Scarpetta (Kay Scarpetta, #16)
by Patricia Cornwell
Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell holds a well received rating of 3.72 out of 5, based on 22K reader ratings. First published in 2008. The book spans 500 pages.
About Scarpetta
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 Hospital’s 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 talk—and 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 murdered—and 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 city—an 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.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Patricia Cornwell |
| Published | 2008 |
| Pages | 500 |
| Genres | Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Suspense |
| Average Rating | 3.72 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 21,975 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Scarpetta?
Scarpetta is categorized as Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is Scarpetta worth reading?
Based on 22K reader ratings, Scarpetta has an average score of 3.72 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Scarpetta?
Scarpetta has 500 pages.
Who wrote Scarpetta?
Scarpetta was written by Patricia Cornwell. It was first published in 2008.
What is the ISBN for Scarpetta?
The ISBN-13 for Scarpetta is 9780399155160.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 22, 2026
