3.5 

Autopsy

By Patricia Cornwell
Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

New York Times Bestseller
The inspiration for the Amazon Prime Video series Scarpetta—starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis!

In this relaunch of the electrifying, landmark #1 bestselling thriller series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta hunts those responsible for two wildly divergent and chilling murders.
Autopsy revitalizes this venerable series and its beloved cast of characters... Whether you’re revisiting the indomitable Scarpetta or meeting her for the very first time, this is an ideal (re)entry point.” - Criminal Element


Forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta has come almost full circle, returning to Virginia, the state where she launched her storied career, as the chief medical examiner. Finding herself the new girl in town once again after being away for many years, she’s inherited both an overbearing secretary and a legacy of neglect and potential corruption.

She and her husband, Benton Wesley, now a forensic psychologist with the U.S. Secret Service, have relocated to Old Town Alexandria, where she’s headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that’s been torn apart by civil and political unrest. After just weeks on the job, she’s called to a scene by railroad tracks—a woman’s body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine—and as Scarpetta begins to follow the trail, it leads unnervingly close to her own historic neighborhood.

At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top secret labo­ratory in outer space, endangering at least two scientists aboard. Appointed to the highly classified Doomsday Commission that specializes in sensitive national security cases, Scarpetta is summoned to the White House and tasked with finding out exactly what happened. But even as she remotely works the first potential crime scene in space, an apparent serial killer strikes again very close to home.

Autopsy captivates readers with the shocking twists, high-wire tension, and forensic detail that Patricia Cornwell is famous for, proving once again why she’s the world’s #1 bestselling crime writer.

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Autopsy Reviews

3.5
“That ending was borderline disrespectful 😭”
“Another amazing Scarpetta novel!”
“There is just something so satisfying about watching Kay Scarpetta do what she does best. The way Patricia Cornwell writes the forensic side of these cases is what keeps me coming back. You can tell she knows her stuff, and every autopsy, injury analysis, and tiny piece of evidence feels important. It made me feel like I was standing right beside Kay in the morgue trying to solve the case with her. I also loved being back with the familiar characters. Kay is still as intelligent and determined as ever, Benton continues to be her steady support, Marino is still his grumpy self, and Lucy brings all of her genius and chaos to the investigation. Their relationships are one of my favorite parts of this series because they feel like old friends you’ve known forever. The mystery itself kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another layer would be added. I enjoyed how the investigation relied on actual forensic work instead of unbelievable twists or nonstop action. It felt like a classic crime novel where the evidence slowly tells the story. My only complaint is that there were moments where the technology and political side of the investigation became a little overwhelming. There were so many moving pieces that I occasionally had to stop and remind myself who was who and how everything connected. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It felt like a return to the Kay Scarpetta I remember, with fascinating forensic science, a smart mystery, and characters that still make me want to pick up the next book. I’d give Autopsy ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 out of 5 stars).”

About Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell is recognized as one of the world’s top bestselling crime authors with novels translated into thirty-six languages in more than 120 countries. Her novels have won numerous prestigious awards including the Edgar, the Creasey, the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Prix du Roman d’Aventure. Beyond the Scarpetta series, Patricia has written a definitive book about Jack the Ripper, a biography, and three more fiction series among others. Cornwell, a licensed helicopter pilot and scuba diver, actively researches the forensic technologies that inform her work. She was born in Miami, grew up in Montreat, North Carolina, and now lives and works in Boston. 

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