Book of the Dead

Written by Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by Kate Reading

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is starting over with a unique private forensic pathology practice in Charleston, South Carolina. But in this thrilling #1 New York Timesbestseller, her fresh start ushers in a string of murders more baffling—and terrifying—than any that have come before …

The Book of the Dead is the morgue log, the ledger in which all cases are entered by hand. For Kay Scarpetta, however, it is about to acquire a new meaning.

A sixteen-year-old tennis star, fresh from a tournament win in Charleston, is found nude and mutilated near Piazza Navona in Rome. The body of an abused young boy is dumped in a desolate marsh. A woman is ritualistically murdered in her multimillion-dollar beach home.
Meanwhile, in New England, problems with a prominent patient at a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital begin to hint at interconnections among the deaths that are as hard to imagine as they are horrible.

Scarpetta has dealt with many brutal and unusual crimes before, but never has she seen a string of death like what she’s facing now. Before she is through, that book of the dead will contain many names—and the pen may be poised to write her own …

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781705079218

Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell is recognized as one of the world’s top bestselling crime authors with novels translated into thirty-six languages in more than 120 countries. Her novels have won numerous prestigious awards including the Edgar, the Creasey, the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Prix du Roman d’Aventure. Beyond the Scarpetta series, Patricia has written a definitive book about Jack the Ripper, a biography, and three more fiction series among others. Cornwell, a licensed helicopter pilot and scuba diver, actively researches the forensic technologies that inform her work. She was born in Miami, grew up in Montreat, North Carolina, and now lives and works in Boston. 

Reviews for Book of the Dead

[Natale Michaud · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've enjoyed the series and while I like Kay and Lucy, I can't stand Pete and never understand how any of them tolerated him.

[nora57-18806 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Of all the books I've read by Patricia Cornwell I have to say this was my least favorite so far. What a job getting though each chapter. I still don't think I fully understood everything as it was jumping around so much it was hard to keep track of who was doing what and what was actually happening.

[feralcatbob · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not my favorite author. This book reads to me like a made-for-TV movie. The murders would seem to be a backdrop for the soapopera of Kay Scarpetta's life. I've got two other books of hers that I haven't read yet. In all likelihood I'm going to give them to someone who enjoys her writing.

[Monika · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well, I liked this one a little more than the others I read by her. It seems there is a bit more action with the forensic lover. (Translated from Spanish)

[Dafatota · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a forensic thriller or technothriller, a subgenre within the noir novel, an intense story marked by intrigues, bewilderment, and deaths. The story tells us that before the young tennis player's death, she was invited to Dr. Self's program to be interviewed. Weeks later, emails from a sexual psychopath began to arrive. In light of this murder, Dr. Scarpetta has the mission to clarify the death of this tennis player, whose body was found mutilated in the city of Rome.

Once the investigations began, the outlook was adverse and confusing because the collected evidence was contradictory. However, by continuing with the same, they soon discover a connection between the tennis player's death and the unidentified body of a young man in South Carolina. Everything indicated that they were facing a more deadly killer than usual.

What I liked about the book is that the protagonists have their own lives; it is not just the investigation, technology, or the crime itself, but how each of them is connected to one another, and what they feel drives them to act. The outcome is unexpected, it takes a sudden turn, and it is ultimately strange how the killer is discovered. I must say that the ending surprised me because I didn't expect it to happen the way the conclusion unfolded. (Translated from Spanish)

[Tina Glez · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

According to what I read, it is the 15th book in a saga of 18, which I was unaware of and also dislike, although its reading is not hindered by the lack of the previous ones. It is about a serial killer capable of committing the most ruthless and macabre crimes. It is an interesting, entertaining work, but that's it; it's not a great thriller and it didn't excite me extremely, at times it's dense; ultimately, I am not interested in reading other books in this saga. (Translated from Spanish)

[cecilturtle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can't say I really like Cornwell: her main characters of Scarpetta and Lucy are just not likeable. On top of that this novel is full of bits and pieces linked through complicated family lineages and weird coincidence, it just becomes tiresome. I do, however, like Cornwell's style: fragments of overlapping dialogue where each character seems to live in his or her own bubble, poorly communicating and lost in thought.
Overall this is a complicated and twisted story. It helped pass the time during confinement...

[Tina8 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

According to what I read, it is the 15th book in a series of 18, which I was unaware of and which I do not particularly like, although its reading is not affected by the lack of the previous ones. It deals with a serial killer capable of committing the most ruthless and macabre crimes. It is an interesting, entertaining work, but that's about it; it is not a great thriller nor did it excite me to an extreme, in parts it is heavy; ultimately, I am not interested in reading other books in this series. (Translated from Spanish)

[JUAN PEDRO PABLO · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although the title may seem somewhat macabre, it refers to the book where the names of the deceased are recorded, those who are required to undergo autopsy, or those who have met a violent death.

In this new installment, intrigue arises in the recording or underreporting of a corpse... and that's all...

Let yourself be guided by the knowledge of Dr. Kay Scarpetta, forensic physician, on the procedures to determine the cause of death, the deductions and inferences made by Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

A surprise awaits you, keep reading a few more lines. (Translated from Spanish)

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wavered between giving this 2 or 3 stars. I have to say that though I've read other Kay Scarpetta books (and not in the series order), I can't say it is a favorite series--in other words, if I find the books free on an exchange shelf or need an audiobook for the car, then I'll read it, but I wouldn't go spend money for them.

In my opinion, this book suffers from the third person point-of-view that it takes. It distances the reader from the characters. As a result, I found I really struggled to care what happened to them (though since I've already admitted I've read books out of order in this series, I already know how some things turn out).

I'm not sure if I'd forgotten the character Rose or if I've just not read anything earlier in the series than this one. I did like her character and am sad that she's apparently on her way to being written out of the series.

I'm also glad that Benton's finally proposed to Kay--though given what's gone on in this book, I have to wonder "why now?". Neither one seemed very romantic throughout this book.

In fact, it seemed, as one other reviewer pointed out, that pretty much everyone is miserable. Benton's being jealous and also seeming to rue that he's in Massachusetts while his girl is in South Carolina. Lucy's never been a "happy" character, but she's in fine form--apparently upset because she has a brain tumor that's not shrinking (and she doesn't want surgery), upset that Marino is being a galoot, upset that her aunt is too forgiving and tends to keep things private. Marino is dissatisfied with being Kay's employee, but I'm not sure how much of that results from Shandy's button-pushing and the testosterone she had him using and how much stems from his own psyche. The only one who seemed to have much happiness was Ruth and that was mostly because of Harry.

The supposed big plot point of Dr. Self's animosity toward Dr. Scarpetta never comes to a head--it just sort of fizzles out.

And, as another reviewer mentioned, I do wonder if the publishing house pushed the author to get something ready for publication (to strike while readers wanted to read the next book) or if someone there dropped the ball by not confronting the author on how bad this book really is.

[Sekhmet · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The idea of the plot is good, but on various occasions, I got lost in the dialogues and couldn't find a connection between them, as if each character were in their own monologue. In certain aspects, it gave me the feeling that situations and characters were forced in, and they were not very believable, and the ending left me a bit empty. Although I didn't dislike the plot, I wasn't passionate about the novel as a whole. (Translated from Spanish)

[fred_wilson-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Too much soul searching

[buffalogr · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another Scarpetta novel...what happened to Marino? Whodunit? A psycho psych doc. Scarpetta the contract medical examiner? Lots of questions....

[jendoyle2000 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After a string of really good books, I suppose it was time I came across a bit of a clunker. The most frustrating part of this was that it felt like all the pieces were there, they just weren't ever put together. And when I say all the pieces, I mean writing-wise, not plot-wise, since the plot part kind of fell flat. But that was the way this whole book was. The plot was *almost* there, the characters were *almost* believable and sympathetic, the writing was *almost* coherent. It was just all missing something -- like this may have been the first draft but that no one ever went back to fill it all out and smooth it all over.

I know that Patricia Cornwell went through some tough times and, as I was reading this, I kept wondering if this was written during the worst of them. The villain of the piece, though horrific as always, wasn't much more than that -- there wasn't really much suspense, and, in what was supposed to be the climactic scene, he was just kind of there and then he wasn't. (I seem to remember him coming up again in later books so I think he'll be back, but this book didn't exactly set him up as a nemesis.) The whole Dr. Self thing was, well, odd -- she also clearly is a character from another book so maybe if I'd read that one it would have made a bit more sense, but since I didn't, the character didn't. And Scarpetta didn't really seem to have much there there this time around -- she was almost docile compared to past books.

A few books back I actually read a more recent Cornwell and she was clearly back to proper form, which was good, but this one definitely wasn't up to par.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am thoroughly enjoying the Kay Scarpetta series, and I like the change of venue. Kay, Lucy, Rose, and Pete have moved to Charleston, South Carolina where Kay and Lucy have opened their own investigative lab. Benton is still living in Massachusetts, but he has asked Kay to marry him. Pete has gotten out of control and has disappeared, and Rose is battling lung cancer. This story has many twists and turns as is usual in Cornwell's novels. Cornwell tries to delve into the psychological background of the killer, but Elizabeth George does a better job in relaying the killer's psychology.

[dadbrazelton · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Quit half way through. Forced myself that far because I had enjoyed some of her other Kay Scarpetta novels. The author obviously meant this to be some fantastic 'psychological mystery' novel. All I could think about while reading it was, "Did a middle school student write this?"

[joannsmithainsworth · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very disappointing. I’ve liked her earlier books, but this one was confusing as to the writing itself and where the plot was going. I struggled through looking for the excitement I expected from a Scarpetta novel, but couldn’t find it. Even the ending didn’t ring true.

[leese74 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was very disappointed in this book. There just wasn't enough to get my teeth into. It's a shame, because I was looking forward to this one. Too much character description, private lives, which all seemed a touch irrelevant as I was interested in the murderer. The characters annoyed me a bit as well. Overall, not what I expected from Cornwell, not one of her best by a long shot.

[bobcatnshn · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found this book on sale and purchased it because I enjoy the Kathy Reichs series. I was very disappointed. There were huge gaps in the plot and character development and many words describing essentially irrelevant information. There were even numerous incomplete sentences. One particularly troubling aspect is we learned little of the killer and nothing as to his motive, etc. We are not even informed how one character learns information from another character. I can only assume her earlier books were better. Having read the book, I now know why there were so many hardback versions on sale. Back to Temperance Brennan!

[cdianek · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I can't do it any more. Uncle.

I pulled up to the library this afternoon, after muttering under my breath all the way there. It was my intention to renew this, as I was only on disc seven of the 11 disc set. Instead, I simply ejected the disc and returned the whole thing. God love the librarian, who simply smiled at me when I said "Here. Finished now."

Seven discs in - better than halfway through, and all I'd heard about the crime WAS the crime, and the very preliminary investigation. The rest of the time? Was exposition, rambling talk about various medical (including mispronunciations, though that's not the author's fault) and psychiatric conditions, meaningless conversations that went absolutely nowhere between the characters, and just random naval gazing from our principles, whom I might moderately care for, and people I'd never heard of before, whom I definitively don't.

Cornwell's style has turned into something that is completely annoying, although I didn't quite realize it until I listened to the previous entry, and it was exacerbated by this one. It's repetitive and run on: "Blahblahblah AND blahblahblah AND blahblahblah AND blahblahblah." How many conjunctions, never mind the same conjunction, can you put in one sentence? Also: (paraphrasing) "You are angry at the FBI, and I am not the FBI, and I have nothing to do with the FBI, so don't take your anger at the FBI out on me." I was so fatigued at the end of sentences like that one that I felt like I needed a nap. And nearly every sentence was like that.

I loved the early entries of this series. But no more. I give.

[kanata_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Cornwell's last three books have deviated so much from her regular characters that she lost me as a dedicated reader. However, I am a glutton for punishment and thus picked up this title. I was mildly surprised that I actually didn't loathe this book though I believe that is because I had such a low expectation. Cornwell has strayed from her original brilliance of her characters and tales once again but seems to be at least attempting to get them back on track with this edition. If you can stand to forgive her from her previous errors it is an adequate way to spend some time. Will I read her again? Probably. (I'll read anything in print) Will I spend money on her books? No.

[nikki_l_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The plot of this book begins when Drew Martin, a 16 year old tennis star is brutally murdered in what seems to be a bizzare ritual.

Dr Kay Scarpetta is now living in Charleston and is starting up a new private forensic pathology practice with the help of her niece, Lucy. Pete Marino, her collegue, seems to be self-destructing after becoming involved with a new demanding girlfriend. Scarpetta's own personal life is also having some ups and downs, and even those closest to her are not telling her everything. She also has to deal with what appears to be attempts at sabotaging her, and an old enemy makes an unwelcome return to her life.

As more dead bodies turn up, the hunt for a killer known as 'the sandman' begins...


I have read a couple of Cornwell's previous books featuring Scarpetta, and I remember quite enjoying them. However, this book was a lot weaker than I expected. Whilst I stuck with it and read it to the end, I would not read it again.

I found that I could not empathise with any of the characters, and certain characters in the book just irritated me. I felt the climax of the book was also lacking, it was not the exciting ending I was hoping for.

In fairness, I may have missed something as I have not read the previous 14 in sequence, and I wouldn't recommend it as a stand alone book as certain element of the plot referred back to previous books.

[debavp · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yet again a step in the right direction. Since I read Predator I took a look at Cornwell's website and had a few of my suspicions confirmed.

Again, there is a continuity factor with this one. She brings in a character from Predator into this book, but yet fails to wrap up the loose ends from Predator that would have made sense here. That's a nasty little habit I wish she'd break.

And what the hell happened to Lucy's sidekick Rudy, was it? Just vanished from Trace, not a mention of him in Predator or Book of the Dead. As close as they were you'd think that it would be a decent story line.

[mojomomma_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not my usual fare, but it was a good read even though I popped into the middle of the series and many of the characters are left in unresolved situations. I'll have to look for the sequel now! Perfect summer reading.

[fmrox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Scarpetta teams with Lucy and Benton to solve a series of murders beginning with the death of a famous young tennis player. Benton and Scarpetta's relationship finally progresses. Marion commits an unthinkable act. Lucy discovers a medical problem. And, finally Cornwell starts focusing on the plot and less on her dreary characters.

[tillymint100 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Sadly Patricia Cornwell's latest books are not up to the standard of her earlier ones.

[macygma · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have read every Kay Scarpetta book through this one now and I'm not sure I liked "Book of the Dead" as well as the others. It disturbed me, in fact and I'm not sure that I like the trail the author is on with Dr Self and her family issues.

A tennis pro at 16, Drew Martin was found in Rome, horribly disfigured and horribly dead. Somehow the link to not only Dr. Marilyn Self, Scarpetta, Marino and Benton and the others but also to some new characters is tenuous but still there.


There is partial closure on some past plots and definitely a huge new issue revealed bit not solved. All in all, not my favorite but I shall continue on with the series for one more book.

[fraxi_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After finishing this book, I made the decision never to read another Scarpetta title. I read all her early titles, but this was clearly a case of 'flogging a dead horse' as we say in the UK. ( well I do! ) I almost think that the 2 star rating may be too generous.

[theeclecticreview · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I have been a Patricia Cornwell fan for years and I didn't think this book was up to standard. There was too much about Kay Scarpetta and fellow characters and not enough urgency in finding the Sandman.

[kingsportlibrary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is now located in Charaleston, South Carolina where she has a private forensics practice. A nosy neighbor, a thug on a chopper and an elusive medical examiner or coroner don't extend the good doctor any southern hospitality. The action heats up when she and Peter Benton go to Italy to consult on the murder of an American tennis star who had just won a major tournament in Charleston. Apparently her eyes were gouged out and filled in with sand. E-mails to the egotistical Dr. Marily Self from the Sandman make things interesting. We find out he finished off a seriously wounded buddy in Iraq and wants to put others out of their "miseries."