Welcome to Litsy!

Re-reading this again, I stand by my 2018 judgment of it being just an okay read. It's quite dark in some parts for the age range, there's the death of a bird (not graphic thankfully) & a physical fight & chase scene near the end, but also rather predictable. I've amended the rating up slightly to 3.5🌟

The first few chapters were hard going due to the obnoxious prosecutor... The overarching plot was good & I particularly liked how the different crime scenes were eventually tied together.... It just seemed a little clinical & little familiar - the machinations of a boss who dislikes her, earlier cases now under revision - you would think Scarpetta had earned a little trust & respect by now. (continued)

If you've ever since the film with Ralph Fiennes & Rachel Weisz, then you'll pretty much have the gist of what happens. If you haven't - then please watch it, it's a great film. There are one or two glaring differences between the book & the film but the main characters of Justin & Tessa were played pretty much spot on by Fiennes & Weisz, & the ending was kept true to the book. (Continued)

As I started reading this, it soon became apparent that in my snap judgment of whether to request to read this book or not, I'd mistaken the Elizabeth Blackwell in the title for Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female medical doctor on the General Medical Council's register in 1859. No matter, this Elizabeth Blackwell's story is just as interesting. (Continued in comments)

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5063735341

Disappointing read.

Review to follow.

A mixed bag really. Standouts were 'Flat 19' by Jenn Ashworth (when cloning yourself goes horribly wrong), 'Collagen' by Seanan McGuire (the quest for beauty has unforeseen consequences, & 'The Nine of Diamonds' by Carole Johnstone (very cleverly done tale about a company whose business is revenge, & my favourite story in the book). 3⭐

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Flame Tree Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. #NetGalley

Well this was a bit different! Split into 3 sections with the first giving the background of the case & the main players with alternative scenarios of what could have happened. The second section details the evidence of the case. At the end of the second section, the reader can register their decision online as to whether they believe, based on the evidence, that Camb was guilty of misadventure, guilty of murder, or guilty of manslaughter. (Cont.)

I really enjoyed reading this. It's a great concept with the different abilities which range from telekinesis & necromancy, to empaths, those who can shape the material world around them & more. I thought the worldbuilding was rather good & the storyline flowed nicely. On the whole, I liked the main character, although her flip-flopping between her feelings for Nicholas & her attraction to Jessie was a bit tiresome. (Continued in comments)

I mostly enjoyed reading this but I didn't get the sense of Rulloff being some criminal mastermind. Whilst he was undoubtedly extremely intelligent, in my view a great deal of Rulloff's 'genius', like Jack the Ripper, was down to the luck of committing his crimes before the advent of forensic science & the widespread use of photography. (Continued in comments)