Kay Scarpetta has been around long enough, that many of the characters are familiar to me. I have enjoyed each and every moment with them. I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell.

An abandoned amusement park.

A mutilated body.

A message sent.

Kay Scarpetta finds out the victim is someone she knows. Someone she once loved. Sal Giordano. I do like when an author isn’t afraid to kill off a character that I know, as long as it enhances the story. This death hits very close to home for Kay.

Mystery surrounds Sal Giordano’s death. Does it involve aliens? Just your run of the mill human murderer? Or could it be someone from their past getting their revenge?

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell seemed different from the usual Kay Scarpetta novels, but may I’ve just missed too many to see the storyline clearly. Either way, I enjoyed my time with the characters. The mystery is deep, complex, and I didn’t see what was coming.

I found it hard to rate Identity Unknown. I wanted to love it, but I couldn’t quite get there. Whether it’s the or me, I can’t say. I will say this, if you are a Kay Scarpetta and Patricia Cornwell fan, I recommend reading Identity Unknown

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Patricia Cornwell’s Identity Unknown is a compelling addition to the Kay Scarpetta series, blending forensic science with a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This latest installment showcases Cornwell’s expertise in crafting intricate plots and her deep understanding of the human psyche.

The novel opens with Dr. Kay Scarpetta facing one of her most challenging cases yet, a 7- year old with a gunshot wound and signs of abuse. The dual investigations are masterfully interwoven, creating a narrative that is complex and engaging.

Cornwell’s writing is as sharp and precise as ever. Her descriptions of forensic procedures are meticulous, providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of medical examination.

The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with quieter, more reflective scenes. Cornwell’s ability to maintain suspense while delving into the technical aspects of forensics is truly impressive.

Kay Scarpetta remains a deeply compelling protagonist. Her resilience and dedication to uncovering the truth are matched by her vulnerability and emotional depth. The supporting characters, including Scarpetta’s niece Lucy Farinelli and the enigmatic Cardinal Maroni, are well-developed and add richness to the story. The interactions between characters are authentic and often charged with tension, reflecting the high stakes of their investigations.

Identity Unknown explores themes of loss, justice, and the search for truth. Cornwell delves into the psychological impact of trauma and the moral dilemmas faced by those in the forensic field. The novel touches on the influence of power and corruption, adding a layer of social commentary to the gripping narrative.

Patricia Cornwell’s Identity Unknown is a standout entry in the Kay Scarpetta series. With its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and meticulous attention to forensic detail, the novel is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and forensic thrillers. Cornwell’s ability to blend scientific accuracy with compelling storytelling makes this book a captivating read from start to finish.

As a huge Scarpetta fan, I have eagerly anticipated each new addition to this wonderful series. I love the cast of characters that have been featured since the beginning, and watching the development of the personalities and relationships is the best thing about reading a series with nearly 30 volumes. Identity Unknown reaches into the past a bit, with the death of a former love of Kay's and the possible return of Carrie Grethen, evil personified.

The storyline has a very creepy vibe, when a body is dumped from a flying object into an abandoned Oz-themed amusement park. The emotional toll that the murder victim's identity has on Kay specifically and Benton and Moreno as a result of their feelings for Kay is an example of what makes me love the books so much. The story is not just about the mystery, it is about the characters and their very flawed and emotionally tangled relationships.

I would love to see this series go on forever, and look forward to the next installment. Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital copy of Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell. The opinions in this review are my own.

Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta series is among my favorites. Identity Unknown, the 28th in the series, is every bit as riveting as her earlier ones, and I am thrilled to have received a review copy. My thanks go to Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and Hachette Audio. This book is for sale now.

First, I have to offer a shout out to January LaVoy, who reads the audio version. I was unsure how I would feel about this one, because I read the first 27 installments with my own eyes, and so I had developed the voices for each character in my head. Would I be thrown by the way they were voiced by a professional? As it happens, no. The protagonist and her ever present sidekick, Pete Marino, who is now her brother-in-law, sound exactly as I had thought they would. Of course, much of this comes down to excellent writing. The voices of her niece, Lucy, who now occupies the top echelons of governmental spookdom, is softer and slightly higher pitched than I had expected, but it fits, and I made the mental transition easily. Kay’s husband, Benton, doesn’t have as deep a voice as I would have thought, but to make his voice that deep would require a second, male reader. All told, LaVoy does a fine job, and I didn’t feel distracted from the story.

I have begun reading the DRC when I am provided the audio, and so from there forward, I switch to the audio, referring occasionally to the DRC to make notes or highlight possible quotations. Once the climax comes, however, the tension gets the better of me, and because I know I can read faster than LaVoy can talk, I switch back to the text.

The premise is that there have been two deaths. The first is an old boyfriend of Kay’s, a man named Sal Giordano. They have remained friends over the years, and she saw him recently when she dropped off a basket of goodies for his birthday. He has been the victim of a death flight, which is new to me but apparently, according to Wiki, is a thing. It involves killing someone by dropping them from a plane.

Holy crap!

Now we get into aspects of the case that make it an even better October read, as well as darkly funny. The prose itself doesn’t appear to be intentionally humorous, and yet I cannot, for the life of me, imagine that Cornwell didn’t snicker a bit as she wrote it. The area where Sal is dropped is inside an abandoned amusement park with a Wizard of Oz theme. It’s been vandalized, and is seriously creepy. The higher ups within the U.S. military are in on the investigation, and so:

“’Let me make sure this is clear,’ General Gunner says to me. ‘He landed on the Yellow Brick Road in the middle of an apple orchard.’
“’Inside the Haunted Forest. Yes.’”

I couldn’t help myself. I squawked out loud!

Soon another corpse is identified, a child belonging to a pair of wealthy, powerful people that are also terrible human beings, and as it happens, horrible parents. The two deaths are connected. The parents throw their weight around and try to manipulate the investigation, but of course, they don’t succeed.

Ultimately it seems that one of the guilty parties is Kay’s nemesis, Carrie Grethen. Carrie was once Lucy’s true love; later, her evil nature became apparent, but nobody can seem to keep her locked up, and she has become Kay’s Moriarty. I mention this here because it is raised early in the story, so I don’t think it can be called a spoiler, but I won’t say more about that.

To the faithful readership, I will also say this. As the book opens, two of Cornwell’s old standbys, ones that I’d be happy to see her retire, appear. First, she has to be driven to the scene in a helicopter, but oh no, there’s a storm coming. I was irritated. Can Kay not go anywhere without there being a storm? Just once? Please? And then something has to be retrieved by diving, which harks back to an earlier book in which she’s attacked with a spear gun. But friends, neither of these turns out to be key to the story, and we’re done with them in a heartbeat, so be patient.

I like to read a few books at a time for variety, but once this one began, it edged out the others—except at bedtime, because when I go to bed, I need to sleep! It’s among her finest work, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Identify Unknown
By Patricia Cornwell
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pub Date: 10/8/24

It’s been many years since a dear friend started me on this series so I spent the last week and a half rereading the 27 books in this series.
This time one of Kay’s old flames is murdered, the team has to figure out what’s happened to him and what he was involved with. When a very familiar villain shows up to cause problems again it’s all hands on deck to find her. Definitely an enjoyable read! Can’t wait for the next one!

Any book that features an abandoned amusement park automatically gets bonus points from me. It’s just one of those disturbing settings that I love. (Especially if it’s a horror story…which this is not) But this is quite the complex case. A dead child, an old lover/friend also dead, even a UFO (could it be aliens?!). Of course you know Scarpetta is going to do whatever she needs to, follow every clue until she figures it all out. While I think this one could likely be read as a standalone, I think readers familiar with Kay and Co. will enjoy it more. Scarpetta is just one of those characters that never gets old and even after 3+ decades, Cornwell continues to entertain. I’d like to thank Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Identity Unknown.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1MWBD5EFW1PTT/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

"Identity Unknown " is book 28 in the medical examiner Kay Scarpetta series, which has piqued my interest in the world of forensic pathology from the beginning.

Scarpetta and her supporting cast are back on the job of solving two murders, with clues as to one of the deaths almost nonexistent, and those that are present are somewhat unexplainable. Cornwell's ability to blend intricate forensic details with a compelling narrative is unparalleled. The plot could be more action-packed, but it moves along.
While this novel does provide enough background to be readable on its own, I highly recommend starting with the early novels to fully appreciate the characters. Getting to know Kay Scarpetta, Benton, Marino, and Lucy from the beginning will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. And thank you, Patricia Cornwell!!

Cornwell is at the top of her game with Identity Unknown, in which Scarpetta is faced with several complex, intriguing cases. One of them is personal, when her good friend and former lover, Nobel laureate Sal Giordano, is found dead in an abandoned amusement park, his body apparently thrown from a flying "unidentified anomalous phenomenon" (formerly known as UFO). Grieving his loss but determined to find out what happened, Kay may be the only one who can find and put all the clues together to figure it out, while also dealing with the rich, politically connected father of a young child who probably didn't shoot herself in the head accidentally. Cornwell has woven a rich tapestry of forensic details, multifaceted heroes and villains, tense action, and unexpected and seemingly unexplainable events that kept me glued to my kindle on a sunny Sunday.

I’ve always been a Kay Scarpetta fan and this is definitely another good one! Very fast paced thriller, totally kept me on the edge of my seat!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central for the advanced reader copy!

Patricia Cornwell has captivated readers for decades with her Kay Scarpetta series. The books follow the medical examiner as she investigates murder cases and unexplained deaths. I first discovered the series in high school when I picked up a paperback copy of Post Mortem, and I was immediately hooked. Those thrilling mysteries were far more enticing than the books on my required reading list! Over the years, Cornwell has kept the series fresh, navigating cultural and technological changes while allowing Kay Scarpetta and her world to evolve, solidifying her place as one of the most iconic characters in modern crime fiction. Cornwell returns with Identity Unknown, the latest installment, offering a fast-paced whodunit filled with cutting-edge tech, fascinating characters, and a seemingly unsolvable case.

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is under intense pressure as she autopsies the body of a young girl, the daughter of ultra-wealthy parents who claim she accidentally shot herself. The parents are eager to retrieve their daughter's remains, but the more Kay examines the evidence, the shakier their story becomes. She refuses to release the body until she uncovers the truth.

Her investigation is interrupted when her Secret Service niece, Lucy, calls her to a far more unsettling scene. Lucy arrives by helicopter at the medical examiner’s office and whisks Kay away to a creepy, abandoned Wizard of Oz-themed amusement park. The eerie setting is nothing compared to the grisly discovery awaiting them. A body appears to have fallen from a great height, possibly ejected from an unidentified flying object, leaving even expert pilot Lucy puzzled.

As Kay approaches the body, she's shocked to realize the victim is Sal Giordano, known as the "E.T. Whisperer"—a longtime friend and former lover. His crumpled remains lie on the dilapidated yellow brick road, surrounded by a strange crop circle of petals. As investigators grapple with theories of extraterrestrial involvement and Giordano's eccentric life, Scarpetta uncovers a more sinister, earthbound explanation that hits disturbingly close to home.

No author unsettles me quite like Patricia Cornwell, and Identity Unknown is no exception. An undercurrent of paranoia runs through every moment of the story, forcing readers to confront horrors they’d rather not imagine. Cornwell weaves this tension throughout her intricate mystery as Kay Scarpetta faces interference from her former boss, a disgruntled ex-employee, and the influential parents of a victim whose death appears far more sinister than anyone wants to admit. And that’s just the beginning.

The novel takes readers to one of the creepiest murder scenes I’ve ever encountered, plunging them into a bizarre investigation that even flirts with the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. Cornwell’s meticulous research grounds the narrative in reality, making the story's chilling elements feel all the more plausible.

Twenty-eight books into the series, Identity Unknown might just be the best one yet. I devoured it in a single sitting, unable to tear myself away until I’d reached the final page. With Amazon recently announcing a two-season pickup for a TV series based on the character, it seems Kay Scarpetta’s journey is far from over. If the books remain as gripping as this one, I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

I couldn't get through the entirety of this book. This one just fell flat for me and it moved just a little to slow. I will say that it could have been the mindset that I was in when I read this book and I would still recommend giving it a try.

Patricia Cornwell has been writing the character of Kay Scarpetta for 30+ years. Identity Unknown is the 28th book in the series.

"Scarpetta is called to an abandoned amusement park to retrieve a body. She is devastated to find it is a good friend that she had just seen. There are many questions about his death beginning with the unidentified object that dropped him. His skin is red, he is surrounded by a circle of petals and there's a vinegar-like smell in the air. Lucy and Benton are not talking. Is there something other-worldly about the death? Or is it an evil closer to home?"

It's amazing to me that authors can write characters for so long and still keep the story fresh. This is a linear story. Once it starts you're with Scarpetta the whole time. Cornwell keeps the tension high about the questions surrounding Giordano's death. There are lots of wild moments at the end (once in a cave) And an old nemesis pops back up.

Another great Scarpetta story.

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is summoned to an abandoned theme park to retrieve the body of a man she once loved. Sal Giordano was Scarpetta’s lover back when she taught in Rome in the early days of her career as a medical examiner. Scarpetta arrives at a peculiar scene. There is a crop circle of petals around Giordano’s body and his skin is a strange red color. Lucy, Scarpetta’s niece, is certain that Giordano was dropped out of a UFO. As the evidence unfolds, what happened to Giordano just gets stranger and stranger.

I have been a fan of the Scarpetta series for a long time. Cornwell provides another great story with all of your favorite characters. This one is fast-paced and many things are going on at once. However, you will eventually find all the storylines come together in the end. Overall, another solid Scarpetta story that fans of the series will enjoy.

Publication date is October 8th.

Wow, just WOW! But I can say that this was a great book. Unfortunately, some of it was a tad repetitive. I could overlook that for the action and suspense that Ms. Cornwell so aptly wrote. The book starts with the death of a child, so if that is a trigger for you, be warned, but it quickly switches over to the death of an old friend of Kay and her husband (more Kays, really). This death is very suspect, and since he was called the ET Whisperer, you can imagine just what everyone thought when they found the naked body in an abandoned theme park with a crop circle around him!

The theme of the book makes me wonder just what our government is doing out there and how much of what Ms. Cornwell writes is the truth.

A wonderful read that really makes you think.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group, the author, and NetGalley.

Love Kay Scarpetta. An old lover of Kay, and present friend of Kay and Benton, Giordano is found at an abandoned theme park. There are rumors that he was dropped from an UFO. His skin is unusally red. Some how he has deliberately left a clue for her. There were questions of otherworldly forces and Giordana himself.. This is a case where Lucy and Bentons corroporation is paramont. thanks netgalley, another great read.

Curling up with a new Kay Scarpetta story such as 'Identity Unknown' by Patricia Cornwell is like putting on your favorite comfortable sweater. The personal connection between Kay and one of the victims added an emotional dimension to the story that I highly enjoyed. If possible, Marino is more erasable than ever. The thread that connected the two victims was palpable and believable.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in return for an honest review.

#28 in the Scarpetta series, this time Kay is tasked with figuring out what has happened to her former lover/colleague, Sal Giordano. His body was left in an abandoned theme park, with strange crop circles around him and a red tint to his skin. There also seems to have been a UFO in the vicinity of the area when Sal was killed. And oddly, Sal has left Scarpetta with a clue to what he was up to before his death.
We also get (maybe?) a conclusion to a villain that Scarpetta has been dealing with for way too long. It will be a sad day in the Commonwealth if this ME ever decides to retire. Or if Cornwell retires Scarpetta.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-arc.*

Good mystery

This book finds Kay trying to solve the murder of a former lover and current good friend Sal. Sal may have been killed by something extraterrestrial, or at least that's what the evidence is pointing to. As always, there is a secondary plot line that ties somewhat indirectly to the main plot, this one involves the death of a young child, perhaps by accident, perhaps not.

Kay has Benton, Lucy and Tron by her side as she works to unravel the mystery of Sal's and the child. There is talk of UFO's/UAP's, previous enemies of Kay and family, and some far out theories, but I found it to be a fast, enjoyable read. I especially loved reading about the NASA and USAF facilities in Hampton, and the Army facilities in Hampton and Newport News. I used to live in those areas so it was a mini-homecoming for me.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Kay Scarpetta is back along with her family and team. Interesting story involving the question of extraterrestrials. Satisfying resolution.

The Kay Scarpetta series has been a fixture in my reading since I discovered them about a decade ago. This is the 28th mystery and I love how her characters have grown over time. As the chief medical examiner in Virginia the story begins while Kay is performing an autopsy on a child of a wealthy and powerful couple. Barely finishing with that she is called away by the secret service to retrieve a body from an abandoned and creepy amusement park. She is disheartened to learn it is a long time friend and old love of hers. Her niece Lucy who works with the secret service is there as are regulars like Pete Marino and her husband Benton.

In this book the story is more on Kay and it takes place over a few days. I enjoyed her reminiscing about her old love and their summer in Rome. There is focus on the forensic work and I liked small things like the reality of Kay envying Lucy and her partner’s younger and tighter physics while retrieving another body. Cornwell does identify and catch up readers on the regulars in the book so you can read this as a stand alone. But the real enjoyment comes from following them in their lives as the series progresses.

The conclusion comes fast and I think there is good closure on the current cases in the book. This will delight Scarpetta fans. I’ve missed a few books in the series and will need to seek them out when my TBR pile is smaller. And I can’t wait for the next book in the series.