Order of Patricia Cornwell Books
Crime
Mystery
Thriller
Forensic Fiction
Patricia Cornwell is an internationally acclaimed crime writer, best known for her long-running Kay Scarpetta series featuring the brilliant medical examiner. With over 100 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Cornwell is considered one of the foremost crime writers of her generation. Her meticulous research and forensic detail revolutionized the crime genre, and she has won numerous awards including the Edgar Award, the Gold Dagger Award, and the Sherlock Award.
27 books•1 series
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Kay Scarpetta
27 books
The Kay Scarpetta series follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, as she uses forensic science to solve the most complex and disturbing murders. Set primarily in Richmond, Virginia, the series is renowned for its detailed forensic procedures and the complex personal life of its protagonist. Scarpetta is aided by her niece Lucy and investigator Pete Marino as she confronts brilliant serial killers and systemic corruption.
Main Characters
Reading Order
1
Postmortem
1990
#1 in series
2
Body of Evidence
1991
#2 in series
3
All That Remains
1992
#3 in series
4
Cruel and Unusual
1993
#4 in series
5
The Body Farm
1994
#5 in series
6
From Potter's Field
1995
#6 in series
7
Cause of Death
1996
#7 in series
8
Unnatural Exposure
1997
#8 in series
9
Point of Origin
1998
#9 in series
10
Black Notice
1999
#10 in series
11
The Last Precinct
2000
#11 in series
12
Blow Fly
2003
#12 in series
13
Trace
2004
#13 in series
14
Predator
2005
#14 in series
15
Book of the Dead
2007
#15 in series
16
Scarpetta
2008
#16 in series
17
The Scarpetta Factor
2009
#17 in series
18
Port Mortuary
2010
#18 in series
19
Red Mist
2011
#19 in series
20
The Bone Bed
2012
#20 in series
21
Dust
2013
#21 in series
22
Flesh and Blood
2014
#22 in series
23
Depraved Heart
2015
#23 in series
24
Chaos
2016
#24 in series
25
Autopsy
2021
#25 in series
26
Livid
2022
#26 in series
27
Unnatural Death
2023
#27 in series
Books in Publication Order
12
13
14
19
21
24
25
26