Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: Not up to her usual standards

Patricia Cornwell is not up to her usual standards in Southern Cross. Her characters are shallow, so the reader doesn't get to know them. Unfortunately the reader also has no desire to know the characters or even like them. The plot and story line are too contrived and don't pull you in. I trudged through this book believing it would get better. The end has no suspense, it's something that a high school Freshman would contrive for a short story assignment. (I know I teach high school.) As for the pet angle, leave it to Lillian Jackson Braun who does a much better job. You'll be better off to stick to reading books in the Kay Scarpetta series. They are witty, with interesting characters you like knowing, and the suspense will keep you up reading all night.