I just think it is all sad.
Her books used to be good suspenseful thrillers, but the last few just haven't measured up and I quit reading her.
I really cannot acccept any conspiracy theory, but think a lot of her former fans feel as I do about her writing just not being as good as it used to be.

Pat

I've read every book she's written (except the non-fiction), sticking with her even when I was disappointed in the direction and tone of the Scarpetta series. Frankly, I think the series took a downward spiral when Cornwell switched from first to third person and took Scarpetta away from her job as medical examiner. However, I thought her latest book, Book of the Dead, was better than the last few she's written, so I was surprised and a bit shocked a couple of days ago when I read the rather dismal editorial reviews and scathing reader reviews on Amazon. I'm sure that some readers absolutely hated one of the pivotal scenes in the book since it probably was not only an uncomfortable scene for many but also one that most likely changed how many people feel about one of the main characters.

Whether Cornwell is the victim of a high-level conspiracy, I have no clue and don't even want to even speculate, although it seems rather far-fetched. I do know that in the last few years, she has battled in court with a lesser-known author who posted all sorts of negative, outrageous, and untrue accusations about her. I can't help but wonder, if there is some sort of organized attempt to post negative reviews, if his supporters had something to do with it.

Sad, and a bit nervy, I should think. For many years, her books have been going downhill but she's never listened to our honesty then. So I feel that running to her defense now would, honestly, be a waste of time. Furthermore, she is an American. Irregardless of what she thinks of current policy or administration, she should support our troops and our nation. I cannot support anyone who scoffs at the very troops who defend her freedom of speech. She made her bed, now she needs to deal with the consequences.

PAM

I suppose I am confused. Hey, my username doesn't contain the word confused for nothing, you know. Did she say something negative about the troops that I haven't read? It was my understanding that she didn't wish to take part in a photo-op that would make it appear that she supports the current administration's actions after she made her displeasure with that administration very clear in her book. I don't consider it disrespectful, unsupportive, or unAmerican to decline such a request if she felt it gave the appearance that she approved of something she obviously feels is wrong. If she publicly made negative comments about the troops, I would feel differently, though.

I still feel that her theory about being a victim of an organized conspiracy is a bit far-fetched, but I suppose stranger things have happened. I am a bit surprised that she would even acknowledge the negative reader reviews.

I think its a bit far fetched, and while I wouldn't put this administration passed doing such a thing, I doubt they'd waste there time on an author. I do wonder if making this statement was a way to get publicity, which it sounds like she needs, or a way to implicate the admin. I never cared to read her books; I might feel differently if I were a fan

> Irregardless of what she thinks of current policy or administration, she should support our troops and our nation.

Regardless, last time I looked we still had free speech in our Bill of Rights. You can be a patriotic American, and still care enough about your country to criticize its actions. If that is what she is doing in her books, so be it. She has that right.

> this all started right after a Pentagon high official tried to get me to make a pro Bush, pro war appearance on an aircraft carrier and I refused, politely, a photo opportunity to contradict what is in my novel

If this is indeed what happened, there is nothing to indicate that she said anything untoward about the troops, or her nation, simply that she did not want to make a stand with Bush. Good for her.

I went to Amazon and read the majority of the reviews about the new book.
There seemed to be far more of her fans that enjoyed the book than the few that were disappointed in it.
Nowhere did I read anyone critcizing her for her political views.
If you were to get 10 people together who read the same book I bet that all 10 would not have the same opinion about it! Just think about the book dicussions here-what some have loved-others have hated....maybe hated is too strong, but I think you get what I am talking about.

I have to think it was all for publicity!

(I have no idea who the male author is who was referred to that she has issues with - or has issues with her?)

Cornwell sounds paranoid, to me. Or by invoking the bogeyman, she's a canny promotionalist because she knows it pushes the right button for some readers (her "fans," maybe, or other fanatics).

I tried a couple of her early Scarpetta mysteries because I'm interested in forsenics, etc., but her narrative-style rubbed me the wrong way. I did read her nonfiction attempt to identify Jack the Ripper, but didn't find it convincing. I probably won't bother to read anything by her again.

Sherwood38, the author that Cornwell took to court earlier this year is named Leslie Sachs. Here's a link to an article in The Boston Globe about it you're interested:

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornwell Tries to Ward Off Internet Stalker

Sorry if my comment offended. But I still stand by my convictions that refusing to pose on an aircraft carrier, which is manned by our troops, sends a negative message. I won't ever be reading another book written by her... not only has the writing gone downhill, but I don't care for her posturing.

PAM

Well, I wouldn't pose with anyone from this administration either. I don't support the war and I don't support the administration. I'm sorry we have troops over there, but I support them and hope to get them home and the mess the administration caused in the Middle East somehow fixed--but I'm not hopeful it's fixable in any way. I do hope it's possible to get the troops home, but I'm not convinced that's possible either.

This book got a one star rating in our local newspaper this morning and I can assure you that Australia hasn't heard about any photo ops *g*

I stopped reading her stuff when Scarpetta's private life (her niece and lover) went strange............

> But I still stand by my convictions that refusing to pose on an aircraft carrier, which is manned by our troops, sends a negative message.

It does - it sends a negative message to the administration that people are not willing anymore to accept its spin and to use themselves as another prop to hold up its failing policy.

I'd also suggest that we'd be reading very few books if we only read authors who agreed with our politics, lifestyle, or morals. Very few indeed.

That being said, I do think she is trying to get attention for her book, and since I have never cared to read her, I just shrug and move on.

I tend to think there is more here than desire for publicity. I genuinely think Cornwell might be going round the bend. Politics aside, government officials have more urgent matters than to harass a crime fiction author. Even if they didn't, I hardly think their best idea would be to post negative reviews on bookstore sites. This is just another example of Cornwell refusing to listen to her target audience.

I enjoyed her first few books, but stopped at the point Scarpetta started her affair with the married colleague. At that point the character's personality began to grate on me, especially her ego. I remember a point where Scarpetta is thinking that nobody is exposed to as much "darkness" as she is, not police officers, not even the guys with the FBI. Give me a break, she's a medical examiner! I don't mean to trash Cornwell. If that's how she really wants to write the character, more power to her. But she has to realize and deal with the fact that she's turned off many of her former fans. It seems Cornwell might have the same type of ego problem as the character she's created.

I, too, quite reading Cornwell quite a while back when her characters took an unsavory direction. I suspect she is an author who, like A.R. Siddons, has "overwritten" herself.

Laceyvail, well said. I agree with you 200 per cent.

I really can't see the Pentagon worried about whether or not she would pose for photos-she's not THAT important, after all.
I was puzzled more by the Ruth Graham comment-did a little research and discovered that she involved herself in an inter-family disagreement, taking one brother's side against another's. But the brother she was against won out, so why would he conspire against her? I think she's seeing things.

I too have quit reading her books - thought I was the only one who felt that they were just becoming too full of dark depression and anger to suit me (autobiographical?) - enjoyed the first 10 or so Scarpetta ones but have since given them all away. This all seems sad - I have no theories re the conspiracy theory, but I'm not sure it's only a ploy for publicity.

Well, you know what they say.....just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.... :)

I've often wondered if something strange was going on in her private life to make her writing take such a negative turn over the past several years. Some crisis, a deeply felt loss or depression. Like many of you, I've stopped buying her books. I made an exception for the Ripper book and found it interesting, if not totally compelling. When I read it I wondered if her fascination with the subject had given her a darker view of everything. Now that I see she thinks her recent negative reviews are some kind of conspiracy, I'm back to the depression theory. She's going over the edge. I hope she has someone in her life to help pull her back to reality. Obviously, she isn't listening to her former fans.

Why would she have been asked to do such a thing to begin with? I really question any such invitation from this administration.

Coz everyone else has turned them down?