Scarpetta (Kay Scarpetta)
by Patricia Cornwell
List Price:
Our Price: $3.80
You Save: $24.15 (86%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.99 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Patricia CornwellEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-12-02
ISBN: 0399155163
Number of pages: 512
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Book Reviews of Scarpetta (Kay Scarpetta)
Book Review: Comments by Michael Calum Jacques author of '1st Century Radical'.
Summary: 4 Stars
For those readers as yet uninitiated with Patricia Cornwell's writings, it is probably worth pointing out that Kay Scarpetta is the author's main protagonist in her series of crime novels, of which this is the latest, the 16th, in fact, as far as this reviewer is aware. Cornwell's 'Scarpetta' series of novels are noteworthy for her employment of 'up to the minute' forensic technology. The novels constitutes also, to some extent, a genuine, progressive series being interlinked with 'peripheral' characters (and not so peripheral ones, such as Pete Marino, Lucy Farinelli, and Benton Wesley et al) occasionally reappearing or being revisited.
Briefly, the fictional Dr. Kay Scarpetta was born in Miami, Florida and is of Italian parentage; she witnessed the death of her father from leukemia, and this has haunted her ever since and, as a pathologist, this spectre is imported into her professional life. This is a key element in Cornwell's Scarpetta novels and a key to understanding what appears to be a predominance of forensic and 'scene of crime' detail.
It is impossible to predict accurately whether or not the new reader, unacquainted with Cornwell's works, will be smitten by her hallmark features and style. Much emphasis rests upon forensic and pathological matters - with which the authoress is thoroughly at home in a professional manner. The books indulge in detail of the particular crime scene, victim etc. and Cornwell's characterization is usually detailed and often quite intricate. The reader is rarely, if indeed ever, allowed to stray far from the proximity and vulnerability of human mortality. Readers and fans, already familiar with Cornwell's works, will certainly be delighted with this one!
In this plot, as the eponymous title suggests, it is Scarpetta herself who becomes the focus of a killer's - and of a stalker's - unwelcome and unworthy attentions. She has left her forensic pathology practice in South Carolina, and accepted an assignment in New York City. Therein she is asked to assess an injured house patient - the forcibly restrained and cuffed Oscar Bane - in a psychiatric clinic. Bane has specifically requested to be treated by Scarpetta. Suffice it to say, without giving anything away, that the good Dr Scarpetta gets slightly more than she'd bargained for!
This was a riveting read with many interesting social and psychological themes thrown in for good measure. This reviewer is happy to commend this book to all who are not overtly phased by the peculiarities of the darker, human psyche.
Michael Calum Jacques (author of '1st Century Radical: the shadowy origins of the man who became known as Jesus Christ')
Mystery & Thrillers Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Like Mysteries?
Scarpetta (Kay Scarpetta)by Patricia Cornwell
Putnam Adult; Published: 2008-12-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.25
Price in other shops:
Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs Novels)by Jacqueline Winspear
Henry Holt and Co.; Published: 2009-02-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.15
Price in other shops:
Promises in Deathby J.D. Robb
Putnam Adult; Published: 2009-02-24; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.39
Price in other shops:
Just Take My Heart: A Novelby Mary Higgins Clark
Simon & Schuster; Published: 2009-04-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.29
Price in other shops:
One Second Afterby William R. Forstchen
Forge Books; Published: 2009-03-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.89
Price in other shops:
Long Lostby Harlan Coben
Dutton Adult; Published: 2009-03-31; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.03
Price in other shops:
The Scarecrowby Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2009-05-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $16.50
Price in other shops:
First Familyby David Baldacci
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2009-04-21; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.80
Price in other shops:
Run for Your Lifeby James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2009-02-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.30
Price in other shops:
Corsairby Clive Cussler, Jack Du Brul
Putnam Adult; Published: 2009-03-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Plum Spooky (A Between-the-Numbers Novel)by Janet Evanovich
St. Martin's Press; Published: 2009-01-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
The Brass Verdict: A Novel (Harry Bosch)by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2008-10-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.43
Price in other shops:
Book of the Dead (Kay Scarpetta)by Patricia Cornwell
Berkley; Published: 2008-09-02; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.99
Price in other shops:
Divine Justice (Camel Club)by David Baldacci
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2008-11-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops:
The 8th Confession (The Women's Murder Club)by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2009-04-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.15
Price in other shops:
Bones (Alex Delaware, No. 23)by Jonathan Kellerman
Ballantine Books; Published: 2009-02-24; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.75
Price in other shops:
The Associateby John Grisham
Doubleday; Published: 2009-01-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Run for Your Life (Michael Bennett)by James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2009-02-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.85
Price in other shops:
The Frontby Patricia Cornwell
Berkley; Published: 2009-05-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.80
Price in other shops:
Cross Country (Alex Cross)by James Patterson
Little, Brown and Company; Published: 2008-11-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $6.80
Price in other shops: