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Scarpetta (Kay Scarpetta) | 
 enlarge | Author: Patricia Cornwell
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $15.75
You Save: $12.20 (44%)
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Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 25
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 512
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.2 x 2.1
ISBN: 0399155163
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780399155161
ASIN: 0399155163
Publication Date: December 2, 2008 (New: This Week)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New 2008 Hardcover! Gift giving condition. Will ship by next day. Confirmation email with all orders.
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Product Description
From Americas #1 bestselling crime writers comes the extraordinary new Kay Scarpetta novel.
Leaving behind her private forensic pathology practice in Charleston, South Carolina, Kay Scarpetta accepts an assignment in New York City, where the NYPD has asked her to examine an injured man on Bellevue Hospitals psychiatric prison ward. The handcuffed and chained patient, Oscar Bane, has specifically asked for her, and when she literally has her gloved hands on him, he begins to talkand the story he has to tell turns out to be one of the most bizarre she has ever heard.
The injuries, he says, were sustained in the course of a murder . . . that he did not commit. Is Bane a criminally insane stalker who has fixed on Scarpetta? Or is his paranoid tale true, and it is he who is being spied on, followed and stalked by the actual killer? The one thing Scarpetta knows for certain is that a woman has been tortured and murderedand more violent deaths will follow. Gradually, an inexplicable and horrifying truth emerges: Whoever is committing the crimes knows where his prey is at all times. Is it a person, a government? And what is the connection between the victims?
In the days that follow, Scarpetta; her forensic psychologist husband, Benton Wesley; and her niece, Lucy, who has recently formed her own forensic computer investigation firm in New York, will undertake a harrowing chase through cyberspace and the all-too-real streets of the cityan odyssey that will take them at once to places they never knew, and much, much too close to home.
Throughout, Cornwell delivers shocking twists and turns, and the kind of cutting-edge technology that only she can provide. Once again, she proves her exceptional ability to entertain and enthrall.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...
An incredibly satisfying read December 3, 2008
I am a long-time fan of Patricia Cornwell and her work. I have loved most of the Kay Scarpetta novels, because they take such a unique look at the criminal justice and forensic medicine systems. This latest novel is, I believe, one of the best. It grabbed my attention right at the beginning and carried it until the end -- I could not put it down. Not solely because of the suspense, but because of the wonderfully descriptive narrative and well-written dialogue. It was a pure pleasure to read.
The main story line was really quite interesting -- the story of the tangled, complex, somewhat paranoia-driven lives of two "little people" -- one who was murdered, and one who was a likely suspect. The story pulls you into the drama of these people's lives, but continually reminds you of its numerous subplots, and the wonderfully complicated lives of all those swirling around the central murder. The tension created by all these multi-dimensional personalities and their relationships made this book a wonderfully satisfying experience. Cornwell provides just the right amount of background information for those who haven't read (or don't remember as well as they used to!) the prior novels in the series.
Through all the mysteries of the main event, you are constantly pulled back into the lives and personal stories of Benton and Kay (who have some explaining to do to each other), Marino, Kay and Lucy (not to mention Marino's new love interest), the less frequent appearances of Shrew (some name) and the fascinating drama of her life and work, Lucy and her new love interest, and a new detective, whose arrogance and ego causes everyone to love to hate him. Many authors get into trouble when there are too many characters or too many relationships to describe and follow, but Cornwell pursues and develops all of their stories with ease. It got to the point where with each new chapter, I couldn't wait to find out which part of the story she was going to focus on next.
Because this is a "forensic" novel, I have to mention one small complaint I have about its accuracy. (I hate to complain about this book because I really loved it.) A very important part of the story concerns the relationship Kay develops with the potential murder suspect, Oscar Bane, and her worries over her conflicted role as his physician, and her service to New York State as a forensic consultant. She believes her first loyalty must be to Oscar, her patient (because he has asked to see her in connection with some injuries he suffered, he claims, in connection with the murder), and that physician-patient privilege will force her to keep mum about ANYTHING Oscar tells her. But she continually clarifies for him that that loyalty may end if he in fact becomes a murder suspect, and she may then have to disclose what he tells her to the State. It creates such a fine dilemma: in fact, one of the most noteworthy passages for me is the dance done by Kay and her husband as they attempt to discuss the situation without Kay crossing what she perceives to be the proper line of physician-patient privilege.
It is so fine, that I hate to point out (but I must!) that this is not an accurate portrayal of the physician-patient privilege. First, while the privilege would attach under these circumstances, its scope would be limited to the things Oscar told Kay about his injuries (i.e., the privilege protects information given to the doctor in the course of seeking treatment). If he discloses other information to her, it is not protected!!!! Secondly, there are circumstances in which the privilege (any privilege, really) will disappear and a physician can be directed (by a court or grand jury for example) to testify concerning otherwise privileged matters, but I am not aware that simply becoming a suspect is one of them. Just a glitch in an otherwise fine novel.
At the end of the day, this is a novel you will not want to miss, even with its technical flaw.
An excellent novel December 3, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Patricia Cornwell has created another heart racing thriller involving all her beloved characters. Having all of Kay Scarpetta's team of crime solvers back together in NYC is of course a fantastic story. Marino is back, although he isn't half the man he used to be after a diet, detox and therapy. He is climbing back up the ladder of the living and is reunited with Lucy, Benton and Kay to solve the murder of an obsessive-compulsive little person named Terri. Her boyfriend, Oscar is the main suspect in the case and he demands to speak with only Kay Scarpetta. Every character in this book is described in detail, making the reader feel as if they have met and are personal friends or acquaintances. Lucy is a happier, more well adjusted person, Benton continues to work through his weirdness, Kay is perfect and Marino is a loyal, lovable, street smart, awkward teddy bear. The new characters drew out strong feelings and emotions, both positive and extremely negative. Scarpetta delivers an entertaining journey through the minds of Psychos and the deep feelings of all humanity. This was a terrific read.
Surprising and superlative creation December 3, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a superlative creation that both thrilled and educated me. I enjoyed reading each and every line that was cleverly crafted to draw the reader completely into this book. As the title implies, this book is really built around Scarpetta. Her brilliance, beauty and soul are apparent in every line. She is summoned to NYC to do a personal favor for the DA and probably only accepted because it was Benton that asked her to come. She was to interview a suspect in a murder crime that refused to speak with anyone but Kay Scarpetta. His claim was that she could protect him and could prove his innocence. She came and was instantly and completely involved in a situation that she would have preferred not to be apart of. To top it all off, there were many surprises awaiting her, not the least of which was Mario's new job at the DA's office after disappearing out of her life. The four super sleuths of Benton, Scarpetta, Lucy and Marino are reunited in NYC and do some terrific crime solving as a team. The real treat is the ride the reader enjoys through all the twists and turns the plot takes, ending in a very real surprise.
I rate this as one of Corwell's best efforts, don't miss it.
Detailed, exciting and well told story December 3, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Compelling story of an "innocent" man being set up as a killer. Oscar Bane, a new character insists on speaking only to Kay Scarpetta and Benton when he is suspected in his girl friend, Terri's murder. He is obviously a disturbed person as the reader hears Kay interview him. It is unclear if he is indeed guilty. Kay, being the kind hearted hero that she is, wants to believe this deranged "little person" and since she has seen him as a patient, can not discuss the interview with Benton or anyone else unless Oscar is formally charged with murder. This makes the story more complex as the reader is privy to information that none of the other investigators have knowledge of. The usual twists and turns that Cornwell uses to weave a story abound and all the characters that have become known to Scarpetta readers are part of the investigative team. This is Cornwell's best story yet. It isn't as dark as others and it is refreshing to see her characters grow and change.
Cornwell continues to thrill December 3, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is definitely my favorite in the Kay Scarpetta series. A wonderful story teller, Cornwell weaves a stunning web of threads that come together in a surprise ending. The original cast has been brought back together to solve four murders that are linked together by four 10K ankle bracelets. The character's evolution is endearing...especially that of Marino and Lucy. Marino is genuinely ashamed and repentant for his actions in Book of the Dead. He has been through rehab and therapy and has made it back a better, kinder person... similar to the old Marino that Kay used to know in the beginning. Lucy is maturing as well and is not so crazy and full of herself. Forensics, psychotherapy, bizarre connections, humor and humanity are all part of this terrific book. I love the characters and feel gratified in their growth as humans. A great read.
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