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.

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.

It's been a while since I read a book in a single day - and alas, this isn't one of them. That's not because of lack of wanting to, though, nor trying my darndest to put off doing things that needed done so I could polish it off. I came close, but that doesn't count except when I'm playing horseshoes. What I CAN do is say this is one of the best in the series so far - and I don't think I've missed one yet (this is the 28th).

The story begins in Virginia, where forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta is examining the body of a young girl whose uber-wealthy parents claim she accidentally shot herself. The parents are demanding the body back, which Scarpetta refuses to approve until she can determine the cause of death. But then, she gets a call to come to a remote location where another body has been found - apparently dropped through the air by some kind of unidentified flying object, according to Scarpetta's Secret Service niece, Lucy.

Say what? If Lucy, an accomplished helicopter pilot, can't figure out what dropped the body, who can? To make already complicated matters more so, the body belongs to astrophysicist Sal Giordano, knicknamed the "E.T. Whisperer" because of his belief in life beyond Earth - with whom Scarpetta just happens to have had a love affairs years ago, before she met and married her FBI profiler husband, Benton Wesley. Since then, she and Sal have stayed in touch but not romantically, most recently on his 60th birthday, the day before he took a downturn for the worse.

Clues as to his death are almost nonexistent, and those that are present are unexplainable - like finding his locked car dumped over a ravine and strange colors and substances found on his mangled body. Also strangely, his body was found in an abandoned theme park owned by - wait for it - the parents of that little girl who supposedly shot herself. Coincidence? I certainly thought not.

As the very secretive investigation by the Secret Service, FBI and other powers-that-be gets under way, something even more sinister is revealed; a possible connection with a villainous character who's haunted Scarpetta and Lucy for years while eluding, and/or escaping, the arms of justice. That in itself adds a whole new dimension to the entire investigation as well as threatens the lives of Scarpetta and everyone she loves.

The book works as a standalone, but for sure those who have read at least a couple of prior books will "get it" more easily (as is the case with almost any series, IMHO). I'm ready for the next one, but meantime I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. It's a gem!

4 ⭐️ This is a fast paced thriller in the Kay Scarpetta series. Kept me interested and on the edge of my seat!

Kay’s former lover Sal is brutally murdered at the same time a young girl Luna, daughter of wealthy local business owners, is found shot to death.
Leading the investigation along with her husband Benton, partner Marino, and niece Lucy, they race to catch the killer Carrie Grethon.

I enjoyed this stand alone in the series and am excited to read some more of the previous books! I believe some of the relationships would make more sense if the others in the series are read first.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another dynamic, frightening, suspenseful Scarpetta saga! Identity Unknown runs several parallel stories that intersect as they build to the expected conclusion. More of Benton and Lucy are featured in this book as Scarpetta’s previous lover is killed. Marino is also prominent, often obnoxiously with his ongoing complaints and jealousy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I actually gave this 4.5 stars, but bumped to 5 to post here

This is book 28 in the Kay Scarpetta series

I have read this series from the beginning, and this is a great book in the series.

TW: Child Death. I will not be covering this in my review, but this is a key factor in this book

We take a trip to OZ in this book, with Marino & Kay flying in with Lucy & Tron on a suspicious death of an old lover of Kay’s (and Marino is not happy)

We see a lot of the jealousy Marino has for any man associated with Kay here, and it’s affecting his relationship with his own wife (ya know, Kay’s SISTER)

Our old friend Carrie pays us a visit as well in this book. Yeah. She’s back. Again. Like the proverbial bad penny.

Lots of twists and turns and moving parts in this book, and I see more adventures for Kay. I just want less Marino jealousy.

This was a good one.

I will say that the plot was extremely complex – and I didn’t exactly love the reasons behind everything - but it was very readable all the same.

Part of this one is extremely sad. The primary death is a heartbreaker and I found myself very engaged in the why and how of everything.

Definitely suitable as a standalone for those new to the series, but also simply a good one for faithful readers.

Enjoyed this one!

*ARC via Publisher

A child’s body. A past lover-turned friend. An old nemesis who pops up every now and then. Could they all be related?
It’s been a while since I read a Patricia Cornwell mystery – not since number 24 of her Kay Scarpetta series, Chaos.
But something about the blurb for the 28th book, Identity Unknown, piqued my interest.

First, the child. The book begins with Luna Briley’s autopsy. She was a very young girl whose billionaire parents claim that she got her hands on a gun and accidentally shot herself. Dr. Scarpetta and an inexperienced assistant examined the scene and have already formed their own impressions of what happened to the child. They know a good deal about the parents, and law enforcement will be investigating that further.

Secondly, her friend, Nobel laureate Sal Giordano is found dead the morning after his 60th birthday. Coincidentally, Kay had stopped by to drop off a gift basket as he was leaving his home for a trip. It was the last time she would ever speak to him. The news is delivered by her niece Lucy Farinelli, who will be picking her up, along with her pal/brother-in-law, Pete Marino. Oh, yes, I missed that by skipping a few books. He is now married to her sister, but it’s obvious that he still carries a torch for Kay. Pete is terrified of flying in a helicopter, especially in stormy weather. Despite having Lucy at the helm, he’s a nervous wreck, and he doesn’t care who knows it. Fortunately, Pete is not at the center of this story.

The scene is like something out of a sick fantasy or Space Odessey 2024, I suppose. It feeds right into Marino’s sci-fi imagination because the original reports were that Sal – if indeed it proves to be Giordano’s body – was dropped from an unknown flying object and landed in an old, inoperable amusement park. This raises some eyebrows because of the location, among other things. Secrecy is of great import during and after the entire event. This is difficult, given the fact that Dorothy, Pete’s wife, will be pestering him mercilessly for details. And of course, the press will be all over it as well.

Before Kay carries on with the autopsy, she’s queried about her relationship with Sal, which proves difficult her, for Marino, and for her husband Benton, who is also present. After the autopsy, Scarpetta contacts Sal’s daughter in Italy, and she and Benton go to a hotel for the night. You’d think that’s the end, right?

When another death occurs, Benton, Lucy, and Kay are all saying the quiet part out loud. That is, they are discussing the person whom they suspect is behind the killings.

The alien theme was a curiosity with all the high-level security, and it did add drama, so if you believe in that sort of thing, it’s suspenseful. Or it could seem over the top. Ms. Cornwell did a good job connecting the dots between the cases; although, we keep seeing the same old characters coming back time and again. I was surprised that I was engaged throughout much of the book, however.

I received a digital copy of Identity Unknown in return for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Patricia Cornwell.

3 stars