Patricia Cornwell returns with her 29th (!!) installment of the Kay Scarpetta series in Sharp Force, introducing the reader to a terrifying serial killer who can only be stopped by Kay, Benton, Lucy, Marino and the rest of the gang. I’ve read all of the Scarpetta books, loving the earlier ones and struggling with those in the middle of the series, then enjoying the more recent ones. This one is no exception. There are a number of things I enjoy about these books – the research and attention to detail in exploring new technologies that are continually evolving, character development that spans multiple books (and reminders to the reader so we don’t have to deeply refresh our memories before diving into the newest installment), and unique plots that I’m not seeing in other books. I feel like Kay, in particular, has been more likeable in the more recent installments than I found her to be mid-way through the series, and I’ve been enjoying reading these books from her perspective as a result. The characters are flawed, and I like that. Although, there is a scene towards the end of this book that details what I consider to be a fairly egregious violation of privacy that I was disappointed to read, especially given the character who takes it upon themselves to read something they shouldn’t (no spoilers!). But, again, flawed characters and all that. I did feel as though the ending to this one was a bit rushed and the ultimate reveal needed more detail/background for me to be convinced. It seems like a coincidence tied it all up and I really hate that as a plot device. But, other than that, this is another solid installment to the series with tension building with each chapter. I flew through the book in no time despite the length. Highly recommended for fans of the series.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #SharpForce. Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorite authors and I have read every book that she has written so far. This book was a fun ride with robotic dogs, holograms, hybrid animals and AI. The characters if Lucy, Tron, Dorothy, Marino, Benton and Kay are such a joy to follow throughout this book series. I will always read whatever Cornwell writes!

I have enjoyed reading Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series from the very beginning. I found this to be a great story and for the most part, I loved the familiar characters and their Individual storylines. It is always interesting to see how the characters have evolved throughout the years. I appreciated the incorporation of current and relevant technologies. The only thing I disliked is that the story came to a sudden end without a lot of explanation, it all wrapped up too quickly. All in all, Sharp Force is another excellent book in the Scarpetta series and I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Thank you NetGalley for a prerelease of Patricia Cornwell’s Sharp Force.

I’ve read all of Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta’s series - and this is the best one yet. Lock your doors and leave the lights on for this creepy thriller. The Phantom Slasher is Cornwell’s creepiest serial killer yet. The identify the of the Phantom will keep you guessing until the very end.

One thing I love about Cornwell’s writing is her incorporation of cutting-edge technologies (both for the heroes and villains) that are always way ahead of cultural norms. And the applications in her book feel natural, not forced.

Twenty-nine books in, and the Scarpetta series keeps getting better and better!

I loved it! I keep coming back for more from this series. I can reliably count on Scarpetta holding steadfast to the moral code of her profession even at the expense of her public image and personal safety. The respect she gives to each life lost is honorable no matter the questionable status of the victim or even if the remains are decades old. Excellent, hair-raising mystery.

Patricia Cornwell’s Sharp Force is another gripping installment in the Kay Scarpetta series, reuniting us with all the familiar faces—Kay, Benton, Lucy, and Marino—as they hunt down a chilling new serial killer known as the Phantom Slasher. What sets this one apart is a spooky twist: the killer uses a ghostly hologram to project a haunting image right before each murder, which adds an eerie sci-fi element to the crime scenes. I really enjoyed how Cornwell wove in parts of Kay and Lucy’s past—it’s always fascinating to get deeper glimpses into their backgrounds, and it made the story feel more personal and layered.

Cornwell did a solid job tying all the storylines together, but I did feel like she held back a little too much until the very end. Everything unraveled all at once in the final chapters, which made the ending feel a bit rushed. That said, I appreciated how the action was tightly packed into the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which gave the story a heightened sense of urgency. All in all, it was an entertaining read with just the right mix of mystery, character development, and creepy atmosphere. I’m already looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us.

This book is a great addition to the Scarpetta series. As in many of her books, the weather becomes a character with vivid descriptions that make you feel like you are there with the characters. Marino and his wife Dorothy are becoming caricatures with less and less believability and interest. I’d stick with Scarpetta, Benton, and Lucy in future books. A serial killer is on the loose, with artificial intelligence playing a major role in the book. And the horrible animal sounds that seem to be on Scarpetta’s property, nice and creepy.

Another great book in this series. I’ve read them all from the beginning. I like how the characters interact and develop over time. The plot is always good. I’ hope the tv series lives up to the books.

Patricia Cornwall strikes again! She really is the master of crime fiction. I can’t recommend this one enough, especially if you’re a fan of her previous work!

Requested this on a whim because I used to love the Kay Scarpetta books back in the day…but I see that what caused me to stop reading them has not been addressed with the author. Could someone please tell me why all of the events in every single later Scarpetta book needs to happen within a 24 hour period? I miss the days when these books spanned several weeks and we got glimpses into Kay’s every day life over the course of a period of time. I do not need to be in her head for the entire 24 hours it takes her to apparently solve her cases these days.

This was a good mystery but the fact that it is solved in a day is…ugh. No.

Kay is in the morgue trying to find out why this person is dead, who killed this person and why. This leads to more questions. There’s a snow storm, vacation plans, more dead bodies and it’s Christmas. This book has lots of twists and turns and has many the regular characters in this story. Highly suggest reading it!

I am working my way through the Scarpetta series. I have only read up to book 6. Sharp Force stays true to the series. Same sharp, tough, brilliant characters. It was a good, quick read. Once again, Kay drops everything to help track down a serial killer. I did not love the AI aspect, but I guess it’s where we are in the world. I also didn’t love how they ended the book, it just came sort of out of no where. All in all, it’s a good addition to the series and hope she continues to add books to the series. I definitely recommend reading this one.

I read the whole book before I realized that It didn't seem realistic. Which means I bought into it the whole time I was reading. It definitely kept me reading. I was also a little disappointed that we didn't get more clues about who the criminal was. On the other hand, the plot held together, and I wasn't left wondering how I missed the clues. Definitely worth the space in the library.

Dark, Fast-Paced, and Timely

Patricia Cornwell delivers another gripping installment in her long-running Scarpetta series with Sharp Force. This time, Kay Scarpetta and her team—Benton, Marino, Lucy, and others—face a case that is disturbing on several levels. A serial killer is on the loose, targeting victims on major holidays and using advanced technology to spy one and then terrify them before making his move. As Christmas approaches, the stakes rise, and so does the body count.

What sets Sharp Force apart is its mix of forensic crime, psychological tension, and an unsettling supernatural twist. A ghostly apparition appears at each crime scene, adding a creepy, mysterious layer that keeps you guessing. Cornwell also weaves in current themes about the dark side of technology and AI, making the story feel especially relevant to what we are living today.

The pacing is fast, the suspense builds steadily, and the emotional weight of the crimes hits hard. Cornwell’s writing is smooth and conversational, making it easy to get lost in the story. The forensic detail is vivid and realistic without feeling overly graphic, and as always, the characters feel like old friends—flawed, human, and deeply compelling.

If you’re a longtime fan of the series, this book will feel like a return to form. If you’re new, it’s a gripping standalone that might just pull you into Scarpetta’s world for good. Sharp Force is equal parts chilling and thought-provoking, and it’s hard to put down once you start. Highly recommended for fans of crime thrillers, forensic drama, and smart, modern mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Patricia Cornwell and Grand Central Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another edge of your seat entry in the Kay Scarpetta series. This time, it's a thriller about a serial killer terrorizing the D.C. area around Christmas time. There's a lot of technology in this book..think AI, drone, animal manipulation that will keep you reading to the end of the novel. Kay and Benton are set to leave on a Christmas holiday to Europe but something strange occurs near their home--think red orbs floating in the air--soon another body turns up dead. This time it's a doctor who treated Kay's niece Lucy when she was a college freshman. What do all the victims have in common? This book mentions events in past books but can be read on its own.

This fiction book gave me the chills! It is in the mystery and thriller genre. I haven’t read a book by this author before, but have heard a lot about her books! Now I understand the hype behind these books that she writes. This one explores the darkness behind advanced technology. It is emotional, scary, sad and full of fear and paranoia! This story has short chapters, flows well and is easy to read. I found it to be thought provoking and realistic. It is fast paced and comes with vivid descriptions! Some of the themes this book comes with are trauma and healing, justice and the law and extreme fear! You will not want to put this book down!

“Sharp Force is about a serial killer that terrorizes Northern Virginia for a long time. He uses special technology in order to invade people’s homes. He watches their every move. It is horrifying what these victims endure! This story captured my attention from beginning to end. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Patricia Cornwell and Grand Central Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Content warnings include murder, violence, stalking, psychiatric violence, paranoia and anxiety.

I think people who love reading psychological thrillers would like reading this book. This gave me the movie “13 Cameras” vibes!

This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!

A terrific Addition to the Kay Scarpetta Series. Kay are still in the DC area when a murder upsets their plans for a holiday away. A great visit with them, Lucy, Marino and all the others as they solve a crime terrifying Washington. This can work as a stand. Alone
Great series

It was great to catch up with the gang. Kay, Benton, Marino and Lucy have become like family in some ways since I feel like I have known them forever. But I was expecting more from this book. The Kay Scarpetta series deserves better. The story was very slow to get started and then it was over very quickly. More character development and side stories would have been nice.
I’m a huge Patricia Cornwell fan and have read all of her books. This does not live up to what she has delivered in the past.

Another amazing installment into my favorite series. I’ve been reading this series since the very beginning. This book is as good as all of the others!

Patricia Cornwell continues to intrigue us with her Kay Scarpetta books. She puts the reader right there in the head of the Medical Examiner following all the details of the crime and the immediate surroundings. And the food! I love these books. Moves fast, enough action to keep turning the page. Always a satisfying read.