– Kay Scarpetta, medical examiner, finds herself drawn into another bizarre murder case. Oscar Bane is the main suspect, but has willingly admitted himself into a New York physciatric hospital, the Bellevue, which just happens to be run by Benton Wesley, Scarpettas husband. So it comes as no surprise when he asks to be examined solely by Scarpetta. Why? The murder victim is his girlfriend, he strongly protests his innocence, in fact claims to have fought with the unknown assailant and believes Scarpetta is the only person who can help him... But is Oscar just completely nuts and insane? Patricia Cornwell is one of the most fascinated and original writers in the genre of crime and mystery, and I do enjoy reading the plots and characters she creates, although there are authors and books out there offering better reads than Cornwell's novels! Still, this is sharp and intelligent crime and thriller plot, and I do enjoy reading it! Good quality writing and a solid set of characters, can one really ask for more?

– Jeg har lest de fleste av Patricia Cornwells bøker om Kay Scarpetta, og synes stort sett de er blant de bedre krimbøkene som er. Denne er intet unntak, den skiller seg lite fra resten av bøkene hennes når det gjelder oppbygging og stil. Fordi Cornwell har både en rettsmedisiner, en psykolog og en politibetjent blant hovedkarakterene sine (for ikke å snakke om en Lisbeth Salander-minnende teknofreak) er det utrolig mange aspekter ved etterforskningen som kommer frem, selv om "eliteteam"-vinklingen kanskje går litt langt noen ganger. Kort oppsummert: Er man glad i krim er det en god sjanse for at man vil like denne, selv om det ikke (etter min mening) er i nærheten så spennende eller brennbart som for eksempel Stieg Larssons krim.