#1 New York Times Bestselling AuthorPatricia Cornwell delivers the twenty-third engrossing thriller in her high-stakes series starring medical examiner Dr. Kay ScarpettaDepraved Heart: “Void of social duty and fatally bent on mischief.” —Mayes v. People, 806 III. 306 (1883)Dr. Kay Scarpetta is working a suspicious death scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when an emergency alert sounds on her … Cambridge, Massachusetts, when an emergency alert sounds on her phone. A video link lands in her text messages and seems to be from her computer genius niece, Lucy. But how can it be? It’s clearly a surveillance film of Lucy taken almost twenty years ago.
As Scarpetta watches, she begins to learn frightening secrets about her niece, whom she has loved and raised like a daughter. That film clip and then others sent soon after raise dangerous legal implications that increasingly isolate Scarpetta and leave her confused, worried, and not knowing where to turn. She doesn’t know whom she can tell—not her FBI husband, Benton Wesley, or her investigative partner, Pete Marino. Not even Lucy.
In this new novel, Cornwell launches these unforgettable characters on an intensely psychological odyssey that includes the mysterious death of a Hollywood mogul’s daughter, aircraft wreckage on the bottom of the sea in the Bermuda Triangle, a grisly gift left in the back of a crime scene truck, and videos from the past that threaten to destroy Scarpetta’s entire world and everyone she loves. The diabolical presence behind what unfolds seems obvious—but strangely, not to the FBI. Certainly that’s the message they send when they raid Lucy’s estate and begin building a case that could send her to prison for the rest of her life.
In the latest novel in her bestselling series featuring chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Cornwell will captivate readers with the shocking twists, high-wire tension and cutting-edge forensic detail that she is famous for, proving yet again why she’s the world’s #1 bestselling crime writer.
“Dr. Kay Scarpetta . . . [is] an awesome force in the field of forensic science.” —The New York Times Book Review
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Not what I expect from Cornwall not well written in my opinion.
I find these books entertaining, but predictable. Fun for a quick read.
I have been a fan of Patricia Cornwell’s books for years and have read most of them. However, this one is really bad. Same tired cast of characters, same basic plot line, and at the end we tie it all up with a great home cooked Italian family dinner and all is well – until the next book when Carrie will once again be resurrected to manipulate the FBI into trying to assasinate Lucy and destroy Scarpetta. Frankly, I’m tired of all of them.
More psychological than previous books in series.
Sad to say I am getting SO tired of these characters! Do not think I will read another book by this author. Tied of Lucy and her partner’s strange ways — they just sick and twisted people who muck up a good mystery!.
Nothing ever happens. She’s phoning these in.
As usual, I enjoyed the characters as if they were old friends. I also liked the short time-frame covered in exquisite detail. Cornwall does not disappoint! So what’s not to like? Here’s what : I’ve had my fill of villain Carrie, from previous and other Scarpetta books , and I don’t want a sequel, as the ending certainly pointed to.
Great “What is going to happen next” book.
I love anything that Patricia Cornwall writes, especially the Kay Scarpetta books. This one ends rather suddenly so I expect to see the next book that continues the story.
Another great Scarpetta novel. Twists and turns with usual connections and inter personal relationships.
I always enjoy Kay Scarpetta. Fascinating and timely chain of events.
Love Patricia cornwell
Loved it, shall read it again!
I love a mystery where the main characters are smart people. I hate it when they’re hapless.
Standard Cornwall
Not as compelling as other Cornwell books I have read
/Did not like, I love her books but did not like this one
Another Scarpetta book. An old nemesis has returned. I enjoy her books partly due to the thorough research that Cornwall does in prep for each book. She stays up on current technology and it shows in the quality of her work. Her books are hard to put down and this one was no different.
I read Patricia Cornwell