Scarpetta Series

Without giving away the entire story, following is a list and summary, chronologically, of the books in the Scarpetta series. You really should read these books in this order or you might get lost.

Postmortem

Dr. Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Virginia, opens the series with her viligant efforts to catch a strangler, “Mr. Nobody”. Endless nights and days are spent by the doctor gathering evidence to identify the homicidal maniac. Do you efforts pay off? Read and see!

Body of Evidence

This second novel in the series finds Dr. Scarpetta trying to solve the stabbing death of Beryl Madison, a romance writer from Richmond. Her long lost lover, Mark, resurfaces in an awkward capacity and you won’t believe what his role is in this novel.

All That Remains

All That Remains is an account of the investigation by Dr. Scarpetta into the disappearance of Fred Cheyney and Deborah Harvey. This couple, along with four other couples, are found decomposed and all crimes bear the same characteristics. Read as Dr. Scarpetta, along with her side kick Pete Marino, work to solve the crime in this thriller.

Cruel And Unusual

This fourth series Scarpetta book finds Dr. Scarpetta trying to make sense of confusing evidence regarding the fingerprints of convicted murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell. It appears that maybe when Waddell was executed maybe it wasn’t actually Waddell? Who knows. See how this foul up affects the career of Dr. Scarpetta.

From Potter's Field

This novel unfolds in the tunnels of New York City and opens with Dr. Scarpetta examining a dead woman found in Central Park. Because of the nature of the crime and the evidence at the scene, Dr Scarpetta already knows who the killer is-Temple Gault. Gault has been taunting crime solvers through many of the Scarpetta series novels. Will this finally be the end to his reign?

Cause of Death

The death of an Associated Press reporter is the focus of this novel. While conducting the investigation, Dr. Scarpetta finds herself the target of murder.

Unnatural Exposure

Staying true to form. Dr. Scarpetta finds herself in the midst of a scandal involving an affair she had. All the while, she’s trying to solve the mystery of a serial killer who taunts her via the internet.

Point of Origin

Scarpetta joins the FBI as a consultant in this thriller. Investigating a fire to a Virginia horse farm, this mystery has so many twists and turns that you’ll never image what the outcome will be

Black Notice

Black Notice, one of the most exciting books in the series, is packed full of gore! This novel finds Dr. Scarpetta herself a victim of email fraud while she’s fighting to keep her office jurisdiction safe and sound. To add insult to injury she’s worried about her dear Lucy who has undertaken a dangerous operation in Miami. This read also finds Marino and Dr. Scarpetta traveling abroad to gather information on a case.

The Last Precinct

The Last Precinct, the 11th book in the Scarpetta series, picks up where Point of Origin and Black Notice leaves off. There are no new characters added to the series but that doesn’t take away from another great plot. But, this novels finds Dr. Scarpetta smack dab in the middle of a police investigation involving corrupt cops. And, when the investigation is underway some of Kay’s deepest, darkest secrets surface.

Blow Fly

Dr. Scarpetta takes a back seat in this novel and hands the spotlight over to her niece, Lucy, and her bad-tempered side kick, Pete Marino. Wolfman, who first made an appearance in the series in Black Notice, is set for execution but not without first trying to make contact with Kay. This novel is not short on twists and turns, either. There are some very gruesome moments lurking inside the covers of this book

Trace

Dr. Scarpetta has been summoned to return to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond and, against Lucy’s advice, she returns. And, needless to say, the office that Kay returns to is nothing like she left it. Her successor is uncooperative and vituperative even when the task at hand involves solving two murders. This book is filled with loads of forensic details and ends at a great point to pick up the next novel in the series.

Predator

Patricia Cornwell never ceases to amaze and this book is no different. However, the elements presented in this novel encompass couples cover the sexual and psychological waterfronts, use of spiders in sadomasochist torture, and autopsy advice. Nothing your standard run of the mill crime novel! The plot develops in many different locations and lacks no suspense factor. Kay’s lesbian niece, Lucy, is still having trouble and she’s hiding a very big secret!

Book of the Dead

Book of the Dead continues with Cornwell’s style of presenting Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her entourage in their normal screwed up, self-absorbed state. The scene that Cornwell paints involving the brutal and slow death of a young tennis star is one that will have you sleeping with the lights for awhile. In true fashion, Kay Scarpetta finds herself trying to solve the case at a distinct disadvantage because of an inside attempt to destroy her.

Scarpetta

This novel finds Dr. Kay Scarpetta relocated to Belmont, MA with her husband, who also happens to be a forensic psychologist. She finds herself in the middle of a fatal attraction with a maniac who has checked himself into the mental ward of Manhattan’s Bellevue Hospital and refuses to speak to anyone but Kay. The story line wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from Lucy and Pete Marino.

Scarpetta Factor

The 17th novel in the Scarpetta Series finds Dr. Kay Scarpetta working at CNN as a senior forensic analyst working the case of the disappearance of Hannah Starr and the murder of a Central Park jogger. Lucy and her girlfriend, along with Marino get wound up in the loop of the investigation and the ending is something that you never see coming.