Blow Fly

by Patricia Cornwell
Blow Fly cover
Good Books rating 2.67
Mystery
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 6333
  • Added: 2025-11-12
  • Updated: 2025-11-15
  • ISBN: 9780748109265
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2008-09-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

After leaving her position as Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner and surviving a harrowing ordeal, Kay Scarpetta seeks solace in Florida, trying to rebuild her life as a private forensic consultant. However, her past refuses to stay buried, and the sinister Jean-Baptiste Chardonne, now incarcerated and blinded by her actions, continues to haunt her. As Scarpetta tries to move forward, she discovers that there are unseen forces manipulating events, drawing her and her loved ones into a dangerous game. The tension escalates as she realizes that the orchestration of these events comes from someone who knows her intimately, threatening to unravel her carefully reconstructed life. Blow Fly is the twelfth installment in Patricia Cornwell's acclaimed Kay Scarpetta series, blending forensic intrigue with psychological suspense. Cornwell's meticulous attention to detail and her ability to craft complex, multi-layered narratives have solidified her reputation as a master of crime fiction. The novel explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the enduring impact of past experiences, all while delivering a gripping and suspenseful plot.

Reviews
BookBrowse · 2025-11-12
positive 4.00

The story line was captivating and the writing was up to par. The protagonist's resilience despite the odds was particularly appreciated.

This reviewer found the story line of Blow Fly to be captivating and praised Patricia Cornwell's writing, which they felt was up to snuff. They particularly appreciated the protagonist's resilience and ability to roll with the punches despite the odds. The reviewer highlighted the engaging nature of the story and the strong writing as key positives, making it an enjoyable read overall.

Quick quotes

    The story line is captivating and Cornwell's writing is up to snuff as always.

    I like how she tries to roll with the punches despite the odds and that is what makes it a great read.

    The protagonist's resilience and ability to handle challenges were particularly appreciated.

Constant Geography · 2014-06-04
mixed 2.50

The book was difficult to read due to its graphic content and the tense relationships between characters. The plot was engaging but the execution felt uneven.

This reviewer found Blow Fly to be a challenging read, not just because of the graphic nature of the crimes but also due to the humorless drama between the main characters. They appreciated the captivating storyline but felt that the execution was uneven, making it a mixed experience overall. The reviewer highlighted the tension and complexity of the relationships, which added depth but also made the book more difficult to enjoy.

Quick quotes

    Blow Fly was painful to read, not simply due to the graphic nature of the crimes, but the humorless drama between all of the main characters.

    The storyline was captivating but the execution felt uneven.

    The tension and complexity of the relationships added depth but also made the book more difficult to enjoy.

The Guardian · 2003-11-03
negative 1.50

The plot was nearly incomprehensible and displayed the worst features of earlier novels. The paranoid tone and convoluted storyline were major drawbacks.

This reviewer found the plot of Blow Fly to be nearly incomprehensible, highlighting it as one of the worst features of the earlier novels in the series. They criticized the paranoid tone and convoluted storyline, which made the book difficult to follow and enjoy. The reviewer felt that these elements overshadowed any positive aspects of the story, making it a less satisfying read overall.

Quick quotes

    The plot of Blow Fly is nearly incomprehensible and displays the worst features of the earlier novels in spades.

    Scarpetta inhabits a paranoid world that is hard to follow.

    The convoluted storyline made the book difficult to enjoy.

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