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September 2006
IS WRITING A GREAT CHARACTER SERIES THE SAME CREATIVE SUICIDE
AS "TYPE-CASTING" IN THE MOVIES?
For all of us who have enjoyed for years the forensic adventures of Cornwell's most famous character, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, and the fascinating science education that came with them, it has been painful to find anything less coming from her.
But it does make us wonder if the reviews would be the same if "At Risk" had come from a different author.
We've already heard from several readers that Cornwell's earlier drift to a new area, "Isle of Dogs", while a huge disappointment for most of her fans, might have been reasonably accepted by a different audience if it weren't for Cornwell's name attached.
Finding a novel on the bookstore shelf with Patricia Cornwell as the author raises very specific expectations. We know what Cornwell is capable of creating. We've been conditioned to snatch up anything with her name on it simply because we THINK we're going to enjoy another adventure with Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta. And we're hugely disappointed when we realize what we've bought!
At LLPublish.com we think the real fault lies with her editor and publisher who should have known better. They could have -- should have -- published the strayed pieces under a pen-name in order to preserve Cornwell's reputation with her public.
Instead, they have used her well-known public following to guarantee themselves a level of sales for the odd pieces, and in the process have tarnished a name that few of us will trust so easily in the future.
