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Kay Scarpetta #27
Unnatural Death: A Scarpetta Novel
Two mauled bodies in the woods. Top secret autopsies. The most chilling cases of Scarpetta’s career.
In this thrilling new installment of Patricia Cornwell’s #1 bestselling Scarpetta series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement.
The victims have been savaged beyond recognition, and other evidence is terrifying and baffling, including a larger-than-life footprint.
After one of the most frightening body retrievals of her career, Scarpetta must discover who would commit murders this savage, and why.
In this thrilling new installment of Patricia Cornwell’s #1 bestselling Scarpetta series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement.
The victims have been savaged beyond recognition, and other evidence is terrifying and baffling, including a larger-than-life footprint.
After one of the most frightening body retrievals of her career, Scarpetta must discover who would commit murders this savage, and why.
432 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2023
3516 people are currently reading
11169 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Cornwell
194 books19.6k followersPatricia 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.”
Social and Digital Outlets
http://www.patriciacornwell.com
https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...
https://twitter.com/1pcornwell
https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/
Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |
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.”
Social and Digital Outlets
http://www.patriciacornwell.com
https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...
https://twitter.com/1pcornwell
https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/
Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,253 reviews
December 6, 2023
For a while, Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series had gotten offtrack. In the last installment, it felt much stronger, and once again, she packed a powerful punch in her latest release, Unnatural Death. History comes flying forward with a blast from the past torturing our main characters. Toss in the normal dark deathly explorations of autopsies and medical thriller plotlines, and you've got a winner. Love the way Scarpetta's staff is always a bit off their rockers, and the villains find evil ways to kill people. Scary in a "what is the world coming to" way, but also a good way to just revel in something that likely can't really happen, right? That's the best part of these books, as they push the envelope, but reality may be moving in this direction. I think fans will enjoy this one... and I look forward to the next one even more now.
November 27, 2023
Having a new Kay Scarpetta book to read is once again an annual autumn treat. This one was a bit slow to get going, but the last half more than made up for it. Here are four things I loved:
👍The forensic clues at the scene and in the lab
👍Kay and Marino are working together like a well-oiled machine
👍A Sasquatch footprint?
👍Lucy is a huge help to her Aunt Kay
👎There is a substantial narrative regarding an alt right wing group allowing way too much politic into the narrative.
Thank you to Grand Central and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
👍The forensic clues at the scene and in the lab
👍Kay and Marino are working together like a well-oiled machine
👍A Sasquatch footprint?
👍Lucy is a huge help to her Aunt Kay
👎There is a substantial narrative regarding an alt right wing group allowing way too much politic into the narrative.
Thank you to Grand Central and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2023
The best I can say about this book is that some other readers really enjoyed it. I fell into the group that did not. It was a sluggish read with parts of it written to simply fill out the requirements for the length of a novel (three pages to describe the inside of the helicopter as an example). The storyline had potential, but the several of the characters were annoying and the written was less than what I expected. Several reviewers indicated that her early books were much better and some long time readers indicated that this would be the last one they read as the author has been on a steady downward spiral.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.
January 29, 2025
3.5 stars
In this 27th book in the 'Kay Scarpetta' series, the medical examiner's latest case involves two victims suspected of cybercrimes. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a bonus.
*****
Dr. Kay Scarpetta is once again the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, but the situation isn't ideal. Scarpetta's morgue facilities need an upgrade and she'd like to get better security guards.
In addition, the governor of Virginia recently created the 'redundant and ridiculous' Department of Emergency Prevention (DEP), with offices in the morgue building. Worse yet, the woman in charge of DEP operations, Maggie Cutbush, badmouths Kay every chance she gets.
As the story opens, two homicide victims have been found in Buckingham Run, a Virginia wilderness area near an abandoned gold mine.
The deceased are thought to be a married couple named Huck and Brittany Manson, who were being investigated by the government for cybercrimes in conjunction with Russia and China. The Mansons, who live near Buckingham Run, have been camping in the wilderness area for months, presumably to evade surveillance by the authorities.
Scarpetta needs to get to Buckingham Run ASAP, to examine and retrieve the bodies. Buckingham Run is completely overgrown, however, so Scarpetta gets a a ride on the Doomsday Bird helicopter flown by Kay's niece Lucy - a secret service agent.
The Doomsday Bird chopper landing on morgue grounds draws a crowd, and DEP manager Maggie Cutbush loudly comments about privilege and nepotism and the like, to try to inflame the public against Kay.
After some harrowing maneuvers in a cave and on a lake, the Mansons' bodies are recovered. Looking at the evidence, Scarpetta and her forensics officer, Pete Marino, determine that the attack on the couple was almost inexplicable.
The Mansons had security cameras along the path to their campsite, and were heavily armed themselves. Nevertheless - though the attacker made a lot of noise - the security cameras DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, and the Mansons were mowed down in an EXTREMELY vicious manner.
To add to the enigma, Marino discovers a huge footprint in a cave at the crime scene, which he interprets as the print of a Sasquatch. Marino, who attends Bigfoot conventions and the like, is very serious about the possibility of a Sasquatch living in the region.
Scarpetta does autopsies on both Huck and Brittany Manson, and makes discoveries that interest the Secret Service and other government agencies.
Kay's husband, Benton Wesley, an FBI profiler, weighs in as well, and helps the authorities investigate the murders.
In the course of the story, Kay and Marino also learn that an old enemy is active once more.....and this is a VERY DANGEROUS FOE.
The story is heavy with technical details, such as the extensive preflight checklist for the Doomsday Bird helicopter, the flight to Buckingham Run, securing the chopper after landing, and so on. There are also comprehensive descriptions of the Mansons' autopsies, including preparation of the autopsy trailer (used for special cases), as well as discussions of X-rays, cutting, sawing, stomach contents, injuries, etc. This kind of business takes up about a quarter of the book.
Various interesting characters make an appearance in the story, including: Kay's morgue assistant Fabian - a stylish young man with big ambitions;
Kay's sister Dorothy - a flamboyant woman who always tries to snoop into Kay's business;
police investigator Blaise Fruge - a capable detective who's worked with Kay before;
anthropologist Cate Kingston - a Sasquatch expert;
forensic examiner Faye Hanaday - who likes to bake elaborate cakes in her spare time; and more.
By the end of the book, the investigators figure out exactly what happened, and their conclusions have frightening implications.
An aspect of the book I like is the chitchat about food and wine; Kay - who has Italian ancestry - loves ethnic dishes, and the novel has scenes with delicious antipasto and homemade pizza. 🙂
I'm a fan of the Kay Scarpetta series, but I felt that it was going downhill for a long while. Recently, however, the books have gotten better, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Thanks to Netgalley, Patricia Cornwell, and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
January 5, 2024
Sorry. But this is possibly the most boringly detailed mundane book I have ever read and I generally like Patricia Cornwell books. I am at page 274, 66% through the book and literally nothing interesting has happened yet, except repetetive desultory dialogue and boring minutiae, think, "I opened up the packet and ate another protein bar." This 66% section of the book involves a portion of one day in Scarpetta land and all the the miniscule details therein. Reading about these several hours seems to take days and days since the plot is going nowhere, and the endless work related conversations are so boring and pointless. One sentence did grab my attention, only because it is so God-awful, "I was looking forward to making a simple pizza and opening a bottle of wine. Maybe a French burgundy that's complex while not drawing attention to itself."
This is the only notewrothy sentence so far in the book, and that is only because it so cringe-worthy.
If you want a book to put yourself to sleep, highly recommend.
This is the only notewrothy sentence so far in the book, and that is only because it so cringe-worthy.
If you want a book to put yourself to sleep, highly recommend.
March 6, 2024
After 30 years of loving this series, I'm done. I can't believe how bad this book was. Very little actually happened and the detail was painful. For the first hour of the audio book, Kay packs get stuff up to go to a scene. That's it! She has two overly detailed conversations on her way out that have nothing to do with anything. That's basically the premise of this book - too much detail that has nothing to do with anything. It feels like Patricia Cornwell is just showing of how much research she did for the book. There were only 2 bodies to autopsy and it took about 5 minutes. The rest of the book was all detail and set up to nothing. And as usual, the ending was rushed and the plot reveal was simply explained like an afterthought.
This series has been going down for years, but this latest installment really takes the cake as the worst one. I'm tired of the huge time spans between the books. Large events happen between books, like Kay getting married, Janet dying, and Lucy getting shot. I also can't stand the jaded culture references she makes, like cancel culture, covid, and politics. I want to escape the life BS by reading a book, not be immersed in it. I no longer even like Kay and her self righteousness, Lucy's arrogant immaturity, and Marino's crass attitude. Fuck this series.
This series has been going down for years, but this latest installment really takes the cake as the worst one. I'm tired of the huge time spans between the books. Large events happen between books, like Kay getting married, Janet dying, and Lucy getting shot. I also can't stand the jaded culture references she makes, like cancel culture, covid, and politics. I want to escape the life BS by reading a book, not be immersed in it. I no longer even like Kay and her self righteousness, Lucy's arrogant immaturity, and Marino's crass attitude. Fuck this series.
December 22, 2023
I’ve been a Scarpetta fan since day one. It pains me to say this, but it’s time for Scarpetta to retire. The first 130 pages are a snooze fest, blah. So disappointing to read the same old things about characters we’ve read in previous books. The plot is the same as the last few Scarpetta’s. So boring. Major disappointment.
December 9, 2023
I have not liked the most recent Kay Scarpetta novels, and this one continues the trend. The book is overlong and takes multiple pages to describe things that would take at most one page. And I do not see myself ever in the need to know exactly how to fly a helicopter. Her niece Lucy’s role in the book is superfluous. And now she is a Secret Service agent? Will she be part of NASA next? Scarpetta’s husband makes a short appearance in the book, mostly to include him. Marino’s character in the book is just lifted from the previous books. There is too much technology and futuristic technology involved in the plot to keep Scarpetta away from doing her real job as a medical examiner. I was more concerned about the cat, frankly.
November 13, 2023
This book frustrated me so much! Or maybe made me feel old? I want Dr Scarpetta medical examiner with some weird quirky case back. I don't like this one that has enemies at every turn, super techno gadgets, and dealing with international espionage. I can't even keep track of all the people who have some grudge against Kay, Benton, Lucy, and/or Marino. I particularly don't like something specific that happens in this book. If this is where the story is going, I will have to really think about whether I want to read future books in this series and this makes me sad.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
January 22, 2024
I have always enjoyed Scarpetta books in the past, but this one was a complete bore for me. The first part spent sooooooooo much time with details about Lucy’s helicopter and flight details. Why? What did it add to the story? Not a thing. I must admit that I skipped through a good bit of the center of this book and went to the last hundred pages. Even having skipped through so much, I had a hard time wading through the end. Lucy is no longer interesting at all, just a self-indulgent tech nerd with a sad past. Ummmm…so what? And who is Cornwell trying to impress with her needless mentions of expensive cars, foods, and such? I used to love Marino, but his marriage to Scarpetta sister Dorothy is beyond belief. And we are supposed to believe that Marino is now a Bigfoot believer? Oh, come on. There is so much more that annoyed me, but I won’t waste your time or mine detailing it all. At one time, I would have been waiting with bated breath for the next Scarpetta book, but not any more.
December 1, 2023
Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorite authors and I try to read as many of her books as I can. This is the 27th book in the Kay Scarpetta series, and it's a good one.
Description:
In this thrilling new installment of Patricia Cornwell’s #1 bestselling Scarpetta series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement.
The victims have been mauled beyond recognition, and other evidence is terrifying and baffling including a larger-than-life footprint.
After the most frightening body retrievals of her career, Scarpetta must discover who would commit murders this savage, and why.
My Thoughts:
The wilderness area where the bodies were found was really creepy. Kay is working with Marino again and he found a footprint on the site that he is convinced was a Sasquatch. What? He's very serious about it. Kay's niece Lucy plays a big part in this one. She's a big help to her Aunt Kay and has so much technical knowledge (as well as her own secrets). There a Russian angle in the plot too. As always with Cornwell's book there is a lot of technical language to wade through, but I like this because I always learn something. The plot kept my interest and there were some interesting twists and turns. I think anyone who likes a good investigation and medical forensics will enjoy the book.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
In this thrilling new installment of Patricia Cornwell’s #1 bestselling Scarpetta series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement.
The victims have been mauled beyond recognition, and other evidence is terrifying and baffling including a larger-than-life footprint.
After the most frightening body retrievals of her career, Scarpetta must discover who would commit murders this savage, and why.
My Thoughts:
The wilderness area where the bodies were found was really creepy. Kay is working with Marino again and he found a footprint on the site that he is convinced was a Sasquatch. What? He's very serious about it. Kay's niece Lucy plays a big part in this one. She's a big help to her Aunt Kay and has so much technical knowledge (as well as her own secrets). There a Russian angle in the plot too. As always with Cornwell's book there is a lot of technical language to wade through, but I like this because I always learn something. The plot kept my interest and there were some interesting twists and turns. I think anyone who likes a good investigation and medical forensics will enjoy the book.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
January 2, 2024
Oh how I loved Scarpetta in the past. Now I wish she would retire and get a hobby.
January 2, 2024
Many years ago, as a young adult, I read my first Kay Scarpetta book. That book revived my love for reading as an adult.
In this installment of this Scarpetta novel, we have Kay Scarpetta, Pete Marino, and Lucy who go out to a crime scene where campers were savagely murdered.
The hairs on the back of the terrors trios been begin to stand when they realize just who these campers are. In the surface, the couple looks like they were store owners when in reality, they were criminals who happened to be being investigated by none other than Kay's FBI husband Benton Wesley.
This book was riveting and had me glued to the book as I moved throughout my house getting things done.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
In this installment of this Scarpetta novel, we have Kay Scarpetta, Pete Marino, and Lucy who go out to a crime scene where campers were savagely murdered.
The hairs on the back of the terrors trios been begin to stand when they realize just who these campers are. In the surface, the couple looks like they were store owners when in reality, they were criminals who happened to be being investigated by none other than Kay's FBI husband Benton Wesley.
This book was riveting and had me glued to the book as I moved throughout my house getting things done.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
February 27, 2024
Always eager to get my hands on the Kay Scarpetta series, I grabbed for Patricia Cornwell’s latest. As Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Scarpetta has seen a great deal in her career. Nothing could have prepared her for the latest case, where two campers were mutilated in the forest. What Scarpetta discovers next both shocks and scares her. A figure from the past might be back and the case goes down many scary pathways in this thrilling novel. Cornwell does a wonderful job with this story and keeps the reader hooked until the very end.
When Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, ends up pushing through the wilderness in the northern part of the state, she could not predict what awaits her. Two campers have been significantly mutilated and their remains are the only sign of what happened. After Dr. Scarpetta realises that these two are wanted by federal law enforcement, the case takes on more of an eerie feel. Who knew they were here and what reason was there to completely obliterate these two?
A massive footprint by the bodies leave Dr. Scarpetta to wonder if a massive beast could have done the damage. However, the prints have a partial human nature to them, as others begin to ponder a Bigfoot perspective. Could something this... large have appeared to strike two notorious vigilantes? There are thermal cameras in the wooded area, tracking nature and flora, but nothing appears on screen. This only adds to the baffling nature of the case.
It is only later, when many federal agencies are involved, that Dr. Scarpetta learns that a criminal mastermind from her past is still around. Those closest to Dr. Scarpetta have known this and kept it from her, which only adds to the tension. As the case evolves, new worries surface, putting Dr. Scarpetta and those who care for her the most in the target of a ruthless killer. A chilling story that shows Patricia Cornwell is back on her game.
I have long enjoyed the writing of Patricia Cornwell and this lengthy series. The stories always enrich the reading experience, working with medical and social advances that place the reader in the middle of all the action. The narrative flow of this piece worked well and Cornwell keeps the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the experience. Strong characters help shape the story and provide the reader with an additional something to enjoy along the way. Character depth and description are on point here, as the story makes its move from simply a thriller to one the reader cannot stop reading.
Plot twists and turns throughout keep the story exciting, providing a move away from the linear experience. Cornwell knows how to weave a tale and uses her strong abilities to keep thing from getting too predictable. I am eager to see how this series will keep evolving, as it has for many years, with only a few novels that waned in their impact. Cornwell is an author well worth my time and I will keep an eye out for more in this collection.
Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for another great read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
When Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, ends up pushing through the wilderness in the northern part of the state, she could not predict what awaits her. Two campers have been significantly mutilated and their remains are the only sign of what happened. After Dr. Scarpetta realises that these two are wanted by federal law enforcement, the case takes on more of an eerie feel. Who knew they were here and what reason was there to completely obliterate these two?
A massive footprint by the bodies leave Dr. Scarpetta to wonder if a massive beast could have done the damage. However, the prints have a partial human nature to them, as others begin to ponder a Bigfoot perspective. Could something this... large have appeared to strike two notorious vigilantes? There are thermal cameras in the wooded area, tracking nature and flora, but nothing appears on screen. This only adds to the baffling nature of the case.
It is only later, when many federal agencies are involved, that Dr. Scarpetta learns that a criminal mastermind from her past is still around. Those closest to Dr. Scarpetta have known this and kept it from her, which only adds to the tension. As the case evolves, new worries surface, putting Dr. Scarpetta and those who care for her the most in the target of a ruthless killer. A chilling story that shows Patricia Cornwell is back on her game.
I have long enjoyed the writing of Patricia Cornwell and this lengthy series. The stories always enrich the reading experience, working with medical and social advances that place the reader in the middle of all the action. The narrative flow of this piece worked well and Cornwell keeps the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the experience. Strong characters help shape the story and provide the reader with an additional something to enjoy along the way. Character depth and description are on point here, as the story makes its move from simply a thriller to one the reader cannot stop reading.
Plot twists and turns throughout keep the story exciting, providing a move away from the linear experience. Cornwell knows how to weave a tale and uses her strong abilities to keep thing from getting too predictable. I am eager to see how this series will keep evolving, as it has for many years, with only a few novels that waned in their impact. Cornwell is an author well worth my time and I will keep an eye out for more in this collection.
Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for another great read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 27, 2023
If I've missed any books in this series over the years - this is the 27th - I'd be surprised. No surprise, then, that I consider Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta to be an old friend whose visits I look forward to. And to be sure, I enjoyed her company this time out. And while I won't reveal any secrets, I'm sure other loyal readers like me will be almost more surprised than the good doctor at the reemergence of a particularly nasty enemy.
Now based in Alexandria, Virginia, Scarpetta has, with the help of the governor, rid herself of a couple of cantankerous (make that downright dangerous) colleagues and starting to whip her lab into shape. Then, she gets called to a remote area to the north, where two campers have been savagely murdered - both impaled by ski poles, among other damages. Closer inspection reveals that they were killed by someone (or something) that has beyond-human capabilities.
Scarpetta and her chief investigator, Pete Marino, are joined by her Secret Service tech wizard niece Lucy, who flies in and out in a helicopter that does everything except make breakfast. While they're inspecting the crime scene and extricating the victims, Marino makes a discovery that chills his sole (and sends shivers down Scarpetta's back because of the possible repercussions).
When the victims are identified, it's learned that they were not the placid outdoor equipment store owners most folks thought they were; rather, they were criminals under investigation by law enforcement that includes Scarpetta's husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley. The rest of the story focuses on finding out who, or what, killed the couple and why - all the while trying to stay out of the crosshairs of someone who would like nothing better than to bring down Scarpetta and everyone she loves. It certainly held my attention throughout, and needless to say I'm already looking forward to the next installment. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
Now based in Alexandria, Virginia, Scarpetta has, with the help of the governor, rid herself of a couple of cantankerous (make that downright dangerous) colleagues and starting to whip her lab into shape. Then, she gets called to a remote area to the north, where two campers have been savagely murdered - both impaled by ski poles, among other damages. Closer inspection reveals that they were killed by someone (or something) that has beyond-human capabilities.
Scarpetta and her chief investigator, Pete Marino, are joined by her Secret Service tech wizard niece Lucy, who flies in and out in a helicopter that does everything except make breakfast. While they're inspecting the crime scene and extricating the victims, Marino makes a discovery that chills his sole (and sends shivers down Scarpetta's back because of the possible repercussions).
When the victims are identified, it's learned that they were not the placid outdoor equipment store owners most folks thought they were; rather, they were criminals under investigation by law enforcement that includes Scarpetta's husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley. The rest of the story focuses on finding out who, or what, killed the couple and why - all the while trying to stay out of the crosshairs of someone who would like nothing better than to bring down Scarpetta and everyone she loves. It certainly held my attention throughout, and needless to say I'm already looking forward to the next installment. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
February 22, 2024
Maybe I've outgrown this series and it's time we go our separate ways. I am not going to review any more Scarpetta novels after this one and I hope the series continues to find readers who love the new books the way I loved the earlier ones but after 27 novels, I just can't stomach the characters anymore.
Kay and her extended family have evolved into having the most unhealthy, enmeshed relationships and the Lucy storyline has become almost comical with it's ridiculous unbelievability. If you thought Marino couldn't be more intolerable then be prepared, he has become even more insufferable, as well as a Sasquatch fanatic.
The tone of the book is dark and depressing, beyond the requisite puzzling murders that need solving. The shift in these books has been to tighten the time span of the story and in this one it moves at glacial speed over the course of a day. Surely there is no way to solve these complicated, perplexing murders in a single day but in last 30 pages, things are all wrapped up murder-wise but not fully so as to pave the way for the next book.
In the past I would impatiently await the next installment and love every word. Now it feels more like an obligation to read the newest release and I don't experience the joy the prior books would elicit, so it seems the time has come for us to part ways. I wish you all the best in your future book endeavors Kay Scapetta
Kay and her extended family have evolved into having the most unhealthy, enmeshed relationships and the Lucy storyline has become almost comical with it's ridiculous unbelievability. If you thought Marino couldn't be more intolerable then be prepared, he has become even more insufferable, as well as a Sasquatch fanatic.
The tone of the book is dark and depressing, beyond the requisite puzzling murders that need solving. The shift in these books has been to tighten the time span of the story and in this one it moves at glacial speed over the course of a day. Surely there is no way to solve these complicated, perplexing murders in a single day but in last 30 pages, things are all wrapped up murder-wise but not fully so as to pave the way for the next book.
In the past I would impatiently await the next installment and love every word. Now it feels more like an obligation to read the newest release and I don't experience the joy the prior books would elicit, so it seems the time has come for us to part ways. I wish you all the best in your future book endeavors Kay Scapetta
December 30, 2023
Patricia Cornwell took a break for several years from her most popular character and bestselling series to write other books, but her eventual return to Chief Medical Examiner, Scarpetta, has not really worked very well. I have not been kind in my review of Patricia Cornwell’s last two Kay Scarpetta novels – 2021’s “Autopsy” and 2022’s “Livid”. I gave both 2-star ratings, which followed the same formula, lots of time spent on examining dead bodies, and less time on a mystery that suddenly gets resolved in the last 20 pages. I was hoping that “Unnatural Death” would not be strike three, and leave me wondering if it was time to give up on this series.
Then a funny thing happened… Cornwell’s 2023 outing - “Unnatural Death” – gave me a severe and surprise -filled schizophrenic reading experience. One with curveballs that I didn’t see coming.
Let me share that experience with you. And please be FOREWARNED, I am going to try my best to stay away from spoilers, but there will probably some light hints, so you will probably not be going to want to read further until you have finished the book for yourself. Your choice, but consider this my warning. In honor of the old Clint Eastwood classic spaghetti western, I am calling this my “Good, Bad, and the Ugly” review for reasons that will be apparent when you’re done reading it.
Last warning…. **Potential spoiler hints ahead** -
Just like her previous two novels outing, the structure of the novel was the same. Everything takes place over a period of less than 48 hours. It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience. I kid you not. Day 1 covers the first 376 pages, and Day 2 covers pages 377 – 406 (with an 11-page epilogue taking place 8-days later).
Pages 1 – 70: Scarpetta is preparing to leave her state medical examiner’s office to investigate the discovery of two dead bodies found in Buckingham Run, part of the Northern Virigina mountains. The Secret Service has taken over and Kay’s niece and agent, Lucy, is picking her up by helicopter and escorting her to the victims because of the hard to get to location. We get 30 pages of introductions and exposition, followed by 40 pages of a helicopter ride and more exposition.
Pages 71 – 156: Scarpetta collects the two dead bodies, a husband and wife, one floating in a lake and one in a pit, and performs her initial inspection of them and the murder scene, along with her inspector Marino, Lucy and her agent partner, Tron. This includes Marino finding and taking a mold of a potential Bigfoot print (yes, seriously), and other a helicopter ride back to the ME’s office.
Pages 157 – 230: Scarpetta performs the autopsy on both of the murdered victims and secrets begin to be revealed. BIG SECRETS. REALLY BIG SECREST! SERIOUSLY BIG SECRETS.
Pages 231 - 314: Scarpetta finishes things up at the office, more exposition on several subplots and clues that don’t seem to make a lot of sense at the time.
Pages 315 – 337: Scarpetta travels home and more exposition.
Pages 338 – 376: Scarpetta arrives at home, visits with her seriously self-esteemed sister, Dorothy, and Marino before finally crashing to sleep.
As I already mentioned, the remaining 42 pages covers a quickly thrown together ending that deserved more time spent on it, and a pretty complete prologue, which was better than Cornwell usually provides.
The reason that I share this outline is because it has been a repeated pattern for the last three Kay Scarpetta novels. It’s predictable and over-used by Cornwell, and contributes to some problems for the reader.
- Way too much time spent on the scientific research and medical work, which overwhelms and almost drowns out the overall story and mystery.
- There is no character development, growth, or change whatsoever. As I’ve noted in previous reviews, there hasn’t been any for many books now and no hint of change. Every key character – Scarpetta, Benton, Marino, Lucy, and Dorothy – are so predictable that they have become a caricature of themselves at this point.
- More importantly, the primary action and major plot developments occur outside of the primary characters and offstage from the reader. The core people involved are constantly informed of the key activities propelling the plot forward. As readers, we just exposition. A lot of it all throughout the book, telling us what happened off stage. However, the primary characters don’t actually experience the events first hand. They come in after those events and then react to what has already happened.
This is the good and the ugly. Now for the good…
This book was following the same pattern as the previous two, and I was seeing another 2-star rating coming as I struggled to keep reading as my enthusiasm was waning again. Then on page 181 things took a turn. A BIG TURN for the good. A SHOCKING and SURPRISING turn. One with a twist that had me thinking no, this cannot be true. It doesn’t work. But then, as Cornwell laid out her story in a well thought out and structured foundation, the pieces fit together much better than I expected. The tension was increased immensely and the drama elevated. I was reminded of some of the best twists from the cable spy thriller series “Homeland” when it was hitting the high mark of quality.
Suddenly, the rest of the book had my interest and attention. What made it even better was that Cornwell did not ruin this excellent plot development, she built on it in a good way. All of the various clues and subplots included throughout the book came together beautifully. Although the ending was rushed (which has never been a Cornwell strength), all of the pieces actually connected well and brought everything together for a cohesive story and culminating conclusion. I was especially surprised that the Prologue made sense of everything and provided excellent closure (which is another Cornwell weakness). This was one of her best wrap up jobs in my opinion.
Overall, Cornwell did something that I didn’t expect. To use a sports analogy, she upped her game. Even with the bad and the ugly, when she is good, she can be very good. She provided a solid mystery that was layered and even stretched the characters in ways that I didn’t see coming. My hats off on that.
So, to wrap up this schizophrenic read, here’s my schizophrenic rating calculation:
First 180 pages – 2 stars.
The rest of the book – 4 stars.
The unexpected plot twist and strong mystery with a complete ending - + 1 star
Overall rating – 3.5 stars (averaged out and bumped up since Goodreads doesn’t round)
For the first time in a very long time, I will say this. I cannot wait for the next Scarpetta next year and the renewed conflict that lies ahead… Bring it on…
Then a funny thing happened… Cornwell’s 2023 outing - “Unnatural Death” – gave me a severe and surprise -filled schizophrenic reading experience. One with curveballs that I didn’t see coming.
Let me share that experience with you. And please be FOREWARNED, I am going to try my best to stay away from spoilers, but there will probably some light hints, so you will probably not be going to want to read further until you have finished the book for yourself. Your choice, but consider this my warning. In honor of the old Clint Eastwood classic spaghetti western, I am calling this my “Good, Bad, and the Ugly” review for reasons that will be apparent when you’re done reading it.
Last warning…. **Potential spoiler hints ahead** -
Just like her previous two novels outing, the structure of the novel was the same. Everything takes place over a period of less than 48 hours. It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience. I kid you not. Day 1 covers the first 376 pages, and Day 2 covers pages 377 – 406 (with an 11-page epilogue taking place 8-days later).
Pages 1 – 70: Scarpetta is preparing to leave her state medical examiner’s office to investigate the discovery of two dead bodies found in Buckingham Run, part of the Northern Virigina mountains. The Secret Service has taken over and Kay’s niece and agent, Lucy, is picking her up by helicopter and escorting her to the victims because of the hard to get to location. We get 30 pages of introductions and exposition, followed by 40 pages of a helicopter ride and more exposition.
Pages 71 – 156: Scarpetta collects the two dead bodies, a husband and wife, one floating in a lake and one in a pit, and performs her initial inspection of them and the murder scene, along with her inspector Marino, Lucy and her agent partner, Tron. This includes Marino finding and taking a mold of a potential Bigfoot print (yes, seriously), and other a helicopter ride back to the ME’s office.
Pages 157 – 230: Scarpetta performs the autopsy on both of the murdered victims and secrets begin to be revealed. BIG SECRETS. REALLY BIG SECREST! SERIOUSLY BIG SECRETS.
Pages 231 - 314: Scarpetta finishes things up at the office, more exposition on several subplots and clues that don’t seem to make a lot of sense at the time.
Pages 315 – 337: Scarpetta travels home and more exposition.
Pages 338 – 376: Scarpetta arrives at home, visits with her seriously self-esteemed sister, Dorothy, and Marino before finally crashing to sleep.
As I already mentioned, the remaining 42 pages covers a quickly thrown together ending that deserved more time spent on it, and a pretty complete prologue, which was better than Cornwell usually provides.
The reason that I share this outline is because it has been a repeated pattern for the last three Kay Scarpetta novels. It’s predictable and over-used by Cornwell, and contributes to some problems for the reader.
- Way too much time spent on the scientific research and medical work, which overwhelms and almost drowns out the overall story and mystery.
- There is no character development, growth, or change whatsoever. As I’ve noted in previous reviews, there hasn’t been any for many books now and no hint of change. Every key character – Scarpetta, Benton, Marino, Lucy, and Dorothy – are so predictable that they have become a caricature of themselves at this point.
- More importantly, the primary action and major plot developments occur outside of the primary characters and offstage from the reader. The core people involved are constantly informed of the key activities propelling the plot forward. As readers, we just exposition. A lot of it all throughout the book, telling us what happened off stage. However, the primary characters don’t actually experience the events first hand. They come in after those events and then react to what has already happened.
This is the good and the ugly. Now for the good…
This book was following the same pattern as the previous two, and I was seeing another 2-star rating coming as I struggled to keep reading as my enthusiasm was waning again. Then on page 181 things took a turn. A BIG TURN for the good. A SHOCKING and SURPRISING turn. One with a twist that had me thinking no, this cannot be true. It doesn’t work. But then, as Cornwell laid out her story in a well thought out and structured foundation, the pieces fit together much better than I expected. The tension was increased immensely and the drama elevated. I was reminded of some of the best twists from the cable spy thriller series “Homeland” when it was hitting the high mark of quality.
Suddenly, the rest of the book had my interest and attention. What made it even better was that Cornwell did not ruin this excellent plot development, she built on it in a good way. All of the various clues and subplots included throughout the book came together beautifully. Although the ending was rushed (which has never been a Cornwell strength), all of the pieces actually connected well and brought everything together for a cohesive story and culminating conclusion. I was especially surprised that the Prologue made sense of everything and provided excellent closure (which is another Cornwell weakness). This was one of her best wrap up jobs in my opinion.
Overall, Cornwell did something that I didn’t expect. To use a sports analogy, she upped her game. Even with the bad and the ugly, when she is good, she can be very good. She provided a solid mystery that was layered and even stretched the characters in ways that I didn’t see coming. My hats off on that.
So, to wrap up this schizophrenic read, here’s my schizophrenic rating calculation:
First 180 pages – 2 stars.
The rest of the book – 4 stars.
The unexpected plot twist and strong mystery with a complete ending - + 1 star
Overall rating – 3.5 stars (averaged out and bumped up since Goodreads doesn’t round)
For the first time in a very long time, I will say this. I cannot wait for the next Scarpetta next year and the renewed conflict that lies ahead… Bring it on…
September 30, 2024
To tell you the absolute truth about what I just read -it scares the dickens out of me. While this book starts off dealing with the unusual deaths of Huck and Brittany Mason, it is filled with so much more. You soon find out that the Mason's have become, well, let's just say they are not on the side of America.
Russia plays a nice little part in this novel, as well as China. In this political era, well, this era period, we seem to have a lot to be concerned about with both of those countries, and this book really caused me some anxiety!
Finding out who killed the Mason's was really interesting. However, I need to warn you that there is a lot of technical speak in this book, and if you are not up on the latest computer hacks, not up on AIor just a Luddite like I mainly am, you are going to find yourself getting lost and sometimes a tad bored.
We also found an old adversary of Kays showing up again, and I assume that this will follow in the next couple of books.
Yes, the murders of this couple do get solved, and in a spectacular, almost George Lucas kind of way.
Oddly, this slow-moving novel had several sections that will have you biting your nails. I neither loved nor hated this book, and I will probably be re-reading it to see if I change my opinion.
Russia plays a nice little part in this novel, as well as China. In this political era, well, this era period, we seem to have a lot to be concerned about with both of those countries, and this book really caused me some anxiety!
Finding out who killed the Mason's was really interesting. However, I need to warn you that there is a lot of technical speak in this book, and if you are not up on the latest computer hacks, not up on AIor just a Luddite like I mainly am, you are going to find yourself getting lost and sometimes a tad bored.
We also found an old adversary of Kays showing up again, and I assume that this will follow in the next couple of books.
Yes, the murders of this couple do get solved, and in a spectacular, almost George Lucas kind of way.
Oddly, this slow-moving novel had several sections that will have you biting your nails. I neither loved nor hated this book, and I will probably be re-reading it to see if I change my opinion.
October 9, 2024
As usual, crazy and entertaining! Once I start a Scarpetta it's hard to put down! Patricia Cornwell features a lot of cutting-edge technology with frightening, real-life implications!
Two campers, living off the grid are murdered and discovered quickly because they’ve been under surveillance by the Secret Service and Lucy was part of the team following their moves. Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and Marino are brought in to do the autopsies. They’ve got their share of enemies following along, but they’re up to the task!
I’ve been loving Scarpetta all over again since 2021 when Corwell did a sort of revamp of the series!
January LaVoy is such an excellent narrator, I highly recommend the audio version!
Two campers, living off the grid are murdered and discovered quickly because they’ve been under surveillance by the Secret Service and Lucy was part of the team following their moves. Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and Marino are brought in to do the autopsies. They’ve got their share of enemies following along, but they’re up to the task!
I’ve been loving Scarpetta all over again since 2021 when Corwell did a sort of revamp of the series!
January LaVoy is such an excellent narrator, I highly recommend the audio version!
July 22, 2023
After a few duds that made me miss the earlier days of Kay Scarpetta, this installment harkened back to the original mysteries. The pace was good and the twists weren’t predictable. I look forward to the next one!
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2024
That's it. I'm officially breaking up with this series
December 28, 2023
If the weather is bad, Marino is outraged about something, Lucy is being vague and mysterious, Kay Scarpetta's Medical Examiner's facilities are in disrepair, she has political appointees undermining her, and some members of her staff are insubordinate and faking illness and absent, it's a Patricia Cornwell Kay Scarpetta novel. I put the book aside for a few weeks after page and page of Marino obsessing over his belief that Big Foot being left a footprint at a crime scene. Things didn't improve much after I picked it back up. Scarpetta is her usual gloomy self; Cornwell writes in excoriating and unnecessary detail about every event, including driving directions. Cornwell must be short on plot ideas as she, once again, brings back an old character believed to be deceased; the electronic home surveillance/music/pet door, etc. system once designed and programmed by Lucy on the premises occupied by Kay, Benton and Lucy, again goes suspiciously on the fritz and (no pun intended) and Merlin the Cat is once gain stranded in the elements, to be rescued by Benton. The same food is on the menu, Benton wears the same clothes, sister Dorothy has the same issues, and while the threats at issue in this book are interesting and feasibly in existence if not under development, there is absolutely nothing original or remotely interesting in this novel. I am at the end of the line with these novels.
December 6, 2023
Well. Same old attitude between Kay, Marino, and Lucy. Bicker, bicker, snide remarks…someone is stalking them..lots of techno stuff which I liked…but slow moving and an UTTERLY RIDICULOUS side plot about Bigfoot. All the secondary characters are one dimensional. Kay’s coworkers are lazy or crazy. Rushed ending. This is why I skipped a few of her books..at least I can return this sorry book back to the library.
January 8, 2024
Slow start
Some parts too detailed
Otherwise, good story.
Please see other reviews for more information &
other people’s opinions.
Some parts too detailed
Otherwise, good story.
Please see other reviews for more information &
other people’s opinions.
January 26, 2024
Patricia non smentisce mai le tre caratteristiche di base dell’80% della sua produzione: plot avvincente, allungamento di brodo smisurato (sempre più smisurato* per raccontare 2 giorni in 400 pagine), finali tirati via in modo indegno.
Qui abbiamo un ritorno dal passato (anche questo è un topoi di PC, uno che pensavi morto torna fuori ancora più incattivito), un plot assurdo con terroristi doppiogiochisti incrociati russi e cinesi, tecnologie avveniristiche che non servono a niente alla fin fine (e qui c’è una roba totalmente assurda**), e la solita conclusione che spiega tutto come se non fosse successo niente.
La mia coazione a leggere PC lo so già che mi porterà a leggere il prossimo, e tutti i prossimi, con noia crescente (la delusione ormai, me la sono messa via).
*le prime 60 pagine sono letteralmente dedicate a Scarpetta e Lucy che salgono sull’elicottero “giorno del giudizio” e descrivere ogni minimo pulsante, poi ci sono altre 40 pagine sparse dedicate a sentori di aglio e pomodoro, poi ogni respiro e sospiro viene ampliato a dismisura.
**allora, Lucy è un supergenio tecnologico da quando aveva 6 anni, una cyberhacker da quando ne aveva 12, una malata del controllo che Benton scansati. Bene, per superare la morte di Janet (libro precedente) crea un avatar con cui interagire e fare finta che Janet sia sempre con lei (vabbè, questo è da malati, ma insomma). Ci siamo? Ok, allora cosa succede: Benton torna a casa e trova il gatto assiderato perché le tagliole passagatto non funzionano (il gatto ha un collare con microchip e altro per consentirgli di entrare e uscire di casa), la musica in casa va in loop con roba che a loro non piace, e l’avatar di Janet spara nefandezze a tutto spiano. E Lucy non riesce a capire come sia stato possibile hackerare il sistema. Fino a quando scopre che l’avveniristico e supertecnologico trojan utilizzato (scusate, ma è oltre l’incredibile) è, udite udite “mi sono fidata, ho aperto un allegato che aveva un virus”. Cioè, nel 2024, pure il peggio boomer di Voghera lo sa che non si aprono gli allegati da fonte incerta! E Lucy si fida di un allegato…. Mah, mi sa che PC si sia fidata di un ghostwriter…..
Qui abbiamo un ritorno dal passato (anche questo è un topoi di PC, uno che pensavi morto torna fuori ancora più incattivito), un plot assurdo con terroristi doppiogiochisti incrociati russi e cinesi, tecnologie avveniristiche che non servono a niente alla fin fine (e qui c’è una roba totalmente assurda**), e la solita conclusione che spiega tutto come se non fosse successo niente.
La mia coazione a leggere PC lo so già che mi porterà a leggere il prossimo, e tutti i prossimi, con noia crescente (la delusione ormai, me la sono messa via).
*le prime 60 pagine sono letteralmente dedicate a Scarpetta e Lucy che salgono sull’elicottero “giorno del giudizio” e descrivere ogni minimo pulsante, poi ci sono altre 40 pagine sparse dedicate a sentori di aglio e pomodoro, poi ogni respiro e sospiro viene ampliato a dismisura.
**allora, Lucy è un supergenio tecnologico da quando aveva 6 anni, una cyberhacker da quando ne aveva 12, una malata del controllo che Benton scansati. Bene, per superare la morte di Janet (libro precedente) crea un avatar con cui interagire e fare finta che Janet sia sempre con lei (vabbè, questo è da malati, ma insomma). Ci siamo? Ok, allora cosa succede: Benton torna a casa e trova il gatto assiderato perché le tagliole passagatto non funzionano (il gatto ha un collare con microchip e altro per consentirgli di entrare e uscire di casa), la musica in casa va in loop con roba che a loro non piace, e l’avatar di Janet spara nefandezze a tutto spiano. E Lucy non riesce a capire come sia stato possibile hackerare il sistema. Fino a quando scopre che l’avveniristico e supertecnologico trojan utilizzato (scusate, ma è oltre l’incredibile) è, udite udite “mi sono fidata, ho aperto un allegato che aveva un virus”. Cioè, nel 2024, pure il peggio boomer di Voghera lo sa che non si aprono gli allegati da fonte incerta! E Lucy si fida di un allegato…. Mah, mi sa che PC si sia fidata di un ghostwriter…..
November 13, 2023
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Kay Scarpetta is back with another mysterious killing to solve. Two brutalized bodies of people being tracked by the Feds are found by their off-the-grid campsite, along with a mysterious oversized footprint in a nearby mine shaft. Strange technological happenings occur as Scarpetta, Marino, Lucy and Benton investigate. And a long-kept secret is revealed that may be putting all of their lives in danger.
Another timely novel, Unnatural Death talks about extremist groups bent on toppling the US democracy, the depths of spying by enemies like Russia and China, and the worrisome direction technology is taking in the world today. While Scarpetta still has to deal with adversity by co-workers, former co-workers, the media and an annoying FBI agent, at least the story as a whole isn't about someone with a beef coming after her as many of the later books in the series have been. Kay is still too much of an enabler of her sister and the other members of her family and cadre, even though she constantly complains about how they don't handle certain situations well, yet she never just says "enough already" to them, and there's a side plot whereby Marino is suddenly a Bigfoot enthusiast which could have been cut altogether without affecting the main story line. But those things aside, this was an engaging and complex thriller with several surprises woven in. - 4.5/5
Kay Scarpetta is back with another mysterious killing to solve. Two brutalized bodies of people being tracked by the Feds are found by their off-the-grid campsite, along with a mysterious oversized footprint in a nearby mine shaft. Strange technological happenings occur as Scarpetta, Marino, Lucy and Benton investigate. And a long-kept secret is revealed that may be putting all of their lives in danger.
Another timely novel, Unnatural Death talks about extremist groups bent on toppling the US democracy, the depths of spying by enemies like Russia and China, and the worrisome direction technology is taking in the world today. While Scarpetta still has to deal with adversity by co-workers, former co-workers, the media and an annoying FBI agent, at least the story as a whole isn't about someone with a beef coming after her as many of the later books in the series have been. Kay is still too much of an enabler of her sister and the other members of her family and cadre, even though she constantly complains about how they don't handle certain situations well, yet she never just says "enough already" to them, and there's a side plot whereby Marino is suddenly a Bigfoot enthusiast which could have been cut altogether without affecting the main story line. But those things aside, this was an engaging and complex thriller with several surprises woven in. - 4.5/5
October 13, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.
The 27th Scarpetta installment doesn’t disappoint. It’s always great to back with the gang.
It’s a slow burn to start and a big storyline to lay out. The twist is terrifying yet fun. No doubt it will push the series further in future books.
Love the procedural stuff with personal flair for the characters. I personally never tire of the extra tidbits and other cases that hover in the background and love all the medical examiner details. I live vicariously through Kay, except for the constantly being targeted part.
This storyline also involves some fun but realistically scary AI crazy stuff. Oh, and Bigfoot. Gotta love Marino.
I adore this series and will read it till they are longer written. Cornwell is meticulous and fact driven in her plots while also letting us really know Kay, quirks and all.
Thankful for my early copy from Grand Central and Novel Suspects here. It’s out in the wild next month - so if you are a Scarpetta fan - get ready to dig in.
The 27th Scarpetta installment doesn’t disappoint. It’s always great to back with the gang.
It’s a slow burn to start and a big storyline to lay out. The twist is terrifying yet fun. No doubt it will push the series further in future books.
Love the procedural stuff with personal flair for the characters. I personally never tire of the extra tidbits and other cases that hover in the background and love all the medical examiner details. I live vicariously through Kay, except for the constantly being targeted part.
This storyline also involves some fun but realistically scary AI crazy stuff. Oh, and Bigfoot. Gotta love Marino.
I adore this series and will read it till they are longer written. Cornwell is meticulous and fact driven in her plots while also letting us really know Kay, quirks and all.
Thankful for my early copy from Grand Central and Novel Suspects here. It’s out in the wild next month - so if you are a Scarpetta fan - get ready to dig in.
December 20, 2023
Dr. Scarpetta has moved back to Northern Virginia at the request of the governor.
She is now investigating a gruesome, unnatural killing of a couple wanted by the Federal Government.
But this killing is the most complex to date for Dr. Scarpetta; it may even include "Bigfoot."
Ms. Cornwell's mystery novel is one of the most complex and baffling to date in the opinion of this reader. And it is well worth reading; especially for Patricia Cornwell's avid fans.
She is now investigating a gruesome, unnatural killing of a couple wanted by the Federal Government.
But this killing is the most complex to date for Dr. Scarpetta; it may even include "Bigfoot."
Ms. Cornwell's mystery novel is one of the most complex and baffling to date in the opinion of this reader. And it is well worth reading; especially for Patricia Cornwell's avid fans.
November 15, 2023
I loved it! It was wonderful to rejoin with Kay and family again. The shocks and horrors of death that she deals with and her professional response helps take the edge off while reading about it. The comforts of her home life and sharing food at the end of the day does too. This author has a unique style of writing that works every time. Excellent series! ARC netgalley.com
December 24, 2023
While it's a good story and promises a sequel or two, it's painfully slow to take off. The Medical Examiners take 60+ pages from knowing about a crime to reaching the crime scene not too far in a helicopter!
The climax is the fastest passage of the story.
Otherwise,a credibly good read.
The climax is the fastest passage of the story.
Otherwise,a credibly good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,253 reviews