In 1990, author Patricia Cornwell published the crime novel, Postmortem. The book followed the story of Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia, who finds herself caught up in an investigation involving a collection of unsolved murders.
Upon release, Postmortem proved popular with readers and was soon followed by a second novel in 1991 titled Body of Evidence. This time around Scarpetta investigates the murder of a romance novelist.
Further novels followed in the coming years, with Cornwell building an entire series of stories around Scarpetta. But how many Kay Scarpetta novels are there?
If you’re new to Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta book series, or you simply want a refresher, keep on reading for a full list of all the books that have been published so far.
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The Kay Scarpetta books
Postmortem (1990)
As noted above, the first entry in the Kay Scarpetta book series was published in 1990 under the title, Postmortem. In this book, a serial killer is on the loose in Richmond, Virginia; four women are dead; and Dr Kay Scarpetta is tasked with providing forensic evidence to aid the police investigation.
Body of Evidence (1991)
In book No. 2, Body of Evidence, someone is stalking Beryl Madison, and after Beryl returns to Richmond she inexplicably invites her killer inside her home. Dr Kay Scarpetta is drafted in to investigate this bizarre crime.
All That Remains (1992)
In book No.3, All That Remains, when the bodies of young couples start appearing in remote woodlands areas, Scarpetta is on the case. But when the latest missing girl turns out to be the daughter of one of the most powerful women in America, Scarpetta finds herself prey to political pressure.
Cruel and Unusual (1993)
In Cruel and Unusual, it is December and on one particular night, convicted murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell is pronounced dead in the electric chair. Meanwhile, on the same night, the body of a young boy is found propped against a rubbish skip.
It would appear to most people that these two events are unconnected. But is there a connection?
The Body Farm (1994)
Onto book No. 5, The Body Farm. In this story, shockwaves are sent through the local community due to the discovery of the corpse of an 11-year-old girl.
From Potter’s Field (1995)
In book No. 6, From Potter’s Field, it’s Christmas time and the body of a woman is found propped against a fountain in a bleak area of New York’s Central Park. The gunshot wound to her head looks chillingly familiar.
Cause of Death (1996)
In Cause of Death, New Year’s Eve is here and the final murder scene of Virginia’s bloodiest year takes Scarpetta thirty feet below the Elizabeth River’s icy surface. A diver is dead.
Unnatural Exposure (1997)
In book No. 8, Unnatural Exposure, a serial killer is on the loose. The weapon is a deadly virus.
Point of Origin (1998)
Onto book No. 9, Point of Origin, and Scarpetta is called out to a farmhouse in Virginia which has been destroyed by fire. In the ruins of the house she finds a body which tells a story of a violent and grisly murder.
Black Notice (1999)
In book No. 10, Black Notice, a cargo ship arriving in Richmond is discovered to be transporting a sealed container holding the decomposed remains of a stowaway. The post mortem performed by Scarpetta reveals neither a cause of death nor an identification.
The Last Precinct (2000)
In The Last Precinct, bruised by her encounter with the killer Chandonne, Scarpetta has to leave her home in the hands of the police team investigating the attack. Scarpetta finds shelter with an old friend, but soon finds her world turned upside down when she is accused of murder.
Blow Fly (2003)
In book No. 12, Blow Fly, Scarpetta has abandoned her home in Richmond and is now living in Florida, following the events of The Last Precinct. But her past won’t let her rest, and her grief continues to grow.
Trace (2004)
Against her own judgement Scarpetta returns to Virginia as a consultant pathologist on a case involving the death of a fourteen-year-old girl. But her once familiar stomping ground feels different now, and the new Chief Medical Examiner treats her with disdain.
Predator (2005)
In book No. 14, Predator, Scarpetta investigates the disappearance of a family in Florida. But the search shows signs of an abduction rather than a disappearance.
Book of the Dead (2007)
Fresh from her encounter with a psychopath in Florida, Scarpetta decides it’s time for a change of scene. Moving to the city of Charleston, South Carolina, she opens a unique private forensic pathology practice.
But it’s soon business as usual when a woman is ritualistically murdered in her multi-million-dollar beach home; a young boy is found dumped in a desolate marsh; and a sixteen-year-old tennis star is found mutilated near Piazza Navona in Rome.
Scarpetta (2008)
In book No. 16, Scarpetta, Kay Scarpetta leaves her private forensic pathology practice and accepts a new assignment in New York. There is a new case to solve and it is just as perplexing as usual.
The Scarpetta Factor (2009)
In The Scarpetta Factor, it’s almost Christmas and Scarpetta is offering her services pro bono. But in no time at all her increased visibility seems to kick-start a string of dramatic and unsettling events.
Port Mortuary (2010)
In Port Mortuary, Kay Scarpetta has been mastering the art of ‘virtual autopsy’ – a ground-breaking new procedure which could revolutionise forensic science. And it’s not long before she needs to put her new skills into practice when a young man drops dead of an apparent heart condition.
Red Mist (2011)
In Red Mist, Scarpetta has arranged to meet an inmate at the Georgia Prison for Women. Against advice, Scarpetta is determined to hear this woman out, but soon she finds connections to a string of grisly killings.
The Bone Bed (2012)
In book No. 20, The Bone Bed, woman vanishes while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Scarpetta, over two thousand miles away in Boston, and she has no idea why?!
Dust (2013)
Onto book No. 21, Dust. And in this story, after working on one of the worst mass killings in US history, Scarpetta returns home to recover, but an unsettling call drives her straight back to work.
Flesh and Blood (2014)
In Flesh and Blood, Scarpetta is in pursuit of a sniper who leaves no trace except copper fragments. The victims have nothing in common, and there is no indication where the killer will strike next.
Depraved Heart (2015)
In Depraved Heart, the death of a Hollywood mogul’s daughter has the police convinced it’s an accident. But Scarpetta knows better.
Chaos (2016)
In Chaos, two young girls stumble upon a body in New England. Scarpetta arrives at the scene to find a young woman has been attacked with almost superhuman force.
Autopsy (2021)
In Autopsy, Scarpetta and her husband Benton return to Virginia. Weeks into the job, Scarpetta is called to a railway track where a woman’s body has been shockingly displayed.
Livid (2022)
In book No. 26, Livid, Scarpetta is the reluctant star witness in a sensational murder trial when she receives shocking news. The judge’s sister has been found dead.
Unnatural Death (2023)
In Unnatural Death, Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement. The victims have been savaged beyond recognition.
Identity Unknown (2024)
In book No. 28, Identity Unknown, Scarpetta is called to an abandoned theme park to retrieve a body. However, Scarpetta soon discovers the victim is someone she once loved.
Sharp Force (2025)
In book No. 29, Sharp Force, it’s Christmas morning and Scarpetta receives a chilling call telling her the Phantom Slasher has struck again. The killer has terrorised Northern Virginia for months and their reign of terror seems never-ending.
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Recap: A list of the Kay Scarpetta books in order
Below is a list of all the Kay Scarpetta books that have been published so far. The list is presented in publishing order:
- 01) Postmortem (1990)
- 02) Body of Evidence (1991)
- 03) All That Remains (1992)
- 04) Cruel and Unusual (1993)
- 05) The Body Farm (1994)
- 06) From Potter’s Field (1995)
- 07) Cause of Death (1996)
- 08) Unnatural Exposure (1997)
- 09) Point of Origin (1998)
- 10) Black Notice (1999)
- 11) The Last Precinct (2000)
- 12) Blow Fly (2003)
- 13) Trace (2004)
- 14) Predator (2005)
- 15) Book of the Dead (2007)
- 16) Scarpetta (2008)
- 17) The Scarpetta Factor (2009)
- 18) Port Mortuary (2010)
- 19) Red Mist (2011)
- 20) The Bone Bed (2012)
- 21) Dust (2013)
- 22) Flesh and Blood (2014)
- 23) Depraved Heart (2015)
- 24) Chaos (2016)
- 25) Autopsy (2021)
- 26) Livid (2022)
- 27) Unnatural Death (2023)
- 28) Identity Unknown (2024)
- 29) Sharp Force (2025)
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