Dealing with a friend's murder is never easy but it is even harder when you have to perform the autopsy. Scarpetta is back in an interesting and mysterious investigation.

Cornwell's latest novel, featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta, is a complicated, but satisfying mystery about the deaths of a young girl and a famous scientist. In the first case the signs suggest that the girl did not die accidentally, as claimed by her parents, but may have been murdered by those same parents. There are no clear suspects in the scientist's death, but while the murderer's identity is an issue to be solved, the equally large questions are why the scientist -the forensic pathologist's former lover and still close friend - was murdered and as several clues suggest, whether his murder and the girl's were somehow connected.
As always, the author skillfully integrates forensic science lessons with an entertaining narrative that keeps the reader engrossed. A fair warning: the story is complicated, and readers will have to pay close attention to the details. But there are plenty of plot twists and tense moments to keep almost any dedicated reader entertained. If you like murder mysteries, I think you'll like this one.

This was a really enjoyable book. I have not read a Patricia Cornwell book before and I am so glad I have finally discovered her. The narrator, January LaVoy, did an amazing job! I will recommend this book to fellow reading friends.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing via Net Galley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook! Having read Patricia Cornwell before, I was excited to return to her world with Dr. Kay Scarpetta, and it did not disappoint. The narrator, January LaVoy, brought the characters to life with her fantastic differentiation, making the listening experience engaging. While not every character resonated with me, the intriguing plot kept me captivated from start to finish.

The story revolves around the troubling death of a girl, which weighs heavily on Dr. Scarpetta. She refuses to be intimidated into closing the case, despite the threats from the parents. As if that wasn't enough, her former lover is murdered, leaving behind a trail of clues that she must decipher. Sure, it ventures into some unbelievable territory, but that's part of what made it thrilling.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to dive into the audiobook, Identity Unknown. If you're a fan of mysteries that sprinkle in a dash of UFO intrigue, this story is sure to satisfy your cravings!

This was really good--I haven't read a PC book in a while and this was a good refresher on the rides she takes you on. Love Kay Scarpetta! While, this book was majorly outlandish---it was just the escapism I needed.

An enthralling installment in the Kay Scarpetta series!!

This story follows Dr. Scarpetta as she delves into the enigmatic deaths of a young girl and her former lover.

The plot is rich with unexpected twists and masterfully intertwines forensic science and paranormal elements. Cornwell's meticulous attention to detail and exceptional ability to generate suspense keep me riveted.

The novel's robust character development and complex plot make it a must-read for crime fiction enthusiasts.

🎧LaVoy's crisp and clear dialogue delivery, coupled with her talent for creating distinct voices for each character, significantly enhances the listening experience. Her expert use of pitch and pacing skillfully builds suspense, keeping listeners captivated.

I haven’t read a Scarpetta book in years. I used to read them all. Decided to give this one a try and didn’t love it. I mean UFO’s?

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell - ANY book that is narrated by January LaVoy is going to be a good one! This one was no exception. This was my first every Patricia Cornwell book and I had no idea it was part of a long series. I decided to read it anyways as a standalone. I do think I would have had more context if I had read the previous books first BUT this was still a very good book as a standalone. I really enjoyed the twists, plots and the character development. I definitely will read more Patricia Cornwell books!

This is my first ever book of this series and I had to play a little catching up because there is some carryover from previous novels, but I caught on. Because it’s my first book in the series, I also don’t have a lot to compare it to, except that I thought it was good. Was it great? No, but it was good.

@netgalley
#netgalley
#readmorebooks
#readmorebooksbywomen
#readersofinstagram
#bookstagram
#bookstagrammer
#bookish
#mybookishlife
#wearebookish
#lovereading
#alwaysreading
#readinggoals
#2024reads
#goodreads
#audiobook

In Identity Unknown, Kay Scarpetta is once again personally involved with the victim who was an old colleague and lover from her past, Sal Jordano.
Kay's niece Lucy is Kay's contact in investigating the crime. But who is the main suspect? Maybe aliens?? His body looks like it's been dropped from a great height and Sal was a leading expert in alien visitation and abduction in the world. I love how there are intertwining mysteries afoot in Identity Unknown and Scarpetta keeps you guessing until the end. Scarpetta's sidekick Merino offers some comic relief to the heinous crimes and also admits to a long attraction to our fearless medical examiner. I think Helen Mirren should play Scarpetta in a series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for making this audiobook available to review.

The narrator of this title is one of my favorite narrators. I think that often the person reading the book can make a book better or ruin it entirely. January Lavoy is a terrific narrator.

Identity Unknown is the 28th Scarpetta novel written by Patricia Cornwell. All my favorite characters were back and this book could definitely be called a thriller. The UFO details seemed timely given the recent publicity about military and unknown flying objects. I do feel like this series has peaked a few books back. I would love to see something new come from this author.

Thank you @hachetteaudio @netgalley for my complimentary audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

Patricia Cornwell’s long running series featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta is my FAVORITE series in the crime thriller genre. Forensic pathologist, Kay Scarpetta navigates complex criminal cases that often delve into the chilling psychological aspects of crime.

In IDENTITY UNKNOWN Dr. Kay Scarpetta is heartbroken to discover that the victim in her latest case is a man with whom she once shared a passionate love affair. The crime scene is peculiar, and Kay’s niece, Lucy, speculates that the victim may have been dropped from an unidentified flying object. Meanwhile, Kay is taken aback to find that her friend seems to have intentionally left behind a clue.

All of the series colorful characters return, including Kay’s husband, FBI profiler Benton Wesley, Lucy Farinelli, her tech-savvy niece, and former detective Pete Marino. The depth of these characters, developed over the years, makes each new book feel like a reunion with old friends. In my opinion, Cornwell's ability to weave scientific detail with gripping narratives sets the standard in the crime thriller genre.

January LaVoy’s narration is always a treat for the listener. She skillfully brings the characters to life, conveying their emotions and enhancing the tension in critical moments. High-quality sound and clear audio contribute to a seamless listening experience, allowing the story to flow naturally without distractions.

If you're a fan of thrillers that blend meticulous detail with emotional depth, this series is definitely worth exploring!

The narration was good. I was expecting more from this book.

What I liked?
1. Narration was good and Author’s writing is good too
2. I loved the details about the Kay and Sal’s past
3. All the details of the victim’s body and his passion
4. Reading about The Briley family

What didn’t work for me?
1. Suspense and mystery stayed till the end.
2. So many details and so much character development.
3. Had high expectations from the ending.
4. It was more about the cause of Sal’s death and the past and less about the killer’s revelations

Thanks to the Publisher and Author

Identity Unknown ( Kay Scarlett’s #28) by Patricia Cornwell was a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller. I hadn’t read a Kay Scarpetta book in a long time but was instantly reminded why I had liked this series so much. Many of the characters that I had come to know and admire were right there with Dr. Kay Scarpetta when she was brought in to investigate not one but two murders. It was welcoming to reacquaint myself with Kay Scarpetta’s partner, Pete Marino, now married to Kay’s sister, Kay’s husband, Benton, her niece, Lucy, and an old boyfriend turned trusted friend, Sal Giordano. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by January LaVoy. Her performance was excellent. She really nailed the distinction between the character’s voices and unique personalities.

Patricia Cornwell masterfully placed Dr. Kay Scarpetta at the center of investigating two very suspicious deaths. One came as a great shock and loss to Kay. Her long time friend and once boyfriend, Sal Giordano, had been found dead in the middle of an abandoned theme park. Those that first discovered his body believed that he had been dropped from an unidentified flying object. Sal had become a close friend of both Kay and her husband, Benton. Kay had seen Sal only days before his death. He had celebrated his sixtieth birthday and Kay had stopped at his home to deliver a gift. Who would be so cruel as to drop a body to its death? Why had he been dropped on the middle of an abandoned yet creepy amusement park?

The other death involved a young girl. She was the daughter of two powerful and wealthy yet neglectful parents. The young girl had been found dead as a result of self inflicted gunshot wounds. According to the parents, their daughter found the gun in their home and it was fired accidentally. The autopsy that Dr. Kay Scarpetta performed told another story. Kay had her theories about each case. Could Carrie Grethen have had something to do with both of these deaths? Were Sal’s death and the young girl’s death linked in some way? Why was it so hard to keep track of Carrie Grethen’s whereabouts and activities? One thing was for sure, Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her colleagues would not stop until they discovered who was behind both of these deaths.

Although Identity Unknown was the twenty-eighth book in the Kay Scarpetta series, it can be read as a standalone book. I believe that reading some of the previous books would be helpful though in terms of the characters and their relationship with the other characters. I enjoyed listening to Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell and recommend it.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell is the 28th book in the Kay Scarlett a series, and an enjoyable read. Having read most of the early editions of this series, I was excited to give this book a try and was not disappointed. This book kept my attention all the way through And the narrator did an excellent job. Having not read the series for many years I was not lost it all and the story was easy to follow. I highly recommend this book andi the whole series. I will be going back and reading the books I have missed.

I read a lot of Key Scarpetta books, however there was a pause, which I find exciting to have put an end to. It was amazing reading about Key Scarpetta's investigations, feeling like I have met an old friend.
I struggled to follow the two lines of investigations for both the young girl and Sal, IUO seemed a little bit forced and added to the professional characteristic of Key's, woww god, she is fabulous to dive, fly, cut, investigate, it just blows my mind thinking about all those and she actually performs them.
Another nice meeting with Lucy, Benton and Morino, I missed you guys! I understand that Morino has marries Key's sister, which probably happens somewhere between the last book I read and this one, so this was surprise for me.
I am disappointed not remembering the young girl, which allegedly shots herself in the head, because her story is like squeezed between everything else. The books keep up two lines of investigation (though they usually cross somewhere) and Key's personal dealings and life and siblings and friends. So I guess it must be tiresome to write, but believe me it is also tiring to read and follow.
As a conclusion, I am glad to have completed another story with complex happenings and investigations and UFOs and murders and old enemies, and am curious about the future, but I intend to keep it slow and have a break until the next Scarpetta book.
The narrator was awesome, she was great, keeping the tension and conveying the feeling. Very good job!

Scarpetta (Kay, Doc, Dr. Kay, Aunt Kay), Marino, and Lucy are back! I love picking up a book that makes you feel like you called an old friend to catch up. This trio always makes me happy.

Identity Unknown begins with the autopsy of a young girl, Luna Riley, the daughter of a wealthy themepark owner. Followed by a late night prank call to the morgue and a second call from Lucy with information about the death of a former love, potentially related to Luna.

I was so invested in the child's death (murder?) that the death of Kay's former love took a back seat. But don't worry, his diegesis is the bulk of the book!

Prepare to settle in for a wild ride, with twists, turns, and surprises!

You might want to go back a couple of books to completely understand the depth of the history with some characters. However, Cornwell does a good job of explaining old foes and presenting the backstory.

If you like a good murder mystery sprinkled with aviation, AI, and technology, you will love this book!

It’s been a bit while since I picked up this series. I read the blurb and it seemed like time to jump back in. Her stories are smart, compelling, well researched, seriously scary and creepy. I liked reacquainting myself with known characters who want to keep the world safe. They’ve all got complicated relationships and are due to their work as well as their personal histories. Kay is called to the scene of a murder of a dear friend. Who killed him and why? Is it connected to the murder of a little girl with very powerful parents? It’s a twisted complex story that leads to all the answers. I enjoyed getting back into the series and revisiting the cast, except for Dorothy. Wow, ugh. Now looking forward to what is next in the series and definitely going back for the few I’ve missed.

Identity Unknown is Patricia Cornwell's new book - and its the 28th entry in her long running series featuring chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.


Kay is called out to a body found in an abandoned amusement park. She's stunned when she views the victim - they had a relationship years ago. The Feds are called as they have questions about this case as well. And Kay has another case that is hard to read about.

The supporting cast returns with Investigator Pete Marino right by Kay's side. The two have had a fractious relationship over the years, but they're both dedicated to finding the truth.

Niece Lucy also has mad skills and also works for the Feds. Much of her job is classified. As is Kay's husband Benton's job. Kay's sister Dorothy just annoys me so much! She is a narcissist.

I am always intrigued with the technology, reasoning, methods and more that are used in the books. I've gone online few times to read more. It's fascinating. They figure heavily in this latest.

The Scarpetta books are all told from Kay's point of view. Cornwell keeps the time line moving forward - the characters are aging. I enjoy Kay's inner dialogue very much.

Cornwell gives the reader a page turner in this latest. The ending of Identity Unknown is satisfying - but I happily can say that there's a door that's been left open for the next entry... I'll be watching for it.

I chose to listen to Identity Unknown. The reader was January LaVoy again. I appreciate the continuity as her voice has become Kay for me. LaVoy has a smooth, low voice that's easy on the ears. She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. She easily captures the emotions, danger, suspense and more with her performance. LaVoy has created different voices for all of the characters. It is easy to know who is speaking. each voice is perfect for the players. A great performance.

I thought this book was good, the main female character is likable and smart. I see this is a series, I have not read any others but I am intrigued now.