Hornet's Nest (Andy Brazil, #1) by Patricia Cornwell

Hornet's Nest (Andy Brazil, #1) Reviews

• 
  Sophie

  I'm sure I've read a book that is worse than this one, but I can't think of it at the moment. From the stereotypes, to the extraneous details, to the adolescent situations, this book has all the hallmarks of an amateur author's first draft. It could be used--and probably is--as a Writing 101 example of what not to do. For example, the author wants her main character, Andy Brazil, to be an intrepid reporter/volunteer cop who is irresistible to men and women alike. But the Andy she shows us is a petulant, whining adolescent whose favorite lament is, "It's not fair!" The two female leads, Police Chief Judy Hammer and Deputy Chief Virginia West, are not quite as annoying as Brazil, but they are wish-fulfillment characters--smart, driven, and almost god-like in their abilities. Too bad for them that in Cornwell's world, strong capable women are surrounded by weak, envious men who can't deal with their authority. In fact, aside from Brazil there is not a male character in the novel who is not secretly working to sabotage the police chief and her deputy. Indeed, not many of the female characters are on their side either because Ms. Cornwell apparently believes there are only two kinds of women: strong capable executives or "spineless, spiteful women" who only exist for the men they have leached onto.
  
  The mystery, such as it is, is forgotten for long stretches of the novel while we focus on West's cat, Niles, and what he is thinking and planning. No, really--we get the cat's POV for long stretches of time. In fact, the cat is able to figure out some of the mystery and convey the information to his owner via feline charades…with props. No, really. But that is no lamer than the way the mystery is actually solved: the police reporter approaches ONE person on the street, asks who is committing the murders, and instantly finds out the serial killer's identity. Too bad the police didn't do that before five men were brutally murdered.
  
  The book is riddled with offensive stereotypes--such as a southerner named Bubba who drives his King Cab to the convenience store for Red Man, PBRs, and Playboy--and the author substitutes phrases like "NRA redneck" and "ruthless Republican" for actual character development. The world of Charlotte she portrays bears little resemblance to reality, and the portrayal of the bank president who controls the town is particularly absurd. All in all, this dreadful book--my first by Patricia Cornwell--will also be my last.
• 
  Chris

  2.5 stars. An older book (1997) that started a new series. I tried so hard to like these new characters, but despite them being on the right side of things I could not warm up to them. Perhaps in subsequent books? I have to say that the main character of Andy Brazil, a smart eager beaver reporter for the Charlotte Observer and volunteer cop, was especially annoying and surprisingly immature. I also found that many of the male characters could not see the two strong female characters beyond various sexual fantasies. Disappointing and one-dimensional.
  
  Nothing wrong with the storyline of a serial murderer that brings everyone together. But not enough tension which is why the book was more of a slog than a page-turner.
  
  The opening of the novel highlights the setting of Charlotte, NC and provides a bit of history in regard to how the hornet became the city's mascot. I had no idea.
• 
  BAM the enigma

  I'm not sure how I feel about these characters. And why does what I thought to be the Crux of the biscuit keep being pushed to the side for emotional development?
  
  Good lord is EVERYONE sexually frustrated???
  
  Well I just don't know what to say about all that
• 
  fleegan

  This is not part of the Scarpetta series. This book is hilarious. I had no idea Ms. Cornwell had such a great sense of humor!
• 
  Simon

  I have lived in the Charlotte area for 40 years, and you have no idea how much I wanted to like this book. At first it was entertaining to read where the characters were, but by one hundred pages in, Charlotte stopped being interesting as a character in and of itself (read the book, and see what I mean) and became merely annoying. Mysteries set in New York do not feel obligated to have the characters mention the Statue of Liberty every three pages to give you the flavor of the mise-en-scene; not a page of Hornet's Nest goes by without Cornwell dragging a local reference into it.
  
  The mystery itself is an afterthought, to put it mildly. Characters behave incredibly on virtually every page, and the low point is reached when we suddenly switch to the point of view of one of the character's cats. I am not kidding you. The cat tries to give its owner important clues that it is receiving from flashing lights atop a skyscraper in Uptown. I am not kidding you. I like hommages to Rita Mae Brown as much as the next guy (which is to say not at all), but at least the cat is a major character in the series. Matters are not helped by the dozens of unimportant characters who float throughout the novel and get detailed descriptions and attention, never to be heard of again. This isn't Dickens. None of them are interesting enough to do anything but divert whatever narrative tension there is into dead-ends.
  
  There is also a murky sexuality that runs through the book that is merely distracting. No one is getting any, to put it bluntly, and everyone is pretty damn frustrated by that. On the other hand, when it comes to simple frustration, they got nuthin' on the reader of Hornet's Nest.
• 
  C. (Never PM. Comment, or e-mail if private!)

  Low feedback is okay, *with respectful explanations*. Reviewers have no truck declaring something isn't worth reading! The first thing I observe is writing. Any story, plain or bizarre, can carry you away if the writing draws you in. I love Patricia Cornwell's creative description! Fleeting instances that non-writers clearly miss. Another attitude I can't abide is bleating that a novel "Isn't like her usual series". Of course not: it's another series! If Patricia's famous premise is superior, I am in for a treat. I did not have "Postmortem" until recently and enjoyed "Hornet's Nest" as my introduction.
  
  I wasn't keen on all threads and characters, especially the redneck wanting to kill Victoria and Andy for defending themselves. How preposterous to harass them at a shooting range and be offended that they deflected him. Its especially dubious that anyone would pursue police. I wasn't interested in Andy's alcoholic parent but it gave him humanity, after being portrayed as asexual or robotic. When he discussed his policeman Father and comforted a shaken officer, I liked him better. Humour arrived when it was needed, like a parade and funeral challenging a detour!
  
  The gift with words I admired came in the first pages, when Victoria eats junk in Judy's office. Her crinkling aluminium-foil sandwich was described as "Something the health-conscious Judy would never raise to her lips"; a titillating little image stated with surprising eloquence. There was a complex, grizzly murder to solve and strong-willed Judy and Victoria couldn't have made better department heads. I especially appreciated how these managerial women showed in a pinch, that they were still police professionals to the core. I own hardcovers of this brief series and love the humanity and whimsy alleviating sobering topics. I am late to the Patricia Cornwell party but am glad to arrive!
• 
  William

  Audiobook that sustained me while weeding in the yard. Been seeing Cornwell's name for decades so I downloaded this from my library. Also downloaded "Southern Cross" so I'll give one more try.
• 
  Leila

  Fun, fast paced, filled with likeable characters. As I listened to this book, I found myself falling in love with the idealistic young reporter, Andy Brazil. Pulling himself from the mire of an alcoholic mother, Andy works very hard as both a reporter and a volunteer policeman. Still viewing the world as mostly filled with good people, and completely oblivious to the more sinister and jaded aspects of life, Andy approaches every story and crime scene with an eagerness to help people and to make the world better.
  Completely surrounding this young man are women of incredible strengths and at times it is comical watching him try to navigate this new and foreign realm of femininity. The murder mystery part is good, spooky at times, but a good storyline nonetheless. However, it is the characters that make this book great.
• 
  Belinda Vlasbaard

  3,75 sterren- Nederlandse hardcover
• 
  Bex

  Since reading my first Cornwell book "Postmortem",I have been a Kay Scarpetta fan - reading every book as soon as it comes out. I knew Hornet's Nest was not a Scarpetta novel, but I thought some new characters might not be bad. I liked West and Hammer and was amused with cutie boy Andy. The plot did seem to wander a bit.( Now I'm not really sure what the plot was.) I did like the idea of some humor thrown in though and I am sure Cornwell is going to pursue these characters in Southern Cross which I just purchased. You know, I have a feeling PC is trying to let Kay get over the death of her lover, Benton, and also letting their fans get over it too with the introduction of these new characters. So I'll keep reading all of PC's books and hope for a frantic page turner next time.
• 
  Mandy

  2.5* One that has been on my shelf for years, so I got an audio copy from my library as I couldn't see myself getting around to it otherwise. I am a fan of the Scarpetta books not so much this one though. The murders seem to be incidental to the stories of the three main characters and maybe the narrator didn't really do it for me either. A few amusing moments but more rolling of the eyes variety.
• 
  Julia

  I picked this up thinking it would be a Kay Scarpetta mystery, and it took me a couple of chapters to figure it out. I enjoyed meeting new characters and found this book to be a refreshing change from the Scarpetta series. The characters were very complex. The budding relationship between Virginia West and Andy Brazil was fun to watch develop. But by the end of the book, I was tired of the constant miscommunications and misunderstandings between them. I get that they are both emotionally damaged individuals, but do they have to keep thinking the other one was using them and/or ignoring them? I also didn't like the way the author kept saying that others thought the main characters were gay, when neither of the were. Is this a particular pet peeve of the author? Still, I really enjoyed this book, and want to read the next in the series. I want to find out what happens to Brazil and West.
• 
  Ladonna Mielke

  This was decent - it was a nice break in everything else I've been reading. I liked the main three characters, but like other reviewers, I did find there to be a plethora of side characters. Some helped the story line, and some I felt could be omitted.
  
  I might have to go find the next in the series just to find out what happens to Andy next. I want to know if he becomes a cop, stays a reporter or some other combination!
  
• 
  Sally Lindsay-briggs

  This was a rousing audio book that I enjoyed on my travels to the Albany area and later it entertained during my errands around town. The story was about a serial killer who targeted men, killed and then spray painted an orange hour glass pattern, on their private parts. Andy Brazil is a newspaper reporter/ride-a-long guest deputy who helps two fiesty lady cops, in these murders. It was fast paced and exciting. The action kept going until the dramatic end.
• 
  Stef Rozitis

  What an awful mess of a book. Almost seems like Cornwell uses the fact she is quite successful to go back and publish something she wrote as a teenager or something. It's less focussed and more overtly right wing than the Scarpetta series (which it took me a while to work out why I wasn't loving).
  
  Andy Brazil is a male Mary Sue. He is attractive to everyone, throws tantrums, recklessly endangers his life and is rescued by big strong women (one of whom he acts as a creepy stalker to and the other he has weird mummy-issues with). He was at his best in a scene reminiscent of Home Alone (yep the kid who fights of bad guys in a slapstick movie that was frankly not a favourite with me).
  
  The plot is cluttered with all sorts of stuff, unlikeable characters galore, fatphobia and covert racism. Too many bits of stories going every which way, bad writing. The word "hateful" is overused and used imprecisely. The characters are 2 dimensional with clutter serving as a substitute for complexity (lots of unnecessary backstory but they still behave randomly). There's a "good banker" whose wellbeing protects the money of everyone. We know who the criminal is from very early on and there are some bad sex workers.
  
  Apparently this is the first of a series and the series centres not on Hammer and West (who started off cool but degenerated) but on the man-child Brazil. A lot of people seem to like this. They can keep it.
• 
  Maura

  I'm not sure a summary would do much here because this was kinda outside of a typical plot formula that you might think of. But I'll try. You've got Deputy Chief Virginia West, a bad ass cop who has worked her way to the top and doesn't go in for mushy emotions or sympathy. She's saddled with Andy Brazil, an up and coming reporter who yearns to be a writer, but is obsessed with all things cop - so he wants to write for the cop beat and arranges to do ride-alongs with West. She's not happy because she's a Deputy Chief and should not have to be babysitting a reporter. We've got Chief Judy Hammer who is loosely connected to their goings on, but is primarily struggling with her passive aggressive, depressed husband and politics of power in the cop world. Then there's the Black Widow Killer who's killing businessmen and graffiti-ing their genitals with neon orange spray paint which is the primary case that West, Hammer and Brazil or dealing with, but this definitely does not take center stage to all the other happenings among these characters.
  
  This is a character driven story more so than a police procedural (though there are minor aspects of that) and more than a suspense (because I don't know that there was that much suspense. This definitely had elements of snark and humor too. But I say it's character driven because even though none of these characters were all that likeable in personality, the author does a damn good job of making them sympathetic enough to actually be likeable. And so after the 30% mark or so, I really liked Andy and even West... Andy has this innocence and drive to him, but he's annoying as crap in his naivety, which is what irks West so much. And they spend so much time snarking at each other that their friendship kind of creeps up on them (and me). I really like how the author pulled that off. On another note though, much of these characters remains a mystery and despite their "friendship" of sorts, Andy and West don't really communicate with each other. And plenty of their issues remain unresolved at the end of the story.
  
  I will say, as much as I liked Niles the cat and his realistic portrayal (at least for the first part of the story), his USBC worship and actually receiving his POV as he tries to communicate to West was a bit OTT weird.
• 
  Emily C.

  Charlotte, North Carolina is Gotham City reinvented--a place of murder, intrigue, and villains so foul they go by outrageous nicknames. Chief of Police Judy Hammer and her deputy Virginia West are two tough, sexy ladies for whom evildoers are no match. Andy Brazil is a hot young reporter desperate to get the scoop.
  
  While I enjoyed the exciting story, I don't think
  Patricia Cornwell is a great writer. She used a lot of incomplete sentences and had some odd phrasing. What's more, she struck me as sort of a misanthrope. Almost everyone except her heroes are miserable, petty and unattractive.
  
  And finally, I did not understand the villains motivations for committing such perverse acts. In the end he was just an angry, violent pimp on the streets, nothing more than a petty criminal. He reminded me of a cartoon villain, the kind that sit around, twirling their mustaches, reveling in their badness. In my experience, people are rarely like that. And when they are, it's not that interesting. Also, as an advocate of transgender people, I did not appreciate the author referring to the criminal as "it" rather than he or she.
  
  All in all, I'd say Cornwell has a gift for creating a gripping story that moves along at a snappy pace. However, the story is more like a movie than a great piece of literature.
• 
  Kelly

  What is up with this new series? It's stupid! The characters are ludicrous - simple minded and stupid.
• 
  Joanna

  Why didn't this one start "Once upon a time ..."? Everything clicked together too smoothly and characters were mostly stereotypes and paperthin.
• 
  Lisa

  My disappointment in this book might be tainted by the fact I really enjoyed the Scarpetta Series and was hoping to find another Patricia Cornwell series I could relish... sadly, I don't think I will be reading any more of this as I didn't really find interest in the characters or plot lines :(
• 
  María (NefertitiQueen)

  Llevo muchos años leyendo las novelas de Patricia Cornwell. La serie de novelas protagonizadas por la doctora forense Scarpetta, forma parte de mis lecturas en cuanto salen al mercado.
  En esta ocasión, he leído la primera novela de la serie "Andy Brazil". No tiene nada que ver con la serie de Scarpetta. Me ha parecido una novela un poco lenta, y con menos atractivo e intriga que las de la doctora Scarpetta. De todas formas, es una novela agradable y entretenida para leer, y en la que las mujeres son grandes protagonistas, además del periodista Andy Brazil. Las relaciones entre la policía y la prensa se ponen en primer plano en esta trama, que se desarrolla en la ciudad de Charlotte, donde un asesino trae de cabeza a los investigadores de los crímenes cometidos por ese individuo. Como ya he dicho, una novela entretenida, aunque le falta algo para llegar al nivel de las de la serie Scarpetta.
• 
  Procyon Lotor

  Cosa pu� succedere a non leggere le recensioni. il nido dei calabroni, preso all'epoca al buio supponendo che fosse il decimo con Kay Scarpetta. In sintesi: forti desideri di metterci sopra il culo dell'Autrice a vedere se si sveglia. L'Atroce Autrice nomina i personaggi di questa serie parallela per disadatti come "Giuditta Martello" e "Andrea Brasile"! Non sazia di una scelta da TV-movie in replica su canale regionale nella notte dopo Ferragosto, cala il suo asso col vicecomandante Virginia West che lavorando in West Virginia, � come se il capo dei vigili di Bologna fosse una signora di nome Emilia Romagna. ========== No mercy! ========== Il ridicolo ha trapassato gli argini e ho chiuso per sempre. Attenti che con questi negletti tre ne ha scritti altri. Questo per quanto riguarda il libro, ma nel frattempo la topica mi ha allertato su un rischio Cornwell, ha, diciamo cos� alzato il cane dalla pistola e dopo qualche altro Kay ho smesso anche con questi. Il motivo? Semplicemente che i personaggi della serie Scarpetta diventavano sempre pi� macchiette o bandiere di un movimento. La nipote del GLB talmente GLB da far sospettare che se Leonardo fosse stato etero avrebbe certamente finito la sua carriera al Conad, Marino del politically correct, in quanto maschio di mezz'et� deve essere un lurido pasticcione alcoolizzato e in via di rincoglionimeno progressivo aterosclerotico da tabacco e colesterolo, Kay dei depressi violenti P&P: Pistole e Pastiglie (ce n'� milioni negli USA: si costruiscono un immagine orribile del mondo guardandone solo la merda, con questa giustificazione incominciano a comprare armi in quantit� da sopperire almeno a livello di plotone, poi siccome l'orrore e la paranoia in dosi massive non sono sopportabili da tutti, si ingozzano di psicofarmaci in dosi parimenti) Vostra zia, si proprio QUELLA, negli USA si aggirerebbe probabilmente con due 357 magnum caricate con proiettili speciali strafatta di un coctktail di benzoanfecicloqualcosa. Sento che state stracciando la carta verde. Quando una americana assomiglia ai bassorilievi cinesi dove il popolo si sagoma (sorridendo compostamente) a freccia verso il progresso sotto lo sguardo benevolo del grande timoniere � tempo d'andarsene.
• 
  Marianne

  I read the 3 Andy Brazil books against advice from more than one person. I wanted to see for myself if they really were that bad. I liked the Scarpetta books (although I thought that the endings of some of those books were too rushed, too contrived). The Andy Brazil books are nothing like those! Hornet's Nest is probably the best of the three, although the characters are shallow and unconvincing and the plot is weak and implausible. There is some humour and some sexual tension which is frustrating for lack of relief. 5/10. Southern Cross degenerates from this. Ms Cornwell seems to be having fun at our expense, but the result isn't really funny or vaguely satisfying. 3/10. Isle of Dogs, well, how much lower can you go? What were you thinking, Ms Cornwell? Or what drugs were you on? This book was ridiculous! I persisted to the end of these books because I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Not sure why I bothered. Even if one reads these as tongue-in-cheek romps through the workings of a Police Dept, the final book is hugely disappointing. 1/10. Scarpetta fans who pay full price for these books will feel angry and very much cheated. Luckily I bought mine 2nd hand. Readers whose first taste of Cornwell is one of these books will never buy another. Whatever you do, don't pay full price for these books!