Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta, #1)

Title: Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta, #1)

Author: Patricia Cornwell

Published in: 1990

Date read: 26th June 2007

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Detective

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Postmortem" by Patricia Cornwell, published in 1990, is the debut novel in her highly popular Kay Scarpetta series. It introduced readers to the forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta, marking a significant shift in the crime fiction genre by focusing on forensic science as the primary investigative tool.

The story opens in Richmond, Virginia, where a brutal serial killer is preying on women. Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia, is drawn into the gruesome investigation when a fourth woman is found murdered in her bed. The killer uses a unique, savage method, leaving no obvious signs of forced entry but leaving distinct bite marks on the victims' bodies.

Scarpetta is a brilliant, meticulous, and somewhat solitary figure, fiercely dedicated to her work. She believes that the victims, despite appearances, are connected, and the answers lie within the silent evidence left on their bodies. She meticulously examines the victims, focusing on forensic details that others might overlook, such as trace evidence, fibre analysis, and the unique pattern of the bite marks.

Her investigation is hampered by various obstacles: a sceptical police force (initially led by the old-school Detective Pete Marino, who later becomes a key ally), political pressures, and the rising panic within the community. The FBI, represented by the arrogant but sometimes insightful Agent Benton Wesley, also becomes involved, adding another layer of complexity.

As Scarpetta works tirelessly, often pushing herself to exhaustion, she uncovers chilling patterns and links the murders to an online sexual predator. The killer is highly intelligent and technologically savvy, using early computer networks to stalk and torment his victims before the final, brutal act. The case becomes deeply personal for Scarpetta when the killer begins to target those close to her, including her niece, Lucy, making her a direct part of the killer's macabre game.

"Postmortem" is a ground-breaking novel for its time, lauded for its realistic portrayal of forensic pathology and its dark, intense atmosphere. It establishes Scarpetta as a formidable and compelling protagonist, relying on science and intellect to hunt a ruthless killer. The climax is a tense, personal confrontation where Scarpetta must use her wits and courage to unmask the killer and put an end to the terror.

Comments:
Really enjoyed and I read this to broaden my list of authors so that I wasn't stuck with the same few. Annoyingly, despite enjoying this book, I did not follow on with more. I am sure that I will return to these in the future.

Books that we've read by Patricia Cornwell (1):
Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta, #1) (1990)