Predator by Patricia Cornwell, what's new in Scarpetta's world?

Let me start by saying that Post Mortem remains within my all time top ten crime fiction books. Bought and read in 1992, I can even remember where I purchased it, as it marked the start of my focus on crime fiction reading. However, by the time we got to Blow Fly, I promised myself I’d avoid buying the hardbacks again. I went back on that promise with Trace; then after Trace I promised myself I wouldn’t buy another until it was out in paperback and I’d read others’ reviews of it first. Yet again, I went back on a promise to myself. But this time, with Predator, I have to admit that it’s the first time in absolutely ages that I have finished a Scarpetta novel without feeling disappointment to some degree.

Predator’s opening chapter is somewhat clumsy; I had to read parts of it more than once to take it all in and try and understand what was going on. But then, it starts to glide and it’s a real page turner, picking up speed until the bitter end, with a plot that proves difficult to anticipate. Did Cornwell achieve what she claimed at the Foyles event in London? When I finally finished the book, I had to agree that she had.

Yes, Scarpetta is less of a dominant character in Predator and we spend far more time in the lives of the other characters. Interestingly, Lucy her niece becomes far less superhuman and far more simply human, capable of making mistakes and being vulnerable like anyone else. Yes, Marino does indeed have a “makeover”, but I’m not sure I’d have chosen that word. Does being a certain age turn someone into a stranger? Well, yes, possibly. And yes, Benton is still the committed cerebral Benton exploring others’ minds and motivations, whilst still hoping to catch the odd five minutes with Scarpetta between cases. (These two can even communicate through mobile phones from different floors in the same house in order to stay in touch.)

Yes, crime and violence are there with all the horror and gore, but never gratuitously. A sense of loss and waste comes from reading description that does indeed fall short of being too much information. Yes, the novel does look at the why as well as the how and it is within the closing scenes that this is drawn to the fore. When I finally put the book down, I felt very sad.

It is impossible to outline the plot without giving away too much. The book opens with a number of cases under investigation, all weaving into a fabric of some sort by the end. But is it a fine Egyptian cotton or a knobbly tweed? Well, you’d have to read it to find out.

And finally, yes, I went back on a promise to myself yet again. And no, I was not sorry and neither was I disappointed. It’s the best Scarpetta novel in a long while for me. But should I say that really? These novels are moving more to an ensemble cast these days. Scarpetta is still the reliable and committed mother hen, and still cooking, but the chicks are growing in stature. I, for one, will be interested in what goes on next at the hen run…

Lost, by Michael Robotham, a review

Oh where do I start here?  I absolutely loved Michael Robotham’s debut novel The Suspect. So I was quick to get my hands on Lost when I realised it was out there.  But there was also some trepidation on my part, when I had that weighty tome in my hands and contemplated the start of the book.  The Suspect centred on the protagonist of Joseph (Joe) O’Loughlin, a psychotherapist and main suspect in an investigation led by Vincent Ruiz of the Met; but with Lost, DI Ruiz becomes the main protagonist, with Joe his ever present mate.

Still with me?  (Just think of them as motorbike rider and side car sitter, with a swap between books.)

My trepidation was a lost cause.  The swap on protagonist does not matter one iota here.  Robotham can do something I’ve not seen with other writers.

In the second novel of a series he still creates immense pace and superb characterisation, mixed with intriguing and moving plot, even if that main protagonist has changed.  In this novel, we get to know Ruiz the Met Cop, and what a delight that is.  He’s a sharp guy with a sharp tongue and sharp mind; but also, the sharp extends to his wit, which comes to the fore so often.  I loved it. 

He’s a man without a memory at the start of this book.  But Joe helps him to recover.  To where, is questionable.  He remembers the facts of the case, eventually, but also, along the way, he faces memories of his own life and origins that he’d perhaps prefer to have buried.  All of this drip feeds into a fast moving and exciting plot.

This book is a tour de force of wit and pace and plot. 

The story revolves around the case of a missing girl for whom a ransom was sought, and paid, but the kidnapped girl never surfaced, alive or dead.  Ruiz headed the investigation that saw the conviction of a man now working on an appeal, soon to come to court.  But … Three years later it appears that another ransom has been communicated and that’s when it all goes wrong.  Ruiz is convinced that the girl is still alive, but we find him at the opening of the book, waking up in hospital to a badly shot leg and intensive medical care, as well as a lost memory, even if he prefers all things to be otherwise. 

It was very easy to warm to Joe in the first book; Ruiz was a bit of a runt to be hated, to be honest.  But time moves on and now, Ruiz is our key man, and oh, how we learn to love him, given what we discover about the man and his background.  (It’s no doubt that Joe became a good mate.)

Lost will keep you turning the pages into the night.  Beware repetitive strain injury!  (Especially if you read The Suspect in close proximity.)

Robotham deliberately chose to write in the present tense in his books.  He feels it is an aid to creating pace and that is clear in both novels.  He does it so well.  The past tense is the hearing of someone’s recollection of a story; the present is a real time ride and therefore much more difficult to put down, when reading.

One final thing, a thought from a tangent – it is interesting to consider where Robotham is going with this series.  Joe was once the main protagonist and now it is Vincent.  Joe is a family man with young children, but he also suffers from the debilitating and progressive illness of Parkinson’s disease.  Vincent, we learn in Lost, is hovering around the 60 mark when it comes to age.  An older detective is not good…  Cue Rankin’s Rebus, who is forced to retire soon because of real time writing and the fact that Rebus is now, therefore, approaching retirement.  Mark Billingham is already aware of the impending and growing pressures on his Tom Thorne character, where Thorne is mid-life and the writing real time.  So, what can Robotham do with these characters?  And where is this series likely to go? 

Only Robotham knows.  But one thing’s for certain; it all adds to the excitement in anticipation. 

It’s a long while since I read The Suspect, but I whole heartedly recommend both that and Lost.  I’d describe Robotham’s books as a roller coaster ride with material droppings of emotional intelligence.  All readers will find themselves side car!

The author’s website can be found at: http://www.michaelrobotham.com/

Review of "The Lighthouse" by P. D. James

To have an investigation starting about half way through a novel is an unusual occurrence, but this is P. D. James writing.  We open with a body and an impending investigation; with Commander Dalgliesh putting together his team, at the same time as dealing with the political ramifications of the suspicious death.  Then we learn more about his team and the suspects.  A lot of this is back story, but it is no way boring.  The heavy cloak of claustrophobia is present from the first moment and seeking relief.  The icy tension of soured relationships is ever present, with so many having a motive to wish for the death of the victim.  But who did it?

Dalgliesh has a relatively new team.  DI Kate Miskin is joined by the new-to-the-team Sergeant Benton and she’s not comfortable.  Neither is he.  Both are preoccupied with their personal lives and could do without the investigation based on the secluded and reclusive fictional Combe island off the coast of Cornwall.  But then, so is Dalgliesh, truth be said.  He recently proposed, in writing, to his beloved Emma.  She seemed to accept, but developments since have not been speedy and both appear wary of cementing that commitment.

As for the suspects, we have a group who all have their own reasons for seeking sanctuary on the island from the hard edged and fast paced world in which we live.  The victim was a sad and nasty piece of work, so it may be difficult to care, but no.  The potential motives of the suspects spark that care.  It’s so easy to empathise and hope it’s not that particular one.

There’s a wonderful ending to the investigation, which evoked quite some laughter from me.  I’m not sure it was intentional, but it’s to do with making an arrest and being properly dressed for it.  Also worthy of note is a description of scaling and climbing the cliffs of the island.  That was extremely tense and very realistic.

I so wanted to skip to the end and find out the resolution, from very early on, but I disciplined myself, and I’m glad I did.

The clues were there in the interviews.  Dalgliesh, even inflicted with a nasty virus, worked it out.  I didn’t, which is very good.  As for leaving the heavy cloak of that claustrophobic Combe Island, I’m sure I was as relieved and satisfied as the police team.

Will they?  Won’t they?  We do find out about the future of the poetic Dalgliesh and his beloved Emma in the end.  But I am not about to spoil your fun.  Read it and find out for yourself.  It’s a really good mystery, well investigated and well brought to a conclusion.

Having heard P. D. James speak at the Cheltenham Festival, I can only reiterate what others said to me at the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival in July – she really is a wonderful speaker.  At Harrogate in 2006, she is the UK Guest of Honour.  If you can do so, then go.  There are very few opportunities like this. Some have been aware for some time, others not, but a person with 85 years on this planet has a great deal of experience to impart.  Hearing mere snippets of such a life is a treasure.  Life changes in many ways, but the basics of human existence do not.   I believe this is something P. D. James knows only too well and it is ever present in her writing.

And so good to see The Lighthouse in the top ten, and holding, in hard back book sales in the UK.  Quality still counts.

Patricia Cornwell, Predator

Patricia Cornwell was in London on Monday 7 November, speaking at an event organised by Foyles to mark the publication of her new Scarpetta novel, Predator.  She also took the opportunity to answer her critics and dispel some misconceptions.

Yes, I was lucky enough to be there and I’ll write up my notes from the event, for posting some time in the week commencing 14 November.  So please drop back later.