Book Review: The Last Precinct

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Last Precinct     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Patricia Cornwell
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Thriller   Woman Main Character
Series: Kay Scarpetta # 11
Putnam, Oct 2000, $26.95, 464 pp.

Immediately following the events of BLACK NOTICE, Kay Scarpetta has left the hospital with her elbow in a cast. Kay’s niece Lucy has not broken any laws. Finally, Jean-Baptiste Chardonne remains in the hospital blinded by the acid Kay threw into the “Wolfman’s” face to protect herself. The time to celebrate the victory over evil is now for the wary wounded winners.

The ATF consider Lucy a loose cannon forcing her to resign in lieu of firing. She joins her former boss’ new team, THE LAST PRECINCT. Meanwhile, Chardonne, a serial killer from a powerful crime family, pretends to be the victim of Kay’s aggression. Evidence backs him up completely. A special prosecutor from New York visits Virginia, trying to link the Wolfman to a case in her state. She actually looks to see if Kay killed one of the victims instead of the Wolfman. As the truth begins to surface, a person formerly close to Kay threatens her life.

Within a few hours of release, this novel will attain Numero Uno status on the New York Times best-selling list. Talk about pressure on an author to produce. However, Patricia Cornwell lives up to the hype with a powerful drama filled with action and events that will shock the audience. THE LAST PRECINCT is another great entry in a par excellence series that have few rivals.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner