Publication

2007 - G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, New York (State)

Language

English

Word Count

101,250 words, Guess

Page Count

405 pages

Identifiers

and 4 more
  • Library of Congress Control Number2007028170
  • LibraryThing1020331
  • Goodreads6526
  • WikidataQ123478171

Classifications

  • LCCPS3553.O692 B65 2007
  • DDC813/.54

Description

From America's #1 bestselling crime writer comes the extraordinary new Dr. Kay Scarpetta novel.The "Book of the Dead" is the morgue log, the ledger in which all cases are entered by hand. For Kay Scarpetta, however, it is about to have a new meaning. Fresh from her bruising battle with a psychopath in Florida, Scarpetta decides it's time for a change of pace-not only personally and professionally, but also geographically. Moving to the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina, she opens a unique private forensic pathology practice, one in which she and her colleagues-including Pete Marino and her niece, Lucy-offer expert crime-scene investigation and autopsies to communities that lack local access to competent death investigation and modern technology. It seems like an ideal situation, until the new battles start-with local politicians, with entrenched interests, with someone whose covert attempts at sabotage are clearly meant to run her out of town. And that's even before the murders and other violent deaths begin. A young man from a well-known family jumps off a water tower. A woman is found ritualistically murdered in her multi-million-dollar beach home. The body of an abused young boy is discovered dumped in a desolate marsh. Meanwhile, in distant New England, problems with a prominent patient at a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital begin to hint at interconnections that are as hard to imagine as they are horrible. Scarpetta has dealt with many brutal and unusual crimes before, but never a string of them as baffling, or as terrifying, as the ones that face her now. Before she is through, that Book of the Dead will contain many names-and the pen may be poised to write her own.The first name in forensics. The last name in suspense. Once again, Patricia Cornwell proves her exceptional ability to entertain and enthrall.

Description

Dr. Kay Scarpetta opens a private forensic pathology practice in Charleston, South Carolina, only to find herself and her colleagues--Pete Marino and her niece, Lucy--confronted by a horrifying series of crimes that may have an underlying link.

Subjects

Genres

  • Fiction

Other Editions

  • Book of the DeadG. P. Putnam's Sons2007-01-01

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