As an avid fan of the earlier books in the Kay Scarpetta series I had been a little let down by the last few. I felt that they lacked the edge of the first ones and was intrigued to see what the change in the new book would be, if any.

Well this was almost straight away back to the gritty well written early days of Scarpetta novels and I found it hard to put down. I love the characters, especially Kay, and she has found her voice again in this novel. Set just after the first Covid wave we see Kay in a new job and living with a devastated niece Lucy, who has lost her small family in the pandemic.

Kay and Benton travel to the White House for a secret meeting and the vivid descriptions of the events there and the space station are riveting. Kay enlists her old partner Pete Marino to do some work in a case she is investigating and the duo spark well with each other, just as they had in the early books.

I look forward to reading more now and will be looking out for book #26. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's been several years since I read one of Patricia Cornwell's books but it was easy to slip right back into the world of Dr. Kay Scarpetta. Several mysteries to solve and plenty of personal interactions made this book a good reminder of why I always liked Cornwell's books.

Patricia Cornwell is one of my favourite authors, and I have been reading her books for over 25 years, so I was really excited to get this book! It is amazing and I loved it so much. I was so happy to be back with Kay, Benton, Lucy and Marino, who are like family to me, since I have read so much about them over the years. The storyline was very good and it kept me interested all the way through. Kay and her family have been affected by covid, but there is not a lot of covid talk in the book, which I was glad of. The story is set around the time of Lucy's birthday and Thanksgiving, so it had a warm, cosy feel to it, in between the harsher aspects of murder, crime scene investigation and forensics. It reminded me of the earlier books, and it had that same atmosphere that we had in the olden days. I love Kay and I can't wait for Patricia's next instalment, so I that I can be back with Kay again! I hope it won't be too long to wait!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Patricia Cornwell for my arc of Autopsy in exchange for an honest review.

Out now!

The latest instalment in the Kay Scarpetta series is always highly anticipated and I was so excited to get my hands on it. I’m a little late reading it as I’m still running behind with my reviews after my operation and house move but it was well worth the wait.

The familiar cast of characters are back, Kay, Benton, Marino, Lucy and the story is back at the start centring Kay as the new chief medical examiner in Virginia but also bringing her into new circles with trips to the White House.

The storyline is interesting following the familiar pattern of Kay trying to make it in a world where people want to see her fail while also trying to get to the bottom of a murder and possible cover up.

The story was a definite improvement on the last couple of Scarpetta books but I’m a bit disappointed to see that the ‘everyone is out to get Kay’ theme is still running it’s making her difficult to like as much as I used to.

As usual the majority of the story wrapped up in the last 3-4% of the book but this time with little detail or information it felt quite rushed and I thought it could have been a bit longer in order to flesh out that side of things rather than the epilogue reading a bit like a summary.

I’ll definitely forever keep reading these books and feel like they’re going back in the right direction but it still didn’t quite live up to the originals.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Autopsy’ by Patricia Cornwell in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 25 in her highly popular Dr. Kay Scarpetta series of forensic thrillers. Since ‘Postmortem’ in 1990 these were published regularly though there’s been a 5-year gap since Book 24, ‘Chaos’, leading to an enthusiastic ‘She’s Back!’ in some publicity material.

‘Autopsy’ is set in a post-pandemic USA with the recent civil and political unrest in evidence. I was a little concerned that I might feel lost though Cornwell provided background for readers new to the series or those like myself who needed a reminder.

In ‘Autopsy’ world-renowned forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta along with husband Benton have returned to Virginia. They are living in an eighteenth century property in Old Town, Alexandria, with her volatile niece, Lucy, living in a cottage on the grounds.

Kay has returned to her former role as Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Virginia. Her work is complicated by office politics, a secretary who resents Kay’s appointment, and the like. Those familiar with the series knows that Kay’s strident personality often ruffles feathers.

The main case features the discovery of a woman’s body alongside a railway track. The situation quickly becomes more complicated and incites fear in the local community as violent crimes are almost nonexistent in Old Town.

The secondary case involves Kay’s role as a member of the National Emergency Contingency Coalition (aka Doomsday Commission). She is summoned to the White House to advise on a catastrophe in a top secret lab in outer space. The much satirised Space Force makes an appearance. There are also subplots involving Lucy as well as Kay’s long standing colleague Pete Marino, who is married to Kay’s sister. No further details to avoid spoilers.

While I faithfully read through to Book #21 as they were published, I had been finding the later titles a bit hit or miss. Still, within the first few pages of ‘Autopsy’, I was reminded of the energy of the early books and felt that Cornwell had her mojo back. This pleased me and I zoomed through it.

There was a great deal for me to enjoy in ‘Autopsy’, even though its ending seemed a bit rushed. It felt like it was a return to form for the series and hopefully it won’t be too long before there are more cases for Dr. Scarpetta and company.

Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist returns to Virginia as the chief medical examiner. Virginia is where she first started all those years ago when she launched her career. She and her husband Benton Wesley, who is a forensic psychologist with the US Secret Service, have relocated to Old Town Alexandria where she’s based, five miles from the Pentagon. The book is really enjoyable and I honestly couldn't put it down. Patricia Cornwell manages to keep my interest throughout and I will most likely pick up instalment 26 when it's available.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HarperCollins via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Oh thank goodness Kay is back! And she is back in good form dealing with murders and employees and all the things we loved and missed. This book is set after Thanksgiving 2021 and the lives of Kay and her family have been impacted by Covid. While the author doesn't shy away from the pandemic (and how could you with someone like Kay as your main character?) it doesn't intrude too much into the actual storyline. I was so glad to see the paranoia and far fetched connections that plagued many of the more recent books was gone. And I loved having my friends Lucy, Benson, and even Pete and Dorothy back. I hope this book marks the return of a favorite character for many more books to come.

Wonderful to read another Dr. Scarpetta book! So nice to reconnect with Lucy and Pete Marino. Kay as the Chief Medical Examiner (and to a lesser extent her husband Benton) investigate the murder of a woman left beside railroad tracks. She has much more involvement which evolves later in the book. A great return to this fabulous series. Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

There is no link to Barnes and Noble but I have posted my review there.

Another great read from this author. Short sharp chapters credible story line,main characters already established but reminders given in story.
You don't'want to put it down. Thrilling read!

Autopsy by Patricia Connell.
The Scarpetta Series Book 25.
World-renowned forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta and her husband Benton, a psychologist with the US Secret Service, have returned to Virginia. They are headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that’s been torn by civil and political unrest.

Just weeks into the job, Scarpetta is called to a railway track where a woman’s body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine. But the trail of clues will lead Scarpetta back to her own neighbourhood.

At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top-secret lab in outer space, endangering the scientists aboard. Scarpetta is summoned to the White House to find out what happened. As she starts the new investigation, an apparent serial killer strikes again, this time dangerously close to home.

A good read with likeable characters. 4*.

Like many fans of Kay Scarpetta , I have been slightly disappointed in some of the more recent publications however with Autopsy, I feel that Patricia has sort of returned to her roots and it is a better read for that. It is well written and has plenty going on to keep the reader guessing throughout. Great use of current technology along with the stalwarts of the previous books and some interesting new characters. I certainly enjoyed this book more than some of the more recent ones in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

World-renowned forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta and her husband Benton, a psychologist with the US Secret Service, have returned to Virginia. They are headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that’s been torn by civil and political unrest. Just weeks into the job, Scarpetta is called to a railway track where a woman’s body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine. But the trail of clues will lead Scarpetta back to her own neighbourhood.
At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top-secret lab in outer space, endangering the scientists aboard. Scarpetta is summoned to the White House to find out what happened. As she starts the new investigation, an apparent serial killer strikes again, this time dangerously close to home.
This is the twenty fifth book in the series & I’ve read most of them but felt the series was getting tired, so start this wondering if it would be the last I read but the start felt back to the series at its best & I loved that Kay has moved back to Virginia as the medical examiner. I was soon caught up in the story & then it seemed to lose its way in the middle & I felt my interest waning in the trip to Washington & I skimmed a few pages until it got back on track. Overall a well written engrossing read with wonderful characters. I’ll certainly be reading more
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I really enjoyed this book. I was previously a big Scarpetta fan but I fell out of love with the series some years back and was hesitant to read this, not expecting too much, but boy was I wrong.
Firstly the characters, it was like meeting up with old friends, hearing about their new jobs, their marriages, and their heartbreak’s.
Secondly the plots, just brilliant. There’s two main stories running, the death of a woman while out running and the death of two astronauts. I’m not a sci-fi fan at all and expected to be bored and annoyed by this but I was riveted to the description of space, the spaceships, microgravity, the lot!
Bang up to date the book is set in the present post covid (or are we?) times, and touches on real events like the aftermath of the storming of The Capitol and the Richmond riots
A fantastic read and the introduction of some new characters too that I hope will hang around
Welcome back Kay

Patricia Cornwell is always so good and her books really gripping, full of gruesome detail and characterisation. If I am honest I felt the ending was a little rushed, but very much enjoyed all the same.

It's been a long time since last I read a Kay Scarpetta story and I was happy when I was approved for this ARC.
The first part was fast paced and I couldn't put it down then there was twist that changed the book and it seemed a sort of sci-fi techno thriller, unfortunately not one the most exciting techno thrillers.
I have to admit that I skimmed the rest of the book and the solution was so rushed that I nearly missed the solution.
I hope that things will be better in the next novel.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Kay Scarpetta is back in the 25th book of Patricia Cornwell's series, & she had returned to her roots. Back in Virginia, Scarpetta is the new Chief Medical Examiner. Of course Benton has returned with her, along with Marino (now married to Kay's sister, Dorothy), & Lucy, but she finds herself wrongfooted by her Machiavellian secretary who seems overly loyal to her old boss. When the body of a woman is found by the railroad tracks, it starts off a chain of events which brings together a possible serial killer, espionage & treason, & outer space.

I have read about half of this series several times before & I have started another read through again this year to reach the latest book, so it was a bit strange to suddenly jump 15 books into the future, however, I needn't have worried, as returning to Scarpetta, Benson, Marino, & Lucy was like seeing old friends after a long absence. The plot itself was okay, it was no Postmortem, but it was well-thought out with the separate strands finally linking together. I was surprised to find myself at 96% read & wondering how the author was going to pack everything into the conclusion, & in the end, I did think that the ending was rather rushed through, I therefore rate this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HarperCollins UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Thank you Netgalley, Patricia Cornwell and Harper Collins Uk.
Wishes do come true , thank you for granting my wish.
I have been a fan of Kay Scarpetta from the get go. I have read most of the series and love the characters: Kay, Marino, Lucy and Benton. Patricia Cornwell novels are detailed and complex, she does a lot of research before writing her novels and it shows.
Reading this novel was like being back with old friends.
Full of suspense and twists and turns. Well written.
Thank you Patricia Cornwell and hopefully number 26 will be on the way soon..

This is the 25th Scarpetta novel by Ms Cornwell and I think she is back to her best - Scarpetta and the author. We have the old gang back again in Virginia and there are references to the pandemic and the effect on people and communities and countries. No spoilers here but Kay is not immune to the pain. We have Lucy, and Benton, and Marino and a complex and several stranded plot which moves along nicely. There is a section in the book where Scarpetta and Benson are in the White House and it is so well written you can feel and smell the tension and the action.

I missed out a few of the books in this series because I felt they had gone off the boil a bit but this one takes us right back to the core of the characters and I recommend it.

I am now hoping for book 26 as I am waiting to find out what Kay will do about her “Secretary” Maggie, who’s loyalty isn’t as it should be. A nice little twist and a nod to real life when you take over a role but inherit staff.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley

The 25th Book in the Kay Scarpetta series and although I don’t think I’ve read them all I’ve certainly read a good number of them. I love Scarpetta, she’s a no nonsense woman who seems quite reserved but I don’t think I’d want to cross her. In fact all the characterisations are great. Benson, Lucy and Marino are all great long-standing characters but new characters Detective Blaise Fruge and Kay’s secretary Maggie Cutbush are worthy of mention. Obviously well written, you don’t get to be a top author if you can’t write, but also well constructed and original, if a little far fetched in parts.

Briefly, Scarpetta is back in Virginia as chief medical examiner and living with her husband, Benton, in Old Town, Alexandria. She is on the case of a woman found brutally murdered and displayed on railroad tracks. The clues leading back to an house in her exclusive gated neighbourhood. Whilst investigating the case Scarpetta and Benton are summoned to the White House and told about a disaster that has taken place in a laboratory in outer space!

The various threads to this book are artfully interwoven by the author. Full of suspense the book reaches a conclusion which is dealt with quite quickly in the last few chapters. Personally I would have like a bit more in-depth detail. All that said I though it was an enjoyable read and it’s good to see Scarpetta back doing what she does best ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve read quite a few books in the Kay Scarpetta series, although I may have missed a few books in the past years, so I will need to catch up. Autopsy is the latest novel in the series, the twenty-fifth book to be precise (wow!!!) and medical examiner Kay Scarpetta has a quite few mysterious cases to solve.

Kay Scarpetta was the first woman chief medical examiner of Virginia. Over the years, she’s solved many many cases, she’s often found herself in danger, and she’s changed jobs and cities. Throughout all of this, she’s always been surrounded by her family: her husband Benton Wesley, a renowned psychologist with the US Secret Service; Pete Marino, former police detective who now working privately; her brilliant niece Lucy with her high-tech computers and her helicopters.

In Autopsy, Kay Scarpetta and her family have left Boston and returned to Virginia where Kay has retaken her previous job. A brutal murder brings her closer to home, while she attends secret meetings at the White House to solve murders in outer space. She also must deal with office politics and an arrogant secretary still loyal to her former boss.

I really love this series. There is always a lot of the suspense and twisty and thrilling plots. It is also very insightful and informative about medical examiner and police procedure which I find very interesting. The writing is impeccable and addictive and the characters are realistic, well-developed and intriguing.

I will always recommend a Kay Scarpetta novel and this last one, Autopsy, is especially gripping and immersive.