I have read all her books and like many serial authors,Cornwell seems to feel she must include either devient sex or outrageous language.This book doesen't come close to the way people act.Three examples come to mind:the secretary suffering the loss of a husband but unable to carry on after the loss of a shopkeeper,Marino's absolute stupidity in Europe and Kay's mourning over her loss for a year.Her whole department suffers because she is in never-never land.It is too bad that she doesen't have some intellegent everyday chacters because her topic,a female medical examener, is wonderful.This will be the last Patricia Cornwell I will read