Autopsy cover art

Autopsy

A Scarpetta Novel

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Autopsy

Written by: Patricia Cornwell
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
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About this listen

New York Times Best Seller

In this relaunch of the electrifying, landmark number one best-selling thriller series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta hunts those responsible for two wildly divergent and chilling murders.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta has come almost full circle, returning to Virginia, the state where she launched her storied career, as the chief medical examiner. Finding herself the new girl in town once again after being away for many years, she’s inherited both an overbearing secretary and a legacy of neglect and potential corruption.

She and her husband, Benton Wesley, now a forensic psychologist with the US Secret Service, have relocated to Old Town Alexandria, where she’s headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that’s been torn apart by civil and political unrest. After just weeks on the job, she’s called to a scene by railroad tracks - a woman’s body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine - and as Scarpetta begins to follow the trail, it leads unnervingly close to her own historic neighborhood.

At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top secret labo­ratory in outer space, endangering at least two scientists aboard. Appointed to the highly classified Doomsday Commission that specializes in sensitive national security cases, Scarpetta is summoned to the White House and tasked with finding out exactly what happened. But even as she remotely works the first potential crime scene in space, an apparent serial killer strikes again very close to home.

This latest novel in the groundbreaking Kay Scarpetta series captivates listeners with the shocking twists, high-wire tension, and forensic detail that Patricia Cornwell is famous for, proving once again why she’s the world’s number one best-selling crime writer.

©2021 Patricia Cornwell (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Medical & Forensic Thriller Suspense Forensics Exciting Mystery
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What listeners say about Autopsy

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

probably won't pick up another by this author

There were several times where the character got caught up in frivolous internal banter that should not have been so exhausting. For example: beating herself up about tasting poisoned wine. Her position would not warrant any extra security as she seems to indicate. The story had such great potential and then it was done. Out of nowhere it ended. I thought maybe the author ran out of ink and had to finish fast. The main character I found very self important and self absorbed. I didn't care for her. She and the writing came across very pretentious. I did like the mystery until the abrupt end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

I have not listed to any Cornwell/Scarpetta books on Audible before this one. I was extremely disappointed and at times annoyed by the narrators portrayal of the characters. They sounded more like whiny children then the professional adults they are. Did not finish.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing story

I’ll start by saying I typically enjoy the Scarpetta series but this was a complete letdown. There was so much potential for a great storyline but it did not come together in the end. Random characters that really didn’t lend anything to the overall storyline. Such a disappointment.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Been reading this author for decades

This story has been ruined by a narrator sounding obnoxious and annoying, and grated on my nerves

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

And She's Back!

I picked up this book after several years pause. The Scarpetta novels could be counted on to be entertaining and suspenseful, until I moved to other authors. This I picked up as the first audio book in the series as it was very new. No regrets here. The story was refreshing, suspenseful, multi-faceted and interesting. The characters were familiar and they had matured. I'll look forward to see how PC continues this series. I absolutely love Susan Ericksen's performance in other books I listened to (she could make the phone book interesting), and searching for books she narrates, I found this novel. I am glad I did.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The narrator was painful

The story was amazing but I couldn’t get past the narrator. I couldn’t finish it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love Kay Scarpetta books

Loved the story and the narrator. Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorite authors. Thanks!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

always a good story

loved it.she is a great story teller.hope there is another coming out very soon

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Reader

Reader has a whinny voice which is irritating!
Story has potential for a sequel. Love the Marino character

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration amongst the worst ever

Unfortunate that an engaging story could not be enjoyed given the pedestrian cadence and incredibly substandard narration.
From elementary school level mispronunciations to unintentional comical portrayals of key characters( Benton was particularly galling), this is far below standard and a disservice to the author.

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