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Type of bind: Audio CD
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780743537490
Format: Abridged, Audiobook
ISBN number: 0743537491
Label: Simon & Schuster Audio
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Audio
Quantity: 2
Printing Date: February 09, 2004
Publishing house: Simon & Schuster Audio
Sale Popularity Level: 513541
Studio: Simon & Schuster Audio
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Product Description:
Little Emily Steiner left a church meeting late one afternoon and strolled toward home along a lakeside path; a week later, her nude body was discovered, bound in blaze-orange duct tape. Called by the North Carolina authorities, forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta recognizes similarities to the gruesome work of a serial killer who has long eluded the FBI But as she tries to make sense of the evidence, she is left with questions that lead her to the Body Farm, a little known research facility in Tennessee where, with the help of some grisly experiments, she might discover the answer. It is Scarpetta alone who can interpret the forensic hieroglyphics that eventually reveal a solution to the case as staggering as it is horrifying. But she must also endeavor to help her niece, Lucy, who is embroiled in controversy at Quantico. And Scarpetta, too, is vulnerable, as she opens herself to the very first physical and emotional bond she has felt in far too long a time. Tenacious and brilliant, tender and gentle, this is Scarpetta even more realized and poignant than we've seen her before--in a stunning achievement from a best-selling author at the peak of her powers.
Amazon.com Review:
New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell brings back Kay Scarpetta, consulting forensic pathologist for the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, in her grittiest and most compelling novel. In rural North Carolina, the brutal murder of eleven-year-old Emily Steiner has shaken a small town. But more disturbing are the details of the crimes, chillingly reminiscent of the handiwork of a serial killer who has eluded the unit for years. Into this volatile atmosphere comes Scarpetta's ingenious, rebellious niece Lucy, an FBI intern with a promising future in Quantico's computer engineering facility--until she is accused of a shocking security violation. While coming to terms with Lucy, Kay must conduct a grisly forensic investigation at a clandestine research facility in Tennessee known as the Body Farm. There she will find more answers to Emily Steiner's murder--and evidence that paints a picture of a crime more horrifying than she imagined . . .
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Rated by buyers -
This book inspired the nonfiction books "Death's Acre" and "Beyond the Body Farm" as well as novelist Jefferson Bass (actually a writing team). This book pits Scarpetta against what she thinks might be the work of serial killer Temple Gault (one of Cornwell's better villians); however, the plot leads to a more sinister conclusion and involves Munchausen's syndrome by proxy. The book delves into the personal lives of the characters and we see the development of the relationship between Scarpetta and Benton Wesley as well as the triangle of Wesley-Scarpetta-Marino that is evident in other books. Scarpetta's niece Lucy is dealt a devastating blow when her lover betrays her and jeopardizes her job as well as her life, and Marino debates staying in the small North Carolina town that the murder occurs in simply because there he's someone important.
As always, Cornwell's science is solid and the chapter involving the actual Body Farm (the forensic decay research facility is located in Tennessee) is towards the end of the book, but the clues planted in earlier chapters all lead there. This book, together with the four novels that precede it, are Cornwell's best work.
Rated by buyers -
Nothing unique or compelling here! No surprises, intrigue, thrills, spills or chills! Just a good solid police procedural that focuses on forensic investigation and is predictably interesting - no ... let's make that gripping - informative reading coupled with great dialogue and compelling in depth character building in an ongoing series. This is Kay Scarpetta's fifth appearance in the literary world as the consulting forensic pathologist for FBI's Behavioral Science Unit and the series continues to move triumphantly from one sucess to another.
This particular novel deals with the disturbing murder of 11 year old Emily Steiner. The title of the novel derives from the most interesting part of the entire novel - the details of the research into the scientific minutiae of a body's decay after death. This research is carried out at the University of Tennessee's Decay Research facility, known colloquially as the Body Farm. It is absolutely fascinating and would lead one to wonder how it is possible in this day and age that a criminal actually gets away with anything!
Part of the appeal of Cornwell's writing is that she so effortlessly weaves Scarpetta's professional life and the details of the case at hand into the complex, uncomfortably difficult story of her personal life and the development of the characters around her. Pete Marino, her friend, long-time colleague and undoubtedly frustrated admirer with an unrequited fondness for Scarpetta, wallows in self-pity and begins to unravel as he finds himself in a most unprofessional relationship with one of the suspects in the Steiner murder. Lucy, Scarpetta's niece, is a computer whiz working on an internship at FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. She is charged with violating security and it is clear she is headed nowhere in life until she clears her name professionally and resolves substance abuse issues. Scarpetta herself wrestles with the difficulties of an affair with a married colleague.
Not a lightweight subject, to be sure, but thoroughly enjoyable light reading that will guarantee a break from the workaday world. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Rated by buyers -
Could the murder of Emily Steiner be the most horrific murder that Scarpetta has been asked to solve? Cornwell tells you the chilling story of Emily that takes her to the Body Farm. Is the killer one who has eluded the police in the past? It is a gripping suspense. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"
Qualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelTravelersWriting as a Small BusinessNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil WarThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early Settlers
Rated by buyers 
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It REALLY bothered me that the main character came off as a cold homewrecker with no conscience whatsoever. Nobody is perfect, but this woman's internal dialogue doesn't hint much at remorse over boffing a married man with CHILDREN!
Simply put, the main character was one I did not care for, as she comes across as very self-centered and almost as sociopathic as the killers, in a way.
I can't really get into a book or series if I don't respect the main character, or at least find them interesting. I found this book somewhat wooden and dull, and figured out the killer about one third thru, or even earlier.
Should a main characfter be perfect? No, that would be boring, but at least have somewhat of a conscience. This woman seemed like a selfish ho.
Rated by buyers 
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This is the fifth installment in the Kay Scarpetta series. Kay and Marino are summoned to Asheville, North Carolina to evaluate the murder of a child. The characteristics of the body and the scene are similar to the previous murders by serial killer Temple Gault, who very first appeared in Cruel and Unusual. This book is best enjoyed in fact if you've read Cruel and Unusual. Lucy is now working with the FBI at Quantico in a top secret program which utilizes her computer skills, that is until she is accused of breaking in to the system and stealing information. Lucy continues to develop as her own person, one that Kay cannot control and protect. We also see an interesting side to Marino in this one too. All in all, one of the best of the series.
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