Books by Patricia Cornwell

Re: Did anyone else find the book Scarpetta edited not so well?

by BazzaDarwin on Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:08 pm

But who's saying things such as "let's don't"? Is it just a Marino-ism? Kay herself has said somewhere his butchering (or some such phrase) of the English language frustrates her.

One phrase I'm intrigued with is "I don't guess". Is this unique to America/Virginia? It's not just Marino who uses it as Kay has also come up with it once or twice. Like fenderjazz I'm not American (I'm Australian), so maybe this is just a phrase I haven't come across down under.

Re: Did anyone else find the book Scarpetta edited not so well?

by Lenkster on Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:50 am

Yes yes yes I tend to agree with the lot of ya, and constructive criticism can never hurt. However LET'S DON'T .....LOL what I meant to say I enjoy the books soooo much, frankly I don't realy care. LOL I can see Docmon why it can irratate you so much though given that you are an editor. Luckily I have not got that problem....LOL I have to spell check everything I write on Microsoft Works.........Ha ha ha. LOL And you will probably find a lot of mistakes in these sentences. I have got an excuse though cos my native language is not english. LOL

Re: Did anyone else find the book Scarpetta edited not so well?

by fenderjazz on Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:23 pm

No you are not the only person to have noticed this. I remember thinking the same thing while reading the last few novels. For example, in Black Notice and The Last Precinct Jay Talley is described as being dark and handsome with brown eyes and then in Blow Fly he is described as blond with bleu eyes. Weird!! I agree Scarpetta was so repeatative. I also think there were some parts that could have been taken out completely, though that is subjective.

Quote ---"I'll add here a question I've been wondering for the last few books: What's with Cornwell's habit in recent books of using "let's don't"? Is that even a phrase? I don't think it's grammatically correct."

Yes!!! I noticed this too, I remember this as far back as Blow Fly and has always irritated me because I'm sure it's not right. I have never heard anyone say this. Then I am Canadian, so do people say "let's don't" in the USA? It seems every character is saying things like "let's don't get into this" when to me proper grammar would be "let's NOT get into this".

Re: Did anyone else find the book Scarpetta edited not so well?

by Denmark on Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:24 pm

I have noticed and been so annoyed at the let's don't... You can't say that!!! ;-)

I have also noticed several flaws with the proofing of these books as well - Anna Zenner suddenly being Anna Zimmer... I guess that's to be expected when you are cranking out a book a year (albeit very good books)... Cornwell is reputed to work on her book almost till they go to press and have even pushed a publishing date before, so maybe they just don't have time to proof and edit thoroughly...

Re: Did anyone else find the book Scarpetta edited not so well?

by Sasha on Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:21 am

Wow, Docmon.

I hadn't noticed that. I found it heavy-going but I suspect that's because I couldn't wait for the paperback to come out. I'll have to review it for typos. Still, if they're there, they are nothing compared to the typos in Agatha Christie novels. In her case, I agree with your theory that either authors become more complacent or editors less pedantic about these things. I don't think it matters too much - since neither author touts herself as essential reading for schools or English Literature at University. I'm sure if the story lines got a little too predictable or pedestrian, readers would vote with their feet. Having said all that, I can certainly understand that you find it irritating given your professional background! Also, I'm sure Ms Cornwell would appreciate these errors being drawn to her attention. She appears to be a perfectionist! You might consider writing a note to the administrator of this site. You could attach your CV for information! :-)

Kind regards
Sasha

Did anyone else find the book Scarpetta edited not so well?

by docmon on Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:35 pm

Perhaps because I am an editor, these things pop out at me. But I noticed not only more typos than usual (there's always one), but a need for more editing in general. I am as big a fan of the Scarpetta series as anyone here. But the writing seemed to need another look in many places. I found myself asking myself "Didn't I just read the same thing two pages ago?" The worst was when a character's name was misspelled! That is inexcusable, I'm sorry. I think that perhaps when authors get to a certain level, their editors may give them more leeway. But editors do the author and readers a disservice when they give too much, and neglect to do full editing and proofing through every pass.

I'll add here a question I've been wondering for the last few books: What's with Cornwell's habit in recent books of using "let's don't"? Is that even a phrase? I don't think it's grammatically correct. Her editor needs to pay more attention. Let hope he or she did for the newest book coming out.