Dust

Written by Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by Kate Reading

With unparalleled high-tension suspense and the latest in forensic technology, Patricia Cornwell once again proves her exceptional ability to surprise—and to thrill—in this electrifying Kay Scarpetta novel.

A body, oddly draped in an unusual cloth, has just been discovered inside the sheltered gates of MIT, and it’s suspected the identity is that of missing computer engineering grad student Gail Shipton, last seen the night before at a trendy Cambridge bar. It appears she’s been murdered, mere weeks before the trial in her $100 million lawsuit against her former financial manager, and Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta doubts it’s a coincidence. She also fears the case may have a connection with her computer genius niece, Lucy.

In Dust, Scarpetta and her colleagues are up against a force far more sinister than a sexual predator who fits the criminal classification of a “spectacle killer.” The murder of Gail Shipton soon leads deep into the dark world of designer drugs, drone technology, organized crime, and shocking corruption at the highest levels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781705079225

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 Dust

[purple_pisces22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This reminded me of some of the older Kay Scarpetta stories. This is one of the better ones I’ve read in quite a while. I kind of took a break from Patricia Cornwell and apparently it was worth it.

[Isvic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found it very good, in line with all the others I've read in this series, which are quite a few.
This time, Kay Scarpetta is investigating the appearance of a series of bodies with multiple similarities that lead her to connect the case with another one she handled years ago. Something was not done right or was deliberately covered up, and she manages to find the answer thanks to her meticulous work.
It is a dense book that requires a lot of attention from us; it is obvious that Patricia Cornwell is becoming increasingly specialized in her research for her novels because she uses an ever-expanding and technical vocabulary, leaving nothing out, presenting everything with such precision that it's easy to imagine it.
On the other hand, I haven't read any of the books in this series in order and I have had no problem understanding them, because the author has the ability to refresh our memory and remind us of details from previous books, which is always useful.
Without a doubt, the books in this series keep improving over time. (Translated from Spanish)

[ameise1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an exciting Scarpetta thriller that made me guess for a long time to find the answer to the puzzle.
A woman is found dead. The details are the same as the victims of the murder that Kay's husband is dealing with. Is the killer in the Boston area now? It almost seems that Kay is in danger herself. Who is this danger from? Can she still trust Marino? Luckily, Kay has her niece Lucy aside. She helps to track down a major cover-up that also affects Kay's husband company.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It was very long and it is getting tiring. Kay Scarpetta, Lucy, Marino and Benton have to solve a series of murders that the FBI seems to be covering up. The story was just not as captivating as here earlier books. Time to write one of her new series with other characters.

[pierthinker · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another top drawer novel from Patricia Cornwell in her Kay Scarpetta series. Scarpetta is a medical examiner and here she is called to a murder by her ex-partner, Marino, and is led to believe this is the work of a serial killer by her husband, Benton, a behaviouralist with the FBI. All is not as it seems and complexity and intrigue spiral out from here. As always with Cornwell, the inner world of Scarpetta - her relationships, her doubts and fears, her family, her job, her colleagues - takes centre stage and affects the route to identifying the killer and unravelling the mystery.

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

I didn't like much, I prefer the first book of Scarppeta . She was superior then anyone else, especially Marino, she belittle him all the time.

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

A rambling and wordy story that I did not finish. The use of the Sandy Hook tragedy was a turn off.

[buffalogr · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

What Dust needs is an editor and a plot. This 10 hour novel contains 2 hours of backstory and another two of rehash. The characters have become rote--always doing the same, flat, thing. The story line wanders and meanders toward a climax nearly one hour before the end...now what? It was a good friendship while it lasted. Bye bye Kay!

[hemlokgang · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

What a terrible disappointment. I have been a loyal fan of the Kay Scarpetta series. Now she has become a hardened and embittered character. Her cynicism is perhaps appropriate to the character, but she is no longer likable for me. If this is the outcome of a life such as hers, it is truly a pity. I will no longer follow this series......sad, but true!

[tish.delanoy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great book from Patricia Cornwell!!

[lizarees · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Ponderous. The last two or three Scarpetta books have been a bit of a return to form after the descent into complete fantasy that marred them for a while, but this one has a very thin plot, an increasingly irritable Kay again, Lucy acquiring more pointlessly militaristic kit but less of a character and a manufactured row with Marino that never plays out. Neither the murderer nor any of the victims have any real characterisation at all. Not good.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoy the Kay Scarpetta series, but the autopsy section seems a little too technical for the layperson. I also felt that Cornwell builds up a showdown between Kay Scarpetta and Pete Marino that never happens. Kay constantly mentions actions of Marino as if something will transpire. Lucy remains the same troubled person intend on having the biggest and best toys. This reader feels that Kay's husband, Benton Wesley, may be slipping into his own private dungeon. Benton seems to be thinking too much like the criminal and at times, the reader wonders if Benton is the serial killer. The ending is surprising since the killer is not mentioned until the story is almost finished.

[berly_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More of the usual--if you like Scarpetta, you will like this one! Basic plot (so I can remember in the future which one this was): a body is found and Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta is called in to investigate. She discovers glittery stuff all over the body and there are similarities to an FBI case husband Benton Wesley is covering. But Wesley's boss doesn't want him on the case...dun, dun, dun!! Designer drugs, corruption, organized crime and drone technology. A good read.

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

2.5 stars. Kay Scarpetta has been a favorite character of mine for a very long time. Over the last several books, I was finding it harder and harder to enjoy these books. This one was disappointing on so many levels. I did finish it but doubt if I will purchase another Patricia Cornwell book.