I've been reading Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series off and on since my aunt first gave me a copy of Body of Evidence when I was in high school. After devouring the first several books in the series, my reading tastes evolved and my interest in the series waned. Then in 2015 my book-reviewing buddy John Valeri urged me to give the series another chance. Over the next three years, I was thrilled by the story that took place through Flesh and Blood, Depraved Heart, and Chaos. That last book seemed like a pretty good place to let Scarpetta ride off into the sunset. In fact, Cornwell spent the next few years writing a completely new series. Imagine my surprise, then, when I learned that her latest novel out today would be a return to her famed series.
Autopsy, the 25th novel in the Kay Scarpetta series sees the character taking on the problems of the present-day while attempting to reclaim some of the glory from her past. Scarpetta has recently returned to her old stomping ground and career as the new chief medical examiner for the state of Virginia, a role she held many years ago. Back then, she was trying to prove herself as a respected professional in a male dominate field. Now, she's more than earned respect in her job, but her challenge is nonetheless daunting. Her predecessor was more concerned with furthering his political aspirations than running a functioning investigative unit. This negligence has left the department in disarray with many loyalists to the former guy working to undermine Kay's attempts at righting the ship.
Interdepartmental drama aside, Kay's personal life has demanded her attention in a different way. When she took the job in Virginia, her entire family picked up their lives and made the move with her. Any move can take a toll on the family, but a tragic case of COVID has impacted Scarpetta's inner circle in a way no personal or professional obstacle has ever come close to replicating. Just as she is working to settle into things at work and home, Kay is called to the scene of a brutal murder. Her trusty sidekick and investigative partner Marino has made the move with her. The pair are a little worse for the ware, but they settle into an easy rhythm of working the case. Things are far from settled at the scene when Kay is interrupted by a phone call. Her presence has been requested by none other than the President of the United States. It's all in a day's work for the famed Dr. Kay Scarpetta.
It seems that time has been the best thing for Patricia Cornwell's long-running series. Indeed, the years-long hiatus between novels has allowed the author to hit a kind of reset button within her world. Her characters' relationships and careers have changed since we last read about them, giving Cornwell the license to take her series in a new direction. She has opted to return to her roots, placing Scarpetta back in the job that she held when the series began twenty-five books ago. This gives Autopsy a feeling of familiarity that was very welcome, especially as the more recent books in the series have seemed to have lost some of the things that made the earlier books such a joy to read. It was a welcome change to have Scarpetta take a more hands-on approach with the investigation while also navigating the metaphorical landmine that the present-day political scene has become. I've always said that no one can write a chilling scene like Patrica Cornwell, and this latest book continues to prove my point. I had a few gripes about pacing and an ending that tidied things up a bit too quickly, but these did little to deter me from enjoying the book. With Autopsy it is safe to say that Patrica Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series is back and better than ever.
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(2021, 48)
It blows me away that the Scarpetta series is now 25 books in. I read the first five books or so when the series first kicked off in the 90's. So interesting that Cornwell has put Kay back in the same job from all those years ago. Other than that ending, it sounds like Cornwell is back stronger than ever.
ReplyDeleteRight? 25 books is nothing to slouch at. I feel as if she's really found her passion again for the character.
DeleteI haven't read a Kay Scarpetta book in ages! But your review of this one makes me want to run out and get a copy. I like the idea that she's back where she started.
ReplyDeleteThis one is well worth picking up and starting the series again!
DeleteI have never read this series but I can see why it would be a good read. This book sounds good.
ReplyDeleteIt is really a fantastic series, and I'm super excited that there is a new book!
DeleteScarpetta was a favourite of mine years ago, and i think she was actually one of the first female characters I read in this sort of position. I havent been back to this series in years and now i wish I had! It’s interesting that she has returned to her roots.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect place to pick back up. It is a nice reset of the entire series and corrects a lot of the flaws from the previous few books.
DeleteGreat review Ethan! I was so happy to see the 'old' Kay as well. This was a great read!
ReplyDeleteAGreed!
DeleteI've heard people get excited about this series, but I had no idea the main character was a medical examiner. Guess I'd better get my late start.
ReplyDeleteNeat that you got a reunion with the character who is older and dealing with all new issues.
You should certainly check out some of the early novels. They are great and will probably make for a cool throw back with all the aged technology being used.
DeleteI have always been torn on whether or not to delve into her fiction. I found her non-fiction on Jack the Ripper so off-putting in her arrogance that I wasn't sure I would like the voices of her characters. I may give this series a try now.
ReplyDeleteI've always found Scarpetta to be a pretty hit or miss character. There are times where the books are just about the most thrilling thing I've read and others where I can't stand how selfish the character is.
DeleteI wanted to wait until I finished reading and writing my review before commenting here, but I totally agree, it was nice getting back to Kay and the gang and I felt the time away did some good. I was a bit disappointed with the rushed ending and the solution kind of coming out of nowhere. I don't think the culprit was even mentioned more than in passing (if even that) before the epilogue. I do feel like Autopsy set up for future books with Scarpetta and I look forward to continuing on.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The ending made it seem as if Cornwell had simply run out of time to wrap things up, betraying some of the suspense that preceded it. Still, I found this to be a marked improvement from the last few novels and won't hesitate to pick up another book if she decides to write one.
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