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Cruel & Unusual (Kay Scarpetta, #4)

Cruel & Unusual (Kay Scarpetta, #4) book cover
C&
Mystery & Thriller Mystery & Thriller Fiction Mystery & Thriller Suspense

by Patricia Cornwell

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4.11 (83.7K ratings)
calendar_today 1993
description 407 pages
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Cruel & Unusual by Patricia Cornwell holds a highly rated rating of 4.11 out of 5, based on 83.7K reader ratings. First published in 1993. The book spans 407 pages.

About Cruel & Unusual

An earlier cover edition for this ISBN can be found hereVirginia Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta is called in to autopsy the body of convicted murderer Ronnie Waddell after his execution. Several days after the execution, a young boy is discovered murdered in the fashion of Waddell's earlier killings, with Waddell's prints near the body. Scarpetta, along with FBI Agent Benton Wesley and Detective Pete Marino, try to discover how a dead inmate could have possibly committed another murder after his death. As the story progresses she seeks the assistance of her 17-year-old niece Lucy after she discovers a strange folder on her computer.

Detail Value
Author Patricia Cornwell
Published 1993
Pages 407
Genres Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Suspense
Average Rating 4.11 / 5.00
Total Ratings 83,695

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

4.1
starstarstarstarstar
83.7K ratings
With a rating of 4.11, Cruel & Unusual is rated near the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 3.95, it performs above expectations.

How It Compares

4.11
This Book
3.95
Mystery & Thriller Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is Cruel & Unusual?

Cruel & Unusual is categorized as Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.

Is Cruel & Unusual worth reading?

Based on 83.7K reader ratings, Cruel & Unusual has an average score of 4.11 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.

How many pages is Cruel & Unusual?

Cruel & Unusual has 407 pages.

Who wrote Cruel & Unusual?

Cruel & Unusual was written by Patricia Cornwell. It was first published in 1993.

What is the ISBN for Cruel & Unusual?

The ISBN-13 for Cruel & Unusual is 9780380718340.0.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026