Hornet's Nest

By: Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by: Karen White

In this first title of a new mystery series, Cornwell introduces us to a dynamic trio of crime solvers in Charlotte, North Carolina: Andy Brazil, an eager young reporter; Judy Hammer, the city's police chief; and Virginia West, Hammer's deputy and a genuine head turner. They're after a serial killer who pulls male out-of-towners from their rental cars and then mutilates, spray paints, and shoots them, in that order. What the trio uncovers jolts them like the sting of the hornet - Charlotte's symbol.

©1996 Cornwell Enterpises, Inc. (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

The authors detail in her story telling is amazing

This is the second time I have enjoyed this book, once before I moved to Charlotte and more recently after living here for more than 10 years. In the middle of the road trip a friend hits the pause button and says “ Can we just take a minute to approximate the detail that the author puts in to her description of the city”. Patricia Cornwall is this detailed in every one of her books, this detail dream the reader into the story so completely.

Good story with great details

Great story, lots of detail to add to highlight the details. One thing I have to keep saying is mispronunciations in the stories that I’m reading. The word is “rifle,” and it’s pronounced rifle like the gun, a rifle. in this book, the word is used as a verb, as someone “rifling” through the contents of a storage box. I probably heard this a half a dozen times over the last few months the same mispronunciation, what’s happening? Love the story!

Great

All I need is to be able to access it on my darn tablet !

Another Cornwell Winner

Great action and plot development. I particularly enjoy the main characters and this in-depth view of police work. What I didn’t like was the way Andy was misrepresented by the narrator. She made him sound weak, pitiful almost, sounding like a teenager instead of a grown man. I’m glad I read the book first and that’s probably why I so strongly dislike her presentation of him.

Big City Life

Rather a well-done depiction of life in a big city as seen from a different viewpoint. One not known by most people and written from a woman's point of view which is seldom acknowledged. I had trouble with the reader at the beginning but she relaxed into the job midway through and I ended up enjoying the book which is less raw and not so overly descriptive as some of Cornwell's other books.

confusing.

it started off slow, then picked up, but then there were so many story lines and I was used to her Scarpetta books so was focused on the killer and that seems to be the story line that got the least attention. the end felt rushed.

I really liked this book.

Would you listen to Hornet's Nest again? Why?

I really like Cornwell's writing style and characters and she did not disappoint in this serious. Strong honest women and a young man trying to find himself. It was refreshing and a good story line. I'm looking forward to reading next in series!

All I can say is WOW!

This novel is excellent! I'm already a fan of P Cornwell, having read the Scarlett series and while there's a similar style,it definitely makes you think differently! Thank you!

Hornet's Nest

The best character descriptions ever; you feel you know the people and can actually visualize them. My favorite - the cat owned by the deputy chief, he is a minor player, but you just have to love him. The story covers a new reporter that wants to cover the crime beat and the mutiple mutilation murders plaguing the city.

great book

I'm a huge Cornwell fan. I've read all Scarpetta books. I have become a new fan.