So the book was not only "awful", it was also "difficult." The first thing I had a problem with was the present tense, first person pov that Cornwell employed. It was enough to throw me off balance when reading and required great concentration to "keep up" with what was happening. Even when fully focused, however, I found myself paging back to reread, certain I had missed something of consequence, thereby lending to my confusion about certain events. After rereading, however, I was no more "in the know" than I was the first time around. It was as if Cornwell actually skipped relevant and important information that made the entire plot burdensome to follow. The reader investment in key characters is never properly courted, nor are character relationships sufficiently addressed, so when tragedy strikes, one is left with a "yeah, who cares" response. Scarpetta's marriage; her skewed relationships with Fielding and Briggs; her off-beat parent vs. aunt relationship with her niece--none is developed past the point of doggerel. Add to that a plethora of acronyms that were extremely distracting, and what you have here folks is an EPIC failure to communicate. Save your money--this one is headed for the bargain bin.