Livid: The new Kay Scarpetta thriller from the No.1 bestseller

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Just like her previous outing – “Autopsy” – the structure of the novel was the same. Everything takes place over a period of less than 48 hours. It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience. Hailed as the first bona fide forensic thriller, Postmortem paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring all things forensic. CSI? You'll read it here first. Maybe it's because it's a timely topic with more questions than answers that's intrigued me for at least a couple of years now. Maybe it's because forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta doesn't seem quite as paranoid as usual (even though in this case, her suspicions may be rooted in fact). Whatever the reason, this, the 26th book in the popular series, is another one I really didn't want to put down.

There was good character growth (just a little growth since the series has been around for years, so you expect the character's to have done their growing) -just enough to keep them fresh. An interesting new weapon, at least to me. By 830PM, 28.5 hours since Kay exited the courtroom, everything is all wrapped up in a tidy bow and the killer is dead. WARNING - **SPOILERS AHEAD** - you will want to have read the book or your reading experience may be negatively influenced.Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990 while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Postmortem, was the first bona fide forensic thriller. It paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring in all things forensic across film, television and literature. They drive to Norfolk (to confirm her boss whom she doesn't like is up to no good) from Alexandria and while driving some of the "terrorists" are arrested. History Makers: Female Writers Dominate the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Shortlist Kay Scarpetta has been a forensics pathologist for many years, though she’s finally met her match. Having inherited a case that is now making headlines and drawing a large television audience, Scarpetta must separate truth from fiction as all eyes are on her. Both sides are equally divided and prepared to act violently if the correct verdict is not rendered.

Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta. A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of King and Crichton alike will enjoy.

Patricia Cornwell Press Reviews

But the relief doesn’t last long. She and investigator Pete Marino are soon notified that presiding judge (and Scarpetta’s friend/former roommate) Annie Chilton’s sister has been found dead at the family’s home. Further, evidence at the crime scene—blown electricity, dead wildlife, singed greenery, etc.—indicates the use of a high-tech “microwave gun.” That the victim was employed by the CIA and allegedly having an extramarital affair with Flagler only complicates matters, which are steeped in personal and professional quagmire. When a second body is discovered at a separate location, Scarpetta and expert Co. (including husband, Benton, and niece, Lucy) know that the threat of further violence is imminent. Still, internal strife and jurisdictional turf wars (think CIA, FBI, Secret Service) threaten to delay resolution, even as the terrorist(s) prepare to strike again. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Christmas with the Best Drinks Books On The Shelves The writing is descriptive and brisk. The characters are intuitive, knowledgeable, and persistent. And the plot is a well-paced, cleverly plotted tale full of mischief, mayhem, coercion, corruption, criminal behaviours, dangerous endeavours, crime scene analysis, secrets, deduction, lies, terrorists, and murder. The first few chapters were hard going due to the obnoxious prosecutor. You know that they have to try their utmost but he took the phrase "adversarial legal system" extremely literally. The overarching plot was good & I particularly liked how the different crime scenes were eventually tied together. All the main characters of the core group were involved: Scarpetta, Benton, Marino, & Lucy, & there were a few new ones too.

Another 15 rounds for Virginia chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her well-placed enemies past and present. Now add to this mess, the murder of the judge's sister, add in a threat to the POTUS, another murder, and really strange clues to the murders. Ho boy, this was a fast-paced, twisty-turny read! After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer. The Top 25 Christmas Cookbooks for 2023: A Smorgasbord of Inspiration for a Happy Foodie This Christmas Two years ago, the victim’s body washed up on the shores of Virginia. She had been out with her fiancé, who claims he has no idea what happened to her. When the authorities questioned him, through immediately tossed him in jail, where he sits today. Scarpetta holds the key to the forensic evidence and her word, should it be taken serial by the jury, could free a man or condemn him forever.New Sports Biographies and Autobiographies: Gift a Book for the Sports Fan In Your Life this Christmas The story starts out with Kay testifying in Old Town Alexandria regarding the alleged murder of a young woman by her husband. The judge is Kay's former roommate. The rulings the Judge makes during Kay's testimony would never happen, nor would the outrageous objections made by the prosecutor. The unrealistic story gets worse from here as people start getting killed, including the Judge's sister who is staying at the Judge's residence, with a microwave gun. There appears to be no connection to the killings, and there really isn't but for the author's unbelievable stretch at the end to make sure there is a connection. This book starts out with a trial that Kay is an expert witness but is being treated like -well, I just don't know how to describe it, but it sure isn't with any respect! This trial has a lot to do with today's political climate in the USA. At this point we are 73% through the book at this point and it has not even been 24 hours since the book began. The book opens with Chief Medical Examiner, Kay Scarpetta, being grilled on the stand in a highly emotive murder case. A man is on trial for his life after the body of his girlfriend was found floating in the river after being with him on his boat the night before, & supporters of both sides are in the courtroom & squaring up to each other around Virginia. The prosecutor is trying to make Scarpetta look cold & indifferent to the case & that this has made her sloppy in her interpretation of the evidence, & the judge is giving him latitude way beyond what is normal.