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The Front

Author: Patricia Cornwell
Publisher: Little, Brown
Category: Book

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

53 reviews
Sales Rank: 686

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 181
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.2

ISBN: 1408700514
EAN: 9781408700518
ASIN: 1408700514

Publication Date: May 15, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Unread, BCA edition.

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 53

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The front June 22, 2008
Cornwell has returned to her formula with avengeance, Wyn Garano is the masculine eqivalent to Scapettas tenacious enquiring mind but has typical male approach to life with women and wine.
The story line makes you want to sit and read it in one fell swoop as the plot thickens you avidly read to see the outcome. The dissapointment was perhaps it ended too quickly and certain lines of enquiry were left unanswered. Cornwell has the ability to lead you through the story and let you feel the frustrations and fears of the characters. The plot is believable with the reality of power and corruptness of policiticans.
An enjoyable return to Cornwell creating mysteries of a new character that will meet new challenges- can,t wait for the next thrilling plot.

1 out of 5 stars

not so good June 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Was looking forward to reading this but very disappointed. Glad only reserved it from the libray. Have read all previous books and agree with a lot of reviwers, that her writing isn't as good as it used to be. Try Harlan Coban or Steve Hamilton instead

1 out of 5 stars

The Front June 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you want a very boring read, buy this book. Patricia Cornwell is trading on past glory.

4 out of 5 stars

A laid back summer read, without the Scarpetta gory bits June 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I eagerly awaited my copy of Patricia Cornwall's latest offering "The Front". I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed.

"The Front" is an exceptionally good read, my advice is to settle down with at least an hour or two to spare, you will need the time as you are sucked in to what is a page turningly good read.

The story flows well, and is without much of the gory bits of the Scarpetta series. Right to the end, I am not ashamed to say I did not manage to work it out.

The story is littered with little references to Ms Cornwall's own interests. A dog, who what ever horror is going on around it, is okay and looked after. Snippets about the local area, and my personal favourite, a reference to Jack The Ripper, and Scotland Yard!

I devour Ms Cornwall's books, for the story, which is as always brilliant, plus the little extra pieces of information that make them a cut above the rest!

This one is not a Scarpetta, the character's are good, and I hope the next in the series will add flesh to the bones and develop them further. This is a more laid back summer read, I for one await the next in the series.

This is a cant put down book.

Enjoy!

1 out of 5 stars

Pointless and rushed June 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

As someone who's always enjoyed Cornwell's novels, her books are always among those I pick up when I see a new title in the book store.
I picked up a copy of "The Front" and having recently completed it, I can say is that it is definitely the worst of Cornwell's titles; in fact I'm not sure how it ever came to print.

We re-join the main characters introduced in "At Risk" and start with the premise of re-opening an old murder case where the victim may have been the first to meet their end at the hands of the Boston Strangler.

So far so good.

However the investigation of the case covers a scant few pages. The remainder of a novel (which is thankfully short to begin with) is fleshed out with poorly developed characters which you never feel any affinity with and a couple of clumsy plot devices that only serve to introduce one-dimensional FBI and Scotland Yard characters who bring nothing to tale.

After reading to the end, I was hoping for some twist, some moment of tension or drama to grab my attention and make it all feel worthwhile.
I haven't included any spoilers; but frankly even if I wanted to I'd struggle - there's no real story to spoil.

In some fictional works a lack of interesting plot and drama is compensated for by engaging character development or witty dialog; but this book is completely bereft of any redeeming features.
It's even more irritating as Cornwell has proved several times that she's a very capable writer.
It certainly feels like a project that's been rushed out to meet a contractual obligation to her publishers - some half-developed story that's been pulled out of the trunk and mailed off on deadline day.

I really don't like being negative about someone's efforts and always try to find something to enjoy in a book. But try as I may, I can't think of one good thing to say about it.

If an unknown Patrica Cornwell had sent this off to publishers for consideration I'm pretty sure the response would be a universal "stick to the day job".

Enormously disappointing.