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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780425169865
ISBN number: 0425169863
Label: Berkley
Manufacturer: Berkley
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 416
Printing Date: August 01, 1999
Publishing house: Berkley
Sale Popularity Level: 53168
Studio: Berkley
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
8 cassettes / approx. 11 hours
Unabridged
'Cornwell proves yet again that she's one of America's most gifted and compelling writers. The mistress of psychological thrillers has dished up one of her scariest, darkest, most diabolical stories yet.' --Booklist
Kay Scarpetta is back
From New York Times #1 bestselling author of Unnatural Exposure and Cause of Death comes a white-hot new Kay Scarpetta novel that pits Virginia's chief medical examiner against an audacious and wily killer who uses fire to mask his crimes. And when Scarpetta learns that her old nemesis, Carrie Grethen, is somehow involved, the investigation gets personal and tragedy strikes closer to home.
In Point of Origin, America's leading crime writer combines literary talent and style with a fierce commitment to justice in this thrilling and complex novel. Point of Origin will stand out as one of Cornwell's best, a gripping story that transcends the genre to examine the dark side of the human soul.
Amazon.com Review:
When your everyday life is filled with death it's easy to find yourself a little edgy. The audio version of Patricia Cornwell's Point of Origin gives fans of her familiar heroine, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a little something extra, a chance to hear the deep hurt and burning cynicism of the chief medical examiner's biting words. 'You don't put your hands inside their ruined bodies and touch and measure their wounds.... You see clean case files and glossy photos and cold crime scenes. You spend more time with the killers than with those they ripped from life. And maybe you sleep better than I do, too. Maybe you still dream because you aren't afraid to.'
Perhaps because Kate Reading has also narrated Cornwell's Unnatural Exposure and Cause of Death, her voice conveys experience and the history of what has come before, allowing listeners to hear between the lines. Using a subtle but effective range of vocal inflections, Reading lifts the characters off the page and carries them along as the plot spins ever faster, tangling Scarpetta in a snarl of arson, deceit, and psychopathic murder. With her arch nemesis making threats and suspicious fires leaving calcified corpses, Dr. Scarpetta's long-overdue romantic getaway has gone up in smoke. It's just one more day at the morgue, and Point of Origin, another hit in the popular series of Scarpetta mysteries, finds the good doctor's attitude honed razor sharp. (Running time: 11 hours, eight cassettes) --George Laney
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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I am an avid fan of Patricia Cornwell and have never read a Kay Scarpetta mystery I didn't like and this includes my most recent purchase Point of Origin. A fast-paced, page turner I completely enjoyed.
Rated by buyers 
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I liked this installment in the Kay Scarpetta series. The forensics are detailed and graphic, and by now I feel I know her characters well, both their good aspects and their faults. The only issue I have with the series is that they skip major changes in the character's lives. For example, in the last book, Benton was still at the FBI, and when this one opens, he is retired. We don't get to know what led up to that decision and how he feels about it. Lucy was last with the FBI and in the process of having her career ruined. In this book, all of a sudden that is over and she is with the ATF.
Regardless of those deficits, I still enjoy the series. Carrie Grethen is back and the book starts with a poem she writes to Kay. I won't give away spoilers, but this one has an ending that shocks, and is a heartbreaker.
If you plan to read more of the Kay Scarpetta series, don't skip this one. It is needed in my opinion to fully understand at least the subsequent two books. (that is as far as I've gotten in the series)
Rated by buyers -
The large number of reviews previously posted for Point of Origin sum up the majority of my disappointments with the book. Scarpetta is a basket case throughout the book, is totally obsessed with her niece and whines constantly about her job (why does she do it). In addition, multiple threads surface unexpectedly or are dropped without any endeavor at resolution. A point that I struggled with constantly was Cornwell's apparent total lack of comprehension of how a horse farm works. With over 20 high priced horses, the farm only had one old caretaker who quit an unstated amount of time prior to the fire. The owner (an extremely busy man) has supposedly been taking care of these horses himself, but decides to take off for a few days without making any arrangements for their care. Anyone with any basic knowledge of horses would also be aware that this is as likely as leaving an infant in a crib while the parents leave for a getaway weekend. The credibility of the investigation rang totally hollow for me with this lack of research.
Rated by buyers 
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I'm not sure what really made me not like the most. Either the ending or Lucy.
The ending reminded me of a soap opera. Someone dies, however he will be resurrected... I just can't get past the ridiculous soap operatic ending. If only Lucy could have been killed too (although, then she would have to be resurrected too).
I'm sooooo very weary of Lucy (a.k.a Supergirl) the obnoxious genius has gone from computer wiz kid to a FBI agent, helicopter pilot, undercover drug agent, fire expert & the list keeps growing in future novels. Then having to constantly read about Lucy's lifestyle choice & complications. I don't care if Lucy is a lesbian.
I'm also disappoint that the escaped colt that received such big buildup was forgotten. I mean, a bunch of horses die in this fire, but one survives, why?????? Who knows it's never explained.
Cornwell's books drastically go downhill after "Point of Origin" & if you must continue to read the series, go to the Library.
Rated by buyers -
Wow! I read this in 4 days! This starts with a casual feeling of vacation and ends in tradegy for Dr Kay. The web she is weaved into while unraveling this story is amazing and she is Cornwell portrays her as a strong woman, ready to seek revenge.
Cornwell's description of the scene's made me feel as if I was watching them work the case.
It's only been 8 hours and I am starting the subsequent novel!
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