Chaos
by Patricia Cornwell has a “chaotic” plot. This
book fascinatingly shows how people are losing control. In
some ways technology has made lives easier, while in other
ways it has taken away one’s independence. Cornwell
shows in this absorbing thriller how that can happen.
Cornwell commented, “The major theme in my most recent
books is that we are living in the age of technology. My more
current research is moving more and more towards the sorts
of technology that the military is developing. A lot of what
ends up in criminal investigations begins with the military.
Much is first implemented in combat. A good example is when
Scarpetta uses her CT scanner. It was modeled after the one
at Dover Air Force Base. The military is also using a scanning
x-ray electron microscope. It can possibly determine the projectile
used to kill someone in combat and who was the one responsible
for making it.”
Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the Cambridge Forensic Center’s Director,
is receiving anonymous poems that are on the bizarre side
from a cyber bully known as Tailend Charlie. In her professional
life she must find out why two people died after being struck
by lightning, including her good friend General John Briggs
who has also been electrified. Scarpetta starts to suspect
the involvement of Carrie Grethen, her nemesis. She determines
that the deaths by “acts of nature” are actually
related to this cyber bully, a cunning and technically savvy
predator.
Will Carrie be the antagonist in future books? “I don’t
know where Carrie will go and want to leave things open ended.
She will be in the next book, which also has an international
connection to Scotland Yard and Interpol. An old case has
just re-surfaced.”
Dr. Kay enlists the help of her “work husband,”
partner detective Pete Marino. They begin a perilous investigation
of who is behind the cyber bullying and the murder of the
two victims. Her niece Lucy does not play as prominent a role
in this book as in others, but she is enlisted to try to find
out how this criminal could have access to private information
and the ability to use electricity for murder.
In this thriller Cornwell shows how Kay balances the demands
of her work life with her personal life. Besides having to
deal with a cyber bully she has to confront her feelings of
sisterly rivalry with Dorothy. The backstory is told of their
early life together and why at this time her sister decides
to come for a visit.
Anyone who has a sister knows about rivalry. Cornwell wants
readers to “think of Scarpetta as human with a family,
scars, dysfunction, memories, and loses. Her only sibling,
Dorothy, has always been in the shadow from day one of my
books. She was going to be the homecoming queen in high school,
while Scarpetta was the nerd in the science lab. In this book
and going forward readers will spend some time with her. Her
visit has a big connection to the plot.”
As with all her recent books, Chaos demonstrates
how technology advances can be beneficial to criminals. Readers
work the investigation with Scarpetta as they try to disentangle
the puzzle and mystery of this gripping plot.
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