In this provocative thriller, forensic expert Kay Scarpetta is surrounded by familiar faces, yet traveling down the unfamiliar road of fame.... It is the week before Christmas. A tanking economy has prompted Dr. Kay Scarpetta—despite her busy schedule and her continuing work as the senior forensic analyst for CNN—to offer her services pro bono to New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of unexpected and unsettling events, culminating in an ominous package—possibly a bomb—showing up at the front desk of the apartment building where she and her husband, Benton, live. Soon the apparent threat on Scarpetta’s life finds her embroiled in a surreal plot that includes a famous actor accused of an unthinkable sex crime and the disappearance of a beautiful millionaire with whom her niece, Lucy, seems to have shared a secret past. Scarpetta’s CNN producer wants her to launch a TV show called The Scarpetta Factor. Given the bizarre events already in play, she fears that her growing fame will generate the illusion that she has a “special factor,” a mythical ability to solve all her cases. She wonders if she will end up like other TV personalities: her own stereotype.
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"I think I read my first Scarpetta novel at the age of 15 or so. And still Cornwell's work is very good. This was a perfect piece to read while on holiday. Although all the novels are independent stories in a way, the characters have grown throughout the series, which I do like."
— Johanna (4 out of 5 stars)
" I think I am done with Scarpetta. The last 5 books or so have been the same thing! It was fun while it was good. "
— Laritza, 2/16/2014" I'm starting to feel like I'm a quitter. I had to give up on this book. It was just not holding my interest. It was too wordy and and I couldn't get into it. I used to love Cornwell's book, but I just felt I was wasting my time on this. I'm really sorry to say it. "
— Frances, 2/8/2014" the earlier books are better, Tired of Kay being so "perfect" and that everyone loves her "
— Caitlin, 1/28/2014" Not the best in the series. Seemed to just sort of drag on and felt it still had many loose ends when it was finally over. "
— Courtney, 1/18/2014" Overall, I was disappointed. It held my interest but 3/4 of the book was a rehash of previous books. Definitely not her best or maybe I have just read too many Scarpetta books. "
— Sally, 1/16/2014" Another fun read! Love Scarpetta "
— Dee, 1/12/2014" I was a little disappointed in this one. I really felt like it was too rushed and the suspense didn't build the way it has in other books of hers. "
— Annabelle, 1/12/2014" I was stuck between giving this 3 or 4 stars. It was a typical Scarpetta whodunit book. I thought it was entertaining, but not necessarily memorable. "
— Kelly, 12/12/2013" This book was so hard to get through. It was slow until the last 150 pages then I was so happy to see the pace pick up and the book become very enjoyable. Still can't give it more than 3 Stars. "
— Jerri, 12/2/2013" Finally! Better than the last few. So much more like the early Scarpetta books. More interior character work and Kay cooking a feast at the end. "
— Lauri, 10/15/2013" Typical Cornwell, but a bit slow in places. "
— Denice, 9/28/2013" Kay Scarpetta is easily among my favorite characters. This book illustrates that even the best authors need strong editors. IMO, this book was way too detailed....the dialogue was ponderous! "
— Bruce, 7/13/2013" I thought the story was poorly developed and executed. After reading other reviews from people who have read a lot of her books they also said this seemed like a poor effort. Maybe some of her earlier books are better. "
— Arie, 3/21/2013" Okay, I'm on the hook again. A better story than the last one, not all computer tech , good old fashioned murder. It could have used some editing-- longer than the story warranted. I am always glad to catch up with Scarpetta and friends. "
— Anita, 2/24/2013" I really enjoyed this book. Patricia Cornwell took her characters to a really deep dark place and is now showing healing and emergence from their dark place. A good read!! "
— Artha, 1/13/2013" could barely get thru it, was looking forward to getting back to old friends, but this book barely moved, and I didn't recognize my "old friends" "
— Yaffa, 1/3/2013" This book didn't have nearly the action that other of her books have had. "
— Rebecca, 11/14/2012" Always enjoy her books a sure good read, well written and always keeps my interest. "
— Sherry, 11/19/2011" Got this one for xmas too :) another great engaging read, fully enjoyed it. "
— Evelyn, 11/5/2011" Way too long. I used to love her books, but this will be the last of Cornwell's for me. "
— Susan, 11/2/2011" A classic Scarpetta mystery with a great ending. Patricia Cornwell seems to have refreshed this series in the last two books! "
— Bernadette, 10/26/2011" I have read all of the books in the Kay Scarpetta series and I think I am getting tired of her! Each book gets increasingly more involved with technology and for those of us who are technologically challenged it becomes boring. I found myself skipping entire sections. So, goodbye, Dr. Scarpetta. "
— Peggy, 10/6/2011" I so didn't like this book that I didn't even finish it. This character is getting very stale. "
— TeriC, 9/26/2011" Too many references back to previous books. Too much focus on Lucy. "
— Marie, 5/16/2011" Twists and turns of plot with every new page. In addition to her storytelling talents, believable characters and plots, she keeps you up on the latest in forensic science and computer technology. This is why she is one of my favorite mystery writers. "
— Barbara, 5/7/2011" I liked this book, but everyone was soooooooooooooo ANGRY! "
— April, 5/4/2011" Although I liked the book, not sure I like the new style of writing. "
— Marybeth, 4/29/2011" A nice progession of the regular characters, but I am ready for real mystery! Starting Port Mortuary tonight! "
— Epic.rdr, 4/28/2011" Dr Scarpetta is, again, in the middle of an investigation. And again she needs to help her niece, Lucy. "
— Anna, 4/11/2011" Patricia Cornwell is good but this is not one of her best. "
— Tony, 4/7/2011" I read all Patricia Cornwell. This Kay Scarpetta series being my favorite. The books never disappoint. "
— Mary, 3/28/2011" Good Story but too much detail. could have told the story in about 100 pages less. "
— Gary, 3/26/2011" I have been reading Kay Scarpetta books for years....... This was a nice way to wrap up things with her and Jean Baptiste "
— Samiee, 3/22/2011" ok but slow because of excess details. good story and ties in with several previous books "
— Lane, 3/21/2011" It must have been too long since I have read one of her other books because I kind of felt lost... "
— Laura, 3/21/2011" I usually enjoy Patricia Cornwall's books. This one seems to be a bit slow and is a newer publication with a date of 2009 printed. Kay Scarpetta is now reunited with her husband Benton Wesley. The story seems to be going to move between the two POV. "
— Valerie, 3/15/2011Patricia 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.
Michael Kramer is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, and recipient of a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award. He is also an actor and director in the Washington, DC, area, where he is active in the area’s theater scene and has appeared in productions at the Shakespeare Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Theater J.