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Isle of Dogs | 
 enlarge | Author: Patricia Cornwell
Publisher: Time Warner Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £6.98 (100%)
New (19) Used (318) Collectible (2) from £0.01
Rating:  68 reviews
Sales Rank: 108069
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 544
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.5
ISBN: 075153188X
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780751531886
ASIN: 075153188X
Publication Date: June 6, 2002
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: UK seller, we send out books 1-2 days after the order, or sometimes the same day if we're really quick!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Be aware: this is not your typical Cornwell novel. Not only is there no Kay Scarpetta, but Isle of Dogs is a comic romp, a real departure for this author. It centres around a couple of characters from past books--police chief Judy Hammer and reporter-turned-cop Andy Brazil of Hornet's Nest and Southern Cross--but the plot, style and tone will remind you more of Carl Hiaasen's dark comedies.The madcap doings get underway when the addled, nearly blind governor of Virginia confusedly launches a speed-trap program on isolated Tangier Island, whose prickly, eccentric residents promptly attempt secession. Cornwell adeptly interweaves other crisscrossing plot lines involving a gang of street-stupid thugs gunning for Hammer and Brazil, an angel-faced serial killer, a kidnapped dog and more. She does miss a few beats: the pacing sags during certain episodes, and at times the writing strains so hard for laughs that instead it draws winces. Nonetheless, Isle of Dogs is for the most part a funny, diverting read and a refreshing departure for Cornwell. --Nicholas H Allison, Amazon.com
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| Customer Reviews: Read 63 more reviews...
 Glad I didn't read the review first January 13, 2008
Biker Buzz (Essex, UK)
Well, I'm glad I didn't read the reviews first. I am a fan of Scarpetta and picked this up thinking it would be along those lines. I was very surprised and initially thought I wasn't going to enjoy the book when I discovered it wasn't written in the same style. However, I enjoyed the light comedy and thought it moved along well. The further through the story I got the more interested I became. I did get a little confused at how it all came together at the end though. Overall, not bad, would consider reading the first two in the series, but not as 'unput downable' as the usual Cornwell I've read.
 What A Surprise October 9, 2007
S. Brady (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I didn't know anything about this book before I read it and was very surprised. I was expecting a typical Patricia Cornwell book but this was nothing like her usual stuff.
I really liked it. It was funny, sarcastic and would make a very funny film.
I read other reviews where people have only given it 1 star but I think they are true Kay Scarpetta fans and didn't like the change.
If this was written by someone else (or under a pen name) it would have got better reviews me thinks!!
 A huge disappointment from a favourite author July 15, 2007
Julie Anne
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book was a huge disappointment from an author I have always enjoyed. She has tried her hand at comedy - which was not a success - and sacrificed plot, character, pace and tension. The discovery and arrest of the killer in a few brief sentences at the end of the book was absurd. The book jacket describes the novel as "Satisfying storytelling with an intoxicating dash of comedy". It was neither satisfying, intoxicating nor funny.
Isle of Dogs June 5, 2007
J. hagan-palmer (Norwich, UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Awful, boring, waste of paper...
I am a fan of the Scarpetta novels, but the Hammer/Brazil stories should never have made it past the Editor's wastebin. I persevered through the drivel of Hornets Nest & Southern Cross, the first book because there was at least some loose story among the fashion references,and the cat with aspirations of being a detective come match maker. The second book, because I thought the first had to be the worst and maybe the plot would improve, oh dear - same shambles as the first. Why did I buy this book, don;t ask me, maybe I was trying to give one of my favourite authors the benefit of the doubt. This is truly, mind numbingly awful, I had to give up after four chapters.
The plot (!) lines I can only assume were conceived with TV rights in mind, picture Reno 911 in high heels, trying to be serious, but not succeeding.
 An overlooked gem June 15, 2006
Nicholas Marsh (Scotland)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Isle of Dog's is a great book, if you read it with an open mind. It's supposed to be ludicrous, the characters are supposed to be nuts. I read this book and found it extremely enjoyable, it was a nice break from more serious novels and kept me interested the whole time. If you don't like the idea of Patricia Cornwell straying from her normal areas of writing, then don't read it, but if you're open minded enough to follow her along on her detour then I suggest you get this book.
Onto the book itself. Although Brazil and Hammer were the main characters, or were in the last ones, I still found them the least enjoyable to read about. I was constantly waiting for all of the side stories to pop back up. Possum was a very interesting character, and you can't help but feel sorry for him. Also on the subject of the crabs and trout talking, sure it's a ludicrous idea, but in the context of the novel it's a good one. I found myself feeling very sorry for the poor creatures about to be boiled alive and was rooting for them to live. She personified them, is that a crime? By personifiying the crabs and so on, she makes you feel sorry for them and want them to live, it's a very good technique and it's actually surprising so many people hated it. If you live in such a strict world where you can't pick up a book and enjoy a good romp, then you probably need to expand your areas of interest, or you could just stick to what you like and don't bother reading something you clearly won't enjoy.
Anyway, on the whole I thought this was a great book. It was funny, nicely paced, with mostly interesting characters and a hilarious storyline. If you feel like taking a break from the norm, then pick up this book. But if you're a diehard Patricia Cornwell fanboy/girl, then leave this one alone.
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