Postmortem
Original Series coming soon on Prime Video
The inspiration for the Prime Video series Scarpetta—starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis!
Discover the “dazzling … fascinating” (Los Angeles Times) novel that launched the popular Kay Scarpetta series, from the New York Times #1 bestselling crime writer Patricia Cornwell.
Patricia Cornwell’s debut novel Postmortem introduces one of crime fiction’s most compelling characters: gutsy medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. Cornwell’s gift for combining cutting-edge criminology with nerve-shattering suspense makes this book a true modern classic.
Under cover of night in Richmond, Virginia, a monster strikes, leaving a gruesome trail of stranglings that has paralyzed the city. Kay Scarpetta suspects the worst: a deliberate campaign by a brilliant serial killer whose signature offers precious few clues. With an unerring eye, she calls on the latest advances in forensic research to unmask the madman. But this investigation will test Kay like no other, because it’s being sabotaged from within—and someone wants her dead.
- Pages
- 411
- First published
- 2009
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Reviews
Started March 27, 2026 · Finished April 5, 2026
Finished January 1, 2014
first time I have read anything by Patricia Cornwell. Thoroughly enjoyed the book although I was a little disappointed with the end (spoiler alert) I love trying to guess who dunnit but there was no chance guessing who it was with this story. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

