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.

They should have titled the book "Whining over Sal".
The first half of the book is mostly Kay Scarpetta whining over the death of her ex-lover Sal. On and on and on. And then after everyone knowing he was an ex-lover and very intimate friend....they allow her to do the autopsy???
I had a very difficult time finishing this one. But I trudged on.
It's not much of a mystery and by the time it was over I really didn't care.
Very slow moving and not much happening.
Sorry, I can't recommend it.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Patricia Cornwell's "Identity" features her signature blend of crime and forensics, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the plot had the potential for intrigue, I found it somewhat predictable and lacking the tension I usually expect from her work. The characters, particularly the main character, felt a bit flat and didn't resonate with me as much as in her previous novels.

Cornwell's detailed descriptions and her ability to weave in forensic science remain impressive, but they weren’t enough to elevate the story this time. Overall, while fans of the genre might still find elements to enjoy, I felt the narrative fell short of the captivating experience I was hoping for.

I love this series. I have been reading it for years. They quality of the writing has never wavered. The story as always completely immersed me. This is the first time I have listened to one of the Kay Scarpetta books on audio and I loved it. It's actually the first ever crime/ mystery I have listened to, and it won't be the last.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audio copy of this title. Scarpetta is back; this time investigating a possible child abuse murder, and also some strange happenings at a former amusement park. There is a bit of conflict with Marino and his wife, and Benton is also enmeshed (as usual in the mystery). The specter of Carrie once again emerges, and the group grapples with that to a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook copy. This was my first Patricia Cornwell novel. I must say I really enjoyed this book. I am interested in picking up more of her books. The audio was great and I highly recommend it.

January LaVoy is one of my favorite narrators and Pat Cornwell one of my favorite authors. Needless to say I thought this audio was brilliant. January Lavoy is excellent in all the ways, her voice is soothing and her intonation perfect. She blends the chapters perfectly even though they were fairly long and she changed voices and dialects flawlessly: there were a few parts of this book that in print were a little slow but in audio, it read perfectly.

If you are looking for action, conspiracy, UFOs and mistery this is your book. Pretty much, there is something happening all the time (some a bit too much for my taste). The story line is interesting but at times a got a little confused. The reveals at the ending where missing the suspens.