I like Patricia Cornwell. At least, I used to. Her classics like “Body of Evidence” or “From Potter’s Field” are great mystery novels with a fabulous lead character, Kay Scarpetta. Then Cornwell decided to branch off with novels that feature other main characters (and occasionally, commentary by animals) and she lost me.Though she’s returned to writing Scarpetta novels, they seem to wrap up neatly and amazingly quickly after hundreds of pages of twists and turns. It’s as if her editor calls and says, “I’ve gotta have those last 3 chapters by the end of the day or your signing bonus is history!”.

“The Front” isn’t a Scarpetta novel and it’s surprisingly skinny for a Cornwell novel. As usual, it’s got tons of twists and turns (and enough politics to get your eyes mildly crossing). And as seems to be her recent trend, it also suddenly and inexplicably wraps up in the span of a few pages into a neat and tidy bow. It’s kind of like riding a really thrilling coaster only to have it stop at the top of the last hill and unload the passengers.

And since “The Front” doesn’t feature the usual likable cast of characters (like Scarpetta and Marino and Lucy), it’s even harder to find redeeming qualities. Really if you want a good mystery, “The Front” isn’t going to get it for you. Try one of her older Scarpetta novels.

If you want to read a mystery that’s funny, go pick up Janet Evanovich’s “One for the Money“.

Thanks to Laura F for suggesting that I read this book and explain the ending to her.