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Kay Scarpetta #28
Identity Unknown: The gripping new Kay Scarpetta thriller for 2024
Autopsies can reveal the secrets of the dead.
And this victim is sending Scarpetta a message…
Summoned to an unnerving, abandoned theme park to retrieve a body, Dr Kay Scarpetta is devastated to learn that the victim is a man she once loved. While teaching in Rome during the early days of her career, Scarpetta had an intense love affair with Sal Giordano that led to a lifelong friendship.
The murder scene is bizarre, with a crop circle of petals around the body, and Giordano’s skin is strangely red. Scarpetta’s niece Lucy believes he was dropped from an unidentified flying craft. Scarpetta knows an autopsy can reveal the dead’s secrets, but she is shocked to find her friend seems to have deliberately left her a clue.
As the investigators are torn between suspicions of otherworldly forces, and of Giordano himself, Scarpetta detects an explanation closer to home that, in her mind, is far more evil . . .
And this victim is sending Scarpetta a message…
Summoned to an unnerving, abandoned theme park to retrieve a body, Dr Kay Scarpetta is devastated to learn that the victim is a man she once loved. While teaching in Rome during the early days of her career, Scarpetta had an intense love affair with Sal Giordano that led to a lifelong friendship.
The murder scene is bizarre, with a crop circle of petals around the body, and Giordano’s skin is strangely red. Scarpetta’s niece Lucy believes he was dropped from an unidentified flying craft. Scarpetta knows an autopsy can reveal the dead’s secrets, but she is shocked to find her friend seems to have deliberately left her a clue.
As the investigators are torn between suspicions of otherworldly forces, and of Giordano himself, Scarpetta detects an explanation closer to home that, in her mind, is far more evil . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2024
2714 people are currently reading
23975 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 1,067 reviews
July 17, 2024
ARC for review. To be published October 8, 2024.
It’s been a long time since I read a Kay Scarpetta book, so I decided to give her another chance and see if she has managed to pull that very large stick out of her ass. She has not.
This was even a pretty boring story. A victim was retrieved at an abandoned theme park (which, for some reason, despite being a real life abandoned theme park in North Carolina is placed here near the Virginia/West Virginia border. Um, maybe come up with your own idea for an abandoned theme park, Cornwell?). He is a Nobel laureate and, naturally, a former lover of Scarpetta’s because, despite the fact that she’s a humorless pain she is beloved and respected by all.
Lucy believes he was thrown from a great height, and for some reason this comes to mean a UFO, which is called something else, because I guess they are nowadays, but I can’t be bothered to remember what. I guess these are hoofbeats/zebra people? Anyway, that insanity doesn’t last too long, but, why? Oh, and the dead man has left Scarpetta a clue.
So, there you go. At some point Marino has married Scarpetta’s sister, but it’s plain to see he’s still carrying a torch for her because, well, she’s perfect. Oh, and I’m pretty sure that Cornwell stole a line from Thomas Harris. A very recognizable line. Because no one who reads Patricia Cornwell reads Thomas Harris, right? Hold on, I have to pick up my eyeball. One of them rolled out of my skull.
It’s probably really a two star book, but one star because Scarpetta is just so insufferable and I just know Cornwell would be just like her. The worst part? The first books in the series were such a delight.
It’s been a long time since I read a Kay Scarpetta book, so I decided to give her another chance and see if she has managed to pull that very large stick out of her ass. She has not.
This was even a pretty boring story. A victim was retrieved at an abandoned theme park (which, for some reason, despite being a real life abandoned theme park in North Carolina is placed here near the Virginia/West Virginia border. Um, maybe come up with your own idea for an abandoned theme park, Cornwell?). He is a Nobel laureate and, naturally, a former lover of Scarpetta’s because, despite the fact that she’s a humorless pain she is beloved and respected by all.
Lucy believes he was thrown from a great height, and for some reason this comes to mean a UFO, which is called something else, because I guess they are nowadays, but I can’t be bothered to remember what. I guess these are hoofbeats/zebra people? Anyway, that insanity doesn’t last too long, but, why? Oh, and the dead man has left Scarpetta a clue.
So, there you go. At some point Marino has married Scarpetta’s sister, but it’s plain to see he’s still carrying a torch for her because, well, she’s perfect. Oh, and I’m pretty sure that Cornwell stole a line from Thomas Harris. A very recognizable line. Because no one who reads Patricia Cornwell reads Thomas Harris, right? Hold on, I have to pick up my eyeball. One of them rolled out of my skull.
It’s probably really a two star book, but one star because Scarpetta is just so insufferable and I just know Cornwell would be just like her. The worst part? The first books in the series were such a delight.
July 22, 2024
I always look forward to the next book in Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta books. As time moves forward, the technology and time period in the setting match reality, given all the references today 2023/4 world events. In this installment, a familiar villain may have returned, but a former Scarpetta lover also surfaces and dies in a grim manner. Mostly about Kay with less focus on Lucy, Marino and Benton, I found myself keen to follow just the protagonist for a few hundred pages. Loved the clues dropped all throughout the book about the ending, and I am very curious to see what happens in the future now that things seem to have come to a definitive conclusion (again!). Give me more!
September 20, 2024
This is #28 in Patricia Cornell's Dr. Kay Scarpetta series.
Although "Identity Unknown" is a standalone read, reading earlier books in the series is highly recommended.
I was intrigued by the book's premise:
A victim uncovered in a bizarre murder scene is a man Kay Scarpetta once loved.
The murder victim's face was alarmingly red and appeared to have been dropped from an unidentified flying craft.
And that was where the author lost me.....
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was not the right reader for this book.
I prefer more realism in my thrillers and am not a fan of thrillers with UFOs. aliens. and over-the-top plotlines.
The book showcased too many characters/storylines and I also prefer books with fewer well-developed characters and fewer tangents.
I listened to the audiobook read by January Lavoy.
January Lavoy is one of my favorite audiobook narrators and, as usual, she did a superb job with the narration.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2024
Spoiler Allert, tired of the same old story with the same old enemy, can we please move on from Carrie and have a fresh story. It's time for Pete to get over it, Dorothy to get a grip and Lucy to let go. Let's please get back to the science of what Scarpetta does and throw a funny bone into the mix by having a fluke accident happen to Carrie and let's be done with her. Disappointed as this is the same storyline with different victims, how many times can you bring back a character you've killed off more than once. I'll be interested to see if something new will come forth.
July 4, 2024
Rounded down to 1.5 (1 is reserved for DNF, which this should have been).
Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwall
Is part of the Kay Scarpetta series. The Virginia Chief Medical Examiner is in charge of the major cases for the morgue. Over the years, she has solved murders and mysteries through her medical detective work. Her long time friend Pete Marino, ex cop, is always along to help solve the mysteries. Other recurring characters are included in this one, especially her niece Lucy and husband Benton. Kay’s old archnemesis Carrie Grethen returns as the ultimate villain.
This time around, the story starts with Kay doing an autopsy on a young girl Luna who died from a gunshot to the head. She has to determine if it was a self inflicted accident or homicide. Sad but interesting. But the story quickly shifts to another dead body, one of Kay’s longtime friends who is found dead in an abandoned amusement park under strange circumstances. The rest of the book tries to weave these stories together to make it all make sense.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t work.
Too many discussions of UFOs and aliens, a cheetah on the loose, odd insertions of random insignificant meals they are having while in the midst of this hectic situation… it was all very fragmented and not cohesive. Though Kay Scarpetta is undeniably a badass in her field, I think it was a stretch to expect her to fly in a chopper in huge storms to get to a dead body, dive down a hundred feet to secure another body in the Bay, and give her the extreme clearance for governmental operations that she had. And this all seemed to happen in just a couple of days. If I were Kay, I would be thinking about retirement.
The conclusion didn’t come together as believable nor interesting and the last minute addition of yet another bad guy fell flat.
I suppose long time readers of Scarpetta novels may enjoy the romance angles this gave. Relationships in Kay’s past, Marino’s unrequited love. But I was so annoyed by the many unbelievable events, that I didn’t really care.
The most compelling part of the story for me was the tragic death of Luna at the beginning, but she didn’t get the prominent role she deserved in this story. It was the best opportunity to get back to the medical thriller plot that original Patricia Cornwall fans enjoyed. But it barely scraped the surface and was just overall a disappointment. This would have been a DNF for me if I didn’t have to write a review. I do appreciate the opportunity so thank you Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for my ARC.
Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwall
Is part of the Kay Scarpetta series. The Virginia Chief Medical Examiner is in charge of the major cases for the morgue. Over the years, she has solved murders and mysteries through her medical detective work. Her long time friend Pete Marino, ex cop, is always along to help solve the mysteries. Other recurring characters are included in this one, especially her niece Lucy and husband Benton. Kay’s old archnemesis Carrie Grethen returns as the ultimate villain.
This time around, the story starts with Kay doing an autopsy on a young girl Luna who died from a gunshot to the head. She has to determine if it was a self inflicted accident or homicide. Sad but interesting. But the story quickly shifts to another dead body, one of Kay’s longtime friends who is found dead in an abandoned amusement park under strange circumstances. The rest of the book tries to weave these stories together to make it all make sense.
Unfortunately, it just didn’t work.
Too many discussions of UFOs and aliens, a cheetah on the loose, odd insertions of random insignificant meals they are having while in the midst of this hectic situation… it was all very fragmented and not cohesive. Though Kay Scarpetta is undeniably a badass in her field, I think it was a stretch to expect her to fly in a chopper in huge storms to get to a dead body, dive down a hundred feet to secure another body in the Bay, and give her the extreme clearance for governmental operations that she had. And this all seemed to happen in just a couple of days. If I were Kay, I would be thinking about retirement.
The conclusion didn’t come together as believable nor interesting and the last minute addition of yet another bad guy fell flat.
I suppose long time readers of Scarpetta novels may enjoy the romance angles this gave. Relationships in Kay’s past, Marino’s unrequited love. But I was so annoyed by the many unbelievable events, that I didn’t really care.
The most compelling part of the story for me was the tragic death of Luna at the beginning, but she didn’t get the prominent role she deserved in this story. It was the best opportunity to get back to the medical thriller plot that original Patricia Cornwall fans enjoyed. But it barely scraped the surface and was just overall a disappointment. This would have been a DNF for me if I didn’t have to write a review. I do appreciate the opportunity so thank you Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for my ARC.
October 21, 2024
Story 4 stars**
Audio 5 stars**
Narrator January LaVoy
Audio 5 stars**
Narrator January LaVoy
October 15, 2024
Review to follow!
October 22, 2024
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 first two returning 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.
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 and an improved 3.5-star rating that put me in a state of real interest for the next Scarpetta and the renewed conflict that lies ahead…
And now 2024 brings us “Identity Unknown” – Scarpetta’s next mystery murder to solve. This time it’s personal for Kay. The victim, Sal Giordano, is an old friend and former love of hers from when she was teaching in Rome for one summer while trying to deal with her feelings for Benton, her future husband. Sal’s death with have repercussions for not only Kay, her family and friends, but also for highest levels of U.S. Government security, when a deadly enemy delivers vengeance on Kay and anyone close to her.
The good news is that this is the best Scarpetta novel that I’ve read in years. A solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. Even though it follows Cornwell’s well-worn formula (that I will explain in the next paragraph), it was compelling, brilliantly constructed, tightly plotted, and delivered one of the best Scarpetta endings in a long time. The character of Ryder Briley was so downright despicable, that he alone made reading this one a complete necessity just to find out what his outcome would be. A very worthy read.
Now, for those who have read my previous Kay Scarpetta reviews, a warning that my following comments will be familiar – because Patricia Cornwell sticks to her repetitive formula that sells.
Just like her previous three novels (and more), the plotting of this novel followed the same structure. Everything takes place over a period of 48 hours (except an epilogue taking place 10 days later). It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience. I kid you not. Day 1 covers the pages 1- 236, and Day 2 covers pages 237 – 381, followed by the 5-page epilogue.
Unlike my last couple of reviews, I will leave out the section-by-section detail that breaks down the activities of traveling to find the body, investigate the murder and perform an autopsy in a secret government location, followed by an underwater diving expedition to retrieve a second dead body, more investigation and discovery, leading to a culminating climactic showdown and epilogue (both including well-delivered surprises). Also thrown in is a lot of exposition during each and every scene to keep the reader filled in on what’s going on in the investigation and multiple storylines. Mucho, mucho expo…
There are still challenges that come with reading Cornwell, besides her repeated pattern for the last four Kay Scarpetta novels, one that is predictable and repetitive. The big challenge for me is lack of character growth and development. 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.
However, even with those issues, this Scarpetta novel is a solid improvement over the last several ones in the series. It had my interest and attention. What made it even better was that Cornwell did not ruin the plot development, she built on it in a good way. All of the various clues and subplots included throughout the book came together beautifully. All of the elements actually connected well and brought everything together for a cohesive story and emotionally pleasing conclusion (which has tended to be a Cornwell weakness). I was especially pleased that the ending made sense of everything and provided excellent closure (which is not a Cornwell strength either). In my opinion, this was one of her best cohesive wrap ups ever.
Overall, Cornwell recaptured some of the quality and reputation that she garnered in her earlier Scarpetta books. This took me back to the ones that were page turners, capturing your attention visually and emotionally. This had a captivating mystery that was intensely constructed, several connecting subplots that added interconnecting layers of drama, and serious conflict for our Scooby gang of characters that we have come to love and hold dear in our imaginations. Even if it was only for one book, it was well worth it.
Overall rating – a solid 4 stars.
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 and an improved 3.5-star rating that put me in a state of real interest for the next Scarpetta and the renewed conflict that lies ahead…
And now 2024 brings us “Identity Unknown” – Scarpetta’s next mystery murder to solve. This time it’s personal for Kay. The victim, Sal Giordano, is an old friend and former love of hers from when she was teaching in Rome for one summer while trying to deal with her feelings for Benton, her future husband. Sal’s death with have repercussions for not only Kay, her family and friends, but also for highest levels of U.S. Government security, when a deadly enemy delivers vengeance on Kay and anyone close to her.
The good news is that this is the best Scarpetta novel that I’ve read in years. A solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. Even though it follows Cornwell’s well-worn formula (that I will explain in the next paragraph), it was compelling, brilliantly constructed, tightly plotted, and delivered one of the best Scarpetta endings in a long time. The character of Ryder Briley was so downright despicable, that he alone made reading this one a complete necessity just to find out what his outcome would be. A very worthy read.
Now, for those who have read my previous Kay Scarpetta reviews, a warning that my following comments will be familiar – because Patricia Cornwell sticks to her repetitive formula that sells.
Just like her previous three novels (and more), the plotting of this novel followed the same structure. Everything takes place over a period of 48 hours (except an epilogue taking place 10 days later). It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience. I kid you not. Day 1 covers the pages 1- 236, and Day 2 covers pages 237 – 381, followed by the 5-page epilogue.
Unlike my last couple of reviews, I will leave out the section-by-section detail that breaks down the activities of traveling to find the body, investigate the murder and perform an autopsy in a secret government location, followed by an underwater diving expedition to retrieve a second dead body, more investigation and discovery, leading to a culminating climactic showdown and epilogue (both including well-delivered surprises). Also thrown in is a lot of exposition during each and every scene to keep the reader filled in on what’s going on in the investigation and multiple storylines. Mucho, mucho expo…
There are still challenges that come with reading Cornwell, besides her repeated pattern for the last four Kay Scarpetta novels, one that is predictable and repetitive. The big challenge for me is lack of character growth and development. 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.
However, even with those issues, this Scarpetta novel is a solid improvement over the last several ones in the series. It had my interest and attention. What made it even better was that Cornwell did not ruin the plot development, she built on it in a good way. All of the various clues and subplots included throughout the book came together beautifully. All of the elements actually connected well and brought everything together for a cohesive story and emotionally pleasing conclusion (which has tended to be a Cornwell weakness). I was especially pleased that the ending made sense of everything and provided excellent closure (which is not a Cornwell strength either). In my opinion, this was one of her best cohesive wrap ups ever.
Overall, Cornwell recaptured some of the quality and reputation that she garnered in her earlier Scarpetta books. This took me back to the ones that were page turners, capturing your attention visually and emotionally. This had a captivating mystery that was intensely constructed, several connecting subplots that added interconnecting layers of drama, and serious conflict for our Scooby gang of characters that we have come to love and hold dear in our imaginations. Even if it was only for one book, it was well worth it.
Overall rating – a solid 4 stars.
September 24, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Patricia Cornwell, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to get my hands on the latest Dr. Kay Scarpetta novel, I turned to yet another strong thriller by Patricia Cornwell. The story keeps the forensics high and the action edgy. When Dr. Scarpetta is sent to an abandoned theme park to find a body, she discovers it is the body of a longtime friend and colleague. His expertise in all things extraterrestrial is curious, though the fact that Dr. Scarpetta had been working on the autopsy of the theme park owner’s young daughter when she received the call is equally troubling. Who might have wanted this esteemed scientist dead and could the “accidental” death of the young girl be tied into all of it? Patricia Cornwell keeps the reader hooked as she crafts another great story.
While in the middle of an autopsy on a young girl who ‘accidentally’ died of a gunshot wound to the head, Dr. Kay Scarpetta is called to the scene of an abandoned theme park. When she arrives, she is horrified to discover that the victim is an old friend and colleague, Sal Giordano. Trying to shove the memories that Dr. Giordano was once her lover, Dr. Scarpetta tried to decipher why he might be in such an odd location.
While Dr. Giordano was known for his work studying astronomy and extraterrestrial life, the crime scene is something completely unsettling. Petals around the body and an odd tinge of red all over the victim’s body add to the curiosity. Once reinforcements arrive, it’s determined that the body was tossed from something flying overhead, which explains the body’s mangled nature and location. Nothing points to what the airborne craft might have been, which only adds to the eerie nature of it all.
While the investigation heats up, Dr.
Scarpetta cannot shake the off parallels that the owner of the theme park is the father of the emaciated young girl she was
In the middle of autopsying when she was called away. Could there be a connection between the two? As some in the media wonder about aliens targeting Dr.
Giordano, Kay Scarpetta had a theory that is closer to home and even more troubling.
A great addition to that shows just how strong Patricia Cornwell’s work tends to be when she puts in the effort.
I have a long enjoyment of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series, as it has piqued my interest about the world of forensic pathology. Patricia Cornwell has been able to capture the reader’s attention with great medical situations and superior mystery writing. The book’s narrative flows with ease and keeps the reader in the middle of the action from the outset. Building with tense themes, Cornwell develops the story in multiple ways and pushes the reader to surmise what might be happening. Filled with great characters, some of whom are long-standing presences while others emerge for the first time, the novel is heightened by the numerous perspectives on offer. As with many Scarpetta novels, twists help define the tense foundation that makes these books all the more exciting. After stumbling for a time, Cornwell has found her footing and this novel proves her great abilities.
Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for another great story to entertain the reader.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always eager to get my hands on the latest Dr. Kay Scarpetta novel, I turned to yet another strong thriller by Patricia Cornwell. The story keeps the forensics high and the action edgy. When Dr. Scarpetta is sent to an abandoned theme park to find a body, she discovers it is the body of a longtime friend and colleague. His expertise in all things extraterrestrial is curious, though the fact that Dr. Scarpetta had been working on the autopsy of the theme park owner’s young daughter when she received the call is equally troubling. Who might have wanted this esteemed scientist dead and could the “accidental” death of the young girl be tied into all of it? Patricia Cornwell keeps the reader hooked as she crafts another great story.
While in the middle of an autopsy on a young girl who ‘accidentally’ died of a gunshot wound to the head, Dr. Kay Scarpetta is called to the scene of an abandoned theme park. When she arrives, she is horrified to discover that the victim is an old friend and colleague, Sal Giordano. Trying to shove the memories that Dr. Giordano was once her lover, Dr. Scarpetta tried to decipher why he might be in such an odd location.
While Dr. Giordano was known for his work studying astronomy and extraterrestrial life, the crime scene is something completely unsettling. Petals around the body and an odd tinge of red all over the victim’s body add to the curiosity. Once reinforcements arrive, it’s determined that the body was tossed from something flying overhead, which explains the body’s mangled nature and location. Nothing points to what the airborne craft might have been, which only adds to the eerie nature of it all.
While the investigation heats up, Dr.
Scarpetta cannot shake the off parallels that the owner of the theme park is the father of the emaciated young girl she was
In the middle of autopsying when she was called away. Could there be a connection between the two? As some in the media wonder about aliens targeting Dr.
Giordano, Kay Scarpetta had a theory that is closer to home and even more troubling.
A great addition to that shows just how strong Patricia Cornwell’s work tends to be when she puts in the effort.
I have a long enjoyment of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series, as it has piqued my interest about the world of forensic pathology. Patricia Cornwell has been able to capture the reader’s attention with great medical situations and superior mystery writing. The book’s narrative flows with ease and keeps the reader in the middle of the action from the outset. Building with tense themes, Cornwell develops the story in multiple ways and pushes the reader to surmise what might be happening. Filled with great characters, some of whom are long-standing presences while others emerge for the first time, the novel is heightened by the numerous perspectives on offer. As with many Scarpetta novels, twists help define the tense foundation that makes these books all the more exciting. After stumbling for a time, Cornwell has found her footing and this novel proves her great abilities.
Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for another great story to entertain the reader.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 22, 2025
Okay, I know I said I was not going to review anymore books in this series but ever the diehard optimist I had to read #28 because I loved the earlier books so much and I keep hoping I will love these newer books too. Sad to say, I did not.
My biggest issues are the glacial pacing, its so, so tediously slow, and the incorporation of the supernatural, this time was the murder committed by extraterrestrial aliens or someone trying to make it seem so. If you have been reading the series then you know the last book had a similar was it bigfoot storyline.
Maybe I will read then next installment, if there is one. Maybe I will read other reviews first, probably should have done that this time to save myself from the disappointment. If you haven't read this author before, don't start here, go back and read her first books, which are wonderful.
My biggest issues are the glacial pacing, its so, so tediously slow, and the incorporation of the supernatural, this time was the murder committed by extraterrestrial aliens or someone trying to make it seem so. If you have been reading the series then you know the last book had a similar was it bigfoot storyline.
Maybe I will read then next installment, if there is one. Maybe I will read other reviews first, probably should have done that this time to save myself from the disappointment. If you haven't read this author before, don't start here, go back and read her first books, which are wonderful.
September 26, 2024
Is Patricia Cornwell okay?
November 16, 2024
I vowed after the last Cornwall book I was done with reading her novels, but my resolve faltered and I regretted it. Literally nothing in Scarpetta World has changed. Underfunding at work? Check. Problematic staff? Yep. Political problems? Affirmative. The weather is, as always, deteriorating and then bad Marino is grumpy, still having marital problems and still in love with Kay. Parents of a deceased child are threatening and harassing Kay and her staff. Lucy and Benton are secretive as always. Where the last novel concerned Big Foot, this one involved possible UFO's. A former lover and still good friend of Kay's is murdered. A familiar nemesis reappears. As irritating and offensive as her sister is, and despite how badly Marino has behaved, Kay invites them all over for dinner and cooks the usual pasta and homemade marinara sauce. Too many and barely credible plots and subplots, too much detail about minerals. I quit caring,
October 14, 2024
The 28th book in a series is quite an achievement!
IDENTITY UNKNOWN sees Kay Scarpetta once again overwhelmed by her past, in this case, by the death of a Nobel Prize laureate, who was her lover many moons ago. Sal Giordano tried to establish contact with extraterrestrial life, and, judging by the manner of his death, he succeeded: he was found in an abandoned theme park after a UFO had been spotted in the area. Moreover, in the pursuit of a killer, secret services rip apart Scarpetta's personal life in front of her husband Benton Wesley.
What I find captivating while reading Patricia Cornwell's books is her attention to detail. The lady certainly knows what she is writing about, especially flying choppers and performing autopsies. Some will say disturbing specifics should be left untouched since they can be a trigger warning for sensitive readers. In IDENTITY UNKNOWN, one of the victims is a child, so, as a mom, I understand the book can be disturbing, to say the least. So my review is a trigger warning of some kind. As are the author's previous 27 books containing information on killings and autopsies.
As with other books of the series, IDENTITY UNKNOWN can be read as a standalone, with few gaps about minor details left unexplained. The author gives an overview of the characters and their complicated, intertwined plotlines as the action progresses.
IDENTITY UNKNOWN gives vibes of a spy novel that involves American secret and not-so-secret services, UFOs, aliens, and the shadowy world of love.
IDENTITY UNKNOWN sees Kay Scarpetta once again overwhelmed by her past, in this case, by the death of a Nobel Prize laureate, who was her lover many moons ago. Sal Giordano tried to establish contact with extraterrestrial life, and, judging by the manner of his death, he succeeded: he was found in an abandoned theme park after a UFO had been spotted in the area. Moreover, in the pursuit of a killer, secret services rip apart Scarpetta's personal life in front of her husband Benton Wesley.
What I find captivating while reading Patricia Cornwell's books is her attention to detail. The lady certainly knows what she is writing about, especially flying choppers and performing autopsies. Some will say disturbing specifics should be left untouched since they can be a trigger warning for sensitive readers. In IDENTITY UNKNOWN, one of the victims is a child, so, as a mom, I understand the book can be disturbing, to say the least. So my review is a trigger warning of some kind. As are the author's previous 27 books containing information on killings and autopsies.
As with other books of the series, IDENTITY UNKNOWN can be read as a standalone, with few gaps about minor details left unexplained. The author gives an overview of the characters and their complicated, intertwined plotlines as the action progresses.
IDENTITY UNKNOWN gives vibes of a spy novel that involves American secret and not-so-secret services, UFOs, aliens, and the shadowy world of love.
July 23, 2024
When a body is dropped from a mysterious flying vehicle into a creepy abandoned amusement park, the victim is someone close to Dr. Kay Scarpetta. She has just completed an autopsy on a young child who may have been murdered by her rich, loathsome parents when she is called on a secret mission with Marino and her Secret Service niece, Lucy, to retrieve the body. That sets off a trail of mystery, danger and the involvement of all the latest technology available.
This is the 28th in the series featuring Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and her supporting cast. I used to read these books faithfully and then abandoned them for some years. I came back for the 25th and now this one.
I have always enjoyed the characters. If you are a fan of this series, you will welcome a new addition. It will keep readers wondering what the heck is going on. A bit over the top, it is a fast, engrossing read, except for some of the geologically technical information.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #GrandCentralPublishing for the DRC
This is the 28th in the series featuring Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and her supporting cast. I used to read these books faithfully and then abandoned them for some years. I came back for the 25th and now this one.
I have always enjoyed the characters. If you are a fan of this series, you will welcome a new addition. It will keep readers wondering what the heck is going on. A bit over the top, it is a fast, engrossing read, except for some of the geologically technical information.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #GrandCentralPublishing for the DRC
November 13, 2024
I really don’t know why I keep reading these 🤦♀️ I am obviously a glutton for punishment, because this was just bad, quite quite bad. Not only do we have to endure Scarpetta’s endless inner monologue about EVERYTHING, the story itself is just boring. The characters are either Goodies or Baddies, and are stiff as cardboard. Marino is a pig, there’s no other word for him. And we are supposed to believe that Kay Scarpetta, a modern, educated and independent woman is prepared to put up with his behaviour 🤷♀️ Lucy is Lucy, Benton is barely there, and I cannot work out what it is that Dorothy contributes to the story.
Definitely a Do Not Bother!!
Definitely a Do Not Bother!!
September 24, 2024
DNF at 48%
The plot was all over the place, and yet most of what I read was just the main character seeing people and remembering their history together.
Sure wish I could have stuck it out to find out who-dun-it, but I just grew tired of the lack of a cohesive story.
Thank you to Netgalley for this audiobook all the same.
The plot was all over the place, and yet most of what I read was just the main character seeing people and remembering their history together.
Sure wish I could have stuck it out to find out who-dun-it, but I just grew tired of the lack of a cohesive story.
Thank you to Netgalley for this audiobook all the same.
October 13, 2024
I used to love reading the Scarpetta series and then they became monotonous and a bit dry/boring. I really wanted to love this as it’s been quite awhile since I’ve read this series and I remembered why now. I really wish Patricia Cornwell could go back to writing the way she did for the first 8 or so Scarpetta books. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this early.
December 2, 2024
Siamo arrivati al #28 episodio della saga, e io non solo non posso ma non voglio sottrarmi alla lettura.
Dopo i picchi negativi attorno ai #15-20, in seguito PC ha recuperato un po’ il senso delle avventure di Kay Scarpetta, ovvero scrivere sceneggiature credibili per una fiction tv (che finalmente si farà, sembra, su Amazon Prime con Nicole Kidman-KScarpetta, e gente a me sconosciuta negli altri ruoli, a parte Simon Baker come Benton, e Jamie Lee Curtis come Dorothy il ché – insieme al fatto che Ariana DeBose farà Lucy – mi fa pensare che non ci sarà molta aderenza con il profilo che emerge dai libri).
Questa puntata ha il pregio di essere breve, e in qualche modo “militante”: viene descritta una società di trumpiani boccaloni (Marino e la moglie Dorothy, anche sorella di Kay), di miliardari che pensano di poter fare la qualunque (sullo stile di tante vicende di cronaca, di perversi e danarosi che fanno del male alla propria prole), di russi che interagiscono con la politica e l’economia.
L’arcinemica Carrie riesce di nuovo a intrufolarsi nelle loro vite con una facilità che non depone a favore della so-presumed smartissima Lucy, e per l’ennesima volta viene debellata.
A sto giro, ci lascia le penne un ex di cui non ho il minimo ricordo (anche se abitava a 100 metri da casa di Kay e lo frequenta da 30 anni), un Nobel astrofisico italiano, con una modalità ovviamente assurda e complicatissima. Kay e Marino vivono una serie di situazioni che stroncherebbero il fisico di un 20enne giocatore di rugby ma loro si ripigliano bevendo chianti e mangiando pane all’aglio (pietanza conosciuta solo fuori dall’Italia).
Gradevole, superavvincente, improbabilissimo, non tirato per le lunghe. E anche per questa volta il mio guilty pleasure ha assolto al suo compito (per cui si merita 4 stelle anche se sarebbe Non Classificabile 😊)
Dopo i picchi negativi attorno ai #15-20, in seguito PC ha recuperato un po’ il senso delle avventure di Kay Scarpetta, ovvero scrivere sceneggiature credibili per una fiction tv (che finalmente si farà, sembra, su Amazon Prime con Nicole Kidman-KScarpetta, e gente a me sconosciuta negli altri ruoli, a parte Simon Baker come Benton, e Jamie Lee Curtis come Dorothy il ché – insieme al fatto che Ariana DeBose farà Lucy – mi fa pensare che non ci sarà molta aderenza con il profilo che emerge dai libri).
Questa puntata ha il pregio di essere breve, e in qualche modo “militante”: viene descritta una società di trumpiani boccaloni (Marino e la moglie Dorothy, anche sorella di Kay), di miliardari che pensano di poter fare la qualunque (sullo stile di tante vicende di cronaca, di perversi e danarosi che fanno del male alla propria prole), di russi che interagiscono con la politica e l’economia.
L’arcinemica Carrie riesce di nuovo a intrufolarsi nelle loro vite con una facilità che non depone a favore della so-presumed smartissima Lucy, e per l’ennesima volta viene debellata.
A sto giro, ci lascia le penne un ex di cui non ho il minimo ricordo (anche se abitava a 100 metri da casa di Kay e lo frequenta da 30 anni), un Nobel astrofisico italiano, con una modalità ovviamente assurda e complicatissima. Kay e Marino vivono una serie di situazioni che stroncherebbero il fisico di un 20enne giocatore di rugby ma loro si ripigliano bevendo chianti e mangiando pane all’aglio (pietanza conosciuta solo fuori dall’Italia).
Gradevole, superavvincente, improbabilissimo, non tirato per le lunghe. E anche per questa volta il mio guilty pleasure ha assolto al suo compito (per cui si merita 4 stelle anche se sarebbe Non Classificabile 😊)
October 9, 2024
Dr. Kay Scarpetta is in the middle of a harrowing autopsy, one of a young girl who was reportedly playing with her father’s gun when it went off killing her. However, Kay’s findings raise suspicions. Unfortunately, the parents are wealthy and well-connected and kicking up quite a fuss.
As if that’s not enough, Kay is urgently called in to investigate the death of someone close to her with Marino assisting. The case is brutal and unusual and sparks the attention of many in the intelligence community. Kay’s Secret Service niece Lucy and her FBI husband, Benton, are involved in the investigation, as well.
Marino was over the top in this installment, his gruff, argumentative side out on full display, especially because it was fueled by jealousy. Kay’s sister, Dorothy, as usual, was self-absorbed and I still can’t believe she married Marino! It’s a hot mess.
I’ve been loving this reboot of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series! I appreciate her calm, logical approach to cases, and her personal life and relationships are engrossing! This death hit close to her heart, and she struggled with her emotions. The cases were filled with cutting edge technology, interesting locations, and sinister real-life implications. Riveting from beginning to end!
The audio version was fantastic! January LaVoy’s narration is always a treat! Her calm, rich voice portrayed Kay perfectly! All characters were performed uniquely and distinctly. She definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story!
An audio copy was provided courtesy of the publisher. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
As if that’s not enough, Kay is urgently called in to investigate the death of someone close to her with Marino assisting. The case is brutal and unusual and sparks the attention of many in the intelligence community. Kay’s Secret Service niece Lucy and her FBI husband, Benton, are involved in the investigation, as well.
Marino was over the top in this installment, his gruff, argumentative side out on full display, especially because it was fueled by jealousy. Kay’s sister, Dorothy, as usual, was self-absorbed and I still can’t believe she married Marino! It’s a hot mess.
I’ve been loving this reboot of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series! I appreciate her calm, logical approach to cases, and her personal life and relationships are engrossing! This death hit close to her heart, and she struggled with her emotions. The cases were filled with cutting edge technology, interesting locations, and sinister real-life implications. Riveting from beginning to end!
The audio version was fantastic! January LaVoy’s narration is always a treat! Her calm, rich voice portrayed Kay perfectly! All characters were performed uniquely and distinctly. She definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story!
An audio copy was provided courtesy of the publisher. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
February 4, 2025
This is book #28 in the Scarpetta series. I started reading these in the very beginning, years ago. Have they all been gems? No. But I love Kay, she’s flawed and brilliant and has a past just like the rest of us. This book was excellent, featuring all the usual cast of characters along with a few new ones. Roll on #29!!!
October 30, 2024
Identity Unknown ( Kay Scarlett’s #28) by Patricia Cornwell was a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller. I hadn’t read a Kay Scarpetta book in a long time but was instantly reminded why I had liked this series so much. Many of the characters that I had come to know and admire were right there with Dr. Kay Scarpetta when she was brought in to investigate not one but two murders. It was welcoming to reacquaint myself with Kay Scarpetta’s partner, Pete Marino, now married to Kay’s sister, Kay’s husband, Benton, her niece, Lucy, and an old boyfriend turned trusted friend, Sal Giordano. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by January LaVoy. Her performance was excellent. She really nailed the distinction between the character’s voices and unique personalities.
Patricia Cornwell masterfully placed Dr. Kay Scarpetta at the center of investigating two very suspicious deaths. One came as a great shock and loss to Kay. Her long time friend and once boyfriend, Sal Giordano, had been found dead in the middle of an abandoned theme park. Those that first discovered his body believed that he had been dropped from an unidentified flying object. Sal had become a close friend of both Kay and her husband, Benton. Kay had seen Sal only days before his death. He had celebrated his sixtieth birthday and Kay had stopped at his home to deliver a gift. Who would be so cruel as to drop a body to its death? Why had he been dropped on the middle of an abandoned yet creepy amusement park?
The other death involved a young girl. She was the daughter of two powerful and wealthy yet neglectful parents. The young girl had been found dead as a result of self inflicted gunshot wounds. According to the parents, their daughter found the gun in their home and it was fired accidentally. The autopsy that Dr. Kay Scarpetta performed told another story. Kay had her theories about each case. Could Carrie Grethen have had something to do with both of these deaths? Were Sal’s death and the young girl’s death linked in some way? Why was it so hard to keep track of Carrie Grethen’s whereabouts and activities? One thing was for sure, Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her colleagues would not stop until they discovered who was behind both of these deaths.
Although Identity Unknown was the twenty-eighth book in the Kay Scarpetta series, it can be read as a standalone book. I believe that reading some of the previous books would be helpful though in terms of the characters and their relationship with the other characters. I enjoyed listening to Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell and recommend it.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Patricia Cornwell masterfully placed Dr. Kay Scarpetta at the center of investigating two very suspicious deaths. One came as a great shock and loss to Kay. Her long time friend and once boyfriend, Sal Giordano, had been found dead in the middle of an abandoned theme park. Those that first discovered his body believed that he had been dropped from an unidentified flying object. Sal had become a close friend of both Kay and her husband, Benton. Kay had seen Sal only days before his death. He had celebrated his sixtieth birthday and Kay had stopped at his home to deliver a gift. Who would be so cruel as to drop a body to its death? Why had he been dropped on the middle of an abandoned yet creepy amusement park?
The other death involved a young girl. She was the daughter of two powerful and wealthy yet neglectful parents. The young girl had been found dead as a result of self inflicted gunshot wounds. According to the parents, their daughter found the gun in their home and it was fired accidentally. The autopsy that Dr. Kay Scarpetta performed told another story. Kay had her theories about each case. Could Carrie Grethen have had something to do with both of these deaths? Were Sal’s death and the young girl’s death linked in some way? Why was it so hard to keep track of Carrie Grethen’s whereabouts and activities? One thing was for sure, Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her colleagues would not stop until they discovered who was behind both of these deaths.
Although Identity Unknown was the twenty-eighth book in the Kay Scarpetta series, it can be read as a standalone book. I believe that reading some of the previous books would be helpful though in terms of the characters and their relationship with the other characters. I enjoyed listening to Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell and recommend it.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2024
Identity Unknown
This book is like Patricia Cornwall didn’t write it herself or something. I’ve read n love all her books they all seem to have that pull you in and hook you in to where you can’t put the books down . This one didn’t have that except for a page or two towards the end then it dropped away. It was really missing the mystery and drama that we all love from her books. The beginning of the book just seemed like Marino was to big of a whiny ass. made you want to reach through the book n smack him upside the head. lol I believe this book could have been so much better.
This book is like Patricia Cornwall didn’t write it herself or something. I’ve read n love all her books they all seem to have that pull you in and hook you in to where you can’t put the books down . This one didn’t have that except for a page or two towards the end then it dropped away. It was really missing the mystery and drama that we all love from her books. The beginning of the book just seemed like Marino was to big of a whiny ass. made you want to reach through the book n smack him upside the head. lol I believe this book could have been so much better.
November 8, 2024
Very disappointing. I gave her yet another chance to be creative. Epic fail. Just not writing like she used to.
Read
October 9, 2024Kay Scarpetta has been around long enough, that many of the characters are familiar to me. I have enjoyed each and every moment with them. I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell.
An abandoned amusement park.
A mutilated body.
A message sent.
Kay Scarpetta finds out the victim is someone she knows. Someone she once loved. Sal Giordano. I do like when an author isn’t afraid to kill off a character that I know, as long as it enhances the story. This death hits very close to home for Kay.
Mystery surrounds Sal Giordano’s death. Does it involve aliens? Just your run of the mill human murderer? Or could it be someone from their past getting their revenge?
Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell seemed different from the usual Kay Scarpetta novels, but may I’ve just missed too many to see the storyline clearly. Either way, I enjoyed my time with the characters. The mystery is deep, complex, and I didn’t see what was coming.
I found it hard to rate Identity Unknown. I wanted to love it, but I couldn’t quite get there. Whether it’s the or me, I can’t say. I will say this, if you are a Kay Scarpetta and Patricia Cornwell fan, I recommend reading Identity Unknown
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
An abandoned amusement park.
A mutilated body.
A message sent.
Kay Scarpetta finds out the victim is someone she knows. Someone she once loved. Sal Giordano. I do like when an author isn’t afraid to kill off a character that I know, as long as it enhances the story. This death hits very close to home for Kay.
Mystery surrounds Sal Giordano’s death. Does it involve aliens? Just your run of the mill human murderer? Or could it be someone from their past getting their revenge?
Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell seemed different from the usual Kay Scarpetta novels, but may I’ve just missed too many to see the storyline clearly. Either way, I enjoyed my time with the characters. The mystery is deep, complex, and I didn’t see what was coming.
I found it hard to rate Identity Unknown. I wanted to love it, but I couldn’t quite get there. Whether it’s the or me, I can’t say. I will say this, if you are a Kay Scarpetta and Patricia Cornwell fan, I recommend reading Identity Unknown
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
October 8, 2024
I received an audio book for review and realized I had not read the previous 2 books, which I luckily had on my bookshelf. I continue to read these books, even if I am sometimes not happy with the plots, but the previous 2 seemed to finally be back to her old standards. However, listening instead of reading made me realize that perhaps there was WAY TOO Much descriptions of Scarpetta's every move. Maybe when I am reading I skim past, but for example, Kay and Lucy need to go scuba diving to get a body out of a crashed helicopter. We literally go into the locker room and gave an extremely detailed description of what they are wearing, and once they get on the boat, how they strap in and every move they make. Simply not necessary.
The plot concerns the death of her old friend and previous lover whose body is discovered in an abandoned amusement park. An old nemesis who I thought we had seen the last of reappears and seems to be controlling the plot.
Also, a side plot is the death of a little girl whose parents play a role in the larger plot. It all gets very complicated.
Meanwhile, Marino, her trusty, crusty side kick who has had a crush on her for years, has married her absolutely obnoxious sister.
Every time I think this is the last time I read her new book, I continue reading. The forensic crime parts and the autopsy descriptions I still find interesting. As a side note, somehow the internet knows I am reading these books and I got a notification that there will be a series with Nicole Kidman playing Kay and Jamie Lee Curtis playing the sister.
Anyway, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio book. I know fans will continue to read the series. As will I.
This is my honest opinion.
The plot concerns the death of her old friend and previous lover whose body is discovered in an abandoned amusement park. An old nemesis who I thought we had seen the last of reappears and seems to be controlling the plot.
Also, a side plot is the death of a little girl whose parents play a role in the larger plot. It all gets very complicated.
Meanwhile, Marino, her trusty, crusty side kick who has had a crush on her for years, has married her absolutely obnoxious sister.
Every time I think this is the last time I read her new book, I continue reading. The forensic crime parts and the autopsy descriptions I still find interesting. As a side note, somehow the internet knows I am reading these books and I got a notification that there will be a series with Nicole Kidman playing Kay and Jamie Lee Curtis playing the sister.
Anyway, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio book. I know fans will continue to read the series. As will I.
This is my honest opinion.
September 25, 2024
It's been a while since I read a book in a single day - and alas, this isn't one of them. That's not because of lack of wanting to, though, nor trying my darndest to put off doing things that needed done so I could polish it off. I came close, but that doesn't count except when I'm playing horseshoes. What I can do is say this is one of the best in the series so far - and I don't think I've missed one yet (this is the 28th).
The story begins in Virginia, where forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta is examining the body of a young girl whose uber-wealthy parents claim she accidentally shot herself. The parents are demanding the body back, which Scarpetta refuses to approve until she can determine the cause of death. But then, she gets a call to come to a remote location where another body has been found - apparently dropped through the air by some kind of unidentified flying object, according to Scarpetta's Secret Service niece, Lucy.
Say what? If Lucy, an accomplished helicopter pilot, can't figure out what dropped the body, who can? To make already complicated matters more so, the body belongs to astrophysicist Sal Giordano, knicknamed the "E.T. Whisperer" because of his belief in life beyond Earth - with whom Scarpetta just happens to have had a love affairs years ago, before she met and married her FBI profiler husband, Benton Wesley. Since then, she and Sal have stayed in touch but not romantically, most recently on his 60th birthday, the day before he took a downturn for the worse.
Clues as to his death are almost nonexistent, and those that are present are unexplainable - like finding his locked car dumped over a ravine and strange colors and substances found on his mangled body. Also strangely, his body was found in an abandoned theme park owned by - wait for it - the parents of that little girl who supposedly shot herself. Coincidence? I certainly thought not.
As the very secretive investigation by the Secret Service, FBI and other powers-that-be gets under way, something even more sinister is revealed; a possible connection with a villainous character who's haunted Scarpetta and Lucy for years while eluding, and/or escaping, the arms of justice. That in itself adds a whole new dimension to the entire investigation as well as threatens the lives of Scarpetta and everyone she loves.
The book works as a standalone, but for sure those who have read at least a couple of prior books will "get it" more easily (as is the case with almost any series, IMHO). I'm ready for the next one, but meantime I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. It's a gem!
The story begins in Virginia, where forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta is examining the body of a young girl whose uber-wealthy parents claim she accidentally shot herself. The parents are demanding the body back, which Scarpetta refuses to approve until she can determine the cause of death. But then, she gets a call to come to a remote location where another body has been found - apparently dropped through the air by some kind of unidentified flying object, according to Scarpetta's Secret Service niece, Lucy.
Say what? If Lucy, an accomplished helicopter pilot, can't figure out what dropped the body, who can? To make already complicated matters more so, the body belongs to astrophysicist Sal Giordano, knicknamed the "E.T. Whisperer" because of his belief in life beyond Earth - with whom Scarpetta just happens to have had a love affairs years ago, before she met and married her FBI profiler husband, Benton Wesley. Since then, she and Sal have stayed in touch but not romantically, most recently on his 60th birthday, the day before he took a downturn for the worse.
Clues as to his death are almost nonexistent, and those that are present are unexplainable - like finding his locked car dumped over a ravine and strange colors and substances found on his mangled body. Also strangely, his body was found in an abandoned theme park owned by - wait for it - the parents of that little girl who supposedly shot herself. Coincidence? I certainly thought not.
As the very secretive investigation by the Secret Service, FBI and other powers-that-be gets under way, something even more sinister is revealed; a possible connection with a villainous character who's haunted Scarpetta and Lucy for years while eluding, and/or escaping, the arms of justice. That in itself adds a whole new dimension to the entire investigation as well as threatens the lives of Scarpetta and everyone she loves.
The book works as a standalone, but for sure those who have read at least a couple of prior books will "get it" more easily (as is the case with almost any series, IMHO). I'm ready for the next one, but meantime I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. It's a gem!
October 5, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book
scarpetta at her best.... when the call goes out that there is a body at an old abandoned theme park scarpetta and marino with the help of lucy fly out to the area... its not going to be pleasant for kay as its her long time friend and old lover Sal Giordano.....
but what is unknown and what everyone is twitched about was could the et whisperer have actually been abducted by aliens who then dropped him to earth....
with all the interest and national security interest kay and marino have their work cut out for them....
wow this book has everything that anyone could want from a scarpetta book murder , intrigue. threats, and plain old autopsies... its what we all know and love about this series
scarpetta at her best.... when the call goes out that there is a body at an old abandoned theme park scarpetta and marino with the help of lucy fly out to the area... its not going to be pleasant for kay as its her long time friend and old lover Sal Giordano.....
but what is unknown and what everyone is twitched about was could the et whisperer have actually been abducted by aliens who then dropped him to earth....
with all the interest and national security interest kay and marino have their work cut out for them....
wow this book has everything that anyone could want from a scarpetta book murder , intrigue. threats, and plain old autopsies... its what we all know and love about this series
November 17, 2025
There are others in this series I've liked more, especially the earliest ones. The relationship stuff feels overdone, a bit florid. However, Cornwell delivers, as always, on action and suspense.
And, there is simply no one better than Cornwell on the science and reality of autopsy examinations and what they reveal.
Highly recommended.
And, there is simply no one better than Cornwell on the science and reality of autopsy examinations and what they reveal.
Highly recommended.
August 18, 2024
I always look forward to the new Scarpetta adventures. In this action
packed journey that leads Kay to the death of a long ago lover, the
horrific murder of a little girl and the return of a nemesis who is likely
behind the entire jaw dropping murderous savagery, everyone finds
secrets that they hoped would never come to light. Kay and Marino
find themselves a bit out of the FBI loop as they’re taken to a special
lab for the postmortem of a man with whom Kay had a short relationship
when she was teaching in Italy. To ‘get over’ another love, who is now her
Much beloved Benton, who finds himself insecure for just a moment, and
as the story unfolds, everyone with hurt feelings manages to patch things
back in place. While away from her office, the devil plays. A powerful
family try desperately to prevent Kay from accurately reporting the cause
of death of a child, using sabotage of the ME office, and terrorizing the
folks guarding the building. The final act is the role played by the horrible
Carrie, who is going to turn out to be more involved than I thought, and who
might have gotten away once more.
I read this book in record time, with the lights on!
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the
download copy of this book for review purposes.
packed journey that leads Kay to the death of a long ago lover, the
horrific murder of a little girl and the return of a nemesis who is likely
behind the entire jaw dropping murderous savagery, everyone finds
secrets that they hoped would never come to light. Kay and Marino
find themselves a bit out of the FBI loop as they’re taken to a special
lab for the postmortem of a man with whom Kay had a short relationship
when she was teaching in Italy. To ‘get over’ another love, who is now her
Much beloved Benton, who finds himself insecure for just a moment, and
as the story unfolds, everyone with hurt feelings manages to patch things
back in place. While away from her office, the devil plays. A powerful
family try desperately to prevent Kay from accurately reporting the cause
of death of a child, using sabotage of the ME office, and terrorizing the
folks guarding the building. The final act is the role played by the horrible
Carrie, who is going to turn out to be more involved than I thought, and who
might have gotten away once more.
I read this book in record time, with the lights on!
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the
download copy of this book for review purposes.
January 16, 2025
Too much detail about helicopter rides and irrelevant chit chat. Thought we'd never get to the body. I am now reminded why I stopped reading this series.
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