I was on vacation and looking for a good read, so I bought my first Patricia Cornwall mystery. I found the present tense somewhat offsetting, but I continued to read through to the end. I've got to say, the promotional blurb on the back cover promising "chilling suspense, rich characters, and trademark forensics that have made Patricia Cornwell an international phenomenon" were pretty much just "hype." I had difficulty resonating to any of the characters and I found the plotting very disappointing. Disappointed Reader!

I can't believe I'm taking the time to write a review, but this book was so disappointing that I don't want anyone else to waste their money or time on it.
It was superficial, disjointed, and not in the least bit entertaining or suspenseful. Characters are so superficial, that they are barely there. This seems like a D- assignment attempt from a freshman in college who has no talent. This book was so poorly execute that Cornwell, in the end, has to rely on an unlikely conversation between two of the characters to even explain what actually happened in the story. Apparently, there was a whole storyline that the reader could not pick up on because it was not alluded to until the last 4 pages of the book.
Abysmal!

I'm a fan of Patricia Cornwell and I'm familiar with her writing. I was happy to pick this up in an airport and figured it would be a quick, fascinating read. The book was, indeed, quick, but the writing and plot were substandard at best. I kept wanting to slap myself every time I turned the page, irritated at how bad the story was, but even more irritating was that I kept hoping it would get better! This was just not book material and not up to Cornwell's regular standards. This won't keep me from buying another one of her books, but I'll definitely check out reviews first and not buy blindly. Read this book "At" your own "Risk."

Book is not quite Cornwell's best, to say the least. What I found annoying is that Patricia did so little research about Boston and Cambridge areas where I happen to live. To claim that everybody who walks through Harvard Yard is rich and priviledged is ridiculous and totally inaccurate! Harvard Yard is a favourite and very handy shortcut for masses of people who walk around Cambridge. The fact is that around 50% of Harvard's undergraduate students can afford their studies at Harvard through scholarships - meaning lots of hard work and excellent grades. Another fact is that most likely at least 80% of all people that use Red Line do go to Harvard to work or study or both. Cambridge would've need another area as big as Cambridge itself to get enough space for all "priviledged" students and academics to park their cars. Another not researched area is Beacon Hill - yes, houses are expensive there and historical, but I don'remember seeing any to have 10 floors and an elevator...Yes, I know, this is fiction, doesn't have to be accurate, but given that plot was a bit weak, one tends to notice these inaccuracies and wonders about them...

I think most of the user reviews are from people who were disappointed that "At Risk" wasn't a Scarpetta thriller. Yes, we all love Kay Scarpetta but authors need to take a break sometimes and go into uncharted waters. By any other writer, this book probably would have been popular. But people always want more from Patrcia Cornwell. I enjoyed the book very much. I hope Cornwell will continue to take risks and innovate with her writing!