Sharp Force

Kay Scarpetta #29

by Patricia Cornwell

A serial killer terrorizes Northern Virginia, his ability to come and go baffling those pursuing him with zero success.

He disables the victims' WIFI, attacking them in bed, the cause of death exsanguination due to sharp force injuries.

This has been going on for six months when Dr. Kay Scarpetta is awakened by her phone in the early morning hours of June 12, her birthday. She's informed that the Phantom Slasher has struck again, only this time there are two victims, and one of them has survived, the scene Mercy Island and its notorious old psychiatric hospital. This is a modern ghost story, a ghastly apparition seen around the time the Slasher strikes in each case. The same figure in black is spotted levitating through the fog, and the technical explanation is one that's of keen interest to the CIA, even the White House.

It's up to Scarpetta to stop the Phantom Slasher before they strike again and vanish, leaving another trail of blood in their wake.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Contemporary

528 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2025

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.”


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 |

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love this series. It took a downturn for a few books in the middle but the last few have gotten back on track, at least for me. While I wasn't totally immersed in the technology this time, it did feel quite possible in our modern AI world. That said, what drew me in was the brilliant characters who consistently fill me with fear, happiness, dread, love, and charm. Cornwell really knows their personality and whether I'm angry at Lucy for being cold, Kay for being obstinate, Marino for being dumb, Benton for being arrogant, or Kay's sister for being a lush... they always, always deliver like a real family.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

♥ My Overall Thoughts ♥

This fiction book gave me the chills! It is in the mystery and thriller genre. I haven’t read a book by this author before, but have heard a lot about her books! Now I understand the hype behind these books that she writes. This one explores the darkness behind advanced technology. It is emotional, scary, sad and full of fear and paranoia! This story has short chapters, flows well and is easy to read. I found it to be thought provoking and realistic. It is fast paced and comes with vivid descriptions! Some of the themes this book comes with are trauma and healing, justice and the law and extreme fear! You will not want to put this book down!

♥ Synopsis and Rating ♥

“Sharp Force is about a serial killer that terrorizes Northern Virginia for a long time. He uses special technology in order to invade people’s homes. He watches their every move. It is horrifying what these victims endure! This story captured my attention from beginning to end. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!

♥ Thank You ♥

Thank you to NetGalley, author Patricia Cornwell and Grand Central Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

♥ Content Warnings ♥

Content warnings include murder, violence, stalking, psychiatric violence, paranoia and anxiety.

♥ Who I think would enjoy this book ♥

I think people who love reading psychological thrillers would like reading this book. This gave me the movie “13 Cameras” vibes!

♥ Publication Date ♥

This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!

♥ Quick Review ♥

╰┈➤ Thriller / Mystery
╰┈➤ Trauma and Healing
╰┈➤ Dark Side of Technology
╰┈➤ About a Serial Killer
╰┈➤ Eerie / Creepy
╰┈➤ Very Well Known Author
╰┈➤ “13 Cameras” Movie Vibes
╰┈➤ Justice & the Law

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥

ツ౨ৎ

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. This is kind of a tough one. I did like this one much more than the last two, it feels it's back to the original framework of the series. I like the strong relationship between Kay and Benton, and of course, the suspense in their cases. However, I have no idea why Marino is still in the picture. He has gotten seriously annoying, and honestly, I'm starting to dislike him so much, it's hard to keep reading at times. At some point, people need to move on. And, the ending wasn't great, it was very abrupt and random.

Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Kay Scarlett’s book before. I liked the set up and Kay was an interesting character. I didn’t love some of the other characters and the family dynamics were…odd. There were also some uncomfortable parks of this to read as it involves a psychiatrist with a lack of boundaries with patients. Kay and her husband have plans to go to Europe for for Christmas, but that is ruined when the serial killer terrorizing the greater DC area strikes again and they both decide to stay and investigate. The murder mystery itself was good, even if the pacing was a bit odd. The writing was overall decent and I would read more in this series to see if the bits I struggled with were different. I gave it 3.5 stars which I rounded up because there were some cool futuristic bits of the investigation that I wished were fleshed out a bit more but were interesting.

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I have been toying with breaking up with this series when I saw that the next instalment (#29) is out later this year, I decided to request an ARC thinking I will get rejected like I always have in the past for this author but if approved I will give it a go. Since you are reading this you likely have deduced I was approved (finally!) for this ARC.

I plowed through the story in a day, I have seen other reviewers reference a digital uncorrected ARC being 400 pages, my version was 311. Also, the description of the novel on the Goodreads landing page says the story takes place in July, on Kay Scapetta's birthday, that is incorrect. This story takes place over the Christmas Holidays.

So, without any spoilers to ruin anything for other readers, I am pleased to report I gave the series another chance. Is it as good as the earlier books in the series that I loved? No, it isn't but it is significantly better than the last two books in the series. I worried heading into this one whether there would be some silly vampire or werewolf storyline given we had Bigfoot and Aliens feature prominently in those last 2 books. Happily, those worries were unfounded.

With #29, we tag along with Kay, Marino and Benton as they deal with the latest victim of a serial murderer. Lucy and Dorothy also make appearances, albeit brief ones, in this tale. Janet, the annoying AI introduced several book back, is now ever present. The storyline is compressed over a couple of days so the book has a good amount of filler detailing the longest thunder-snowstorm that's likely ever occurred and long winded descriptions of bougie home decor. But nestled in there is the type of thriller-mystery that makes me enjoy these books and I did not figure out who the murderer was before the reveal despite the breadcrumbs there for super-sleuths, which is always much appreciated in a good mystery.

This book does work as a stand alone novel for first time readers and long-time fans of the series will appreciate the ongoing evolution of the characters we love to love and hate. At this point I think the only character I like 100% is Lucy's cat Merlin, everyone else is hate-able in varying degrees, but in a good way (except for Marino, he is just gross and I think the author is also tiring of him at this point given how douchey she has made him). I hope future books will continue on this upward trend and for now, me and this series are back together again.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group Inc. (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of Sharp Force.

Once again, Patricia Cornwell has blown me away. For years she has been one of my favorite authors and I was thrilled to get a chance to read Sharp Force before publishing. As always, Scarpetta is right in the middle of all the action. Without giving anything away, this series continues to get better and better. Even after all these years.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Patricia Cornwell, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A longtime fan of Patricia Cornwell’s Dr. Kay Scarlett’s series, I gladly accepted the twenty-ninth novel in the series. A serial killer has been targeting victims across Northern Virginia for months, choosing to kill on holidays. Dr. Kay Scarpetta is on edge as Christmas is just around the corner. While Dr. Scarpetta and her husband are about ready to leave the country, the Phantom Slasher strikes again, leaving the relative of an important politician clinging to life. As Dr. Scarpetta works the scene, she is pressured to determine how to catch the killer before things blow out of proportion. Patricia Cornwell delivers a winner that keeps the reader hooked until all is revealed.

There is a serial killer targeting people across Northern Virginia. The appearance of the killer, who disables the WiFi and presents as a hologram, baffles the authorities. The killer slashes into victims, leaving them to bleed out, creating a massive issue and stumps everyone who has involvement in the case.

The Phantom Slasher has been haunting the area for six months, always striking on a holiday. Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, has wondered about this killer, though a pile of work on her plate pushes her curiosity to the side. It’s Christmas Eve, potentially the night before another killing. While Dr. Scarpetta tries to tie off the case of a man’s mysterious death while night fishing, she cannot help but wonder if something is about to happen. A winter storm rages outside and Dr. Scarpetta has news to share with a family whose male patriarch died, posing baffling questions as he lays on the exam table. While there are so many possibilities, nothing is making sense.

News of a new Phantom Slasher victim emerges during the early hours of Christmas Day. Dr. Scarpetta and her federal agent husband rush to the scene, only to see that this is the body of a psychiatrist, while the nephew of a high-ranking US senator is clinging to life. Dr. Scarpetta seeks to put the pieces together, as throat slashes are clearly visible. She is feeling the pressure to shut the case swiftly, for both political and medical reasons. The killer is close at hand, as the winter storm has yet to dissipate. However, while Dr Scarpetta must look at things from a medical examiner’s perspective, her ability to sleuth might create an opening for solutions. Patricia Cornwell delivers a gripping thriller that is sure to keep the reader hooked.

I have long enjoyed this series, which balances forensic medicine with a crime thriller. Patricia Cornwell is able to capture the importance of both as she advances a number of great stories that span many years. The narrative approach to this piece worked well, as the story developed well over a series of paced chapters. While the end result was intense and highly captivating, there is something missing when it comes to the constant sense of mystery. I understand the first part of the book sought to establish a sense of ease, only to be toppled with the revelation of another killing, but I did not feel as pulled into the middle of things until at lest halfway through the story. Characters work well, particularly those we have come to see over many of the previous novels. We are well past backstories for Dr. Scarpetta and a handful of others, but there was a peppering of insights into those who are new to the scene. Plot points keep the reader wondering and infuse a surprise element into the piece. Cornwell did well with this, offering a twist or two as she revealed truths. I am eager to see where things are headed, as there was a time I was sure Dr. Kay Scarpetta was headed for retirement.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the world of January LaVoy as the book’s narrator. January LaVoy not only leads the book along with her numerous voices and inflections, but also does well to present a Dr. Kay Scarpetta that the listening can enjoy. I have had LaVoy lead many audiobooks in the past, all of which showcase her abilities. I am eager to see how she takes the story and makes it her own, while also remaining true to the series and Patricia Cornwell’s supposed desires. The series is in good hands with January LaVoy as its narrator and I am ready to see what else she will bring to future books I choose.

Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for a well-paced piece.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to Goodreads for the free book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

It has been so many years since I have read a Kay Scarpetta novel. Probably haven't read one since the 90s. With all the billions of amazing books to read, I think I just forgot about the series somehow. Now, I guess I am going to have to find time to read all of the other novels I missed. Not sure when, exactly, though 🤔

This book is a stand-alone. Yes, it works better to read the series all the way through from book one because of character development, but you will not be lost one bit if you pick if you start here and then go back to book one.

For those wanting to know, zero smut in the book.

This series does include graphic descriptions of the murder scenes, so please be aware of that before reading this. This is perfect for those fans the show (or book series) Bones or J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas' books.

Definitely would recommend this book.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful comfort read!

In this case, our murders are very unusual. I loved trying to figure them out.

While I wasn't 100% surprised at the reveal, I still enjoyed it.

I did spend far too much time in this book extremely worried about one recalcitrant cat!

A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read and a great entry in the series.

* ARC via Publisher

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4 stars**
Audio 5 stars**
Narrator January LaVoy

[NrsKelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent listen. I had not read any of the other books in the series but was still able to follow along without difficulty.
The narrator was excellent with a steady and soothing voice.
Overall a solid read/listen for those who like mystery/police procedural style books.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Phantom Slasher, a serial killer who uses advanced technology to terrorize before killing his victims, has claimed another casualty, someone Dr. Kay Scarpetta knew years ago. Kay and her Secret Service husband, Benton, cancel their Christmas trip to Europe to investigate.

Although this is the 29th in the series featuring Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and her supporting cast, it would work as a standalone. The atmospheric settings create a spooky backdrop for the story. A fast, engrossing read, it is very scary in terms of what AI and advanced technology might hold for us in the future. I did find the ending a bit rushed.

I get upset when professionals violate ethical standards in a story and was disappointed when Benton and Kay crossed a line by invading someone’s privacy. I lost a bit of respect for them and do wonder if there will be repercussions in future installments of this series.

Fans of this series will welcome this new addition. Others new to it are in for a thrilling ride.

Thanks to @NetGalley and #Grandcentralpublishing for the DRC.

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how you can pick up almost any book in the Scarpetta series and not feel completely lost. Patricia Cornwell has a brilliant way of tying the characters together story by story without making you feel lost or confused.

This particular book was a little too far fetched for me however. The fact that the 'case' was solved so quickly and weather was an issue then not made it seem rushed and not quite believable. Also the references to 'Janet' were so extreme to me. I'm sure that AI is a huge part of their world but it's hard to fathom having 'face to face' realistic conversations with a computer personality.

All in all it was a good read and one that I'd always recommend for Scarpetta fans!

[Gin Whitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am working my way through the Scarpetta series. I have only read up to book 6. Sharp Force stays true to the series. Same sharp, tough, brilliant characters. It was a good, quick read. Once again, Kay drops everything to help track down a serial killer. I did not love the AI aspect, but I guess it’s where we are in the world. I also didn’t love how they ended the book, it just came sort of out of no where. All in all, it’s a good addition to the series and hope she continues to add books to the series. I definitely recommend reading this one.

[Nancy McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a Kay Scarpetta book in years and had forgotten how much I enjoy reading about all of the scientific and forensic data that is used in solving crimes. This time after discovering interesting forensic evidence the crime kind of solved itself in an interesting twist at the end. A great addition to the Scarpetta series.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great to read Patricia Cornwell in top form again! (Series kinda went a bit bonkers for a while.) This was like reading the older Scarpetta books. And man, I can’t believe how long I’ve been reading this series.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing installment from Patricia Cornwell!

*** NOT YET RELEASED. LOOK FOR IT ON 10/7/25! ***

Kay Scarpetta is back... with a vengeance!
And, Benton, Marino, Dorothy, Lucy etc... are all back too!

I love how she interweaves AI and all the advanced 'techy' stuff with her novels... I don't always understand all of it, but I delight in learning about all of it!!
And I love how you can pick up a book in the series and know that you will recognize 90% of the characters from past books! BUT, it can be read as a standalone too!
But, as an FYI... if you have SOEM knowledge of the series going in, it can prove helpful... especially with the AI robot that analyzes and chips-in to all of their conversations!!

For those who have NOT read the Scarpetta series before, Kay is with the ME's office in Virginia. Benton, her husband, is with the FBI. And her niece, Lucy, is a tech 'brilliant mind', who also flies planes!!
Marino is back too, but the more I see him, the less I'm liking him lately... :(

As usual, Kay gets called into an UGLY, GORY crime scene.... again. Unfortunately, she know the vic... and so does Lucy...

This is the latest in the SLASHER crime scene spree. The crazy thing is that the victims claim to see a ghost around them, just before they are killed. Something like a reddish hologram!!??!!

And, it seems that Kay appears on the suspects list... as she herself witnesses this red ghost. As Lucy digs into her 'techy' stuff, she assures Kay that there is nothing present on the grounds of her home... at least, nothing that's alive! =0

We go on the investigation with the crew and follow along with all the breadcrumbs...
BUT, I did NOT see the ending that came!
That was a total surprise for me!!

So, yes, in my opinion... this one is NOT TO BE MISSED!!

#SharpForce by @PatriciaCornwell and narrated phenomenally, as usual, by one of my all time favorite narrators: @JanuayLaVoy.

5+ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨ for me!!

If this sounds like something you’d like, please keep your eyes 👀 open for this one!!!
*** IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!!! Please look for it on 10/7/25! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #HachetteAudio and #GrandCentralPublishing for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Patricia Cornwell's Sharp Force, Dr. Kay Scarpetta's unwavering pursuit of justice amidst escalating danger defines her journey. Supported by familiar faces like her logical partner, Benton, abrasive yet loyal Marino, and complex niece Lucy, Scarpetta navigates the case while exposing personal vulnerabilities and highlighting the strength of longstanding relationships.

The dark side of technology, invasion of privacy, and concealed dangers of modern life are the subjects treated in the novel. The killer uses state-of-the-art technologies employed in the contemporary world for raising alarm about digital surveillance and even AI-constructed threats, unleashing questions on the critical area of possible threats by instruments of technology to the personal safety of their users.

The suspenseful yet very direct writing style adopted by Cornwell is almost a clinical detail, fast pacing with which audiences become instantly engrossed in the forensic world and the psychological menace posed by the murderer. Sometimes the level of technical explanations becomes overwhelming; in some instances, the development of Marino's character does not mirror the progress made in earlier books; however, the human relationships are what give the emotional density to the story.

Sharp Force brings the forensic thriller genre into classic suspense, coupled with modern issues. Though the voice might be slightly differ from earlier writings, this novel shows Cornwell's meticulous research and great storytelling. This bridging of earlier mystery conventions with contemporary relevance will appeal to fans of crime thrillers.

While technical aspects sometimes impeded character development and unevenly balanced action and explanation, it still achieved its main strength: compelling the readers to consider how emerging technologies are impacting crimes and justice. Mercy Island and all of its shady terrors, the psychiatric hospital, is ultimately a dark and brooding backdrop.

This is ultimately a book that will take readers to reflect on the ability to maintain trust, vulnerability, and human resilience as it relates to a fantastically changing world. Thus, this gripping inquiry is bound with extreme urgency to pressing societal issues. An engrossing yet leisurely read.


3.5/5

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp Force is the 29th book in the Scarpetta series.... it's not the only one I have a copy of but shockingly it's the only one I have actually read! I've had many of the books from this series on my shelf for many years, but because there are so many it's kind of deterred me.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and think had I read others in the series I would have enjoyed it more. But even not knowing any back story or any characters I was still able to enjoy the mystery.

Off I go to start the series from the beginning!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Cherié Burgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the early read. I have loved Kay Scarpetta from the beginning, and I was so excited to get this book early.

However, this was not my favorite in the series. Was it interesting? Absolutely. But I felt very disconnected from this character after this story was clearly giving hints to the author's political beliefs. Out of all the Scarpetta stories I have read, this is the first one to make me stop and think, "I wonder what Patricia Cornwell's political beliefs are." She made one of the bad guys with no ethics a democrat. She wrote the inept/unethical therapist as "woke" with books about being "woke." She mentioned Mar-a-Lago repeatedly as if to normalize a president spending that much time at a business he owns and to normalize having top-secret meetings there. It was a very odd interjection to a series I've loved since 2008.

The other thing with this book was the conclusion. The incident with Scarpetta's sister and husband was thrown in there and then basically ignored. It was very odd and unrealistic. Then, the way the plot twist had nothing to do with the other 96% of the book had me shaking my head. And for people who are in this series known for following policies and having solid ethics to just disregard it all and read Lucy's medical records, it left me with a bad taste. I really wish I had not read this one so I could keep my nostalgia surrounding the Scarpetta I have loved for years. 2.75 rounded up to 3.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back, Kay Scarpetta. I felt you have been missing from your last couple of books, giving way to “out there” investigations that turned you into a cyber doc instead of the brilliant medical examiner you are. But this narrative brings you back to your calling and makes me feel more comfortable that you are doing what you trained to do.

A serial killer with a high tech background, ( can’t really get away from devices), is wreaking havoc with a scary hologram and a very big knife. Kay’s team jumps into the horror determined to bring this vicious killer to justice. Determined not to let anything or anyone get in her way, Kay hunts this killer with a single vision.

The ending was a little mediocre but I still want to slap Marino.

Recommended!

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No. 29 in the series? Seems impossible that I've followed the adventures of medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta for that many years (the first installment, Postmortem, was released in 1990, and I've looked forward to her next adventure since 28 times since then).

It hasn't all been roses, though; for one period of time I almost gave up on the esteemed doctor as the plots bordered on the supernatural and Kay somehow morphed into a paranoid (and rather unlikeable) version of her former self. Here, she seems to be back to her usual self. The story still hovers close to unbelievable - holograms that go blink in the night and security systems that mysteriously foretell another visit by the dreaded Phantom Slasher who's having his (or her) way with victims in northern Virginia - but it never reached far-out status.

Then there's Janet, an AI-generated avatar version of Kay's technology whiz and FBI consultant niece Lucy's late wife. While that one is rooted in real-life examples - such things really do exist - it's hard to wrap my head around a fake person who seems to know more about everyone and everything around her than the humans who are "talking" to her.

As the Christmas holidays are set to begin, Kay and her hunky husband Benton Wesley, a forensic psychologist for the U.S. Secret Service, are about to head overseas on their first vacation in a long time. But of course, serial killers don't care about vacations, and two more victims turn up (one of whom didn't end up dead). Needless to say, Kay must deal with the deceased one, Benton gets called in from the government side and oops, there goes the vacay.

The dead one is found on the grounds of a defunct psychiatric hospital known for its shady practices - coincidentally (well, not really - I'm sure the author planned it that way) in the same area where Kay, Benton, Lucy and Kay's sister Dorothy live - the latter with Kay's longtime colleague and investigator Pete Marino. As she returns home from her lab, Kay spots the dreaded hologram lights near her home and thinks the worst, but everything is fine thanks to Lucy's technology expertise and insistence on protecting all those she loves. Still, it hints that Kay - or someone close to her - could be the Slasher's intended next victim.

The rest of the book, of course, follows the progress of the investigation - and also of course, I'll leave those details for me to know and other readers to find out. But overall, it's another winner in my book - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action once again. No. 30? Bring it!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sharp Force” is the 29th book in the Kay Scarpetta series. This was one of the first series of books I ever “got into” after reading the third entry, “All That Remains”. But somewhere along the way, I felt like the author had lost her beloved characters. They all were self-absorbed. No one was likable. The books felt long and drawn out with too many details. So, I left the series that I loved so much.

When I was chosen by NetGalley to review this book, I was a little nervous. I wanted it to be good. I wanted the Kay Scarpetta that I loved so much. And for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised.

There are two main mysteries that continue throughout the book. And they are gripping. Not just the edge of your seat mystery, but also emotionally. Marino’s involvement with the children of a victim is touching. When everyone is pressuring Dr. Scarpetta to lean a certain direction, she continues to question, and she is proven correct to not jump at the easy solution.

There were moments of “too many details” that bogged down the narrative, but they were few and far between. Instead, most of the details mattered.

So, is the Kay Scarpetta series back? A conditional yes. The interaction of the main characters is still tough to read. Family can be complicated. I get that. But is there just one moment that they smile at each other, share a joke, have a light-hearted moment, or enjoy being with each other?

As for the ending, it was rushed. Such a beautifully told procedural mystery gets wrapped up with a neat little bow (it is Christmas time, after all) in just a few pages. And honestly, it felt more like they lucked into the conclusion, rather than solved the mystery.

Overall, I am back on board with one of my favorite series. Just a few tweaks to this novel and I would hail the return of the Queen of forensics.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book a fair shot. I had great hopes that Cornwell would make a comeback for me, but it didn’t happen.

The writing was not bad. But the content was just laughable and bizarre to me.

Same overblown egos. Marino serves no purpose. I think Cornwell just keeps him around to remind us that he is forever madly in love with Kay Scarpetta, Super Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia.

I get quite tired of all the bragging Cornwell does about how beautiful Scarpetta’s home is and how much in love her and the ever dashing Benton Wesley are.

No one ever gets older in her books. My figuring is I was around 30 when she wrote Post Mortem and that was 35 years ago. She was supposedly nearing 40, so she is well into her 70’s and Benton is probably older, yet to hear Cornwell describe all that they do is just going overboard. She will have them swinging from skyscrapers at 85.

All the name brand dropping. Fancy electric cars and 10k watches and on and on. Enough! Stick to the stuff that made Cornwell books interesting. The forensics. The nitty gritty solving of crimes without all this crazy made up AI technology.

The whole AI Janet is disturbing to me. Lucy’s dead wife that she created an AI computer program replica of that knows what someone ate for supper or what they are wearing. It’s ridiculous!

A super natural hologram killer?

Or something like that. The book just got so stupid I spent more time rolling my eyes than reading it.

Here is what needs to happen. Lucy creates an AI version of Scarpetta that will live forever and Real Kay and Real Benton take Merlin the cat and retire to Italy.

Marino divorces Kay’s sister Dorothy, who he only married to stay close to Kay in some sick adolescent thing he has going on in that bald head of his and retires to a costal town where he can fish all day.

Lucy can run off with her homemade AI version of her lost wife Janet and they can build a spaceship and live on a planet far, far away.

All these characters are old, tired and played out.

Cornwell should just retire….. or have an AI version of herself created that can actually go back to writing novels that are worth reading.

And to think I was the first one to get this book at my library. So I’ll be the first one to return it.

Hopefully the next person actually enjoys it.

Too whacked out for me!

[Susan Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook.

This was really good!! And that made me so happy! I have read this series for MANY years.
Everything was a surprise! Especially the ending.
It was really hard to put down. Non-stop action.

***As long as Lucy is still alive I will always deduct one star🤣😉***

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sharp Force is a crime thriller that follows Dr Kay Scarpetta and her investigations into the Slasher killer.

This was ok. The pacing seemed a bit haphazard though and I didn’t really warn to the characters. The family dynamic was a bit odd and I disliked the ending.

The futuristic elements were interesting though, I wish they’d been explored a bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Company for my advanced copy.

[Katie Oeschger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a prerelease of Patricia Cornwell’s Sharp Force.

I’ve read all of Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta’s series - and this is the best one yet. Lock your doors and leave the lights on for this creepy thriller. The Phantom Slasher is Cornwell’s creepiest serial killer yet. The identify the of the Phantom will keep you guessing until the very end.

One thing I love about Cornwell’s writing is her incorporation of cutting-edge technologies (both for the heroes and villains) that are always way ahead of cultural norms. And the applications in her book feel natural, not forced.

Twenty-nine books in, and the Scarpetta series keeps getting better and better!

[Fadeless Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley  and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC.

Hugh fan of the Scarpetta series so of course I was hooked right away! This is the 29th book in the Kay Scarpetta series, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the Chief Medical Examiner, is facing a terrifying killer who uses modern technology to murder people. This villain, called the "Phantom Slasher," has been attacking victims in Northern Virginia, and their methods are truly scary and new: they use clever tech to turn off home security and project a ghost like image (a hologram) into the victims' houses right before making a sharp cut to kill them. When the Slasher attacks someone from Kay's past on Christmas morning, I knew her planned trip was going to be canceled, and the pressure from important people to solve the case just makes things harder for her.

I think Cornwell does a wonderful job here of mixing the detailed science of solving crimes with strange new technology. I really enjoyed how the story brings together Kay's careful work on the bodies with the high-tech investigation led by her husband, Benton Wesley (CIA), and her smart niece, Lucy Farinelli (FBI tech expert). As a fan, I was happy to see the whole group of characters return, even though I still find the usual, often annoying, arguments with Pete Marino and the trouble-making AI avatar, Janet, a bit much. I also felt the small detour into things like red orbs and robotic dogs leaned a little too much into science fiction for my taste.

But the main mystery, a killer using a digital ghost to carry out a real murder, was scary and kept me interested the whole way through. Even though the ending felt a little quick, I thought the book was a dark and moody thriller that works because it truly made me wonder about the safety of my own connected home.

[Barbara Azinić · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly had high hopes this series is going back on track but got let down big time so I'm doing what I never do and I'm going to leave a review and rent a bit. The case was OK nothing special predictable and the ending was rushed ,but the whole love drama is so cringe and unnecessary Benton and Kay sister kissing was so unnecessary and frankly infuriating ,and the repeating of how it was silent for a cuple of minutes multiple times makes it's heavily implied they were actually full on making out and not Dorothy just kissing him when Kay walks in. I'm so tiered of the love drama ether let them be together or separate them but please can we skip the whole Benton is cheating on Kay again it's been don already and contributed absolutely nothing at all it's just contradicting in my opinion because Kay is supposed to be this strong,brilliant, capable woman who has all this other man throwing themselves at at her but she is staying with the guy who supposedly cheated on her multiple times and faked his death, treated her poorly after she got attacked by Marino and now kissed her sister in their house at Christmas while she was there and she just keeps looking past it all and stays ,also blaming Kay for what happened with Lucy saying she should have asked him for advice but at the time he and Lucy barely had a relationship at all ,and the man has no relationship with his daughters but is acting all high and mighty at this point he is as anoying as Marino, can they both go and Kay can find a man who acts his age and isn't stuck in a mid-life crisis for over a decade. Can we please go back to the medical and forensic stuff instead of this. I love this series because it was interesting and I cude learn new things about forensic procedures, new tools intresting medical and technology facts but now it has the plot of a cheesy TV show with cheating spouse and villainess that constantly come back to life (seriously how many times did Carrie supposedly died and came back). This series is spacial for me because it was the first crime book I ever read and I became a reader in my teens because of it and I don't want to drop it but it feels like it just doesn't have a direction anymore.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Kay and Benton are called to investigate when two people have been brutally attacked, one dead and the other severely injured. From the descriptions it seems that it was another attack by The Phantom Slasher, a serial killer who’s been terrorizing the area for the last year. The killer stalks, surveilling by high tech means using a ghostly hologram to terrify his victims before closing in and killing them.

It’s been fun getting back to the Kay Scarpetta series since the reboot back in 2021! I’ve been reading every installment since then and loving them! The usual relationships and reoccurring conflict are part of the draw: Maggie Cutbush, the character we all love to hate, is infuriating as usual. The governor is something else, too! Kay and Benton have acquired a new enemy with connections in high places. Dorothy crossed a line I wouldn’t have easily forgiven. Marino as usual was a lot of bluster, shooting his mouth off, but this series wouldn’t be the same without him. Fun every time Lucy foils Dana Deletti! Merlin, Lucy’s cat that Kay seems to care for much of the time is one of my favorite kitty characters!

Sharp Force was suspenseful and spooky in places! The serial killer’s MO was frightening, and I fear his methods utilizing tech might be rooted in real life. It’s a frightening prospect if true! The conclusion was clever and satisfying! I look forward to the next one!

I listened to the audio version with January LaVoy narrating. She’s one of my favorites and I love her performance of Kay, easy and calm in the face of all that comes at her. Her performances of all the characters, Marino, Dorothy, Benton and Lucy are all spot on, too! I highly recommend the audio version!

I voluntarily listened to an ALC courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.