Identity Unknown is the 28th book in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. I have not read the previous books in the series, and for the most part, I found this easy to read as a standalone thriller. I’ll have to read the previous books because I am definitely curious about the backstory and events that were alluded to throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fast paced and had an interesting storyline. I look forward to getting to know the characters better by reading the previous books.

I loved the narration by January LaVoy. I thought did she a wonderful job bringing this book to life!

I definitely recommend reading Identity Unknown. I look forward to reading the other books in the series and future books to come!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Identity Unknown (Kay Scarpetta #28) by Patricia Cornwell
Narrated by January LaVoy
Publisher: Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Published: October 8, 2024

Brilliant audibook with great storyline. Great narrator making the story more interesting. Unpredictable

It's been a long time since I've read a Kay Scarpetta novel, but it's nice to see the stories are still as strong as ever!

In this installment, Kay is called to a mysterious crime scene only to learn that the victim is her long-time friend and former lover, Sal Giordano. With Sal's intense interest in outer space and alien life, and his bizarre manner of death, suspicions abound that he was abducted by aliens and then dropped from a UFO. As is sometimes the case, though, fact is stranger than fiction, and what Kay uncovers leaves her wishing for simpler explanations.

If you enjoy engaging thrillers and great characters, you'll want to check out this one.

Thank you to Patricia Cornwell, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Author Patricia Cornwell is no novice to creating fictional thrillers. Reading Cornwell provides the comfort of knowing your about to embark on a wild ride, full engrossing in the story within. "Identity Unknown" once again shows off what she does best as I flew through it.

Who among us doesn't love a good Dr. Kay Scarpetta book?? This one did not disappoint and had all the action and sly decision-making Kay, Lucy, and Benton are known for. However, is Merino ever going to grow and up and get his shit together? The man needs therapy in the worst way!

#IdentityUnknown
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I will read any Patricia Cornwell novel. She does not disappoint with "Identity Unknown". It covers a crazy amount of topics - conspiracy, busted family dynamics, "aliens", and even the Wizard of Oz. The narrator was amazing and told the story so smoothly that the hours passed by quickly. I

Another great book in the Kay Scarpetta series. I love it when Scarpetta gets called in by alphabet agencies to investigate ultra-secret cases, you just know the mystery is going to be weird and interesting.
I loved the ending, I have been waiting for that ending for a while.

January LaVoy did a great job narrating the book. I have voices in my head that I have assigned to the characters throughout the years and January's narration felt spot on.

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.

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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