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…
more
Typical Cornwell another page turner that should be a movie, full of believable and likable ( even that f-ing Flowers )
Cornwall is always a good read
The books was tedious, and not up to par actually. It was very disjointed and just really poor.
Not up to the authors usual standard
I was bored.
My only problem with this author is the fact that she puts so much detail into relating the first part of the novel, its like you are actually there. Then the last two chapters seem rushed and I usually have to read them over as there seems to be information that I might have overlooked. Other than that, wonderful, thought provoking book that gives you a brief glimpse into the mind of a killer!
I’ve read better but ever her worst is better than most people’s best. This was fair to good. It was a little slow
Lacked the clarity and drive of other novels I’ve read by same author. Kay seemed very tired and Benton has lost his appeal
I enjoy Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta series.
Patricia Cornwell, thoroughly enjoy her medically exciting pathology of murders.
I found the plot and text of this book has a confusing lack of continuity in story line. Stopped reading about half way through, just gave up.
I enjoyed it, but I’m reading too many Scarpetta novels in a row. They lose their edge & it’s not as enjoyable as reading them with other books in between. It was still good but some of the regular characters were disappointing.
Cornwell doesn’t really offer us anything new or intriguing with any of the Scarpetta novels, and I find the interactions between Kay and Bensen tired and irritating. But they’re comfortable and enjoyable and when I want a forensic brain fluff story I enjoy these books. (They’re the literary version of CSI, which is definitely a guilty pleasure)
I do not recall the specifics of this particular book (which I’m sure speaks volumes) and have left the same review on all the Cornwell books I’ve read. They don’t stand out as unique and individual stories, the characters are flawed and sometimes 2 dimensional, but they’re reliable, and deliver on what the franchise promises.
Great book
others by Cornwall better
Good read! Although I love to read, all books do not interest, or entertain, or EDUCATE, this book does all three! I am a fan of the author!
Good book for weekend reading
Was disappointed. I had not read Patricia Cromwell in a long time, and used to enjoy her books. The plot was confusing and not well presented and just not
very interesting.
Not her best book, but I love her books.
Was okay not one of her best, story jumped around to much for me.