The eleventh Scarpetta novel, in which the Chief Medical Examiner is under a Grand Jury investigation for murder. She knows she’s being framed and she no longer knows who she can trust…
Physically and psychologically bruised by her encounter with the killer Chandonne, Dr Kay Scarpetta has to leave her home in the hands of the police team investigating the attack. She finds shelter with an old friend, Anna Zenner, but it is not the haven of security she needs when she discovers that Anna has been subpoenaed to appear before a Grand Jury which is investigating Scarpetta for murder. Kay knows she is being framed and she also knows she can trust no-one.
Meanwhile it appears that Chandonne killed a woman in New York before his murderous spree in Virginia, but when Scarpetta looks more closely into that case with the NY prosecutor Jaime Berger, proof of his guilt is far from certain–in fact she begins to believe that he may not be the perpetrator of any of the crimes he is accused of. As she follows the forensic trail to the real killer she gradually realizes that someone has been spinning a web for years with the aim of entrapping her. Who is it, and why are they so desperate to be rid of her?
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"Patricia Cornwell just 150% redeemed herself. This was her best book so far, and I've already started the next one and am hooked. She wrote this in first person present tense, as opposed to first person past tense, which threw me a bit but really worked with the story line of this book. It was a better view into Dr. Scarpetta's mind, and now I feel kind of bad for calling her whiny...though overall I'd say she could still stand to not obsess so much. Rock on, Cornwell!"
— Ilana (4 out of 5 stars)
“Ignites on the first page…Cornwell twists escalating violence, unrelenting tension, and growing paranoia into a thick rope of horror and unfolding conspiracy. No one depicts the human capability for evil better than she…Cornwell has created a character so real, so compelling, so driven that this reader has to remind herself regularly that Scarpetta is just a product of an author’s imagination.”
— USA Today“Plots within plots, fraught atmosphere, and unrelenting suspense keep readers on tenterhooks while one trap after another springs under unwary feet. Cunningly designed, ingeniously laid out, composed with Cornwellian skill, this far-from-the-last precinct is a model of the art.”
— Los Angeles Times“The most unexpected of the Kay Scarpetta novels so far…The Last Precinct unfolds deliberately, keeping you in the dark along with Scarpetta so that when the revelations dawn, you’re almost reeling, too. The overwhelming feeling, though, is that Cornwell has the series on the verge of spinning off in a thrilling new direction. The Last Precinct may just be a terrific first step toward something even more exhilarating.”
— Miami Herald“One of Ms. Cornwell’s better novels…There are surprises and unexpected plot twists…A page-turner that will engage, surprise, and engross readers to the final page.”
— Richmond Times-Dispatch" Now we know how Benton died and why Lucy's new company is called "The Last Precinct". There are lots of twist and turns in this story. I'm not sure how much sleep Kay Scarpetta gets at night. She is constantly on the go! "
— Cathy, 2/16/2014" I probably would have appreciated this read more had I read Black Notice first, as the story is continued from there and makes frequent reference to the first book. It is, still, a good solid read, and the bad guy, the Werewolf, sounds like the first book will be a great read also. Looking forward to tracking it down! "
— Patrick, 2/14/2014" ..a tightly woven plot with a multitude of twists and turns..all of which get resolved... "
— Connie, 2/14/2014" Way too much recap of previous book. "
— Carolyn, 2/1/2014" It seems like the author is creating a trilogy in the middle of a series. It's wonderfully crafted and hopefully the next book brings the stunning conclusion "
— Chuck, 1/25/2014" Audio booked this on a road trip. "
— M.E.G., 1/22/2014" As usual, hard to put down. The twists and turns keep you thinking. "
— Cyndi, 1/18/2014" I really had to force myself through a lot of this book. I found it much less interesting than the other Scarpetta books, even the ones that weren't that good. "
— Joanie, 1/16/2014" I agree with some other reviews that it isn't as good as the beginning on the series was- mostly because the characters are becoming so angry and bitter but I still enjoyed it and am ready for the next one. With hope, some of the story lines that twisted together a bit strangely will be resolved. "
— Alexa, 1/6/2014" Good page turner / whodunnit though I had it figured out early. Sucked it down in a couple of sittings. "
— Chrisb, 12/31/2013" Kay is part of an investigation accused of murdering new police chief. Marino was suspended by this chief. Lucy has left the FBI and works for AFT. Story revolves around a family in Paris and "werewolf" killer. The story doesn't really end- werewolf killer continues into the next book in the series. "
— Kelly, 12/13/2013" I found this a bit slow- like all of the Kay Scarpetta stories. But there is great attention to detail as always from the author Patricia Cornwell. "
— Glenda, 12/5/2013" It's a little weird to read these books when I know what comes later in the series... "
— Ayelet, 10/25/2013" Seemed to wrap up a few loose ends from the last book or two in the Kay Scarpetta series. Enjoyable plot, but the swearing, general bitterness, and focus on sex lives appears to be growing. "
— Erik, 10/25/2013" This was very good but had a different character in it, I almost felt sorry for, almost. The whole book had a unique ring to it...not sure what was going on in Cornwell's mind at the time, but the story is engrossing and bizarre. "
— Shelly, 10/7/2013" Dr. Kay Scarpetta is back in my world! "
— Julie, 9/26/2013" so far so good, a little bit plodding at the start. i'm new to Patricia Cornwell and may not remain a fan. i far prefer Kathy Reichs. "
— Lisa, 9/10/2013" Scared the daylights out of me at times! Excellent, dark mystery "
— Annette, 4/13/2013" Its a bit slow to get into, but once you are absorbed into the book, its amazing!! "
— Nat, 1/10/2013" I really liked this book. I like how it tied up a lot of loose ends and leaves Kay open to pursue a different path. However, I feel like maybe Cornwell initially intended to leave the series here and I am kind of puzzled as to why it continues. "
— Kalyn, 12/19/2012" There was no reason to call the Grand Jury. Cops don't do that to each other. The crime story was tighter than some of her recent stuff. "
— Carol, 9/30/2012" #11 Scarpetta finds herself the target of a corrupt police investigation. sifts through the forensic evidence that seems to link Chandonne to other horrific events in her past "
— Sandra, 8/25/2012" Good read, as usual, she keeps her lead characters growing, yet with still some depths to be plummed. "
— Susan, 8/15/2012" Deals with gory murders in such a factual way that it doesn't seem vulgar or insensitive at all! To add elements of emotions to such a well-laid out plot is pretty laudable. Worth a read! "
— Meghana, 6/19/2012" Its very good if you like a good murder mystery "
— Vicki, 2/6/2012" This is where it all went downhill for me.. I loved them all until this one. I just could NOT get through it. The characters 'turned' on me, and I haven't found a Scarpetta book since that has held my attention, and that I've read cover-to-cover since. "
— Gillian, 12/11/2011" Its a bit slow to get into, but once you are absorbed into the book, its amazing!! "
— Nat, 5/17/2011" This was the best one of her books, I think. I am to the point where it is time to start reading her stories again. "
— Jeanne, 4/27/2011" Definitely one of my favourite Scarpetta thrillers so far. Although not so much death and action as some of the others in the series, there is a lot of detail into the characters themselves and it is very well written. "
— Jessica, 4/24/2011" This was my first Patricia Cornwell book & I have since read all of them. The series is starting to seem different with the last few books, but I highly recommend her earlier books. "
— Elizabeth, 3/14/2011" A Kay Scarpetta novel. A very good read! "
— Laurie, 2/14/2011" I read all the books in the Scarpetta series. I really like the characters and the mysteries. There is nothing earth-shattering about the writing or the concept, but they are fun and entertaining books and easy to read. "
— Thenerdmom, 12/31/2010" I found this book difficult to get into. Cornwell wrote all previous Scarpetta books in the first person, yet this one was written in the third person and it takes some getting used to when you have read the series from the start. "
— Jane, 11/3/2010" A bit too pat for my tastes, rather predictable, and poorly written ending. "
— Rona, 10/7/2010" Cornwell just gets better and better as Kay Scarpetta goes on with her life. These are becoming "can't put down" books for me. Alas, all too soon, I'll be finished with this series. "
— Carolyn, 9/30/2010" Nice turn of phrase now and then. "
— Savage, 9/25/2010" The weakest Scarpetta novel so far in the series. The heavy psychoanalytic aspect of the plot is murky and slow. The bitter tone is difficult to warm up to. The staccato narrative style doesn't flow. If not for its overall interesting plot, the book would have been a 1 out of 5. "
— Cupcakencorset, 9/21/2010" It's a Kay Scarpetta book. You know what you're getting into before you start reading it. If you like this style of book, it's an okay example. Nothing super special here, but worthy of the genre/series. "
— Chris, 9/15/2010Patricia Cornwell is recognized as one of the world’s top bestselling crime authors with many New York Times bestselling novels. She wrote her debut, Postmortem, while working at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia, and it went on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards, as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventures—the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. Beyond the Kay Scarpetta series, she has written a definitive book about Jack the Ripper, a biography, and three more fiction series, among others.
Kate Reading, named an AudioFile Golden Voice, has recorded hundreds of audiobooks across many genres, over a thirty–year plus career and won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. Among other awards, she has been recognized as an AudioFile Magazine Voice of the Century, Narrator of the Year, Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and winner of an Publisher’s Weekly’s Listen-Up Award. She records at her home studio, Madison Productions, Inc., in Maryland.