#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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Depraved Heart is the 23rd novel in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. It is also the middle novel in a three-book arc focusing on a common villain who’s resurfaced from the past. To be honest, I don’t recall whether we read about Carrie Grethen in one of the very early novels, but I believe she was mentioned at some point given the books began in 1990 and the time period referenced was 1995 thru 1997 when the criminal interacted with the main characters. Sorry! After this many books read and this long of a period passing by, my mind isn’t 100% certain on everything I read (without a refresher); and I’m too lazy today to verify. Ha!
Depraved Heart was a strong book for me, although others didn’t love it as much. It’s hard to keep momentum in a series, especially when they are technical and detailed. Most of the plot of this book takes place over a 24-hour period when we focus on the legal aspects of what the FBI can and can’t do to Lucy based on a tip they’ve received and an inkling they have about what really happened in the last book in Florida. While we do have a body and an autopsy, Kay isn’t doing it herself, and she only comments on what she’s seen or heard from others. We’re not even certain who killed the woman as it could be a couple of people, but we’ll be sure in the next book when the arc concludes.
Overall, this was the kind of book where I couldn’t stop flipping pages to see what the key characters would learn about Carrie Grethen, the criminal FBI mastermind who’s been stalking them for years in the background. She’s a formidable villain and can hold Scarpetta AND Lucy at bay for their actions in the past and currently. We see very little of Benton in this book, and Lucy is only there for a few conversations. We’re almost entirely witnessing a few hours of time between Kay and Marino as they investigate a potential homicide, receive a video about Carrie and Lucy’s former friendship, and realize the crime is connected to the past.
For suspense and thrills, it’s top notch but not in terms of a chase. It’s a methodical look at how Carrie could pull off such actions from the dive ‘accident’ in Florida to the copper-mining to the murder of the starlet’s daughter in the initial crime that we think is unrelated. Watching the drama unfold was fantastic, but I like this sort of novel. If you’re looking for detailed medical procedures and analysis, this book strays from the norm. If you like connecting prior events we’ve seen bits and pieces of to something current and crazy, you should love it.
Kay Scarpetta novels also captivate me. The expertisely written criminal investigation mixed with deep, smart, and likeable characters. I have read the entire series.
I have read all of Patricia Cornwall’s books and have always enjoyed them. It seems like lately, the plots are getting monotonous and the drama of the characters is getting a little out there. I think we are all tired of Carrie Gresham and everything about her. It should be ended already, and let’s move on to more interesting things.
Have to read any of her books in a day! Can’t put it down! Gotta find out what happens, whose involved! Sometimes surprised!!
Very good read, couldn’t put it dow
I used to be a really big fan of the Kay Scarpetta series. It’s been a few years since I last read one of the books, and I was extremely disappointed in this one. Boy has the series changed and not in a good way. This 500+ page book took place almost entirely in a single day, except for the abrupt and confusing ending. She may have shown up at a crime scene, but that was the only thing that seemed to jive with the way these books used to go. Kay didn’t even do an autopsy! I clearly missed a number of books so was not current with the story, but this book was so focused on Kay and her damaged psyche, it was really difficult to get through. I am not sure why a book that spent so much time inside Kay’s head and on tortured discussion sessions with other characters had to be so long. I almost didn’t finish reading it because I hate a book where all the main characters that you root for seem up against stacked and impossible odds, but I had to finish it to see what happened. And when I got to the end, I can’t say I really understood overall what happened, even the alleged explanations at the end didn’t make sense to me. I don’t think I will be reading any more books in this series, unless I go backwards to earlier books that were actually good.
One of the better Scarpettas
This was a great one
Love everything she writes.
This story seemed to take place almost entirely in the protagonist’s head which was just boring. I stuck with it because I like the characters from reading the previous books. Very disappointing.
Another great book from the queen of forensics. You get right into it as if you are there, brilliantly done.
I usually really enjoy Patricia Cornwell’s Novels. I felt that the storyline went too long in this one. I became bored in parts. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this one a 5.
There was a time when I could not wait for the next Cornwell to be released……but her last few offerings feel like they were phoned in. This will probably be the last book I will order from this writer. Like Patterson’s Alex Cross offerings, the pages are filled with too much feedback about the characters who are regular players. Perhaps these explanatory passages are required for the reader who has not been exposed to prior offerings but for anyone who has read the earlier books it seems like an attempt to meet the page count.
Too bad….loved the early Scarpetta books.
Kay Scarpetta and family versus the FBI? Yes, even though her husband is senior FBI. Throw in a serial killer that seems to be targetting her and her family. Throw in the death of a daughter of a prominent Hollywood producer. Plenty to keep you interested.
I did not like this book compared to her others. Not as informative or interesting
Patricia Cornwell is a good writer. This book from her Kay Scarpetta series is a page turner. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but understand the reason for it – the next book
Cornwall needs to find a new storylne. This was really boring
The worst Cornwall book I ever read. Certainly would not recommend. Waste of time.
It really helps if you have read the whole series.
I liked the book but seems different from her previous writing.