The Front by Patricia Cornwell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Front
Book Review: "It's never too late for justice."
Summary: 2 Stars
Patricia Cornwell's "The Front" is the second in a series featuring thirty-four year old Massachusetts state homicide investigator Win (Gernimo) Garano. Win's nemesis is egocentric and obnoxious Middlesex County District Attorney Monique Lamont. She relishes every opportunity to manipulate and humiliate Win, in spite of the fact that he once saved her life. Lamont comes up with a preposterous project for Win, as part of a public relations ploy "to take back our neighborhoods" and "to create a model that will be studied everywhere." Garano's task is to unearth information on an unsolved sexual homicide that took place in 1962: A blind British citizen named Janie Brolin was raped and strangled in Watertown, Massachusetts. Could she have been the Boston strangler's first victim? Win resents Lamont for expecting him to reopen a forty-five year old case. To make matters worse, Lamont has invited New Scotland Yard's Detective Superintendent to get involved.
Lamont further suggests that Win enlist the aid of a Watertown cop nicknamed Stump (her nickname is unrelated to the fact that she has worn a prosthesis since her leg was amputated below the knee). Stump wants no part of the Brolin case, and she tells Win to do his own dirty work for Lamont. It seems that Lamont and Stump detest one another and Stump has not found it in her heart to forgive Monique for her past transgressions. Stump also fears that Monique wants to destroy a growing coalition called FRONT (Friends, Resources, Officers Networking Together), consisting of sixty police departments cooperating and pooling their resources. Stump urges Win to find a way to get out from under Lamont's thumb.
This book is irritating in so many ways: Cornwell's artificial use of the present tense is grating. The loosely constructed plot is lame and nonsensical. The story wanders down different paths that never fully converge, and none of the characters are satisfactorily developed. As in the first novel of the series, "At Risk," Win is devoted to his eccentric Nana, the charming and superstitious psychic who raised him. Stump is a hard-bitten and tough cop who may have secret feelings for Win. In spite of her efforts to make him angry, Win is turned on by Stump's mind and physical beauty. Unfortunately, Cornwell does not establish a believable relationship between these two. They constantly exchange insults and juvenile banter, like a pair of squabbling siblings. In addition, a story line that has Lamont under suspicion for aiding terrorists is nothing short of outlandish. Adding to the absurdity, Win experiences a brainstorm that enables him to solve the Brolin case as if by magic. It is almost as if he has inherited Nana's second sight. "The Front" is a weak effort by Cornwell; it is insubstantial, lacks cohesion and pace, and never picks up enough steam to hold the reader's interest.
Book Review: A #1 Best Seller!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Front" with it's masterful plotting and captivating storyline is Cornwell at her best. Win and Lamont are great characters and wait until you meet Stump! NO ONE beats Cornwell at crafting exciting characters. This is a rapid page turner that I could not put down. The thrilling twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss this one. It is one of those great reads you can't wait to find out what happens but, yet you hate for it to end. We need more books like "The Front". This is the summer read that everyone will be talking about.
I hope this series never ends!
Book Review: A Bestseller for All of the Right Reasons!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is SUCH a treat to have another Patricia Cornwell novel on the market so soon after her latest Scarpetta page-turner, BOOK OF THE DEAD.
Now that I've read THE FRONT, I highly recommend it! Win Garano, the attractive, stylish, yet down-to-earth, detective is inexplicably assigned a sexual homicide case by his opportunistic, sexy boss, Monique Lamont, the Middlesex County D.A.
Garano says the Massachusetts case isn't just cold, it's frozen, and he hates being used by Lamont to promote her hidden political agenda. And why is Scotland Yard brought into the mix? As he carefully reviews old case files in the small town near Boston where the murder occurred, Garano is assisted by a smart, scrappy, crime scene analyst, Stump, and sparks begin to fly . . . This is a great summertime mystery by the unsurpassed storyteller and forensic science expert, Patricia Cornwell. What could be better!
Book Review: A Fresh Twist for Patricia Cornwell
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Front" following on from "At Risk"-- State Investigator Win Garano is at the beck and call of his boss ,rich,selfish and beautiful District Attorney Monique Lamont.
As in "At Risk" she again orders him to solve a case going back many years, putting both their lives in jeopardy to further her career, Win knowing he will get no thanks from her.
Interesting charactors along the way include Stump and Raggedy Anne.I enjoyed his Nana and Miss Dog again.Every page so full of action, twists and turns.Patricia Cornwell again in top form.
Book Review: A Great New Detective Series
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know how Patricia Cornwell is able to continually create characters that immediately capture their audience. This new cast of characters are as interesting and individual as those in her Scarpetta series. I actually prefer these two new novellas,(The Front and At Risk), because while they are "edge of your seat" types of books,with plenty of crime solving these two books are less grim than Predator and Book of the Dead.
The Front provides more insight into Win, Nana and Lamont while introducing a new detective, Stump. I enjoyed Nana's character the most as she is eccentric, loving and to many may seem a little crazy. Humor sprinkled throughout the continually twisting plot was entertaining and much like other Cornwell books. I recommend this book to everyone!