I'm lukewarm on the subject of this book, Predator. It's got some really interesting plot twists, but they mostly happen in about the last few minutes of the audiotape, which I assume is the last 2 chapters. The rest of the book is a bit hard to follow on a tape because it keeps switching characters. You'll understand in the end why it's confusing to keep track of so many people, but I can't say that I'm all that impressed with the prose. I may try reading one of the other books in the series to see how the real deal goes, but hearing it was just an okay experience.

This is my first Kay Scarpetta book though, so I admit that some of my lackluster attitude toward the story might be I don't know the characters as intimately as some of you might.

This was my first PC book and it will always be my favorite. Since Predator I've read quite a few more and they are all fabulous but this one is the best in my opinion. I was literally blown away by who the killer is. I felt that the descriptions in this book were so detailed I know exactly what the set would look like if a movie was made. I appreciate all the meticulous details this author puts into her work and the education I get wrapped up in a flawless, easy to read package. My other favorites: The Body Farm, Scarpetta so far.. reading Unnatural Exposure now.

Like all Scarpetta's - i loved this book ... every character had a twist to them - which was extraordinary.

I read many of the negative reviews and i actually feel that they alone would push me to buy the book (if i hadn't read this already) - every negative reviewer was expecting the same old same old from the characters embedded in their minds - and Patricia has masterfully shattered those images...

I ask: why can't her characters be morose or psychotic? After all they are characters - right! - She does lay out the circumstance around each of them ... whether it's Pete's anti depression pills or Lucy's encounters...

I liked it and i think Patricia is one of the best out there...

Go - get it and read it!! But read it without expecting people to never change!

First off I've got to say: I didn't *hate* Blowfly or Trace -- even though the part about Benton's 'death' was pretty riduculous. I mean, if your loved-one kicked the bucket, and then you later found out (after months of excruciating grieving) that he was still alive, and everyone in your life knew about it EXCEPT for you... Well, let's just say Scarpetta really has an amazing capacity to 'forgive and forget'!

Anyway, Predator. I repeat: dear oh dear. I'm really not a fan of Patricia Cornwell's weird present-tense writing style. Her later books read kind of like scripts... and not very good ones at that. It was a struggle to get through this book. I don't want to give away the ending, but Gees Louise! It'll just leave you scratching your head and saying 'WTF??? Are these people blind or something?!'

There are so many things wrong here. One of the things that especially struck me, however, is when this woman --whom the killer has captured-- commits suicide by hanging herself. She's supposed to be a very religious Christian woman... so, forgive me if I'm mistaken, but wouldn't suicide send her to Damnation? There's no way such an evangelistical-type person would do such a thing! That's writing 101.

Usually, I really like Patricia Cornwell's characters... but what is with this Dr. Self? I mean, sure, there's plenty of narcissistic people out there - but come on! She is sooo over-the-top it's bordering on ridiculous. I don't understand how anybody could take her seriously.

'Predator' is very sloppily written, much more so than either Blowfly or Trace. Sorry to rant and rave, but one just expects a certain level of professionalism when purchasing a book, but 'Predator' seems never to have come under the eyes of an editor. Sadly, I cannot recommend this book. I mean, just look at the reviews on here: by giving it two stars, I'm actually RAISING its overall rating. Tisk, tisk.

For years, since I first discovered Patricia Cornwell, her books were on my "buy in hardback" list. I began to be disillusioned with her when she brought Benton back to life, and this book didn't give me any reason to change my mind. I waited for the paperback, read it, and decided that I don't need to waste my time reading Cornwell any longer. I don't enjoy all of the angst - I kept wishing that Kay & Benton would just TALK to each other, for goodness sake! I used to like these people, but not any longer. The mystery itself was okay, but for me all the sturm and drang outweighed that part of the book. If you want a good forensic mystery, read the Tempe Brennan books by Kathy Reichs.