Sharp Force: The nail-biting new Scarpetta thriller for 2025

Kay Scarpetta #29

by Patricia Cornwell

NO ONE IS SAFE FROM THE SERIAL KILLER
NOT EVEN SCARPETTA...

During the early hours of Christmas morning, chief medical examiner Dr Kay Scarpetta receives a chilling call. The Phantom Slasher has struck again.

The serial killer has terrorized Northern Virginia for months. His pattern is to stalk with a sophisticated technology that enables him to invade his victims' homes and watch their every move. They wake up to a ghost-like hologram before being murdered in their beds.

Scarpetta is summoned to Mercy Island, the site of a notorious psychiatric hospital where two people have been brutalized, one of them from Scarpetta's past. It soon becomes apparent that she could be next . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

Audible Audio

First published October 7, 2025

About the author

Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990 while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Postmortem, was the first bona fide forensic thriller. It paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring in all things forensic across film, television and literature.

Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers.

Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Celebrating 25 years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.

Fox 2000 bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta. Working with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg to develop the film and find Scarpetta a home on the big screen.

After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer.

Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.

When not writing from her Boston home, Patricia tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary: Patricia co-founded of the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums. She appears as a forensic consultant on CNN and serves as a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. She’s helped fund the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities. Patricia is also committed to
funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.”


Social and Digital Outlets

http://www.patriciacornwell.com

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...

https://twitter.com/1pcornwell

https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/


Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love this series. It took a downturn for a few books in the middle but the last few have gotten back on track, at least for me. While I wasn't totally immersed in the technology this time, it did feel quite possible in our modern AI world. That said, what drew me in was the brilliant characters who consistently fill me with fear, happiness, dread, love, and charm. Cornwell really knows their personality and whether I'm angry at Lucy for being cold, Kay for being obstinate, Marino for being dumb, Benton for being arrogant, or Kay's sister for being a lush... they always, always deliver like a real family.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. This is kind of a tough one. I did like this one much more than the last two, it feels it's back to the original framework of the series. I like the strong relationship between Kay and Benton, and of course, the suspense in their cases. However, I have no idea why Marino is still in the picture. He has gotten seriously annoying, and honestly, I'm starting to dislike him so much, it's hard to keep reading at times. At some point, people need to move on. And, the ending wasn't great, it was very abrupt and random.

Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

In this 29th book in the 'Kay Scarpetta' series, the medical examiner is on the trail of a tech-savvy murderer. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is a bonus.

*****

It's Christmas Eve, and Dr. Kay Scarpetta - the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, and her husband, Agent Benton Wesley - a forensic psychologist for the U.S. Secret Service, plan to fly to London tomorrow. Kay and Benton's long-awaited vacation includes theater tickets, restaurant reservations, and intentions to explore the English countryside in a rented Aston Martin.





Unfortunately, as has happened before, Kay and Benton will be compelled to cancel their holiday. A serial killer, dubbed the Phantom Slasher, has been terrorizing northern Virginia. So far, the Slasher has murdered on Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Halloween, and it would seem a Christmas tragedy might occur next.

The Slasher uses a computer-generated hologram - which appears as a red-eyed, knife-wielding ghost - to stalk, terrorize, and spy on his victims.



The Slasher then knocks out his victim's Wi-Fi with signal jammers, invades their home undetected, stabs them multiple times, and leaves no fingerprints or DNA. The CIA believes the Slasher's technology is over-the-top sophisticated, created by someone with an intelligence background.

On Christmas Eve, the frightening ghost hologram drifts into the window of television journalist Dana Diletti, who videos the apparition and posts it all over the internet.



The authorities encourage Dana to relocate for her own safety, but the journalist refuses to leave her house, which is comfortable and beautifully decorated for Christmas.



As it turns out, the Slasher does strike on Christmas Eve, but the victim is not Dana Diletti. The Slasher invades the home of Dr. Georgine Duvall, a psychiatrist staying in her home on Mercy Island.





Mercy Island is also the site of Mercy Psychiatric Hospital, which has a scandalous history.



The police find Georgine dead, cut to pieces. Meanwhile, Georgine's houseguest, 23-year-old Zain Willard - a graduate student and White House intern - is badly injured, but still alive.



On Christmas morning, Kay and Benton make their way to Mercy Island, where they meet up with Kay's longtime investigator Pete Marino.



Kay examines Georgine's body, and they all search for clues to the identity of the killer. Kay's niece Lucy - a Homeland Security agent, tech expert, and helicopter pilot - is on hand as well. Among other things, Lucy uses her Doomsday Bird helicopter to stop journalists' drones from filming the crime scene.



Meanwhile, Zain Willard, who (so far) survived his injuries from the slasher, has been taken to the hospital for surgery. In the circumstances, Zain becomes a person of interest to the authorities, who think he may have killed Georgine and purposely injured himself.

The Virginia Medical Examiner's Office is a busy place, and in addition to Georgine's horrific murder, Kay is dealing with other suspicious deaths.

✦✦ Yesterday, the body of software designer Rowdy O'Leary was recovered from the Potomac River, where he was last seen fishing a week before. O'Leary had been drinking and may have fallen into the water, but he'd discharged two bullets from his gun, which seems sketchy.



✦✦ The skeletal remains of an unidentified twentysomething female were unearthed from the cemetery of Mercy Psychiatric Hospital. The remains show evidence of trauma, and the woman is one of many patients who appear to have been killed by falls, chronic beatings, or hanging. All this is a dark stain on the hospital, which was formerly called the 'Mercy Lunatic Asylum.'



All these things are on Kay's mind as she helps the authorities search for the Slasher, who seems to be very clever and elusive.

Kay has personal concerns as well. For instance, Kay has bad relations with the Department of Emergency Prevention, whose director is always interfering in her work. Also, Kay's investigator Pete Marino - who once had an obsessive crush on Kay - is now married to Kay's sister Dorothy. Dorothy is an attention seeker who wears sexy clothes, drinks too much, and sticks her nose into Kay's business.



Dorothy is also addicted to a new search app called 'Janet', who dispenses gossip along with information. Janet suggests Marino still carries a torch for Kay, which infuriates Dorothy and causes all sorts of trouble for the entire family.



By the end of the novel the Slasher is exposed in a dramatic, lucky, and surprising fashion, and the other story threads are resolved as well.

I liked the book, though it exhibits some of my pet peeves with author Patricia Cornwell's writing. For one thing, Kay is ALWAYS in the sights of evil malefactors, and her medical examiner job seems more dangerous than that of a CIA spy. In this novel, a crooked state trooper harasses Kay and Benton, and may even be planning their murder.



I also get irritated with Cornwell's excessive descriptions of minutiae. For instance, interspersed with Kay's narration of the story, we get step-by-step depiction of routine actions. In one scene, as Kay is talking about a crime: 'Benton places two multigrain bagels on a cutting board....Benton is slicing bagels in half.....Benton places bagels inside the toaster oven.....Benton watches the bagels as if they won't toast otherwise....Benton puts butter and fig jam on a bagel.....Benton takes a bite of his bagel....and so on. This just seems like a bit much to me.



All that said, Kay Scarpetta aficionados won't want to miss this book. For newbies, I'd suggest starting with the first book in the series, the award-winning 'Postmortem.'

Thanks to Netgalley, Patricia Cornwell, and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

♥ My Overall Thoughts ♥

This fiction book gave me the chills! It is in the mystery and thriller genre. I haven’t read a book by this author before, but have heard a lot about her books! Now I understand the hype behind these books that she writes. This one explores the darkness behind advanced technology. It is emotional, scary, sad and full of fear and paranoia! This story has short chapters, flows well and is easy to read. I found it to be thought provoking and realistic. It is fast paced and comes with vivid descriptions! Some of the themes this book comes with are trauma and healing, justice and the law and extreme fear! You will not want to put this book down!

♥ Synopsis and Rating ♥

“Sharp Force is about a serial killer that terrorizes Northern Virginia for a long time. He uses special technology in order to invade people’s homes. He watches their every move. It is horrifying what these victims endure! This story captured my attention from beginning to end. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!

♥ Thank You ♥

Thank you to NetGalley, author Patricia Cornwell and Grand Central Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

♥ Content Warnings ♥

Content warnings include murder, violence, stalking, psychiatric violence, paranoia and anxiety.

♥ Who I think would enjoy this book ♥

I think people who love reading psychological thrillers would like reading this book. This gave me the movie “13 Cameras” vibes!

♥ Publication Date ♥

This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!

♥ Quick Review ♥

╰┈➤ Thriller / Mystery
╰┈➤ Trauma and Healing
╰┈➤ Dark Side of Technology
╰┈➤ About a Serial Killer
╰┈➤ Eerie / Creepy
╰┈➤ Very Well Known Author
╰┈➤ “13 Cameras” Movie Vibes
╰┈➤ Justice & the Law

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥

ツ౨ৎ

[Darya Silman · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded to 2

I'm disappointed by the ending. I got used to Kay Scarpetta thrillers to end abruptly, and the murderer is almost never known until the last pages (while in some detective stories, a murderer is somebody interrogated by the police at the beginning). But this was too fast, too unexpected. In the epilogue, when characters talk about the case, they say the murderer could have gone unpunished. There was no deep investigative work, and Kay or Benton weren't the ones who found a key evidence. It was just a pure coincidence.

The trick with the mysterious evidence was already in one of the previous books as well as the cat, who, frightened, reacted to a stranger.

Characters are still, with strictly divided roles, with no growth.

Dialogues last for two-three chapters.

Yet, if you love Kay Scarpetta, you'll still find something to admire. I loved the detailed descriptions of furniture, clothing, and wine.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Kay Scarlett’s book before. I liked the set up and Kay was an interesting character. I didn’t love some of the other characters and the family dynamics were…odd. There were also some uncomfortable parks of this to read as it involves a psychiatrist with a lack of boundaries with patients. Kay and her husband have plans to go to Europe for for Christmas, but that is ruined when the serial killer terrorizing the greater DC area strikes again and they both decide to stay and investigate. The murder mystery itself was good, even if the pacing was a bit odd. The writing was overall decent and I would read more in this series to see if the bits I struggled with were different. I gave it 3.5 stars which I rounded up because there were some cool futuristic bits of the investigation that I wished were fleshed out a bit more but were interesting.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia Cornwell took a break for several years from her most popular character and bestselling series to write other books, but her eventual return to Chief Medical Examiner, Scarpetta, started oof rather bumpy with 2021’s “Autopsy” and 2022’s “Livid”. I gave both 2-star ratings, which followed the same formula, lots of time spent on examining dead bodies, and less time on a mystery that suddenly gets resolved in the last 20 pages.

Then Cornwell’s next two Scarpetta novels – 2023’s “Unnatural Death” and 2024s “Identity Unknown” – were much improved 3.5-star ratings that recaptured some of the quality and reputation that she garnered in her earlier Scarpetta books.

And now 2025 brings us “Sharp Force” – Scarpetta’s next serial murder mystery to solve on Christmas eve and day. This time she facing off against the Phantom Slasher, a serial killer who has been violently killing woman in Northern Virginia over the last several months. It appears the Slasher has been using some kind of very sophisticated technology that creates a ghost-like hologram that he uses to invade his victim’s homes and murdering them in their beds. The Slasher has struck again and Scarpetta is summoned to a historic psychiatric hospital located on Mercy Island where two people have been brutally attacked. And one of them is someone that both Scarpetta and her niece, Lucy, knew and had bad relationships with in the past…

The good news is that Cornwell is continuing the positive trend of her last two novels, a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars for me, and well worth checking out. Even though it follows Cornwell’s well-worn formula (that I will explain in the next paragraph), it was compelling, methodically constructed, tightly plotted, and provided a strong mystery that was multi-layered, full of intense atmospheric pacing. Even with her rather weak wrap-up ending that she is known for, the book still held up as a worthy and enjoyable fast-paced read.

Now, for those who have read my previous Kay Scarpetta reviews, a warning that my following comments will be familiar – because Patricia Cornwell sticks to her repetitive formula that sells.

Just like her previous three novels (and more), the plotting of this novel followed the same structure. Everything takes place over a period of 24 - 36 hours (except an epilogue taking place 1 week later). It is all slammed together in a wham-bam-thank-you-reader storytelling experience. I kid you not. Christmas eve covers pages 1- 146, and Christmas day covers pages 147 – 376, followed by the 8-page epilogue.

Cornwell has her formulaic style down pat and delivers it in a smooth grab your attention and keep it all the way through masterful manner. One of her writing strengths is a strong ability to throw in just enough exposition during each and every scene to keep the reader filled in on what’s going on in the investigation and various storylines with the primary characters. This time, Cornwell dealt with several ongoing personal issues with Marino and Dorothy that come to an interesting and somewhat comical flareup. Even the past weaknesses and frustrations come back on Lucy, Kay, and Benton to deal with. Cornwell certainly raises the bar on family relationships and character conflict that I found engaging and yet sad. We can all look back on our lives and reflect on things that we should have done and not done which cause us real pain and hurt. We all have those deep issues that only time can seem to address even if it cannot heal them.

My only real constructive issues with this novel are the lucky to find the killer at the last moment weak ending (subtract half a star) and the unanswered questions left behind (for example – how was the killer using the militaristic technology and where the payments to two of the characters coming from). I can deal with the unanswered questions, but Cornwell has got to work on delivering stronger endings with better climaxes. It’s really hard to have such a solidly strong buildup and then a weak ending. It’s really emotionally draining.

However, even with those issues, this Scarpetta novel still had my interest and attention. What made it even better was that Cornwell did not ruin the plot development, she built on it in a good way. All of the various clues and subplots included throughout the book came together pretty well except for the unanswered questions that I referred to previously. Other than that, most of the elements actually connected well and brought everything together for a cohesive story until the end.

Overall, Cornwell continued to recapture much of the quality and reputation that she garnered in her earlier Scarpetta books. This took me back to the ones that were page turners, capturing your attention visually and emotionally. This had a captivating mystery that was intensely constructed, several connecting subplots that added interconnecting layers of drama, and serious conflict for our Scooby gang of characters that we have come to love and hold dear in our imaginations. Even with the weak ending, it was worth reading.

Overall rating – 3.5 stars.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Patricia Cornwell, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A longtime fan of Patricia Cornwell’s Dr. Kay Scarlett’s series, I gladly accepted the twenty-ninth novel in the series. A serial killer has been targeting victims across Northern Virginia for months, choosing to kill on holidays. Dr. Kay Scarpetta is on edge as Christmas is just around the corner. While Dr. Scarpetta and her husband are about ready to leave the country, the Phantom Slasher strikes again, leaving the relative of an important politician clinging to life. As Dr. Scarpetta works the scene, she is pressured to determine how to catch the killer before things blow out of proportion. Patricia Cornwell delivers a winner that keeps the reader hooked until all is revealed.

There is a serial killer targeting people across Northern Virginia. The appearance of the killer, who disables the WiFi and presents as a hologram, baffles the authorities. The killer slashes into victims, leaving them to bleed out, creating a massive issue and stumps everyone who has involvement in the case.

The Phantom Slasher has been haunting the area for six months, always striking on a holiday. Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, has wondered about this killer, though a pile of work on her plate pushes her curiosity to the side. It’s Christmas Eve, potentially the night before another killing. While Dr. Scarpetta tries to tie off the case of a man’s mysterious death while night fishing, she cannot help but wonder if something is about to happen. A winter storm rages outside and Dr. Scarpetta has news to share with a family whose male patriarch died, posing baffling questions as he lays on the exam table. While there are so many possibilities, nothing is making sense.

News of a new Phantom Slasher victim emerges during the early hours of Christmas Day. Dr. Scarpetta and her federal agent husband rush to the scene, only to see that this is the body of a psychiatrist, while the nephew of a high-ranking US senator is clinging to life. Dr. Scarpetta seeks to put the pieces together, as throat slashes are clearly visible. She is feeling the pressure to shut the case swiftly, for both political and medical reasons. The killer is close at hand, as the winter storm has yet to dissipate. However, while Dr Scarpetta must look at things from a medical examiner’s perspective, her ability to sleuth might create an opening for solutions. Patricia Cornwell delivers a gripping thriller that is sure to keep the reader hooked.

I have long enjoyed this series, which balances forensic medicine with a crime thriller. Patricia Cornwell is able to capture the importance of both as she advances a number of great stories that span many years. The narrative approach to this piece worked well, as the story developed well over a series of paced chapters. While the end result was intense and highly captivating, there is something missing when it comes to the constant sense of mystery. I understand the first part of the book sought to establish a sense of ease, only to be toppled with the revelation of another killing, but I did not feel as pulled into the middle of things until at lest halfway through the story. Characters work well, particularly those we have come to see over many of the previous novels. We are well past backstories for Dr. Scarpetta and a handful of others, but there was a peppering of insights into those who are new to the scene. Plot points keep the reader wondering and infuse a surprise element into the piece. Cornwell did well with this, offering a twist or two as she revealed truths. I am eager to see where things are headed, as there was a time I was sure Dr. Kay Scarpetta was headed for retirement.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the world of January LaVoy as the book’s narrator. January LaVoy not only leads the book along with her numerous voices and inflections, but also does well to present a Dr. Kay Scarpetta that the listening can enjoy. I have had LaVoy lead many audiobooks in the past, all of which showcase her abilities. I am eager to see how she takes the story and makes it her own, while also remaining true to the series and Patricia Cornwell’s supposed desires. The series is in good hands with January LaVoy as its narrator and I am ready to see what else she will bring to future books I choose.

Kudos, Madam Cornwell, for a well-paced piece.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I have been toying with breaking up with this series when I saw that the next instalment (#29) is out later this year, I decided to request an ARC thinking I will get rejected like I always have in the past for this author but if approved I will give it a go. Since you are reading this you likely have deduced I was approved (finally!) for this ARC.

I plowed through the story in a day, I have seen other reviewers reference a digital uncorrected ARC being 400 pages, my version was 311. Also, the description of the novel on the Goodreads landing page says the story takes place in July, on Kay Scapetta's birthday, that is incorrect. This story takes place over the Christmas Holidays.

So, without any spoilers to ruin anything for other readers, I am pleased to report I gave the series another chance. Is it as good as the earlier books in the series that I loved? No, it isn't but it is significantly better than the last two books in the series. I worried heading into this one whether there would be some silly vampire or werewolf storyline given we had Bigfoot and Aliens feature prominently in those last 2 books. Happily, those worries were unfounded.

With #29, we tag along with Kay, Marino and Benton as they deal with the latest victim of a serial murderer. Lucy and Dorothy also make appearances, albeit brief ones, in this tale. Janet, the annoying AI introduced several book back, is now ever present. The storyline is compressed over a couple of days so the book has a good amount of filler detailing the longest thunder-snowstorm that's likely ever occurred and long winded descriptions of bougie home decor. But nestled in there is the type of thriller-mystery that makes me enjoy these books and I did not figure out who the murderer was before the reveal despite the breadcrumbs there for super-sleuths, which is always much appreciated in a good mystery.

This book does work as a stand alone novel for first time readers and long-time fans of the series will appreciate the ongoing evolution of the characters we love to love and hate. At this point I think the only character I like 100% is Lucy's cat Merlin, everyone else is hate-able in varying degrees, but in a good way (except for Marino, he is just gross and I think the author is also tiring of him at this point given how douchey she has made him). I hope future books will continue on this upward trend and for now, me and this series are back together again.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group Inc. (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to Goodreads for the free book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

It has been so many years since I have read a Kay Scarpetta novel. Probably haven't read one since the 90s. With all the billions of amazing books to read, I think I just forgot about the series somehow. Now, I guess I am going to have to find time to read all of the other novels I missed. Not sure when, exactly, though 🤔

This book is a stand-alone. Yes, it works better to read the series all the way through from book one because of character development, but you will not be lost one bit if you pick if you start here and then go back to book one.

For those wanting to know, zero smut in the book.

This series does include graphic descriptions of the murder scenes, so please be aware of that before reading this. This is perfect for those fans the show (or book series) Bones or J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas' books.

Definitely would recommend this book.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book a fair shot. I had great hopes that Cornwell would make a comeback for me, but it didn’t happen.

The writing was not bad. But the content was just laughable and bizarre to me.

Same overblown egos. Marino serves no purpose. I think Cornwell just keeps him around to remind us that he is forever madly in love with Kay Scarpetta, Super Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia.

I get quite tired of all the bragging Cornwell does about how beautiful Scarpetta’s home is and how much in love her and the ever dashing Benton Wesley are.

No one ever gets older in her books. My figuring is I was around 30 when she wrote Post Mortem and that was 35 years ago. She was supposedly nearing 40, so she is well into her 70’s and Benton is probably older, yet to hear Cornwell describe all that they do is just going overboard. She will have them swinging from skyscrapers at 85.

All the name brand dropping. Fancy electric cars and 10k watches and on and on. Enough! Stick to the stuff that made Cornwell books interesting. The forensics. The nitty gritty solving of crimes without all this crazy made up AI technology.

The whole AI Janet is disturbing to me. Lucy’s dead wife that she created an AI computer program replica of that knows what someone ate for supper or what they are wearing. It’s ridiculous!

A super natural hologram killer?

Or something like that. The book just got so stupid I spent more time rolling my eyes than reading it.

Here is what needs to happen. Lucy creates an AI version of Scarpetta that will live forever and Real Kay and Real Benton take Merlin the cat and retire to Italy.

Marino divorces Kay’s sister Dorothy, who he only married to stay close to Kay in some sick adolescent thing he has going on in that bald head of his and retires to a costal town where he can fish all day.

Lucy can run off with her homemade AI version of her lost wife Janet and they can build a spaceship and live on a planet far, far away.

All these characters are old, tired and played out.

Cornwell should just retire….. or have an AI version of herself created that can actually go back to writing novels that are worth reading.

And to think I was the first one to get this book at my library. So I’ll be the first one to return it.

Hopefully the next person actually enjoys it.

Too whacked out for me!

[Emily Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of Sharp Force.

Once again, Patricia Cornwell has blown me away. For years she has been one of my favorite authors and I was thrilled to get a chance to read Sharp Force before publishing. As always, Scarpetta is right in the middle of all the action. Without giving anything away, this series continues to get better and better. Even after all these years.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful comfort read!

In this case, our murders are very unusual. I loved trying to figure them out.

While I wasn't 100% surprised at the reveal, I still enjoyed it.

I did spend far too much time in this book extremely worried about one recalcitrant cat!

A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read and a great entry in the series.

* ARC via Publisher

[Karen Chong · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 / 5.0

Reading the book and the series for the first time, even though it’s the 29th in the series. I found the plot, the character dynamics easy to follow and understand enough that this can definitely be read as a standalone. I have to say the premise of the book is strong, but disliked the ending massively and how convenient it all was at the end. I didn’t like how well the plot was built up only to be solved right up to the end, and then the story just ends. I like the premise, I like the unpredictability and element of surprise that always felt was like a page away. Overall it’s an solid read, but disappointed at the ending when the book quality was consistent throughout!

The book is centred around Chief Medical Examiner Dr Kay Scarpetta receiving a call that the phantom slasher had strikes again. The serial killer is terrorising Northern Virginia for months, using sophisticated technology to invade victims homes and watch their every move. The victims will wake up to a ghost like holograms before being slaughtered in their beds. Scarpetta is also dealing with two unknown deaths near a psychiatric hospital. It’s a book with a few moving parts (now reflecting back, I realised how little to no attention the second plot got compared to the main murders). Definitely feeling very unbalanced, not too sure where the direction of the series will go but its a dependable series I must say. But overall a solid reliable read!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4 stars**
Audio 5 stars**
Narrator January LaVoy

[NrsKelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent listen. I had not read any of the other books in the series but was still able to follow along without difficulty.
The narrator was excellent with a steady and soothing voice.
Overall a solid read/listen for those who like mystery/police procedural style books.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Phantom Slasher, a serial killer who uses advanced technology to terrorize before killing his victims, has claimed another casualty, someone Dr. Kay Scarpetta knew years ago. Kay and her Secret Service husband, Benton, cancel their Christmas trip to Europe to investigate.

Although this is the 29th in the series featuring Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta and her supporting cast, it would work as a standalone. The atmospheric settings create a spooky backdrop for the story. A fast, engrossing read, it is very scary in terms of what AI and advanced technology might hold for us in the future. I did find the ending a bit rushed.

I get upset when professionals violate ethical standards in a story and was disappointed when Benton and Kay crossed a line by invading someone’s privacy. I lost a bit of respect for them and do wonder if there will be repercussions in future installments of this series.

Fans of this series will welcome this new addition. Others new to it are in for a thrilling ride.

Thanks to @NetGalley and #Grandcentralpublishing for the DRC.

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how you can pick up almost any book in the Scarpetta series and not feel completely lost. Patricia Cornwell has a brilliant way of tying the characters together story by story without making you feel lost or confused.

This particular book was a little too far fetched for me however. The fact that the 'case' was solved so quickly and weather was an issue then not made it seem rushed and not quite believable. Also the references to 'Janet' were so extreme to me. I'm sure that AI is a huge part of their world but it's hard to fathom having 'face to face' realistic conversations with a computer personality.

All in all it was a good read and one that I'd always recommend for Scarpetta fans!

[Gin Whitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am working my way through the Scarpetta series. I have only read up to book 6. Sharp Force stays true to the series. Same sharp, tough, brilliant characters. It was a good, quick read. Once again, Kay drops everything to help track down a serial killer. I did not love the AI aspect, but I guess it’s where we are in the world. I also didn’t love how they ended the book, it just came sort of out of no where. All in all, it’s a good addition to the series and hope she continues to add books to the series. I definitely recommend reading this one.

[Nancy McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a Kay Scarpetta book in years and had forgotten how much I enjoy reading about all of the scientific and forensic data that is used in solving crimes. This time after discovering interesting forensic evidence the crime kind of solved itself in an interesting twist at the end. A great addition to the Scarpetta series.

[Ebony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like the last few Cornwell books have been horrible. The writing for this book was elementary, the storyline and characters unrealistic and disjointed and the ending was rushed to try to make it all work out and fit in a pretty neat little bow.

What happened to the medicolegal, detective, believable writing of Patricia Cornwell in books like ‘Body Farm, Black Notice, and Point of Origin?’ It’s as if there is some horrible ghostwriter for her work now. Or is Cornwell trolling us? Cause come on. The best you could come up with is an experimental monkey???!!!

After finishing this, I plan to just re-read her older much better books.

[Becky Hancock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
I’ve read every Scarpetta book, and this one just didn’t have the spark. It kind of meandered along, wandering around like it forgot it was supposed to be a thriller. I kept waiting for something big to happen, and when it finally did , the ending just dropped out of nowhere like, “Ta-da! Mystery solved!” Except… not really. Loose ends were still hanging. Not awful, just meh. Predictable, slow, and missing the edginess I’m used to. I want a book to keep me up way past my bedtime. Not constantly checking how many pages are left.

[Lisa Conti-Ripley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so glad the good Doctor recycles, but enough with the virtue signaling. This book has so much filler unlike Merlin’s wet food which is grain-free and made from whitefish.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great to read Patricia Cornwell in top form again! (Series kinda went a bit bonkers for a while.) This was like reading the older Scarpetta books. And man, I can’t believe how long I’ve been reading this series.

[Barbara Azinić · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly had high hopes this series is going back on track but got let down big time so I'm doing what I never do and I'm going to leave a review and rent a bit. The case was OK nothing special predictable and the ending was rushed ,but the whole love drama is so cringe and unnecessary Benton and Kay sister kissing was so unnecessary and frankly infuriating ,and the repeating of how it was silent for a cuple of minutes multiple times makes it's heavily implied they were actually full on making out and not Dorothy just kissing him when Kay walks in. I'm so tiered of the love drama ether let them be together or separate them but please can we skip the whole Benton is cheating on Kay again it's been don already and contributed absolutely nothing at all it's just contradicting in my opinion because Kay is supposed to be this strong,brilliant, capable woman who has all this other man throwing themselves at at her but she is staying with the guy who supposedly cheated on her multiple times and faked his death, treated her poorly after she got attacked by Marino and now kissed her sister in their house at Christmas while she was there and she just keeps looking past it all and stays ,also blaming Kay for what happened with Lucy saying she should have asked him for advice but at the time he and Lucy barely had a relationship at all ,and the man has no relationship with his daughters but is acting all high and mighty at this point he is as anoying as Marino, can they both go and Kay can find a man who acts his age and isn't stuck in a mid-life crisis for over a decade. Can we please go back to the medical and forensic stuff instead of this. I love this series because it was interesting and I cude learn new things about forensic procedures, new tools intresting medical and technology facts but now it has the plot of a cheesy TV show with cheating spouse and villainess that constantly come back to life (seriously how many times did Carrie supposedly died and came back). This series is spacial for me because it was the first crime book I ever read and I became a reader in my teens because of it and I don't want to drop it but it feels like it just doesn't have a direction anymore.

[Cherié Burgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the early read. I have loved Kay Scarpetta from the beginning, and I was so excited to get this book early.

However, this was not my favorite in the series. Was it interesting? Absolutely. But I felt very disconnected from this character after this story was clearly giving hints to the author's political beliefs. Out of all the Scarpetta stories I have read, this is the first one to make me stop and think, "I wonder what Patricia Cornwell's political beliefs are." She made one of the bad guys with no ethics a democrat. She wrote the inept/unethical therapist as "woke" with books about being "woke." She mentioned Mar-a-Lago repeatedly as if to normalize a president spending that much time at a business he owns and to normalize having top-secret meetings there. It was a very odd interjection to a series I've loved since 2008.

The other thing with this book was the conclusion. The incident with Scarpetta's sister and husband was thrown in there and then basically ignored. It was very odd and unrealistic. Then, the way the plot twist had nothing to do with the other 96% of the book had me shaking my head. And for people who are in this series known for following policies and having solid ethics to just disregard it all and read Lucy's medical records, it left me with a bad taste. I really wish I had not read this one so I could keep my nostalgia surrounding the Scarpetta I have loved for years. 2.75 rounded up to 3.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing installment from Patricia Cornwell!

*** NOT YET RELEASED. LOOK FOR IT ON 10/7/25! ***

Kay Scarpetta is back... with a vengeance!
And, Benton, Marino, Dorothy, Lucy etc... are all back too!

I love how she interweaves AI and all the advanced 'techy' stuff with her novels... I don't always understand all of it, but I delight in learning about all of it!!
And I love how you can pick up a book in the series and know that you will recognize 90% of the characters from past books! BUT, it can be read as a standalone too!
But, as an FYI... if you have SOEM knowledge of the series going in, it can prove helpful... especially with the AI robot that analyzes and chips-in to all of their conversations!!

For those who have NOT read the Scarpetta series before, Kay is with the ME's office in Virginia. Benton, her husband, is with the FBI. And her niece, Lucy, is a tech 'brilliant mind', who also flies planes!!
Marino is back too, but the more I see him, the less I'm liking him lately... :(

As usual, Kay gets called into an UGLY, GORY crime scene.... again. Unfortunately, she know the vic... and so does Lucy...

This is the latest in the SLASHER crime scene spree. The crazy thing is that the victims claim to see a ghost around them, just before they are killed. Something like a reddish hologram!!??!!

And, it seems that Kay appears on the suspects list... as she herself witnesses this red ghost. As Lucy digs into her 'techy' stuff, she assures Kay that there is nothing present on the grounds of her home... at least, nothing that's alive! =0

We go on the investigation with the crew and follow along with all the breadcrumbs...
BUT, I did NOT see the ending that came!
That was a total surprise for me!!

So, yes, in my opinion... this one is NOT TO BE MISSED!!

#SharpForce by @PatriciaCornwell and narrated phenomenally, as usual, by one of my all time favorite narrators: @JanuayLaVoy.

5+ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨ for me!!

If this sounds like something you’d like, please keep your eyes 👀 open for this one!!!
*** IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!!! Please look for it on 10/7/25! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #HachetteAudio and #GrandCentralPublishing for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Patricia Cornwell's Sharp Force, Dr. Kay Scarpetta's unwavering pursuit of justice amidst escalating danger defines her journey. Supported by familiar faces like her logical partner, Benton, abrasive yet loyal Marino, and complex niece Lucy, Scarpetta navigates the case while exposing personal vulnerabilities and highlighting the strength of longstanding relationships.

The dark side of technology, invasion of privacy, and concealed dangers of modern life are the subjects treated in the novel. The killer uses state-of-the-art technologies employed in the contemporary world for raising alarm about digital surveillance and even AI-constructed threats, unleashing questions on the critical area of possible threats by instruments of technology to the personal safety of their users.

The suspenseful yet very direct writing style adopted by Cornwell is almost a clinical detail, fast pacing with which audiences become instantly engrossed in the forensic world and the psychological menace posed by the murderer. Sometimes the level of technical explanations becomes overwhelming; in some instances, the development of Marino's character does not mirror the progress made in earlier books; however, the human relationships are what give the emotional density to the story.

Sharp Force brings the forensic thriller genre into classic suspense, coupled with modern issues. Though the voice might be slightly differ from earlier writings, this novel shows Cornwell's meticulous research and great storytelling. This bridging of earlier mystery conventions with contemporary relevance will appeal to fans of crime thrillers.

While technical aspects sometimes impeded character development and unevenly balanced action and explanation, it still achieved its main strength: compelling the readers to consider how emerging technologies are impacting crimes and justice. Mercy Island and all of its shady terrors, the psychiatric hospital, is ultimately a dark and brooding backdrop.

This is ultimately a book that will take readers to reflect on the ability to maintain trust, vulnerability, and human resilience as it relates to a fantastically changing world. Thus, this gripping inquiry is bound with extreme urgency to pressing societal issues. An engrossing yet leisurely read.


3.5/5

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp Force is the 29th book in the Scarpetta series.... it's not the only one I have a copy of but shockingly it's the only one I have actually read! I've had many of the books from this series on my shelf for many years, but because there are so many it's kind of deterred me.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and think had I read others in the series I would have enjoyed it more. But even not knowing any back story or any characters I was still able to enjoy the mystery.

Off I go to start the series from the beginning!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Megan Welbourne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell is the twenty ninth book in the Kay Scarpetta medical thriller series.
This starts on Christmas Eve, where Dr Scarpetta does a post mortem on a missing man found in the river. He was a married father of two and he died while fishing alone at a pier. His autopsy reveals significant heart disease so possibly a heart attack that caused him to fall in? Meanwhile, the city of Richmond Virginia is also in fear of a serial killer nicknamed The Phantom Slasher, who has killed several victims and seems to use a holographic ghost to incite fear in them leading up to their murders.
Kay, as always, seems to wear multiple hats despite being the Chief Medical Examiner. She is often out in the field, interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence and overall playing detective. Her husband Benton, niece Lucy and friend Marino are still along for the ride helping solve crime. Lucy is a super high tech phenom and has created an AI program Janet that they all use on a regular basis for info. Janet was Lucy’s wife who died, and so an AI program modeled after her isn’t creepy at all right? Janet can hack into anything and get all sorts of information she shouldn’t have access to, she listens in and sees you at all times, and overall is just an unpleasant voyeur.
On Christmas Day, instead of heading for England on vacation, Kay and Benton are investigating the latest Slasher victim, a psychiatrist who used to treat Lucy. It brings up how unprofessional she was as a doctor, almost as if she got what she deserved. Lots and lots of details about this poor dead lady’s character. Maybe a bit more sympathy for the slashed up dead lady huh? One of her patients found her body and was almost killed himself by the murderer. So who did it? How does it relate to the floater in the river? And how quick do they wrap the whole thing up? Apparently the city never sleeps, even on Christmas Day, and it’s amazing how quick it’s all solved.
After the last one of this series, I was leery to ever read anything by this author again. Sharp Force was marginally better than the last, but I still feel that there are major things missing now compared to the earlier books. For a medical thriller, there is very little medical stuff described, and there were barely any scenes in the morgue! That was what I enjoyed most of this series but it seems like now it’s all about technology and what’s new and changing in the world. If it focused on what’s new and changing in the medical world, that would probably be great, but I’m tired of Cornwell’s medical thrillers becoming so techy. I think I shall say goodbye to Kay for good. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my ARC.