Kate Scarpetta is back and as introspyas ever. The familiar cast of characters are back (and a great narrator) with their private secrets putting them and others in harms way. Somewhat complicated plot with a few bumps but enjoyable and an easy listen. Thanks NetGalley.

I truly thought I would be able to follow along even without having read the previous novels, unfortunately it just felt like I was missing something. Also, all the UFO aliens stuff was not for me. I couldn't continue. I had to DNF this one.

Another great story in this long running mystery series.

Kay Scarpetta is in the middle of an autopsy on what she suspects is a murdered child when she gets a call from her niece Lucy. It seems that an old flame and friend, Sal Giordano, was kidnapped and violently killed. The strangest thing is that he seems to have been dropped from a great height out of something Lucy can only say was likely some sort of UAP — an unidentified anomalous phenomenon. Collecting her head of investigations, Pete Marino, they head off to the discovery location where everything is cloak and dagger classified.

I love the way that the author describes everything and gives great detail about persons, places, and things. The writing style draws me in and makes me feel a part of the story as if I am right there. Over the past years after reading all the books in this series, I’ve come to like some characters more than others who get on my nerves. I always find the theme and plots interesting and unique.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the ebook ARC, both provided by the publishers. I loved the experience as the narrator did an excellent job voicing all the characters and bringing the appropriate amount of drama and tone to the book. As always, I look forward to the next installment.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell, narrated by January LaVoy, is a gripping and intricately plotted addition to the Kay Scarpetta series. This 28th installment brings forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta into a deeply personal and haunting investigation that intertwines her past with a chilling present-day murder.

The story begins with Scarpetta being summoned to an abandoned theme park to retrieve a body. To her shock, the victim is Sal Giordano, a man she once had an intense love affair with during her early career in Rome. The murder scene is bizarre, featuring a crop circle of petals around the body and Giordano’s skin turned an unnatural red. 

January LaVoy’s narration is a STELLAR feature of this audiobook. Her expressive and nuanced performance captures the emotional depth and tension of the story, bringing Scarpetta’s character to life with a compelling intensity. LaVoy’s ability to convey the suspense and complexity of the narrative keeps listeners engaged and on edge throughout the audiobook.

Cornwell’s writing is as sharp and detailed as ever, blending forensic science with psychological intrigue. The plot is meticulously crafted, with twists and turns that keep the listener guessing until the very end. The exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, and the quest for truth adds layers of depth to the narrative, making it more than just a straightforward thriller.

Scarpetta is portrayed as a multifaceted protagonist, grappling with her own emotions while navigating the complexities of the case. Her interactions with her niece Lucy and other recurring characters add richness to the story, highlighting the personal stakes involved in the investigation.

 Identity Unknown is a must-listen for fans of the Kay Scarpetta series and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted forensic thriller. Patricia Cornwell’s expert storytelling, combined with January LaVoy’s captivating narration, makes this audiobook a standout in its genre.

Kay Scarpetta's return to Virginia makes for more interesting plots than were present for a time in this series. I admit, what I loved about the Scarpetta books were the early entries. I resisted the turn to high tech spy thrillers and upscale living with connections, connections, connections. I've always liked the characters and all of the main players are still here. Kay's sister Dorothy's marriage to Kay's long time partner, Marino, seems odd, but in a sense Cornwell agrees with me. Recently since I kept reading the books, I realized I'd love the current version of the series if I'd never read the earlier books. I like thrillers. I like spy stories. I like high tech intrigue. I just felt a dissonance when they became early character Kay Scarpetta's new life. My epiphany that I could like both definitely has drawn me back to the series.

This is to say I really enjoyed "Identity Unknown" and highly recommend it if you like thriller/government secrecy and high tech. In this case, a former flame of Kays and still a good friend is found dead under very odd circumstances. She had seen him the day before on his 60th birthday. Sal was a former Nobel prize recipient, a famed scientist a bit of a maverick and he died in a crumbling, abandoned theme park that has a great theme. Those keeping up with the novels know that a dangerous Russian operative who was once involved with Lucy and who was once believed dead is still around and still messing in the extended family group's lives. Kay is brought into the case to perform the forensic autopsy but on a need to know basis and in a secure, highly secret location. Meanwhile, his death becomes fodder for social media because of how Sal was killed. Also high profile is the death of a young daughter of a powerful, wealthy couple who are less than likable. Did she play with a gun and shoot herself? As usual, what makes a mystery delectable is ruined if too much is shared. Sorry. Not Sorry. Read it!

The Narrator for this audiobook, January LaVoy, is truly one of the best I've ever heard and I listen to a LOT of audiobooks.

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

This was my first audiobook/book by this author. My sister used to read her books all the time and she always really enjoyed them so I looked forward to this one. While I clearly missed a few things with people's personal relationships from previous books I was able to follow the story and enjoy it. While doing one autopsy Dr. Scarpetta gets called out to another scene that ends up being someone she was well acquainted with. It was interesting listening to them solve the case.

Identity Unknown AUDIO by Patricia Cornwell is a wonderful and touching book. I am embarrassed to say this is the first Kay Scarpetta book I have come in contact with, but it won’t be the last. Kay has been called upon to do the autopsy of a good friend who died in mysterious circumstances. She knows immediately who had perpetrated this miserable deed, but of course, it has to be proven. Fortunately her husband, Benton, is an FBI agent and her niece, Lucy, is an FBI pilot. Kay has led a storied life and is now pretty settled. It was difficult to share her much earlier romantic relationship with the deceased, Sal Giordano, whom she had just seen yesterday, to tell him Happy 60th! Her husband had been part of the group. Although her knew everything, it was difficult. Now he is gone and in a gruesome manner. Oddly, it seems connected to the murder of a child she had been working on at home.

Kay is a strong character, based on a real person. While the fixes she gets into are not usually reality, the steps she takes to solve them are. She is winsome, interesting, and creative. An excellent character Cornwell has created and slotted into this intriguing mystery. As I have no other Kay Scarpetta novels to compare to I am going to rate this book very high.

It was an excellent listen narrated by January LaVoy who handled all the details, gruesome and otherwise with aplomb and made me believe. Thanks for a good listen!

I was invited to listen to Identity Unknown by Hachette Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HachetteAudio #PatriciaCornwell #JanuaryLaVoy #IdentityUnknown

Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta never disappoints, even at number 28. This story was just as exciting and interesting as her first, A fast moving plot with a villain from the past.

The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Thank you to Patricia Cornwell and Hachette Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

January LaVoy narration of 'Identity Unknown' by Patricia Cornwell is stellar. Her narration moves the story along swiftly with her expert use of character voices. I highly recommend this AudioBook.

Thank you for Hatchett Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in return for a 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.
The amazingly brilliant January Lavoy is the narrator.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio e-arc.*

I enjoy all the Scarpetta books and this was no exception. This was fast paced and a wild ride. This involved a person that was close to Kay and was a bit more emotional and I really liked that aspect.
Marino was a bit rough for me in this book, I got angry at him a few times, but their relationship is a bit weird but it is so long lasting.
The audio was fantastic.
Thanks to Hachette, Patricia Cornwell and Negalley for an early ALC.

Audio book review - As narrators go this one helped the flow of the book but did not enthrall this audience member.
This was an action packed story that the kept me interested, but felt that this book could have done with a much more exciting narrator.
The book itself is a great story with clever hints and twists that keep you excited.

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

Patricia Cornwell's *Identity Unknown* takes readers on a convoluted journey with Dr. Kay Scarpetta, who is called to a haunting murder scene at an abandoned theme park. While the initial premise is intriguing—a former lover found dead with bizarre clues surrounding him—the plot quickly veers into territory that feels disjointed and implausible, particularly with the inclusion of aliens. This element detracts from the story's suspense and makes the narrative feel forced rather than engaging.

Scarpetta, traditionally a strong character, comes off as unlikable in this installment, making it difficult for readers to empathize with her plight. Her cold demeanor and self-absorbed tendencies overshadow the emotional weight of her loss, leaving the story feeling flat at times. While the mystery elements have the potential to captivate, the oddball twists and Scarpetta's character ultimately overshadow the book's strengths. Overall, *Identity Unknown* is a mixed bag that struggles to find its footing amid supernatural distractions.

I have read all of the Kay Scarpetta books in the series and have enjoyed most of them but I have mixed feelings for this book.

In Kay Scarpetta #28 there is a lot going on. It starts with the suspicious death of a child and some bullying by her parents to then go to the death of a dear friend of Kay's (and former lover) to having the reappearance of her nemesis Carrie to having everything be connected. This is all before we discuss the hot and cold between her and Marino, whatever is going on with Lucy, her relationship with her husband Benton and her dysfunctional relationship with her sister Dorothy.

Full disclosure now. I have to admit that I am SOOO tired of the Carrie story line. She is the go to villain and it is getting a little old. It is also making Kay who I always thought of as a strong character seem a little paranoid.

The plot of this book moved along quickly despite the crazy premise of aliens causing the death of Sal, Kay's friend initially. The secrecy behind his death will make the conspiracy theorists go crazy but it is fiction after all. With two cases that take place side by side I really felt that the first case, the child death of Luna was ignored for the friend and then it was all tied up in the end with a bow.

Overall, this book had me hooked from the start. I have always enjoyed the books in this series but I do have issues with some of the plots. I will also now admit that I can't wait to see what is in store for Kay and her group next and would recommend this book to others.

My thanks to Net Galley, Hachette, and Grand Central for this advanced audio copy.

I was not crazy about the recent Scarpetta novels but this one is back on track! Kay has 2 connecting cases. The murder of a 3 year old girl, and a body that was dropped from the air into an amusement park owned by the wealthy father of the murdered girl who wound up being a former boyfriend of Kay's.

A former villain returns to spice things up which I loved. I just wish there was more focus as in the earlier books on the Benton/Lucy/Kay/Marino dynamics. It's touched upon but not like before.

It has been a while since I read a Kay Scarpetta book (since number 17) and I really enjoyed it. It was different with the talk of UAC, OZ, yellow brick road, covid times, an old love of Kay being murdered, weird/supernatural things going on, etc. I thought it was a nice change of pace to a forensic series that has been going on for some time. I was able to piece together what I had missed and enjoyed the book quite a bit

Another wonderful Scarpetta book. I've loved the Kay Scarpetta books for decades. This book is just as well written and exciting as the others. All of our favorite characters are in this book, too.

A man that Kay was involved with (well before her husband), has just been found dead and his body appears to have been dropped from the sky. Additionally, there are some abnormalities that Kay just can't ignore.

Kay is also working on the autopsy for a girl who appears to have been abused. She is almost ready to declare the death a homicide but she needs a bit more time. Meanwhile, the "important people" who parented the child are demanding the return of her body.

There is a bit of unusual evidence on the girl's body that also is showing up on the man's. Kay and her team get pulled into more interesting cases, that seem interrelated, as well.

I had both an e-book and the audio version. Great story, great narration.

medical-examiner, relationships, relatives, unpleasant-suspect, unputdownable, triggers, abuse, torture, science, scientist, crime-fiction, thriller, threats, suspense, suspicion, twisty, psychological-thriller, psychopath, entitled-attitude, nemesis, ex-detective, friends, friendship, friction, forensic-medicine, forensic-psychologist, forensics, wealthy*****

I'm waaay behind in my Scarpetta reading so I missed out on a lot of the backstory. That didn't really matter because there was all the memory stuff included within the story. The main cases presented are that of a child who was tortured and murdered by her very wealthy parents who try every trick imaginable to pursue their own agenda. The other is the peculiar death of a brilliant scientist/former lover whose body is found at an abandoned theme park which somehow has electricity. Forget flying saucers, now they're called UFC- unidentified flying craft and that's just what the FBI and Secret Service think orchestrated the death. Is it a coincidence that the property is owned by the aforementioned wealthy psycho?
January Lavoy is an amazing narrator who adds immeasurably to the story by employing a wide range of voices for the myriad of characters and bringing them to life by adding the appropriate emotions and inflection in her voice.
I requested and received a temporary audio copy from Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you.
January LaVoy @justjanuary #IdentityUnknown #NetGalley Patricia Cornwell @1pcornwell #KayScarpettaBk28 #Thriller