Breaking Up is Hard To Do

Dear Kay Scarpetta (aka Patricia Cornwell),

It is with great sadness that I write this.  You and I have been friends for a long time, since the beginning of your literary career, in fact.  I was there through all of the terrifying cases, through the death of your boyfriend Mark in the London tube bombing, through all the ups and downs with Benton Wesley.  Like you I mourned when he "died", and was confused, angry, and eventually joyful when he returned from the dead.  I worried along with you about your niece Lucy-so much anger and cunning in one so young, but we both know she has a good heart.  And Pete Marino-there is perhaps no one else that you (and I) have gone through so much with.  I would have thought that you two (three) would be there for each other until the very end.  I still can't believe that he tried to rape you...

Wait a minute-I really can't believe that he tried to rape you.  I mean, can't believe it as in "that is completely inconsistent with his character up to this point in a very long book series".  Looking back, I realize that this was the beginning of the end for us, Kay.  After that, too many things changed in your life and the arc of the books, and I just can't keep up.  Changing cities, changing jobs, Pete's dismissal to the periphery.  Not even making Lucy a more central character (I continue to love her, BTW-maybe she can get her own series?!?) is making me enjoy our relationship any longer.  When I tried to reconnect last week by reading The Scarpetta Factor, I couldn't even make it through the first 100 pages.

So, after 20 years, I'm breaking up with you.  I will always remember the good times we've shared, collecting clues and catching bad guys.  But it seems we've grown apart, want different things now.  Good luck in your new job in New York City, or wherever else your author sends you.  I'd like to say that I'll keep in touch, but I think we both know that would be a lie.

Love always,
Heather