She brings with her Deputy Chief Virginia West and Andy Brazil, now a full-time police officer. They find a lot of things they are all too familiar with - teenage gangs, a rash of robberies at cash dispensers, street corner drug-dealing, racial tensions, too many people with too many guns and a cardiac inducing lack of parking spaces. They also meet resentment from the established police force and over-high expectations from the city's institutions. Then a computer virus crashes the police computer, freezing their screens with a design of blue fish, and the same blue fish appears on the statue of Jefferson Davis, which a graffiti artist has turned into a black basketball player and a gang called the Pikes claim it is their symbol, which also has links to the robberies. In an incredibly fast-moving police procedural Patricia Cornwell takes her readers on a roller-coaster ride of action and emotion.

Patricia Cornwell's first novel POSTMORTEM, won five international awards (a record) and she has also been awarded the Gold Dagger. She is a No 1 bestseller internationally.