The Scarpetta books used to be some of my favorites, although they are less consistent as time goes on. This is one of the stronger more recent entries, made better by an interesting mystery. Scarpetta uses a lot more technology now, thanks in part to her niece Lucy, who is still a big part of every story. All that with really great narration and I enjoyed this latest installment in the series-- I know it's hard to keep something fresh this long.

I have been reading Patricia Cornwell books for a very long time. Her latest, Sharp Force, was very enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell.

As a long time fan, this felt like returning to old friends, yet the characters still feel fresh and engaging. The forensic detail is here in full force, forming the basis of an unusual plot that blends high tech/AI elements with real tension. The Phantom Slasher and the ghostly holograms really gave me goosebumps.

The narration was outstanding. She moved so easily between characters, giving each their own voice and depth, which really added to the sense of character development and kept me fully immersed.

This works perfectly well as a standalone, but for long time readers invested in the cast of characters it also has the comfort of familiarity. A gripping and well researched thriller.

Sharp Force is another gripping installment from the iconic Patricia Cornwell, and it delivers exactly what fans have come to love: strong investigative detail, compelling characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes. Kay Scarpetta remains one of the most fascinating protagonists in crime fiction, and her blend of intellect, grit, and humanity continues to shine.

The forensic detail is rich without feeling overwhelming, and Cornwell’s ability to tie in relevant themes and modern threats adds an extra layer of intrigue. The pacing is brisk, the suspense builds nicely, and there are some genuinely chilling moments that kept me fully engaged.

While there were a couple of spots that felt a little dialogue-heavy, the overall story was smart, immersive, and satisfying. Longtime fans will be pleased, and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy in this sharp, sophisticated thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was the first Patricia Cornwell novel I have read. It is the 29th book in the Kay Scarpetta series but the fact that I had not read the other 28 was not a problem.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Hachette Audio |for the ARC my review is given voluntarily

I listened to an audio book. It was well produced and the narrator was very good. The content of the book lends itself to this format but you do have to concentrate as their is quite a lot of technical detail in the book. If you are easily distracted when listening to audio books the written version may better for you.

This was a book of two halves for me. I enjoyed the majority of it. I researched the woman that Scarpetta is based on. The book is all the more interesting when you know about her ground breaking career. The ongoing criminal activity and investigations where pacey and engaging. There was some procedural content but not as much as I was expecting. I do find it a little strange that Scarpetta seems to do the job of the detectives for them and that so many of her family work with her. I suppose anything else would result in a book with hundreds of characters so I think a classic case of suspending disbelief is needed to enjoy the fiction. On the whole, the characters are believable and interesting. However there is one interaction near the end which seemed very unlikely to me and Scarpetta's reaction to even more so.
My issue with this book was the ending . However great ninety percent of the book has been the ending can scupper it. The resolution came out of nowhere. It relied on a totally unbelievable coincidence. The explanations for this chance were equally incredulous. I suppose it at least explained why a police employee would let there sister grow pot in their conservatory and why there was so much emphasis on it !

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell in exchange for an honest review. I love this series and it's so nice that Cornwell is still writing them. When I first started this series in highschool, I decided I wanted to be just like Kay Scarpetta, then I found out how much school I'd have to take and changed goals, but I still am fascinated. In this book Kay has to deal with politics while trying to find justice for the dead. I need to reread the series though, as I forget some of the history of certain characters, but still a good book.

Sharp Force was my first dive into Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta series, and it was definitely an engaging crime suspense read. I appreciated the amount of procedural detail woven throughout the story it really gave it a grounded, authentic feel. Also grateful for the narrator’s range, it kept me reeled in. The pacing kept me invested, but I did feel a bit of a disconnect toward the end. The resolution felt rushed compared to the buildup, which pulled me out of the story slightly. Overall though, it was a solid introduction to Cornwell’s writing and a good suspense novel. I’d rate it a steady 3.5 stars.

Thank you so much for the ARC/ALC

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC.

This was a nice thriller. I've only read one of the other Kay Scarpetta novels before so I didn't have enough context about all the characters. This book can definitely be read as a standalone although it is more enjoyable when read in order. The plot itself started out well but I felt like it was all over the place. I think I have had a bad experience with serial killer thrillers in general because the ending always feels like it pops out of nowhere. I liked and disliked the ending. The characters felt almost the same as before. I wasn't a big fan of the whole technology thing in the book -- I prefer the forensic/medical parts of the author's books more. I liked the way the details were explained. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a serial killer thriller with a technology based aspect to it.

The audiobook significantly improved my reading experience. January LaVoy is one of my favourite narrators. The narration was very well done and pleasant to listen to.

I received a gifted audio copy. This review is honest and voluntary.

Meh. This whole book was meh. Like not bad, but not great either. I listened to this as a standalone, and I didnt feel lost in the story at all. This book is a slow build for a suspense or thriller novel, and I prefer medium to fast-paced. I have read books by this author in the past, so I had high hopes for this book, and it just didn't really deliver like I expected.

If you enjoy a slower paced thriller with characters you love to hate, you just might enjoy this book.

I used to love the Kay Scarpetta series back in the day, so I figured—if it’s lasted this long, it must still be great, right? …Wrong. We’ve got a robot dog, an AI version of someone named Janet that the characters let wander way too far into their business, and a plot that just dragged on (and on). Honestly, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

I stopped reading Patricia cornwell’s books a number of years ago ago I found that she was becoming political and more an advocate the gay rights. When I got the opportunity to read this one, I thought I would give her another go. I’m so glad I did Patricia Cornwell was back on form. The narrator was able to give Kay Scarpetta the voice I imagined and I quickly became engrossed in the story.
All the characters were there that I remembered Kay. Benton , Lucy and of course Marino. Investigating deaths taking place over the Christmas holidays.
A book I’d recommend for Kay Scarpetta readers old and new.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell is a gripping and intense addition to her Kay Scarpetta series. The production and narration are fantastic. The novel dives deep into the psychological complexities of both the victims and the perpetrators, with attention to detail in forensic science and criminal investigation. The pace is relentless, with twists and turns that keep readers on edge. Fans of the series will find it to be a dark, captivating read that’s hard to put down.

Thank you to @hachetteaudio and @netgalley for an advanced audiobook copy of Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell.

It was such a thrill to be back with these characters. Kay Scarpetta has been one of my favourite series for years—I still remember reading Cruel and Unusual back in high school (a loooong time ago!) when I should have been studying. Patricia Cornwell has been a prolific writer over the years, and after listening to Sharp Force, I'm definitely planning to catch up on the titles I’ve missed.

Although this is book 29 in the series, it works surprisingly well as a standalone. I appreciated how Cornwell has evolved storylines to reflect current issues like AI and biotechnology, all while staying true to the elements that made the series so popular. There was a nice balance between the character story arc and the central case. As always, her writing is engaging, with a plot that keeps you hooked and eager to see what’s next. That said, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending. It felt a bit abrupt and lacked the buildup I was hoping for—some earlier foreshadowing would have helped.

Narrator January LaVoy was fantastic. Each character had a distinct voice and accent, making them feel fully realized. She didn’t just read the story—she performed it, adding depth, suspense, and atmosphere to the experience.

Patricia Cornwell delivers another tense and chilling ride in Sharp Force. The Phantom Slasher is one of the most unnerving villains Scarpetta has ever faced: high-tech, unpredictable, and terrifyingly close to home. The holiday setting makes the suspense even sharper, and the return to Mercy Island adds a darkly atmospheric backdrop. Longtime fans will love the blend of forensic detail, fast pacing, and personal stakes that keep you glued to the page. A solid addition to the Scarpetta series.

Thank you Patricia Cornwell, Hachette Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#SharpForce #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARCReview #BookReview #WhatImReading #BookRecommendation #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #InstaBook #Bookish #AdvanceReaderCopy #ReviewCopyProvided

A huge Scarpetta fan I felt this book left me unsatisfied, it just did not have the umph and excitement of the previous books. There are two main mysteries that continue throughout the book. And they are gripping. Not just the edge of your seat mystery, but also emotionally. Marino’s involvement with the children of a victim is touching. When everyone is pressuring Dr. Scarpetta to lean a certain direction, she continues to question, and she is proven correct to not jump at the easy solution. Basically, this is an average book. If you like the series, definitely give it a go. If you are new to the series I would recommend reading the prior books to really get a feel of the characters, plot and past histories this will bring the book to life for you. 3.5 rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity

Finished in one day. I have been reading and listening to this series since day one. Never been disappointed by any book in this series or by this author.
Another amazing installment in one of my favorite series!

Great read! Although this book is part of a series, this book is easily read as a stand alone book. The main character is well developed and relatable in her trade of a coroner. As a nurse, I enjoy medical related thrillers. There is an AI component to this book, and I wasn’t sure what to think when that part of the story began, but it worked quite well. Bravo Ms Cornwell!

Once again, Patricia Cornwell does it again....writing another masterpiece filled with suspense and mystery. I have enjoyed the Scarpetta series from the start and I honestly have never been disappointed in any of her books in this series. The stories are always filled with twists and turns and I am amazed that with as many books as there are in this series, I can still never guess the ending. I have fallen in love with Scarpetta, Benson, Marino and Lucy and I am so happy that she has continued this cast of characters throughout her books. I listened to the audio of this book and I really enjoyed the narration. I rated this a 4 star book on my Goodreads and other socials.

I enjoyed this book. I was a big fan of the authors earlier work but not so much her later books So when I saw she had a new book out, I thought I would give it ago. So glad I did because it reminded me of why I fell in love her books in the first place. A few changes have taken place during my absence but I easily caught up and it feels like I never went away, I might even have to go back and see what I missed. There is still the usual family drama to keep the characters on there toes but it is the well thought out story that really gripped me. I had no clue who or even how they were going to capture the killer. It was only when the killer was revealed that I realised that I had missed such a big clue. Kay is actually working two cases in this book, the main case is of course the serial killer which quite frankly was frightening - how technology can be used. The second case had Kay under pressure to find out if a family man was murdered, committed suicide or if it was an accidental drowning, this one tugged on my heart strings but both had me glued to my headphones as the team solved the cases. I will definitely be joining Kay again.

Dr. Kay Scarpetta as chief medical examiner has one more case to investigate before leaving on her Christmas vacation. She is under pressure to rule but with two young boys left behind she is unwilling to commit to her finds before she has carried out a proper investigation. As if that wasn't bad enough, a serial killer has killed a woman in her bed during every a holiday celebration and it doesn't get much bigger than Christmas. He stalks them and frightens them with ghostly apparitions just before he kills them and it seems like his next victim is a local news reporter. On Christmas day, before Kay and her husband leave for there flight they get the new another victim has been found. It's not the reporter but it is someone Kay knew and in a place she knows very well and this time a victim is left alive. Could his injuries be faked and he is the real slasher? With his political connections it won't be easy but it's up to Kay and her team to figure it out and stop a deadly killer.

I have listened to a lot of audio books and January LaVoy does such an amazing job with NOT only bringing the characters to life but even providing them with great accents, that she has quickly jumped to the top of my favourite narrator list.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I read the first 28 books in the Scarpetta series earlier this year. While I’ve always enjoyed the forensic mysteries, I’ve struggled with some of the personal dynamics—most of Scarpetta’s close relationships are messy at best, and at times feel unreasonably co-dependent. For example, it’s hard for me to accept that she’d remain friends with Marino after his attempted assault. And some of the plots in later books stretched believability a bit too far (yes, I’m looking at you, autopsy in space).

So I went into this one with cautious expectations. To my surprise, Sharp Force felt much closer in spirit to the early novels: a strong mystery at the core, genuine suspense, a dash of danger, and a satisfying resolution. Cornwell also weaves in timely references to technology and its risks, which grounded the story, with only one element that leaned into weird territory.

The narration by January LaVoy was excellent—her pacing and tone matched the suspense of the story perfectly and made it easy to stay engaged.

Despite my criticisms of the series as a whole, I found myself pulled back in—and I’ll likely keep reading future installments as they come.