Dr. Kay Scarpetta is starting over with a unique private forensic pathology practice in Charleston, South Carolina. But in this thrilling #1 New York Times bestseller, her fresh start ushers in a string of murders more baffling—and terrifying—than any that have come before…The Book of the Dead is the morgue log, the ledger in which all cases are entered by hand. For Kay Scarpetta, however, it … Kay Scarpetta, however, it is about to acquire a new meaning.
A sixteen-year-old tennis star, fresh from a tournament win Charleston, is found nude and mutilated near Piazza Navona in Rome. The body of an abused young boy is dumped in a desolate marsh. A woman is ritualistically murdered in her multimillion-dollar beach home. Meanwhile, in New England, problems with a prominent patient at a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital begin to hint at interconnections among the deaths that are as hard to imagine as they are horrible.
Scarpetta has dealt with many brutal and unusual crimes before, but never has she seen a string of death like what she’s facing now. Before she is through, that book of the dead will contain many names—and the pen may be poised to write her own…
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Great writer. always unpredictable. Always very, very edgy. I look forward to reading, and reading, her books
Was very disappointed in this one. I think the characters are getting old and worn out. Move on….
Thought it ended rather abruptly.
Patricia Cornwell is still delivering exciting Scarpetta stories
It was a great book I really enjoyed it and like her books
I have read all of Patricia Cornwell’s books about Kay Scarpetta. Every one of them tells a unique story that is fascinating, scary and true to facts. An excellent story teller.
Dr Kay never disappoints.
Her books are always hard to put down!
She hits a home run again!
I love the Kay Scarpeta series! It is always thrilling and hard to put down.
I wasn’t overly impressed. I got tired of everything being completely negative and very full of psychological analysis. There seemed no real point to any of it.
All her books are great reading. Love them
Her books are always a good read.
As always Patricia Cornwall writes well. Her characters are 3D and don’t change for the current plot. She informs. And leaves you satisfied to have spent the time with her.
Not my favorite but a good page turner
I truly enjoyed the early Cornwall books – then they got more extreme – everything has to be over the top cruelty, depravity and intensity,, they are now too emotional, over the top.. She writes well but should go back to her roots.
terafiing
Kay Scarpetta is always a good read. Like the realistic settings and even the most revolting scenes are needed for realism.