Cruel and Unusual: Scarpetta 4 (Kay Scarpetta)

*A compelling and captivating thriller by bestselling author Patricia Cornwall and her fourth novel........ While going through a devastating loss of a friend and at one time a love interest, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta is finding with some difficulty of keeping her mind on her work. But right now thinking of Mark James isn't going to get her through with the next autopsy of Ronnie Joe Waddell who not too long ago was executed by the state of Virginia. From the start, this was going to turn out to be a huge mystery in Kay's eyes. First, why was he bleeding? Second, why did he have abrasions under his arms? Third, no stomach contents, why? No last meal? Even Kay's friend and homicide detective Pete Marino agrees with her that some things do not add up even though he knows that Waddell was guilty as hell for the murder of the former Miss Virginia ten years earlier. Now at another crime scene, Waddell's fingerprints suddenly show up. How can that be? He was just electrocuted! On top of everything else, Kay learns that one of her assistants never took Waddell's prints when he was brought into the morgue. Why? Slowly she learns that her offices are corrupt and her computers have been compromised and once again, her enemies are waiting for her to fall flat on her face. As if things couldn't get anymore worse, her assistant Susan has been murdered. Why? Again working by the side of her dear friend and colleague, FBI profiler Benton Wesley and together they will begin a quest by asking one huge question "who did they execute and who is responsible for the murders that are happening now"? And why is this murderer trying to implicate Kay? Are these three cases in any way related? Who paid Susan off not to print Waddell in the morgue? Before Kay can see any light to the end of the tunnel, she will also have to face a current of obstacles too. With the help of Lucy, Benton and Pete Marino, all details come to light but nothing will prepare any of them when they actually learn about the one responsible. Even Benton especially him, coming across one of the most cunning, devious, intelligent and evil killer of all time. Just when they thought it was over, it wasn't!......thank you♡♡

Spoilers ahead....So this is the fourth book of hers that I am reading, and in every single one, there is some sort of conspiracy against her, and she is slandered in the newspapers. I mean, talk about beating a dead horse. These books are otherwise decent page-turners, but this plot trope had gotten old two books ago. It is too bad since the plots don't need these obvious red herrings to move the story along. Outside of this, her books are enjoyable to read.

I feel that Patricia Cornwell is writing her novels for adult readers since she goes into quite a bit of detail in many of Dr. Scarpetta's cases. Each of her novels can be read independently of each other but I find it much more interesting if I read them in order.I first began reading Cornwell's Novels about 15+ years ago. For about ten years she attempted to begin a couple of new series with completely different characters. I suppose that most readers, much like myself, just wanted more of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series and she did, finally, pick up her pen and resume this series. Her new novels are even better than ever! I am a huge fan!

I quite enjoyed this book and found myself mystified throughout as to "whodunnit". In that sense it was a really good read and delivered the suspense it promised. I usually enjoy Patricia's books and like the way she builds a profile of her heroine's life, including the people she is close to as well as those more on the periphery of her life - it helps the reader to relate to her and treat her as a real person. I particularly like the way she combines her professional life with her personal one and think it shows the human side which is very necessary considering her profession which could otherwise seem very detached and clinical so well done for that consideration. The plot was complex but not too much so and very cleverly thought out. The only reason I didn't find it unputdownable was because for me the over usage of technical jargon got in the way too much. Most people not familiar with the terminology will probably find it irritating - after all, who wants to have to refer to a medical directory to understand what's being said! I have heard many others make a similar comment but personally I never found it a bother in her other books but on this occasion I was quite exasperated. A small quibble and I wouldn't let it put me off.

I purchased this book several years back. The benefit of having a long period of time between readings of the same book is you forget the details and the book becomes a new book to enjoy all over again.. I have always preferred a lot of the early books by Patricia Cornwell and find them among her bests works.

I have several of Cornwell's books on Kindle because I like detective stories, mysteries, thrillers and she does a good job of fleshing the characters out so you can visualize them as well as giving surprises along the way.

Oh this was a good book! I have finished the series now (out of order lol!) and this was my last one. Very very good. Not my favorite in the series, but a very good read. I'm so sad that I have read them all and have to move on from Dr Kay Scarpetta. Would highly highly recommend these books to anyone. I'm 18 but I feel as long as your child doesn't get scared easily and can handle the murder aspects middle school would be an appropriate to start reading these.

I enjoyed this book. I read it at bed time so it was hard to keep the flow going from one night to the next but over all, it was great. There were times I didn't want to put it down but the clock was ticking and I needed by beauty sleep. Sometimes, I found time to go to bed earlier than usual so that I could read a little longer. I have never read this author before but I enjoyed it enough that I have asked for more for Christmas.

I’ve finally got around to catching up with this excellent series which I’ve heard so much about over the years. .I’m attempting to read them all in order and so far I’m loving all the books that I’ve read. This fourth in the series is the darkest yet and to be honest if this were the first Id read it might have put me off any more. There are pages of description of the electric chair and then comes the execution with the body being delivered to Dr Scarpetta at the morgue for autopsy whilst it’s still warm. We also learn that Kay Scarpetta’s long term boyfriend has now been killed in a terrorist bombing in London .Even Lieutenant Marino looks as if over work and no private life is heading him towards serious cardiac problems. You think can it get any worse for these characters that you have become attached to. Oh yes, even one of the assistants who has worked at the morgue for several years is murdered .To balance that Patricia Cornwell’s writing style has now improved considerably. Not that there was anything wrong with it in the beginning. But this book does contain some fine descriptive passages. I’m really hooked on these books and can’t wait to read the next in the series

From start to finish, I couldn't put this book downHousework had to wait as I was totally engrossed in Dr Scarpetta and her friends and, her enemies, of courseI understand that all you seasoned readers of Kay Scarpetta, understand exactly what type of person she encounters and I agree that some might find this particular installment to be "normal" but I've only recently come across this novel and I'm hookedFor anyone who has just started reading Patricia Cornwell, you're in for a Big Treat

I'm slowly but surely catching up Kay and her life, and I am enjoying the books.This would of easily got 5 stars except for one thing, the ending. I read this book literally shaking with nerves at certain points (this may also have to do with the fact I was reading it the night before a big interview but heh, blame the book) and I was expecting a hugely exciting ending.. but it just didn't happen.It felt insanely anti-climatic and even though the book had some amazing twists and turns, it failed to see them through to the end.One particular twist was brilliant half way through the book but then the twist got un-twisted at the end and I was severely disappointed. The original twist would of made the book so much more interesting. (If you have read this, you definitely know what I'm talking about)!All in all, all the characters were as enjoyable to read about as the first couple of books and I will continue reading, but I just really wished Cornwell could of actually finished this book properly!

is this the fourth book? I think it is. Another great read with the same strong characters plus a few more thrown in. I'd love to be Kay Scarpetta for her love of coffee and open fires.I found it a good read, full of suspense, a good dollop of gore and then with this one we're left with a cliff-hanger which is always good. I'm hoping that some book down the line she picks up on it again.My only criticism with her books is that endings tend to get wrapped up really quickly like she's running out of steam and wants to end it as quick as she can.Worthwhile read though and some excellent throwbacks to a time before Windows 95.

I have enjoyed many Scarpetta book in the past and this was no exception. With her friends and family, amongst them, Benton, Mike Marino and Lucy are all invaluable to the plots. It is superbly written as usual, full of intrigue and mystery. Ms Cornwell writes with such smoothness, understanding of her characters and an ability to make you believe the book actually happened. This story about a dead convicted murderer who Kay autopsies but whose MO is discovered at another recent murder. It leads Kay through drugs abuse, deceit and lies of colleagues and reaches a grim conclusion.