It’s Dr. Kay Scarpetta’s birthday, and she’s about to head to Miami for a vacation with Benton Wesley, her FBI profiler husband, when she notices seven pennies on a wall behind their Cambridge house. Is this a kids’ game? If so, why are all of the coins dated 1981 and so shiny they could be newly minted? Her cellphone rings, and Detective Pete Marino tells her there’s been a homicide five minutes … minutes away. A high school music teacher has been shot with uncanny precision as he unloaded groceries from his car. No one has heard or seen a thing.
In this 22nd Scarpetta novel, the master forensic sleuth finds herself in the unsettling pursuit of a serial sniper who leaves no incriminating evidence except fragments of copper. The shots seem impossible, yet they are so perfect they cause instant death. The victims appear to have had nothing in common, and there is no pattern to indicate where the killer will strike next. First New Jersey, then Massachusetts, and then the murky depths off the coast of South Florida, where Scarpetta investigates a shipwreck, looking for answers that only she can discover and analyze. And it is there that she comes face to face with shocking evidence that implicates her techno genius niece, Lucy, Scarpetta’s own flesh and blood.
Includes an exclusive excerpt from the riveting next novel in the Kay Scarpetta series, DEPRAVED HEART.
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As always, Patricia Cornwell doesn’t disappoint. Love her books!
Kay Scarpetta and the gang with their unusual dynamics. The end was abrupt.
If you like this series, this one won’t disappoint.
True Dr Scarpetta story with lots of suspense and danger.
Big fan of Scarpetta
Didn’t want to.stop reading it. Kept you wanting more
really like all her books, sometimes a bit bloody for my older friends. i am 771
Even with same old character, the story line is always different, however would have liked an ending.
Loved this book. Could not put it down. Looks like Patricia has done it again keeping the reader in suspense.
Disappointing.v
Yo say Cirnwell is entertaining is not enough, I was blown away.
I enjoy Patricia Cornwell’s writing. The medical facts, the mystery, and the characters. Her books are captivating and fast paced. I’ve read them all.
disappointed in the ending, no resolution of anything
I’ve read a lot of her books and this was extremely boring and took so long to get to the part about it being Carrie. Not sure I want more of them the way this one was.
Cornwall used to be my favorite author. This book was a bit strange and the ending was unacceptable.
In the past 25 years I have read no less than 12 of these Cornwell books. Either I have changed or the writing has deteriorated. I do not remember so much boring meaningless filler that lent nothing to the plot or overall story. I gave up trying to get to some meat of the story or excitement of any sort about a 3rd of the way through it.
I used to love reading Patricia Cornwell books – but it seems she has gotten way too far into introspection and worrying about personal relationships in depth – not to build suspense or interest but to the point it often detracts from the plot. She was such a great author and still has such good story lines – would love to see her get back to basics and tell the story. Don’t mean to be harsh – she is an awesome author – but too much “stuff” discussed internally with herself – some mention might help clarify and intrigue – but not to this extent.
Too technical
I love all Scarpetta books. Have not been disappointed by any that feature the amazing doctor.
I love this author. She is one of the best