Product Description
Ruth Bell Graham is known as the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. It was Ruth who influenced Billy, as his most trusted life-partner. In Ruth, a Portrait, we meet this fascinating and remarkable woman. Brimming with anecdotes, this is a breathtaking journey, with stops at many of this century's epoch-making events.

The childhood years of the future Mrs. Billy Graham were spent light-years away--in the China of the 1920s and 1930s. The daughter of medical missionaries, she and her family were caught in a crucible of unspeakable hardship; in addition to pestilence and plague, there was the unstable political and military turmoil surrounding the Nationalist government, the Communists, and the Japanese invaders. These hazardous realities shaped Ruth Bell and her family, a family inured to difficulties, but buoyed up by their deep belief in God's abiding will.

Virtually raised by the Grahams, the author is a repository of Ruth Bell Graham's stories and has seen firsthand the spirit of this courageous woman. Patricia Cornwell not only gives readers a full, rounded, and intimate portrait of Ruth Bell Graham, but also insight into the life of the Graham family and particularly Billy Graham. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Excellent
Book is an excellent read...almost 600 pages.Very well written, from the heart and full of inspiration!

Great read about a great wife & mother!!
I really enjoyed reading about the life of Ruth Graham.She was so well-grounded in her faith and SO supportive of her husband, Billy Graham.I would highly recommend it!!

Excellent Book
What a lady, Ruth Graham. She really went through and saw a lot in her life time. You really get to see the woman behind Rev. Billy Graham. This was a well written biography of a very Godly woman. I am sure this was an exciting journey for Ms. Cornwell to sit with Ruth Graham and talk about her life. This is a wonderful book, if you haven't read it get it and read it. You won't be disapointed.

At last, the woman behind the man!
This book is great. It gives so much insight into Ruth Graham's life - both before and after Billy. Beginning with her early life in China, her tranision to life in the States, her meeting/dating/marrying Billy Graham and the effects of his journey with God on her and their family. I think it interesting that we see the demands that Billy made on this brave woman, as his spiritual journey of preaching took him all over the world. In some instances, I felt sorry for her because she wanted to be home with her children, and he refused to allow her to go- even canceling her traveling arrangements and ordering other staff members not to allow her to leave. Ruth hated the "media focus" on herself. A true behind the scenes kind of woman. Supporting her husband and trying to do her part with those who came forward to receive Christ. A wonderful book. I feel it is well written and gives the reader a rare glimpse of just what a special woman this lady was. She will be sorely missed.

THE SINGULAR RUTH BELL
I think this is Cornwell's best book, you can feel her love for Graham.Ruth Graham had an extraordinary life, her life in may ways is as interesting as her iconic husband.Her early live in China and how it enlightened her, it's interesting that such a forward thinking woman married the most famous evangelical.I found the information on her courtship with Billy fascinating, he really had to win her, she was beautiful and he know he had to be at the top of his game to get her.Ruth Graham was an amazing woman, though i was dismayed to see that she gave in and allowed herself to be buried in Charlotte instead of her chosen place Montreat, but ultimately she couldnt imagine not being next to Billy.Very good book on a singular American. ... Read more

Product Description
La Navidad ha sido siempre fuente de desasosiego para la doctora Scarpetta, y la de este ano se augura como la peor de todas: ha muerto su amante, Benton Wesley, y ademas su ultimo caso, en el que estuvo a punto de perder la vista, sigue sin resolverse y la tiene sumida en una verdadera pesadilla. Apoyada por Lucy y Marino, Kau intenta retomarlo. La autoria de una serie de asesinatos, achacados en un pricipio al mafioso Jean-Baptiste Chandonne, sigue sin esclarecerse. Una conspiracion y un entramado de intereses economicos lleva la situacion a limites insospechados, hasta el punto de que Scarpetta puede ser procesada por asesinato. Atormentada por la acusacion y la posible relacion de los crimenes con la muerte de Benton, Kay se plantea abandonar su trabajo y empezar una nueva vida./Now Patricia Cornwell brings her millions of readers a novel concerning crimes with roots in a murder from the distant past. When Kay Scarpetta is mandated to investigate the 400 year-old violent death of one of America's first settlers at Jamestown, Virginia, it seems like the perfect match: modern technology's savviest avatar versus an age-old crime. Kay's involvement in the case attracts headlines, and more-the unwelcome ire of a person or persons unknown. Kay and those closest to her soon find themselves the targets of vicious hate crimes that are clearly inspired by her connection to the archaeological excavation. At first more nuisance than assault, the nature of the attacks quickly escalates to violence. Worse still, those sworn to protect prove to be the enemy, forcing Scarpetta, her niece Lucy, and detective Peter Marino to take matters into their won hands- torquing the rule of law and changing their lives forever. In a case ranging from an 18th-century murder to mortal risk in present day, The Last Precinct pits Kay Scarpetta against a rogue enemy who will stop at nothing to stop her. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (143)

3.5 stars -Much better than Cruel & Unusual, but not up to par with All That Remains
"I knew the direction Wesley's thoughts were heading. Gault had murdered thirteen-year-old Eddie Heath inside a beat up used van that had been rife with a baffling variety of trace evidence. Succinctly out, Mr. Gault, the psychopathic son of a wealthy pecan plantation owner in Georgia, derived intense pleasure from leaving evidence that seemed to make no sense." (p. 195)

The premise is intriguing- who murdered eleven-year-old Emily Steiner, resident of a small town near Asheville, NC? We get to leave the central Virgnia area for a small town nestled in the Smokey Mountains. Complete with the typical characters - bratty Lucy, rough-around-the edge Marino, and cad Wesley - we also meet some new ones. Sadly, there's too many of them to really appreciate just one or two new faces. In addition to Denesa Steiner, widow and mother of the late Emily, we have new cops, new FBI agents, and colorful Smokey Mountain denizens. The worst part about the Smokey Mountain folks is that they are STEREOTYPED to an almost insulting level! Creed and Deborah, to name two, are beyond "hillbilly". For example, Deborah uses "thar" for EVERY pronoun.

The main plot weaves in and out of other subplots. First, Lucy has an internship at Quantico, but she runs into LOTS of trouble. Will Aunt Kay be able to save her? Second, Kay begins having an affair with a married man, and someone is jealous! Third, Kay has to deal with irresponsible sister Dorothy, who is also the mother of troubled Lucy. Fourth, Marino can't keep his zipper up, and it's starting to bother Kay. Finally, Lucy's storyline features several other subplots, too. It's quite a bit much.

The Body Farm features once in the entire book. And by the time Kay gets to this Farm on the grounds of the University of Tennesse, we really don't care or remember why she's there. Calling the book The Body Farm is extremely misleading. As for the actual crime - Emily's murder- I had an inkling as to who murdered her, but I wasn't sure of the motive. When the motive was revealed, it made sense. But the fact that this motive affects Kay and others is farfetched. (I won't say more.)

It also seems that Cornwell has changed Scarpetta's past. In earlier books, Kay grew up middle- class in Miami. In this book, she's from an extremely poor family. Scarpetta has also changed from a successful, down-to-earth MD/JD to a snob. She actually gets annoyed with Marino for telling her that she should trade her Mercedes Benz for an Infiniti. And, in another part, she doesn't hesitate to mention how much she's paid for it. Ugh, where is the old Scarpetta? The one we liked.

Also, in addition to sleeping with a married man, Scarpetta has boundary issues with niece Lucy. Their relationship is codependent. At one point, during one of their final arguments, I was cheering on Dorothy.

Oh yeah, Temple Gault figures into this story, but with everything else going on, he's not that important.

As I recommended with Cruel & Unusual, this is a book best checked out of your local library, because to buy it would be a waste of money.

Complex story with strong character development.
The fifth entry in the Kay Scarpetta series continues the hunt for Temple Gault, the serial killer who slipped through Scarpetta's fingers at the end of 'Cruel And Unusual'. At the beginning of 'The Body Farm', it appears Gault has killed again; a young girl in a small North Carolina town has been found murdered and mutilated in a similar manner to Gault's other victims. However, the case is complicated by inconsistent autopsy results, attacks on Scarpetta's niece Lucy, and other bizarre occurrences such as the kinky death of one local policeman and the heart attack of another. How are all these events connected, and is Gault responsible? Or is there a copycat killer? Or something even more sinister?

This is quite a complex story, mostly because we are never sure to what extent Gault is involved. There is an awful lot going on in this book, and untangling the various side-plots forms a major component of the investigation. Gault is certainly up to something, as evidenced by his strange connection to an FBI computer programmer, but is this relevant to the case or something completely different? A few clues are given early on which telegraph the final revelation, but Cornwell throws in plenty of red herrings as well.

The case is also complicated by the relationships between the main characters, which drive several plot threads. Lucy in particular is a much more important character, and her experiences at the FBI Academy are central to both this book and `From Potters Field'. We also witness Marino, frustrated and depressed over the split with his wife, finding comfort in the mother of the victim, plus the growing attraction between Scarpetta and Wesley. One thing I must note is that Cornwell is a terrible writer of "love" scenes, with a couple of passages being almost laughable in their awkwardness.

In all, this is another solid entry in the series, coupling an intriguing forensic case with some important character moments. Note that with Scarpetta now consultant to the FBI, the series' focus is much broader than before, with some of the nuts-and-bolts forensics and Medical Examiner work pushed to the background. This change of approach led to something of a decline over the next two books, especially `Cause Of Death', but rest assured Cornwell is still in strong form here.

Four stars.

Very Satisfied!
Received my book in the estimated time frame.The method of packaging was found well prepared for harsh handling, resulting in no harm done to the product, and the shipment was found very prompt.

Couldn't put it down!
Patricia Cornwell writes beautifully which only pulled me even deeper into this book . Dr. Scarpetta is faced with the death of a little girl and she must tie the forensic clues together and figure out what happened to her. The novel also has us getting to know Lucy (Scarpetta's niece) even more, which I love. Lucy is my favorite character even though I love Scarpetta and Benton and even Marino. This novel gave me nightmares for a while after I read it and I will never forget Cornwell's dark prose throughout the book. This is a masterpiece of a novel and I highly recommend it. The ending will shock you!

Point of Orgin
I have read several of Patricia Corwell's books, along with several other authors lately as I wait endless hours in doctors offices.

I have noticed a pattern that I don't like about Corwell's
Dr. Scarpetta's series. Now you'd think the doc is a strong woman, not when it comes right down to it she folds like a jack knife.Poor Doc Scarpetta is always attacked by the villian and can't for some reason or the other snap to and defend herself. The Doc always has bad dreams, carries a gun around like it's a glass of tea and always drinks like a fish. Maybe that's it she's still drunk or hung over from drinking and bad dreams?
Dear niece Lucy is really messed up and comes across as a spoiled brat, she goes around killing and or beating up her girl friends trying to adjust to her problems??
Yo, cop Pete Marino who really says Yo anymore? And if Doc Scarpetta finds him so vile why in the hell does she hang on to him?
Nope not liking any of the faky. flakycharacters.

No more Cornwell books for me. They all have the same old themes and the characters are just screwed up paranoid people.

To make matters worse the author (Ms. Corwell) blogs wanting readers to give good ratings for her books here. Sorry but I have to tell it like I see it the plots are to much a like. And using information that is considered private is a no no. ... Read more

Product Description
Parece que Temple Brooks Gault, el asesino en serie que se ha convertido en última pesadilla de la investigadora Scarpetta, ha vuelto a cometer un asesinato. La víctima es una mujer blanca encontrada en Central Park de Nueva York cuya identidad es imposible de aclarar: las pistas encontradas en el escenario del crimen y en el cuerpo de la víctima son tan evidentes que parecen dejadas a propósitos como indicios de un desafío. Scarpetta debe asumir que las pistan llevan a pensar que la próxima presa será ella misma. Incluso con la ayuda del FBI, Scarpetta sabe que debe jugar sola, y deberá hacerlo en el terreno de Gault, es decir, los túneles del metro de Nueva York. / It seems that Brooks Temple Gault, the serial murderer who has become the nightmare of last Scarpetta researcher, has returned to commit a murder. The victim is a white woman found in Central Park in New York whose identity was impossible to clarify: the tracks found at the crime scene and the victim's body are so clear that seem left purposes as evidence of a challenge. Scarpetta must assume that the tracks lead to think that the next dam will be herself. Even with the help of the FBI, Scarpetta knows that it must play alone, and must do so in the field of Gault, namely the subway tunnels of New York. ... Read more

Product Description
3 books by New York Times bestseller, Patricia Cornwell. All in good condition. Predator, Unnatural Exposure, Post Mortem. ... Read more

Product Description
Los habitantes de Black Mountain apenas conocen el miedo. No hay nada que temer hasta que, un dia, aparece el cadaver de una muchacha y se instala en los habitantes del pueblo un dolor mas parecido a la incredulidad que al terror. La doctora Scarpetta, forense famosa por haber resuelto casos similares, acude a Black Mountain y estudia los primeros indicios, aparentemente claros. Sin embargo, poco a poco el caso adquiere dimensiones que acabaran implicandola personalmente y llevandola al unico lugar donde encontrar informacion precisa: la granja de cuerpos./In rural North Carolina, the brutal murder of eleven-year-old Emily Steiner has shaken a small town. But more disturbing are the details of the crimes, chillingly reminiscent of the handiwork of a serial killer who has eluded the unit for years. Into this volatile atmosphere comes Scarpetta's ingenious, rebellious niece Lucy, an FBI intern with a promising future in Quantico's computer engineering facility--until she is accused of a shocking security violation. While coming to terms with Lucy, Kay must conduct a grisly forensic investigation at a clandestine research facility in Tennessee known as the Body Farm. There she will find more answers to Emily Steiner's murder--and evidence that paints a picture of a crime more horrifying than she imagined . . . ... Read more

Product Description
Kay Scarpetta abandona su consulta privada dedicada a la patologia forense en Charleston y acepta una mision en Nueva York, donde la policia la ha requerido en el hospital penal psiquiatrico para que examine a un herido. El paciente, Oscar Bane, aquejado de enanismo, se niega a ser reconocido por ningun otro medico. Cuando Kay comienza a examinarlo, Bane le cuenta una historia absolutamente rocambolesca.Acaso Bane es un acosador obsesionado con Scarpetta? O quiza su relato paranoico es verdad, y es el quien es espiado, perseguido y acosado por el verdadero asesino? Lo unico que Scarpetta sabe con certeza es que una mujer ha sido torturada y asesinada y que a esta muerte violenta la seguiran otras. Poco a poco, emerge una inexplicable y horrible verdad: quienquiera que este cometiendo los crimenes sabe en todo momento donde esta su presa. ¿Es una persona, un gobierno? ¿Y cual es la conexion entre las victimas?En los dias siguientes, Scarpetta, su marido el psicologo forense Benton Wesley y su sobrina Lucy, que recientemente ha montado su propia empresa de investigacion forense informatizada en Nueva York, emprenderan una angustiosa persecucion a traves del ciberespacio y las calles de la ciudad, una odisea que los conducira a lugares desconocidos y a otros demasiado familiares. A lo largo de toda la novela, Cornwell proporciona giros inesperados y el tipo de tecnologia punta que solo ella sabe ofrecer. Una vez mas, demuestra su excepcional capacidad para entretener y fascinar al lector. ... Read more

Product Description
Nick Breakspear has been asked by US Presidential candidate to help in getting his two children off the drugs that are destroying their lives. This is the story about the ruthless, moneyed world of Colombian drug-smugglers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (397)

The Last Precinct
The book arrived promptly and was in excellent condition. It was also inexpensive. I was quite satisfied with the transaction.

The last precinct - Patricia Cornwell
Excellent customer service and attention. The book was in better condition that I expected even after reading their description.

Forced and ham-fisted attempt at a "reboot"
It's been obvious from the last couple of books that Cornwell was determined to make some significant changes to the long-running Scarpetta series. Signs of the characters' unhappiness and frustration with their lot were telegraphed as far back as 'Point Of Origin', and were woven thickly into the narrative of 'Black Notice'. So it wasn't a surprise to me that 'The Last Precinct' seems designed as a complete re-boot of the series. Okay, I thought, this is the book where all the loose ends from previous books will be tied up, and some fascinating plot and character revelations will drive the series forward into new and exciting territory. Fair enough.

Except, it doesn't do any of these things. At least, it doesn't do them well.

'The Last Precinct' is terribly forced and clunky novel. While it does try to clear the decks and start the series afresh, it's done in a very jarring, ham-fisted way. Major plot and character twists are suddenly flung at you out of nowhere. Oh by the way, Lucy created some IT gizmos years ago and is now a millionaire gun-for-hire who's set up an independent law facility with her old ATF boss. You know what, Scarpetta decides she really doesn't love her job anymore and wants to resign. Did we forget to mention, yeah everything you thought you knew from 'Black Notice' was a lie or a mistake. And do you realise that nearly every event since 'The Body Farm' was actually part of giant years-long intertwined conspiracy? Yeah, well it was. I'm not exaggerating, this really is how events play out. If there was even a hint of these plot elements in earlier books, it might not have been so bad, but having all these "Facts" thrown together in one book just makes it seem convoluted and unconvincing.

Ditto the character development, with Scarpetta turning into a flaky, paranoid shell of the woman she once was, for no apparent reason. Scarpetta has previously had her home invaded ('Postmortem', 'Body Of Evidence'), been put on trial on flimsy evidence ('Cruel And Unusual'), and had corrupt politicians and police trying to do her over (nearly every book). Her solution has always been to stay strong and focussed, and battle her way through knowing that truth was on her side. Seeing her fall to pieces, jumping at shadows and distrusting everyone she knows, is grossly out of character for her. And the way she basically "gives up" by resigning and walking away....that's not the Kay Scarpetta we know.

The book also suffers from its long-winded rehashing of 'Black Notice'. Cornwell uses the investigation into Scarpetta as an excuse to have Kay, her psychoanalyst friend Anna, and prosecuter Jaime regurgitate nearly everything from 'Black Notice' in great detail. Most dedicated fans would have read this book, so why the need to repeat everything at such great length? Even more frustratingly, despite its long convoluted build-up, the book ends very abruptly, with many issues left unresolved. So despite its length, there's not much that actually happens in the book. And despite being designed as a re-boot, it leaves all these new plot and character devices hanging, with no resolution.

Really, there's not much positive to say about this book, and Cornwell makes a real mess of what could have been the key novel in the entire series. Unfortunately, if you're a dedicated fan of the series and want to see the plot points of 'Black Notice' dealt with, you pretty much have no choice but to read this whether you like it or not. The Scarpetta series apparently goes downhill big time after this; with 'The Last Precinct', it looks like the rot has already set in.

Two stars.

Boring and too detailed
I found this book very difficult to read.It was hard to find the plot as it seemed to be bouncing all over.I was half way through it when it finally started to make some sense.Even though I have read many of her books in the past, I will probably not read another.

Mystery of Death
Cornwell uses death as the theme throughout her mystery. She does this through her main character, who is a medical examiner. Dealing with death on a dally basis in her work does not prepare her for her own loses.
She shows that the manner in which people handle the loss of a human life whether a friend, enemy or family member can vary radically from person to the next, but that in the end it is still death and the last precinct. A tightly knit and well developed story...a good entertaining read.
... Read more

Product Description
LA NUEVA NOVELA DE LA INDISCUTIBLE MAESTRA DEL THRILLER FORENSE.La fiscal de distrito Monique Lamont tiene un trabajo especial para el investigador de Homicidios Win Garano. En 1962, una joven invidente britanica fue asesinada, y Lamont pretende ganar notoriedad demostrando que esta fue la primera victima del Estrangulador de Boston. Casualmente, en la zona donde ocurrio el suceso se encuentra la sede de El Frente, una asociacion promovida por algunas agencias policiales con el objetivo de ganar independencia respecto de la policia estatal (en contra de los intereses de la fiscal). Pronto empezaran a filtrarse informaciones comprometedoras/When Patricia Cornwell introduced the quicksilver, cut-to-the-bone style and extraordinary cast of characters of At Risk, the result was electrifying: ""At Risk is Cornwell's finest novel. It works in every way possible -- fascinating characters, solid plot, great pacing and expertly crafted prose"" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); ""Absolutely the best. Here's hoping we'll see more of Win, Monique, Nana and Sykes in the coming years. They are the best characters to emerge from Cornwell's creative pen since . . . well, Kay Scarpetta"" (The Denver Post). At Risk featured Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano, a shrewd man of mixed-race background and a not inconsiderable chip on his shoulder; District Attorney Monique Lamont, a hard-charging woman with powerful ambitions and a troubling willingness to cut corners; and Garano's grandmother, who has certain unpredictable talents that you ignore at your peril. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

never got the book
I ordered this book, and paid for it , with my Book of the Dead order but never received it. Are you sending it at a later date for some reason? If not did you credit my credit card? please let me know.

LA HUELLA
I ordered this book unaware that it was in spanish. I have sent it back. Maybe it should be more obvious that isn't in english.

just a question....
does this book have an english version or is this book just a spanish version of a scarpetta novel that already exists?

La huella
I ordered this book not knowing it was in Spanish, I have since returned it to Amazon.

Wrong book
I ordered this book by mistake and returned it to you.I sincerely hope I have been given credit for it on my credit card. ... Read more

Product Description
From the authors of Bodies We've Buried-an uncensored look at real-life CSIs. With a foreword by Patricia Cornwell.

For years, Jarrett Hallcox and Amy Welch trained CSIs at the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Now they provide a glimpse into the real world of crime scene investigation, and the investigators themselves. Experience, through gripping text and photographs, eight gripping accounts of true crime from across the country: from the murky waters of the Puget Sound to the crumbling ruins of the Alamo and the grimy streets of the Big Apple, these are the real stories of the people who work behind the yellow tape. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting stories but they are hidden in the undergrowth
This is a so-so book. On the plus side, the stories about crimes and their investigation using forensic science are interesting. Unfortunately, the good stories are buried behind two other themes, which nearly overwhelm this book: First, there is an endless stream of self-serving compliments for the CSI school that the two authors led. The program was so wonderful, the graduates so grateful and so on. . . There is a lot of this and it's both transparent and embarrassing. Second, the book is overwhelmed by procedural descriptions of the authors' travel - where they ate, how they traveled and so on. I love travel stories, but this is more by nature of a catalog and it's not interesting. The writing is iffy and there is quite a bit of bad language and stereotyping that I personally found unhelpful. If only they'd just stuck to the good stories. ... Read more

Product Description
It is the week before Christmas. A tanking economy has prompted Dr. Kay Scarpetta-despite her busy schedule and her continuing work as the senior forensic analyst for CNN-to offer her services pro bono to New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of unexpected and unsettling events. She is asked live on the air about the sensational case of Hannah Starr, who has vanished and is presumed dead. Moments later during the same telecast she receives a startling call-in from a former psychiatrist patient of Benton Wesley's. When she returns after the show to the apartment where she and Benton live, she finds an ominous package-possibly a bomb-waiting for her at the front desk. Soon the apparent threat on Scarpetta's life finds her embroiled in a surreal plot that includes a famous actor accused of an unthinkable sex crime and the disappearance of a beautiful millionaires with whom Lucy seems to have shared a secret past.Scarpetta's CNN producer wants her to launch a TV show called The Scarpetta Factor. Given the bizarre events already in play, she fears that her growing fame will generate the illusion that she has a "special factor," a mythical ability to solve all her cases. She wonders if she will end up like other TV personalities: her own stereotype.The Scarpetta Factor, the seventeenth in the series, finds the familiar cast of characters together again in New York. Marino is working for the NYPD; Benton Wesley uses his forensic psychological expertise at Kirby and Bellevue; and Lucy continues to dazzle with her expertise in forensic computer investigations as she works yet another case with NY prosecutor Jaime Berger. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Too much techno-babble!
I have been a fan of Kay Scarpetta from book one; however I'm finding it harder and harder to get engaged with the stories.This one was the worst yet.The plot seems to keep getting lost among Lucy's relationship with Berger, Kay's with Benton and all the technological detail involved with solving the case.Then, the resolution comes so fast and is given so little attention, I find myself extremely disappointed with the whole thing and sorry I spent my time reading it.I'm a professional public librarian and would buy this book for our libraries only because it's the latest in the series and the public expects it to be available.

Wish Cornwell could rediscover what made the earlier Scarpetta so fascinating because, for me, she's lost it. ... Read more