Plenty of Twists and Turns - Rated 
First off, let me say that although all of Cornwell's thrillers stand alone, it's better if you read them in the order they were written. More so in PC's case than in other authors who continue with the same character, book after book. This is because PC does the impossible, she keeps her characters continually growing with each story. Pass one up and you miss some of their development and the very interesting, but very flawed people that walk through the pages of her books are like people we know, friends, and one should stay current with one's friends.
"Cruel and Unusual" opens with Kay waiting for the execution of murder/rapist Ronnie Joe Waddell, but even as she's waiting someone is being killed, the killer using Waddell's M.O. One of his finger prints even shows up at one of the crime scenes.
This book has the usual Cornwellian twists and turns and as usual I was glued to my seat as I read this five star novel. I loved every second of it, because nobody does Cornwell, like Cornwell.
Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
Unusual and Wow! - Rated
Ever since I started to read Patricia Cornwell`s books I know that I need to expect the unexpected. Without labelling it. I just go with the flow, turning every single page one by one without knowing what will happen next but knowing only one thing - that at the end I may have learned something different about science, state law, psychology and about how a big hearted person like Dr. Kay Scarpetta can cope with other big people and their twisted games. Cruel and Unusual is good example of all this. Everything builds up around one person, Ronnie Joe Waddell, who is electrocuted. Then murders start and it looks like the executed man is to blame.... Well worked on details. Unusual. I am now looking forward to reading Patricia Cornwell`s new release, Book of The Dead.
What a great read! - Rated
I have bought all the Scarpetta books and have read the first 7 in less than 2 weeks - that's how great they are.
This one if maybe not as thrilling as the previous ones BUT it leads to the next two books, and altogether they are truly amazing.
The reason I read so much in so little time is not because I don't have much to do or my life is boring but because once you have started to read there is no stopping.
A truly superb writer!
A thriller with twists. - Rated 
Although not quite as good as her earlier books this still makes for a scintillating crime novel. With twists and turns galore this book takes you on an enjoyable journey.
Cruel and Unusual - Rated
This is the forth of the Dr Kay Scarpetta novels and they just get better and better. Certainly this is the book with the most political intrigue and career back-stabbing in it and we see for perhaps the first time Dr Scarpetta more than just a pathologist, but as a political figure to be used by others. The "thriller" part of the book is as good as ever, with a great twisty-turny ride through the plot and a cunning surprise around every corner. The characterisations are a brilliant as ever, and the Scarpetta - Marino interplay is just fantastic.Great book!
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