I’ve been reading about the lead character, Dr. Kay Scarpetta’s career and penchant for solving the brutal murders she’s investigating for years. Kay is a forensic pathologist, doing autopsies to determine the cause of death of her patients. This book opens on Christmas Eve. Kay is finishing up the autopsy of a man who was fishing on an isolated dock. There is a huge and ferocious storm attacking Northern Virginia.

There is a serial killer in Northern Virginia. His pattern includes the appearance of the hologram of a ghost or sometimes orbs. The hologram often indicates that the person seeing it is the next victim. The killer is able to disable WiFi, jams mobile phones and turns off security systems. As his body count grows, he leaves one victim alive. Or is the victim, actually the slasher?

Kay and her team, consisting of her husband Benton, her long time friend and assistant, Marino, who was formerly an police officer, and her niece, Lucy, work frantically to protect potential victims, and to discover who the victim is.

As always, this book contains elements of science, forensics, and thrilling story telling.

I have both the e-book and audio versions. The narrator, January LaVoy, is fantastic. She’s wonderful as the voice of Kay, and all the characters in the book.

A serial killer has been targeting victims on holidays for months around Northern Virginia. Christmas is just around the corner, and Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her husband are about to leave the country. Unfortunately, their plans are cancelled as the Phantom Slasher strikes again. This time, there are two victims, one of whom survived. Dr. Scarpetta is determined to find the Phantom Slasher before he strikes again.

I have really enjoyed the Scarpetta series, so I jumped at the chance to review the latest installment. I continue to love the character of Dr. Kay Scarpetta and enjoyed reading about the investigation done by her and her team. One thing that bothered me about this story is how much AI is a part of it. I also didn’t love the conclusion of this one. Overall, it was a decent read, and I will continue to read this series. I give this one 3 out of 5 stars.

No. 29 in the series? Seems impossible that I've followed the adventures of medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta for that many years (the first installment, "Postmortem," was released in 1990, and I've looked forward to her next adventure since 28 times since then).

It hasn't all been roses, though; for one period of time I almost gave up on the esteemed doctor as the plots bordered on the supernatural and Kay somehow morphed into a paranoid (and rather unlikeable) version of her former self. Here, she seems to be back to her usual self. The story still hovers close to unbelievable - holograms that go blink in the night and security systems that mysteriously foretell another visit by the dreaded Phantom Slasher who's having his (or her) way with victims in northern Virginia - but it never reached far-out status.

Then there's Janet, an AI-generated avatar version of Kay's technology whiz and FBI consultant niece Lucy's late wife. While that one is rooted in real-life examples - such things really do exist - it's hard to wrap my head around a fake person who seems to know more about everyone and everything around her than the humans who are "talking" to her.

As the Christmas holidays are set to begin, Kay and her hunky husband Benton Wesley, a forensic psychologist for the U.S. Secret Service, are about to head overseas on their first vacation in a long time. But of course, serial killers don't care about vacations, and two more victims turn up (one of whom didn't end up dead). Needless to say, Kay must deal with the deceased one, Benton gets called in from the government side and oops, there goes the vacay.

The dead one is found on the grounds of a defunct psychiatric hospital known for its shady practices - coincidentally (well, not really - I'm sure the author planned it that way) in the same area where Kay, Benton, Lucy and Kay's sister Dorothy live - the latter with Kay's longtime colleague and investigator Pete Marino. As she returns home from her lab, Kay spots the dreaded hologram lights near her home and thinks the worst, but everything is fine thanks to Lucy's technology expertise and insistence on protecting all those she loves. Still, it hints that Kay - or someone close to her - could be the Slasher's intended next victim.

The rest of the book, of course, follows the progress of the investigation - and also of course, I'll leave those details for me to know and other readers to find out. But overall, it's another winner in my book - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action once again. No. 30? Bring it!

Sharp Force was a great book that had all the twists and turns that I was looking for. I enjoyed this mystery and loved the characters. I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, but felt like I could follow it well.

Sharp Force features a serial killer on the loose and Dr. Scarpetta must help catch them. Typical Cornwell scenario. It hurts my heart to give this 2 stars but wow, this was not good. Admittedly, I have not read a Scarpetta novel in years (since #14 and this is #29) but I used to eat these up. I even ended up doing research at the Body Farm in college after learning about it through her novels. It seems these have changed with the times and maybe not for the better. There was hardly anything medical in this story and Kay spends almost no time in the morgue despite these being billed as medical thrillers. Despite all the suspense of the serial killer, the wifi-hacking and stalking, the case is wrapped up so fast and rather conveniently (view spoiler). Also, Cornwell doesn't seem confident in her reader's intelligence as she continues to refer to characters by their first and last name, as if she doesn't think we can remember who they are from chapter to chapter. It felt especially awkward when a character referred to another character by first and last name in conversation.

Sadly, I may be breaking up with Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

Thank you to the author, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC!

Cornwell maintains her status as the Queen of Crime! This story was fast paced, tense, and downright spooky. One of the things Cornwell does best is remind us that reality is scarier than fiction, and the injection of just enough “whoa, this could actually happen” to be truly terrifying. The rapidly advancing technology and AI in our society brings to light some horrifyingly real possibilties. The technology used by the Phantom Slasher is unfortunately all too probable and quite likely to be the future of crime. It had me hesitant to turn off the lights!

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell is a thrilling addition to the Kay Scarpetta series, full of unexpected twists and high-stakes suspense. When Scarpetta examines the body of a man found in the Potomac, she quickly realizes that this case will pull her into a complex web of murders, cutting-edge technology, and personal danger. The story combines Cornwell's signature forensic expertise with futuristic elements like AI, robotic dogs, and holograms, which add a fresh, modern twist to the series. While some of the tech concepts may feel a bit far-fetched, the intricate plot, sharp pacing, and suspenseful moments will keep readers hooked. Longtime fans of Scarpetta will enjoy seeing familiar faces like Marino and Lucy while diving into an unpredictable and fast-moving mystery.

A satisfying addition to the Scarpetta canon. Lots of thrills, some chills, and enough mystery to keep turning pages late into the night. If you’re into suspenseful, forensic crime novels, this one’s well worth your time.

Spice: n/a
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/5

Format: ebook and audiobook
Narrator: January LaVoy

I recently received an advance reader copy (ARC) of Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell as an ebook and an audiobook.

As a longtime fan of the Kay Scarpetta series, I was thrilled to dive back into her world. the last several books have been great, and this one didn’t miss! The book delivered a fast-paced, intense thriller with Cornwell’s signature attention to forensic detail and psychological depth. Overall, a solid addition to the series that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The narrator has done other Kay Scarpetta novels and has done an amazing job and is consistent with her delivery and voices.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

Patricia Cornwell wastes no time pulling readers into the chaos with Sharp Force. From the very first chapter, the pacing is relentless—like sprinting through a snowstorm and not being allowed to stop for breath. That fast tempo, combined with the eerie psychological chills and just the faintest suggestion of something supernatural, kept me on edge the whole way through.

What really worked for me was the holiday setting. There’s something about Christmas lights glowing while a serial killer stalks the shadows that makes the violence feel even more disturbing. The contrast is chilling. And those late-game twists? Absolutely wild. I thought I had it figured out, but the ending flipped my theories inside out and left me reeling.

The psychological intensity is classic Cornwell, but this installment feels sharper, more unsettling. It’s not just about the gruesome crimes—it’s about the way the killer invades privacy, turning the supposed safety of home into the most vulnerable place of all. That part made the book stick with me long after I finished.

A five-star read for me: gripping, shocking, and darkly atmospheric. If you love thrillers that combine technology, psychology, and a few hair-raising twists of the knife, Sharp Force will keep you up way past bedtime.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Patricia Cornwall for the ARC of Sharp Force. I loved it and give it 5 stars. It reminds me of the Kay Scarpetta books in the 90’s. It was like visiting old friends again with these characters. I loved the plot, and the technology was fascinating but not overly detailed. The atmosphere overall kept me on edge. Chapter 12 was so creepy and spooky that my smart watch activated for a high heart rate. The plot pulled me in and had me hooked right to the end. It all wrapped up rather quickly in the last chapters, but it was well done and made sense. Overall, I really had a good time reading this book and was reminded why Patricia Cornwell is my all-time favorite author.

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell is a thriller that dives into the chilling world of a serial killer known as the Phantom Slasher. While the premise is intriguing and sets the stage for a gripping story, toward the latter part of the book, the scenes get a bit tedious when Kay, Benson, and Marino are at a crime scene, and it seems to go on and on for several chapters that are sluggish to read.

The author's writing is engaging and vivid, which drew me into the suspenseful atmosphere. However, at times, the plot can seem complicated, especially with the introduction of sophisticated technology. The killer's method of using holograms to invade homes adds an interesting twist. The relationship between Kay and Marino and Kay's sister, Dorothy, was cringey. The pacing fluctuates throughout the book, with certain scenes dragging while others are twisty and tense.

Overall, Sharp Force offers a mix of twists and thrills. If you’re a fan of this author's work, you'll find elements to appreciate, but it may not stand out as one of her best.

#NetGalley @GrandCentralpub

I have been reading the Kay Scarlett’s books for decades. I love revisiting them and seeing where everyone is. With that being said, this book was just okay. I feel like this one was a little stale.

Book 29 in the Dr Kay Scarpetta series and it follows the usual pattern. It is Christmas Eve and the good doctor is finishing an autopsy on a man fished out of the Potomac before flying to London for 2 weeks with her partner Benton. There is something not quite right about the nature of his death.

Briefly, early on Christmas Day Kay receives a phone call. In the most fearful of snowstorms she is called out to an infamous psychiatric hospital to deal with the victims of a serial killer called “The Phantom Slasher”. Very quickly she is caught up in a vortex of horror involving an apparent ghost and a mental institution. In the middle of this her best friend Pete Marino and his partner, Kay’s sister, are having a serious row, which is causing turmoil in Kay’s private life that she could well do without.

Good levels of suspense and with twists and turns aplenty you wonder if everyone will greet the New Year in unharmed. The technology used by the killer was fascinating and not something I’ve come across before in fiction. As always the main characters are great and their interactions authentic, and in the case of the children very kind, and of course I do love Kay. It’s a great read and my only gripe is that the climax is condensed into only a few pages and I would have liked a bit more.

4.5⭐️

Patricia Cornwell is a master of her craft! Once again, she captures the reader’s attention and takes you on a tense and sometimes dark read with unimaginable twists you don’t see coming.

Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Kay Scarpetta, is joined by her Secret Service husband, Benton, co-worker Marino, and CIA niece, Lucy in this psychological thriller along with the pivotal character of Artificial Intelligence, AI. Together they attempt to capture the Phantom Slasher before it strikes again. Kay's emotionally needy sister, Dorothy, contributes to the story with her jealousy and misery.

This book was as intense as I expected and I could not read it fast enough!

Even though I am a fan, I must confess that I have taken a multi-year break from the Scarpetta series, the books are intense reads and Kay’s obsessive career paranoia bothers me a lot. I appreciate and admire the respect and pursuit of justice that Kay, as the medical examiner, has for the victims.

Sharp Force is the 29th in the Scarpetta series and can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I think when you get this far into the series, you've got something good going and there isn't much to say. :) Cornwell has written a good instalment and although I do prefer her earlier books, this one still packs a punch. I didn't see the killer coming, it kind of felt like it came from left field and I might go back to see if I can see where any clues may have been.
Overall I enjoyed it, it was comforting being back with the characters we know and I will be carrying on the series.

I enjoyed Sharp Force so much more than recent Scarpetta novels. Almost felt like a return to the original ones. Had fewer morgue scenes than before and certainly was more modern especially with technology. The ending was a bit bizarre but several of the plot lines fell together, albeit abruptly and without much connection. The usual characters - especially Marino and Dorothy - have more coverage as well as Janet, Lucy’s previous love.

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

This is my first Patricia Cornwell novel, and it's #29 of the Kay Scarpetta series. The series follows Kay, a Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia.


Alongside Kay, we meet; her husband, and FBI profiler, Benton Wesley; her niece, and tech genius, Lucy Farinelli; and her brother-in-law, and homicide detective, Pete Marino. They're all wonderfully stereotypical, three-dimensional, and easy to get on board with. Sort of like when you start a new detective TV series and meet the troubled protagonist with marital problems and crippling insomnia (it's like they're popping out of a production line!).


Even without reading previous work by Cornwell, you quickly find yourself up to speed and gripped by the plot. Note, the Goodreads synopsis currently says the events take place in July...this is wrong, the whole novel is set across the Christmas period.


At the beginning of the novel, we hear about Rowdy O’Leary's death. He appears to have fallen off a pier while fishing, but owing to an emerald ring he recently bought, the circumstances may be suspicious. We know Rowdy has had a tough few years since being injured in a hit-and-run years prior. However, the primary mystery is that of the Slasher, a serial killer using drones and holograms to spook his victims before slashing them.


I noticed that the pattern seemed to be that each scene would be VERY long and VERY detailed. Often with the reader travelling with Kay, e.g. from her house to work etc. This has the effect of when films use one long shot to create deep immersion and focus. I also really enjoyed the level of detail with which Cornwell rights about Kay's forensic pathology work. Some of it leans toward the very gruesome end of the spectrum, so if you're not expecting that, you may be a little grossed out! Similarly, some of the FBI techniques and protocols mentioned felt realistic and very gripping.


I am getting a little tired of yet again reading about AI in a thriller novel. This just seemed forced and very much a side note to the plot. Was the point just to have something Marino and Dorothy (Kay's sister) could argue about? Because I'm very sure they would have enough material without the AI Janet feature.

To be honest, I spent most of the beginning of the novel not being sure who was related to whom and how. Also, I didn't know actually who Janet was until just then when I googled it...


However, the biggest disappointment for me was definitely the ending. Now, obviously, I'm not going to tell you what happened but it really felt like they 'Johnathan Creek-ed' it; which in Becca language means, they pulled a random person out of thin air at the end and Kay basically stuck her finger in the air and said 'ah ha!' and had a miraculous realisation. Also, the ring and Rowdy's death mentioned earlier? No explanation for that, unless I missed it, which is possible, I was starting to lose the plot a bit, literally. But to my mind, it was largely abandoned in favour of the Slasher plot.


I was just staring at the cover, trying to think how it's relevant, and I remembered the old psychiatric hospital! I also don't remember the result of that side quest mystery...shame, as I was enjoying that one. Maybe that is on me for reading the 29th book in a series first, sure. But, it honestly feels like these loose threads were just forgotten and not tied up.


I was disappointed overall, hence the 3 stars. I'm keen to read her first or early novels, but I won't be rushing to do so.

Decent mystery!

I enjoyed this book, latest in the Scarpetta series. Kay is again solving mysterious killings, aided by Benton, Marino and Lucy. Women are being savagely killed in their homes and witnesses report seeing strange red orbs and ghostly creatures. The latest, on Christmas Day, involves someone from their past.

There are a few red herrings thrown around, and a plot line or two that seem disconnected from the story, but overall a good addition to the series. I’m looking forward to seeing the series when it premieres, to see how it moves the series along. I hope they have different stories than the books for some variety.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Patricia Cornwell is back with another Kay Scarpetta mystery. It begins with Scarpetta in the morgue performing an autopsy on a man that had been pulled from the Potomac River after having gone missing a few days prior. This is all occurring on Christmas Eve when she gets news that the Phantom Slasher has struck again.

The Slasher has been terrorizing Northern Virginia for the past several months using a sophisticated drone to spy on the victim and to knock on their wifi; therefore, disabling their alarm system. The Slasher also uses a hologram with red eyes to terrorize the victims before murdering them. Scarpetta is called to the scene of the most recent victim, who happens to be someone from her storied past. Through the investigation she realizes that she didn't know the victim as well as she thought she did and the impacts she had on those she loved.

This book was a great ride that I couldn't put down. I would have given it 5 stars but I felt that the ending was a little lack luster and rushed. The characters were great and had a great connection which is expected after almost 30 novels. The pacing was amazing and kept me interested so much so that I had a hard time putting the book down. I enjoyed everything about this book, until the end when it felt like she just stumbled upon the Slasher and the novel ended. Definitely one of her better novels

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

#NetGalley #SharpForce #Scarpetta

Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the chief medical examiner, is thrust into the investigation when a body is discovered on Mercy Island, a notorious psychiatric hospital site. The victim's connection to Scarpetta's past adds a personal stake to the case, intensifying the emotional depth of the narrative.

Cornwell's meticulous research is evident, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology and AI elements into the story line. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on edge as Scarpetta and her team—Benton, Marino, Lucy, and others—race against time to unmask the killer.