Sharp Force

Kay Scarpetta #29

by Patricia Cornwell

A serial killer terrorizes Northern Virginia, his ability to come and go baffling those pursuing him with zero success.

He disables the victims' WIFI, attacking them in bed, the cause of death exsanguination due to sharp force injuries.

This has been going on for six months when Dr. Kay Scarpetta is awakened by her phone in the early morning hours of June 12, her birthday. She's informed that the Phantom Slasher has struck again, only this time there are two victims, and one of them has survived, the scene Mercy Island and its notorious old psychiatric hospital. This is a modern ghost story, a ghastly apparition seen around the time the Slasher strikes in each case. The same figure in black is spotted levitating through the fog, and the technical explanation is one that's of keen interest to the CIA, even the White House.

It's up to Scarpetta to stop the Phantom Slasher before they strike again and vanish, leaving another trail of blood in their wake.

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

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication 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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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!

[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

[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.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back, Kay Scarpetta. I felt you have been missing from your last couple of books, giving way to “out there” investigations that turned you into a cyber doc instead of the brilliant medical examiner you are. But this narrative brings you back to your calling and makes me feel more comfortable that you are doing what you trained to do.

A serial killer with a high tech background, ( can’t really get away from devices), is wreaking havoc with a scary hologram and a very big knife. Kay’s team jumps into the horror determined to bring this vicious killer to justice. Determined not to let anything or anyone get in her way, Kay hunts this killer with a single vision.

The ending was a little mediocre but I still want to slap Marino.

Recommended!

[Jeff Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sharp Force” is the 29th book in the Kay Scarpetta series. This was one of the first series of books I ever “got into” after reading the third entry, “All That Remains”. But somewhere along the way, I felt like the author had lost her beloved characters. They all were self-absorbed. No one was likable. The books felt long and drawn out with too many details. So, I left the series that I loved so much.

When I was chosen by NetGalley to review this book, I was a little nervous. I wanted it to be good. I wanted the Kay Scarpetta that I loved so much. And for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised.

There are two main mysteries that continue throughout the book. And they are gripping. Not just the edge of your seat mystery, but also emotionally. Marino’s involvement with the children of a victim is touching. When everyone is pressuring Dr. Scarpetta to lean a certain direction, she continues to question, and she is proven correct to not jump at the easy solution.

There were moments of “too many details” that bogged down the narrative, but they were few and far between. Instead, most of the details mattered.

So, is the Kay Scarpetta series back? A conditional yes. The interaction of the main characters is still tough to read. Family can be complicated. I get that. But is there just one moment that they smile at each other, share a joke, have a light-hearted moment, or enjoy being with each other?

As for the ending, it was rushed. Such a beautifully told procedural mystery gets wrapped up with a neat little bow (it is Christmas time, after all) in just a few pages. And honestly, it felt more like they lucked into the conclusion, rather than solved the mystery.

Overall, I am back on board with one of my favorite series. Just a few tweaks to this novel and I would hail the return of the Queen of forensics.

[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.

[Katie Oeschger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a prerelease of Patricia Cornwell’s Sharp Force.

I’ve read all of Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta’s series - and this is the best one yet. Lock your doors and leave the lights on for this creepy thriller. The Phantom Slasher is Cornwell’s creepiest serial killer yet. The identify the of the Phantom will keep you guessing until the very end.

One thing I love about Cornwell’s writing is her incorporation of cutting-edge technologies (both for the heroes and villains) that are always way ahead of cultural norms. And the applications in her book feel natural, not forced.

Twenty-nine books in, and the Scarpetta series keeps getting better and better!

[Sarah Faichney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the Scarpetta series. Reading ‘Sharp Force’ felt like spending time with an old and much loved friend. Patricia Cornwell is really at the cutting edge of technological advancement with this one. We have murderous holograms, an AI character and a talking robot animal! 


I'm a big fan of January LaVoy and her audiobook narration didn't disappoint. Her Irish accent left a lot to be desired but I think we can overlook that. Few can master Scots and Irish brogues successfully and she gets top marks for effort. The pairing of LaVoy and Cornwell is *chef's kiss* I'm already excited for the next book in this superb series. 

[Kathy Kennerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I keep coming back for more from this series. I can reliably count on Scarpetta holding steadfast to the moral code of her profession even at the expense of her public image and personal safety. The respect she gives to each life lost is honorable no matter the questionable status of the victim or even if the remains are decades old. Excellent, hair-raising mystery. ARC netgalley.com

[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.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 29 in the Dr Kay Scarpetta series and it follows the usual pattern. It is Christmas Eve and the good doctor is finishing an autopsy on a man fished out of the Potomac before flying to London for 2 weeks with her partner Benton. There is something not quite right about the nature of his death.

Briefly, early on Christmas Day Kay receives a phone call. In the most fearful of snowstorms she is called out to an infamous psychiatric hospital to deal with the victims of a serial killer called “The Phantom Slasher”. Very quickly she is caught up in a vortex of horror involving an apparent ghost and a mental institution. In the middle of this her best friend Pete Marino and his partner, Kay’s sister, are having a serious row, which is causing turmoil in Kay’s private life that she could well do without.

Good levels of suspense and with twists and turns aplenty you wonder if everyone will greet the New Year in unharmed. The technology used by the killer was fascinating and not something I’ve come across before in fiction. As always the main characters are great and their interactions authentic, and in the case of the children very kind, and of course I do love Kay. It’s a great read and my only gripe is that the climax is condensed into only a few pages and I would have liked a bit more.

4.5⭐️

[Holly Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first 28 books in the Scarpetta series earlier this year. While I’ve always enjoyed the forensic mysteries, I’ve struggled with some of the personal dynamics—most of Scarpetta’s close relationships are messy at best, and at times feel unreasonably co-dependent. For example, it’s hard for me to accept that she’d remain friends with Marino after his attempted assault. And some of the plots in later books stretched believability a bit too far (yes, I’m looking at you, autopsy in space).

So I went into this one with cautious expectations. To my surprise, Sharp Force felt much closer in spirit to the early novels: a strong mystery at the core, genuine suspense, a dash of danger, and a satisfying resolution. Cornwell also weaves in timely references to technology and its risks, which grounded the story, with only one element that leaned into weird territory.

The narration by January LaVoy was excellent—her pacing and tone matched the suspense of the story perfectly and made it easy to stay engaged.

Despite my criticisms of the series as a whole, I found myself pulled back in—and I’ll likely keep reading future installments as they come.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[A Dreaming Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC.

This was a nice thriller. I've only read one of the other Kay Scarpetta novels before so I didn't have enough context about all the characters. This book can definitely be read as a standalone although it is more enjoyable when read in order. The plot itself started out well but I felt like it was all over the place. I think I have had a bad experience with serial killer thrillers in general because the ending always feels like it pops out of nowhere. I liked and disliked the ending. The characters felt almost the same as before. I wasn't a big fan of the whole technology thing in the book -- I prefer the forensic/medical parts of the author's books more. I liked the way the details were explained. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a serial killer thriller with a technology based aspect to it.

The audiobook significantly improved my reading experience. January LaVoy is one of my favourite narrators. The narration was very well done and pleasant to listen to.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've reached #29 in Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series, and each new volume is a pleasure. Sharp Force is no exception. The characters are in top form, and we continue to learn more about them, even after all this time. The mystery is complex, with the mix of violent crime and political skullduggery that we count on from Cornwell.

Cornwell continues to explore the ways technology can be used both to commit and to fight crime. The usual interpersonal tensions are there, but Kay and Benton are doing well and working together effectively.

Even at 400 pages, Sharp Force is a quick read. Cornwell has a gift for for crafting engaging, fast-paced prose. Her books are almost certain to lead to a just-one-more-chapter experience, which can result in a bit of sleep deprivation, but losing sleep to race through a satisfying mystery is no hardship.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalleys; the opinions are my own.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, a thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of Sharp Force in exchange for my honest review. I do not shill for books, I give my honest opinion, take it or leave it.

So first of all, let me say this is better than most of her recent books. I have read every single Kay Scarpetta book (and most of the author's other series) and the early ones were really great. They definitely went downhill with a vengeance for a while there. Lately, they have been improving again.

Things I liked:
- Staying on the cutting future edge of technology without getting too crazy out there. Yes, some of the things she talks about seem nuts, but we are close to all of them. I can easily see the tech going there.
- At least they haven't moved again... yet.
-Benton and Kay's relationship. It feels real in a way most of the other relationships in the book do not. They get each other and they accept the things they can not change.
- Nothing unrealistic like bigfoot and aliens this time, thank goodness (I like those things, but not in a realistic police based thriller, LOL)

Things I didn't like:
- Lucy yet again magically has a new job. Even taking her work partner Tron with her.
- Of course, Tron has the hots of her. Does anyone not have the hots for Lucy? Thankfully it wasn't a big part of the story (yet).
- Marino and Dorothy's relationship. It's definitely toxic and that would be fine as story element but it just doesn't feel believable. Maybe this should be in a neutral category, maybe it's not supposed to be believable.
- POLITICS. Look, we do not need real life politics in these books. We don't need reminders of terrible real life events like covid. DEAR ALL AUTHORS, WE DON'T WANT IT. Most of us read to escape from this crappy world we live in. Please give us fake politician names and stuff. We don't need to be jerked out of a story so you can flaunt your personal political beliefs.
- Kay must be past 70 years old by now. It's a little ridiculous. The middle books in this series were the absolute worst for sudden revisions of everyone's age but it's STILL going on to an extent.
- Once again, Kay & Benton are trying to go on vacation and a murder stops them. I swear it's been like 5 books now. No new ideas Ms. Cornwell?

Basically, this is an average book. If you like the series, definitely give it a go. If you are new to the series, you may have some trouble with all the character history that is lurking in the background. If you'd been disappointed in the books for the last 10 years, know that this one is better, though it doesn't touch the 90's books.


*********
A note about my rating system for books:
I've read thousands of books, more than I could ever count so I'm a bit stingy when it comes to calling a book amazing. I also use the rating system to help me keep things straight since I love to re-read and visit my old friends. Therefore -
1 star = this book is terrible, I might not have even finished it (rare) and I will never read it again.
2 star = this book is just okay, average effort, possibly churned out in a series that's dragged on too long, and most likely I won't read this book again.
3 star = this book was good. I enjoyed it and would read again. It successfully pulled me into it's world. If it's the first in a series, I'll continue on in it.
4 star = I loved this book! I will be reading everything I can by this author. I'll be talking about it to family/friends. I will probably reread this frequently.
5 star = This book is a unicorn. It's amazing and it's changed my life. I will never forget a moment of this book and yet I will reread it MANY times.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Patricia Cornwell novel, and it's #29 of the Kay Scarpetta series. The series follows Kay, a Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Alongside Kay, we meet; her husband, and FBI profiler, Benton Wesley; her niece, and tech genius, Lucy Farinelli; and her brother-in-law, and homicide detective, Pete Marino. They're all wonderfully stereotypical, three-dimensional, and easy to get on board with. Sort of like when you start a new detective TV series and meet the troubled protagonist with marital problems and crippling insomnia (it's like they're popping out of a production line!).

Even without reading previous work by Cornwell, you quickly find yourself up to speed and gripped by the plot. Note, the Goodreads synopsis currently says the events take place in July...this is wrong, the whole novel is set across the Christmas period.

At the beginning of the novel, we hear about Rowdy O’Leary's death. He appears to have fallen off a pier while fishing, but owing to an emerald ring he recently bought, the circumstances may be suspicious. We know Rowdy has had a tough few years since being injured in a hit-and-run years prior. However, the primary mystery is that of the Slasher, a serial killer using drones and holograms to spook his victims before slashing them.

I noticed that the pattern seemed to be that each scene would be VERY long and VERY detailed. Often with the reader travelling with Kay, e.g. from her house to work etc. This has the effect of when films use one long shot to create deep immersion and focus. I also really enjoyed the level of detail with which Cornwell rights about Kay's forensic pathology work. Some of it leans toward the very gruesome end of the spectrum, so if you're not expecting that, you may be a little grossed out! Similarly, some of the FBI techniques and protocols mentioned felt realistic and very gripping.

I am getting a little tired of yet again reading about AI in a thriller novel. This just seemed forced and very much a side note to the plot. Was the point just to have something Marino and Dorothy (Kay's sister) could argue about? Because I'm very sure they would have enough material without the AI Janet feature.

To be honest, I spent most of the beginning of the novel not being sure who was related to whom and how. Also, I didn't know actually who Janet was until just then when I googled it...

However, the biggest disappointment for me was definitely the ending. Now, obviously, I'm not going to tell you what happened but it really felt like they 'Johnathan Creek-ed' it; which in Becca language means, they pulled a random person out of thin air at the end and Kay basically stuck her finger in the air and said 'ah ha!' and had a miraculous realisation. Also, the ring and Rowdy's death mentioned earlier? No explanation for that, unless I missed it, which is possible, I was starting to lose the plot a bit, literally. But to my mind, it was largely abandoned in favour of the Slasher plot.....read more on my blog https://beccahughes96.wixsite.com/bec...

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of the books in this series and I have to say that I liked this book better than the last book of this series but I still have a few reservations.

This book takes place over the Christmas holiday. It starts with a homicide and a serial killer on the loose with Benton and Kay getting ready for vacation. All of the typical characters have returned to solve the crime - Marino, Lucy, Benton and Kay with AI Janet. While investigating the homicide that opens the book, the reader is bombarded with the usual dysfunctional relationship of Marinio and Kay's sister Dorothy with their marital issues as well as Marino's typical jumping the gun theories of the crime. What happens next is that the serial killer crime takes the spotlight and more wild theories occur complete with a tie to a presidential hopeful, issues with the past chief medical examiner and the governor. Also, of course with the latest killing, the vacation is called off and Benton and Kay are off the solve the crime. By the end of the the book, somehow the first homicide victim is tied to one of the supporting characters and there is a twist in the who done it that is completely different than what one would expect and are being led to believe is the culprit.

This book moved along quickly. It takes place between the Christmas and New Year's holiday and the holidays are saved so everyone can spend time together by New Years despite previous plans. I will admit the Dorothy vs Marino story line is getting a little old. Either the pair is HEA or they need to end things. Also, Dorothy's jealousy of Kay is also getting old. They were at odds in the early books of the series and then they kissed and made up but have a one sided at odds thing going on. And speaking of Dorothy, she clearly has an alcohol issue that should probably be addressed since it is frequently mentioned that she is drinking or drunk. Finally, let's discuss that Kay has been crime fighting since the '90's making her either near 70 or over 70 years old. With that said, how much longer is Kay going to be crime fighting?? Also, this 'war' between the previous chief and his secretary is also getting old and needs to go away. And let's not even get into the unhealthy AI avatar of Janet (Lucy's deceased wife)created by Lucy that just keeps getting creepier and creepier.

Now don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this book. I also would recommend it to others. With this being book 29 of the series I'm not sure it can be read as a stand alone read since there is so much history between the characters it may be confusing for a new reader to follow along at times. I am glad that this installment did not mention the past story line of Carrie once!!!

I think that is all I have to say at this time with this read without ruining the book for others and as I previously stated, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I was a big fan of the authors earlier work but not so much her later books So when I saw she had a new book out, I thought I would give it ago. So glad I did because it reminded me of why I fell in love her books in the first place. A few changes have taken place during my absence but I easily caught up and it feels like I never went away, I might even have to go back and see what I missed. There is still the usual family drama to keep the characters on there toes but it is the well thought out story that really gripped me. I had no clue who or even how they were going to capture the killer. It was only when the killer was revealed that I realised that I had missed such a big clue. Kay is actually working two cases in this book, the main case is of course the serial killer which quite frankly was frightening - how technology can be used. The second case had Kay under pressure to find out if a family man was murdered, committed suicide or if it was an accidental drowning, this one tugged on my heart strings but both had me glued to my headphones as the team solved the cases. I will definitely be joining Kay again.

Dr. Kay Scarpetta as chief medical examiner has one more case to investigate before leaving on her Christmas vacation. She is under pressure to rule but with two young boys left behind she is unwilling to commit to her finds before she has carried out a proper investigation. As if that wasn't bad enough, a serial killer has killed a woman in her bed during every a holiday celebration and it doesn't get much bigger than Christmas. He stalks them and frightens them with ghostly apparitions just before he kills them and it seems like his next victim is a local news reporter. On Christmas day, before Kay and her husband leave for there flight they get the new another victim has been found. It's not the reporter but it is someone Kay knew and in a place she knows very well and this time a victim is left alive. Could his injuries be faked and he is the real slasher? With his political connections it won't be easy but it's up to Kay and her team to figure it out and stop a deadly killer.

I have listened to a lot of audio books and January LaVoy does such an amazing job with NOT only bringing the characters to life but even providing them with great accents, that she has quickly jumped to the top of my favourite narrator list.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Sharp Force
Author: Patricia Cornwell
Series: Dr. Kay Scarpetta #29
Format: 🎧
Narrator: January LaVoy
Publisher: Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: October 7, 2025
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Pages 400

.
This story explores the darkness behind advanced technology.
It starts early Christmas morning when, chief medical examiner Dir. Kay Scarpetta receives a chilling call. The Phantom Slasher has struck again
The Phantom Slasher ‘is a serial killer who has been terrorizes Northern Virginia for a long time. He uses advanced 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.

I am a big Scarpetta fan. I have read every one in this series.
My first Scarpetta was back in 1990 when I read Book #1 Postmortem.
Needless to say, I cannot pass up a Scarpetta!!
As much as I love this series, I continue to be unimpressed with the ‘new’ Marino. As he is no longer the lovable slob but now an arrogant, foul mouth body builder who is currently working as Scaroett’s Investigator.

I love this series so much so know I just need to tolerate Marino’s language -as it appears profanity as well Marino are here to stay..
Story also includes Marino’s wife Kay’s sister Dorothy who does her share of being obnoxious !

Whodunit was a surprise.
Story truly was unputdownable!

Plus Narrator January LaVoy (my very favorite audiobook performer) once again was fabulous.

BTW: As you Scarpetta fans knows there is going to be a movie. Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis will star ~Nicole -Kay and Jamie - Dorothy. – Hmmm. . . .

Want to thank NetGalley and Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing for this unputdownable audiobook.
Publishing Release Day scheduled for October 7, 2025.

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

#SharpForce #NetGalley #ScarpettaSeries #PatriciaCornwell #JanuaryLaVoy #HachetteAudio #GrandCentralPublishing


This is an Advanced Listening Copy of the audiobook from Net Galley.


Patricia Cornwell has done it again with Sharp Force, showing she's still got it after all these years. Kay Scarpetta gets pulled into a nightmare scenario when the Phantom Slasher decides Christmas morning is the perfect time to strike. What follows is a twisted case involving high-tech surveillance and psychological terror that feels way too possible given today's world.

I've been following this series since the beginning, and what I love about this one is how Cornwell manages to make the technology angle work without it feeling forced. The killer uses some seriously creepy methods to watch his victims before he makes his move, and there's this ghostly apparition thing that shows up at crime scenes that gave me actual chills.

The core team dynamics are still the best part though. Scarpetta, Benton, Marino, and Lucy - they're like family at this point, and you can feel the history between them in every interaction. The tension between them feels real, especially when personal connections to the case start surfacing.

January LaVoy does fantastic work with the audiobook narration. She's got this way of giving each character their own voice. When she's reading the technical forensic stuff, it stays interesting instead of dry, and during the scary parts she really knows how to build that sense of dread.

The audio production from Hachette Audio/ Grand Central is top-notch too, clean sound that lets you focus on the story.

The chapters are nice and short which makes it perfect for audiobook listening. Things keep moving instead of getting bogged down in side plots. The forensic details are still there and still fascinating, but they don't take over the whole story.

This feels like classic Scarpetta to me. If you've been with the series for a while, you'll appreciate getting back to what made these books special in the first place. Cornwell can still deliver the goods when it comes to smart crime fiction with just the right amount of creep factor.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This book is perfect for the holiday season. Patricia Cornwall does it again with an action pact book from start to finish. The book starts with a bang with an autopsy of a man on Christmas Eve who had been found in the water after being reported missing. Then Kay is called to Mercy Island where a psychiatrist was murdered and a senator’s son was badly wounded. The Phantom Slasher is on the prowl having attacked two times previously with a projection of a ghost and a frequency jammer to cut off Wi-Fi and any way to communicate with anyone. And of course the two cases are connected in such a way that the author does a great job of and we get everything sorted out by the end of the book. I’m always eager to read Patricia Cornwall’s book as soon as I get them, this one did not disappoint. I can’t wait to get the physical copy as soon as it’s out.

Kay Scarpetta and her husband are planning to go away for the holidays leaving on Christmas morning but of course in true Scarpetta fashion she has to cancel her vacation. For Christmas Mariano decides to surprise Scarpetta with a spa visit at the hotel she is staying at and when his wife Dorothy finds out (who happens to be Scarpetta’s sister) she is upset and gets even more upset while talking to Jane the AI program that her daughter created and seems to be causing more problems the more sophisticated she gets the longer she communicates with people. And the house where a psychiatrist is killed also happens to be a house that Kay and her husband toured before purchasing their current home. A police officer pulls them over while going to the crime scene and even puts a disrupter under the Tesla that could have caused them to crash or anything else. This book has equal measure of funny and serious scenes but I loved every minute of it. There is more that happens of course but I don’t want to spoil all of it.

[Jenna Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I love about Patricia Cornwell's writing when it comes to the Kay Scarpetta novels, is that she is current and up to date with both technology, and forensic science. In this installment, she writes about topics that could become a possibility in a way that gives the reader that 'thrill' of what could become a reality one day.

Considering this is book number 29 in the series, I can honestly say if someone picked up this book who hadn't read the previous 28, they wouldn't feel like they were missing out necessarily, because the author explains key points from previous books that give some relevant background. That being said, those that have read every book, the key points provided are short and sweet, not coming across as repetitive regurgitation.

It's nice to see the main characters each have their flaws that make them relatable and down to earth. In a book focused on murder and suicide, being able to see the love and friendship in the relationships between all the main characters lightens the heavy load that the uncomfortable subjects bring to the story

I did find that some of chapters ended at odd places for me, so I felt at times that I didn't really know where was appropriate to stop reading before picking it back up again to continue. Also, there are a couple of characters that I would have liked to have seen more of, though I understand that their limited appearance in the book adds to solidify the description of their personality and mannerisms.

Overall, it's a great edition to the series and has a satisfying ending with aspects that I didn't see coming, despite the fact that there was an element of foreshadowing.

Those that are looking for their next mystery/thriller, rest assured that Patricia Cornwell has what you're looking for in this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Patrica 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 are expressed as my own.

This book is expected to be published 7th October 2025!

[PurpleGypsyBookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Cornwell has done it again! Another masterpiece filled with suspense and mystery. Sharp Force will have you at the edge of your seat, turning pages faster than ever.

Kay Scarpetta never seems to get a peaceful holiday. It's Christmas morning and the Phantom Slasher is at it again. He stalks his victims and ensures they are filled with fear before he strikes. He is able to watch the victims every move in their home with a secret technology. Two red eyes appear and even sound. You are haunted by this before he strikes swiftly.

Mercy Island is where Scarpetta, Benton, and Marino are headed. They are shocked to hear there was actually a witness this time. The therapist that was unalived is someone that Lucy used to see. She was always overstepping boundaries and Scarpetta didn't think very highly of her but she never wanted to see her in this manner.

As you can imagine, things go sideways every which way they can. This only makes Benton more focused and he is definitely the right person to think outside the box to help Scarpetta and Marino get to the bottom of what's going on. Scarpetta doesn't feel safe though. Something is just not right and she has a feeling someone or something is on her property putting her and her family at risk. She has to get to the bottom of this before she becomes the next victim.

If you love a good thriller that has you trying to figure out how to solve the mystery at every twist and turn, you will absolutely love Sharp Force! Just when you think you have it figured out, the plot will thicken again. The dynamic between Scarpetta and Benton also really stands out in this book. You can see how their years together has sharpened their minds and pushed them to be the best they can at their jobs, but also how they find quiet moments where they can enjoy being in each other's lives. They are each other's safe space in the crazy world they live in.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patricia Cornwell returns with her 29th (!!) installment of the Kay Scarpetta series in Sharp Force, introducing the reader to a terrifying serial killer who can only be stopped by Kay, Benton, Lucy, Marino and the rest of the gang. I’ve read all of the Scarpetta books, loving the earlier ones and struggling with those in the middle of the series, then enjoying the more recent ones. This one is no exception. There are a number of things I enjoy about these books – the research and attention to detail in exploring new technologies that are continually evolving, character development that spans multiple books (and reminders to the reader so we don’t have to deeply refresh our memories before diving into the newest installment), and unique plots that I’m not seeing in other books. I feel like Kay, in particular, has been more likeable in the more recent installments than I found her to be mid-way through the series, and I’ve been enjoying reading these books from her perspective as a result. The characters are flawed, and I like that. Although, there is a scene towards the end of this book that details what I consider to be a fairly egregious violation of privacy that I was disappointed to read, especially given the character who takes it upon themselves to read something they shouldn’t (no spoilers!). But, again, flawed characters and all that. I did feel as though the ending to this one was a bit rushed and the ultimate reveal needed more detail/background for me to be convinced. It seems like a coincidence tied it all up and I really hate that as a plot device. But, other than that, this is another solid installment to the series with tension building with each chapter. I flew through the book in no time despite the length. Highly recommended for fans of the series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Brandon Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Dr. Kay Scarpetta will not disappointed in this latest series entry--I know I sure wasn't. Still in Northern Virginia, Dr. Scarpetta continues to be the Chief Medical of Virginia, which is where it all started for us (in Richmond, at least). You will see your favorite characters Benton, Lucy, Dorothy and Marino while finding out what Maggie Cutbush and Elvin Reddy are up to. If you're anything like me, you'll be haunted by the Phantom Slasher. The "ghost" really spooked me, even though the technology is explained. Scarpetta tackles the usual latest crime-solving technologies and delves into forensic medicine for us once again. Holograms and drones work their way in as well. Patricia Cornwell seems to have an understanding of technology that far exceeds my own. What I wouldn't think is possible is just possible enough if you start looking things up. Having read Scarpetta books for most of my life, revisiting these characters in the latest happenings always feels warm and inviting to me--even when the story has chills and thrills. By the way, I never thought I'd love hearing so much about a house but now I wonder: who doesn't want Scarpetta and Benton's home? I read this one a bit faster than I expected to because I *needed* to know who the Phantom Slasher was and I'll say now: all my good theories were debunked! I would still recommend readers new to the series start at the beginning although I could see someone picking this up and enjoying it. There's just so much history of the characters woven in that I think you are best served being along for the full ride. I have to say, there's an invasion of privacy that happens at one point, which the reader will be fully aware of what I'm talking about, and I'm still mad about it. I feel betrayed for that character and it still doesn't sit right with me.