Review: Quantum by Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell’s newest novel, Quantum, features shades of the action and atmosphere her fans have loved in her Kay Scarpetta series, but for crime-thriller junkies, Captain Calli Chase is no Dr. Kay Scarpetta. On the flip side, however, Quantum may be very appealing to a thriller-reader that leans toward sci-fi.

As the events in Quantum take place primarily within NASA, this clearly well-researched book is very science-heavy. Perhaps it is even too science-heavy for a lot of readers. The science and technology almost get in the way of the storytelling at times. Between the acronyms and abbreviations, more than once I had to go back and re-read a previous chapter to understand what was going on.

Cornwell’s long-time fans will recognise her talent for jumping immediately into action. From page one, the reader is drawn into the space and time of the characters, as Cornwell wastes no time getting the reader oriented into the story. The claustrophobic confines of the opening setting are fantastically described, to the point that readers may have to remind themselves to breathe normally.

For fans of feminist literature, or feminist themes in literature, it is worth noting that there isn’t a male character present, or maybe even mentioned, in the story until almost ten chapters in. It isn’t commented on, it is never brought up by any character, but it stood out enough for me to notice. Perhaps it is most noticeable (and remarkable) because we are reading about current and former military officers, investigators, physicists, and other scientists, and to have all these roles filled by women (not throughout the book, just the first ones that we meet) was subtle, but impactful.

There is also a significant portion of the book that focuses on the forensic examination of a scene that may or may not be an actual crime scene. With Cornwell’s background on a medical examiner’s staff, and her previous 24 books in the Scarpetta Series, it is no wonder that the portion of the book focused on forensics would be a stand-out.

What is most disappointing about this book, however, is that it is clearly the first in a new series. As such, it is left at something of a cliffhanger ending. Some readers will be excited by that and be anxiously awaiting the next in the series, which is titled Spin. Other readers will unfortunately be turned off by the lack of a conclusion and not be interested in continuing the series, partly for fear that each book in the series will do the same. It feels manipulative, and even when enjoying a series, most readers want each book in that series to be able to stand-alone.

In addition, as a lover of audiobooks, I hate to ever speak negatively about them. But I would not recommend Quantum in its audio format.  There are several occasions in the story where Captain Chase’s memories come to the forefront. In the printed book, these memories are italicised so it is clear what is going on. The audiobook, however, makes no real distinction and it can get very confusing.

For lovers of thrillers that tend toward sci-fi, who are looking to get started on a brand new series, Quantum may be a very good choice. Otherwise, it is a book with some really great parts, but frustrating overall.

Quantum is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up Quantum? Tell us in the comments below!

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Synopsis | Goodreads

International bestselling author Patricia Cornwell delivers pulse-pounding thrills in a series featuring a brilliant and unusual new heroine, cutting-edge cybertechnology, and stakes that are astronomically high.

On the eve of a top secret space mission, Captain Calli Chase detects a tripped alarm in the tunnels deep below a NASA research center. A NASA pilot, quantum physicist, and cybercrime investigator, Calli knows that a looming blizzard and government shutdown could provide the perfect cover for sabotage, with deadly consequences.

As it turns out, the danger is worse than she thought. A spatter of dried blood, a missing security badge, a suspicious suicide—a series of disturbing clues point to Calli’s twin sister, Carme, who’s been MIA for days.

Desperate to halt the countdown to disaster and to clear her sister’s name, Captain Chase digs deep into her vast cyber security knowledge and her painful past, probing for answers to her twin’s erratic conduct. As time is running out, she realizes that failure means catastrophe—not just for the space program but for the safety of the whole nation.

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