ABOUT THE BOOK
Autopsies can reveal the secrets of the dead. And this victim is sending Scarpetta a message…
Summoned to an abandoned theme park to retrieve a body, Dr. Kay Scarpetta is devastated to learn that the victim is a man she once had an intense love affair with.
The murder scene is bizarre, with a crop circle of petals around the body, and Giordano’s skin is strangely red. Scarpetta’s niece Lucy believes he was dropped from an unidentified flying craft. Scarpetta knows an autopsy can reveal the dead’s secrets, but she is shocked to find her friend seems to have deliberately left her a clue.
As the investigators are torn between suspicions of otherworldly forces, and of Giordano himself, Scarpetta detects an explanation closer to home that, in her mind, is far more evil…
MY REVIEW
What do a dead seven-year-old girl and a dead “ET Whisperer” have in common? It’s none other than Kay Scarpetta, forensic pathologist. In this mystery, a young girl is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and Scarpetta’s investigation leads her to a connection with the loss of an old friend. As she digs deeper, Scarpetta uncovers a web of deception connecting high-profile personalities to dark, hidden secrets.
Cornwell has a knack for weaving together multiple storylines, and this one is no exception. This latest adventure introduces us to a chilling story where an old friend is brutally murdered, forcing Kay to confront not only evil, deranged millionaires and vengeful colleagues but also navigate through themes of grief, betrayal, and conspiracy. As Kay delves deeper into the case, she must grapple with the personal loss and uncertainty that grief brings, all while a web of betrayal unfolds around her. Scarpetta’s interactions with the high-power millionaire and grieving father of the girl she was autopsying further intensify the suspense. Between the tragedies and the threats, Kay Scarpetta finds herself in danger, navigating a world where everyone seems to have an agenda, driven by their own hidden motives.
I remember a time when I absolutely couldn’t get enough of these books. I was utterly hooked on Scarpetta’s adventures and the way Cornwell seamlessly weaved forensic science into thrilling plots. It was a combo that felt fresh and exciting. I hoped to recapture that old excitement, but I ended up feeling a bit let down. It’s been a while since I read a book in this series, and I wanted it to win me over again. The plot is confusing. Mixing in UFOs, an old amusement park, child abuse, and some space dust just feels all over the place. It really pulls you away from Kay’s emotional journey and the unfolding investigation. The magic of the earlier books just wasn’t there for me this time, even though I really wanted it to be.
Yet, what’s a Scarpetta novel without her trusty crew? As always, she relies on her tight circle of friends and family, including the ever-reliable head of investigations, Pete Marino, who can’t help but be grumpy; her tech-savvy niece, Lucy Farinelli, who is reliable and professional; and her husband, Benton Wesley, a Secret Service threat analyst, who gives his unwavering support. Their camaraderie shows the importance of support in times of chaos.
So, while this latest adventure didn’t ignite the old flame I had for the series, it might still deliver some thrills for other die-hard fans. Here’s hoping the next installment leans more into the suspense I’ve been missing!
Thank you to Ms. Cornwell for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Kay Scarpetta Series
2 Body of Evidence (1991)
3 All That Remains (1992)
4 Cruel and Unusual (1993)
5 The Body Farm (1994)
6 From Potter’s Field (1995)
7 Cause of Death (1996)
8 Unnatural Exposure (1997)
9 Point of Origin (1998)
9.5 Scarpetta’s Winter Table (1998)
10 Black Notice (1999)
11 The Last Precinct (2000)
12 Blow Fly (2001)
13 Trace (2004)
14 Predator (2005)
15 Book of the Dead (2007)
16 Scarpetta (2008)
17 The Scarpetta Factor (2008)
18 Port Mortuary (2010)
19 Red Mist (2011)
20 The Bone Bed (2012)
21 Dust (2013)
22 Flesh and Blood (2014)
23 Depraved Heart (2015)
24 Chaos (2016)
25 Autopsy (2021)
26 Livid (2022)
27 Unnatural Death (2023)
28 Identity Unknown (2024)
29 Sharp Force (2025)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990 while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Postmortem, was the first bona fide forensic thriller. It paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring in all things forensic across film, television and literature.
Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers.
Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Celebrating 25 years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.
Fox 2000 bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta. Working with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg to develop the film and find Scarpetta a home on the big screen.
After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer.
Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.
When not writing from her Boston home, Patricia tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary: Patricia co-founded of the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums. She appears as a forensic consultant on CNN and serves as a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. She’s helped fund the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities. Patricia is also committed to funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.”
Follow Patricia on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and Twitter.
