2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Postmortem, the first book in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell.

Pages: 342 pages

Length: 1 month (November)

Participants: Lorraine, Caterina, Dominique

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Hello, ladies! I hope you’re all doing well. I’ve started the first book in the Kay Scarpetta series. So far, I’m getting familiar with the main characters—who aren’t all particularly likable! It’s fascinating to see how Kay’s profession began, such as the early use of DNA, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. Have any of you read the Lincoln Rhyme series? The difference in the level of scientific detail between the two is incredible. I’m curious to see if you’ll be interested enough in this series to keep going!

I’ve finished Postmortem and found the plot engaging, though a bit slow at times. (view spoiler)[ As this is the first book in the series, I expect the author’s pacing and style will develop further in later installments. I’m still on the fence about the main character, which isn’t unusual for me with series openers, but I’m hopeful Kay will grow more confident. I’m especially interested in seeing her relationship with Pete, who, to me, really shines as the hero of this story. (hide spoiler)] I’d be up for reading Book 2 if you decide to continue with the series.

Will start this weekend.

Looking forward to know what you think!

Hello Dominique and Caterina. Do you want to continue this series or maybe not this time? Thanks for letting me know so I can tell SarahKat.

I just thought about this series. I plan on starting it soon.

I finished the book.

I agree with you Lorraine (view spoiler)[It's a slow paced book but the story was interesting. It`s the first book so Kay, I hope will evolve and be a pretty interesting character.
The relationship between her and Marino was chaotic but in the end they both in some ways respect each other's work, we'll see where it goes (hide spoiler)]

Lorraine wrote: "Hello Dominique and Caterina. Do you want to continue this series or maybe not this time? Thanks for letting me know so I can tell SarahKat."

Yes will continue.

Dominique wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "Hello Dominique and Caterina. Do you want to continue this series or maybe not this time? Thanks for letting me know so I can tell SarahKat."

Yes will continue."

Perfect Dominique. I will let SarahKat know. I am in line for book 2 at the library.

Joi and Joyinthepages, do not hesitate to join us.

I read this series years ago and am excited to see it's been picked up as an ongoing Buddy Read! I doubt I can get this book read in Nov, so maybe I can catch up in December.

Nice to have you! Dominique, I received book 2. Should start around December 1st.

Lorraine wrote: "Nice to have you! Dominique, I received book 2. Should start around December 1st."

L'm on hold should get it by next week.

I finished the first book a few days ago, but forgot to follow this discussion.

I really enjoyed the book, the characters, and the investigation. I thought the relationships between the main/supporting characters were pretty well done, esp. for the first book in the series, and I look forward to seeing how those relationships grow.

I thought the technology talk (view spoiler)[was pretty terrible (e.g. how do you hack SQL???), but it was the 14-year old character who described some of it, so I am giving it a pass. (hide spoiler)]

@Lorraine- What do you mean when you say: "The difference in the level of scientific detail between the two is incredible"? I haven't read any of the Lincoln Rhyme books.

Caterina wrote: "I finished the first book a few days ago, but forgot to follow this discussion.

I really enjoyed the book, the characters, and the investigation. I thought the relationships between the main/suppo..."

You should, it's a very good series.

Caterina wrote: "I finished the first book a few days ago, but forgot to follow this discussion.

I really enjoyed the book, the characters, and the investigation. I thought the relationships between the main/suppo..."

Yes, the Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver is excellent, and the way science is woven into each story is truly impressive. One fascinating element is the machine they use to analyze soil samples and pinpoint exactly where in New York City the dirt from a crime scene originated. I can’t recall the name of the device, but it’s incredible! I’m not sure if such machines actually exist (and if they do, they might not be widely available), but it’s still a “wow” moment.

It’s interesting to compare this to the first Kay Scarpetta book, where we’re at the dawn of DNA science. You can really see how forensic science evolves over time, but Scarpetta doesn’t have access to all the advanced tools we see in Deaver’s stories. Still, that doesn’t make Cornwell’s book any less compelling—it just highlights the fascinating contrast in technology between the two series.

Caterina wrote: "I finished the first book a few days ago, but forgot to follow this discussion.

I really enjoyed the book, the characters, and the investigation. I thought the relationships between the main/suppo..."

Happy to know you'll stay with us!

Finished! As I mentioned earlier, I read a number of the Kay Scarpetta books at least 20 years ago. I forgot how good they are! Dr. Scarpetta is a wonderful character... someone I really care about and want to see succeed. I like the addition of her neice Lucy, who I know (view spoiler)[continues to be important as the stories progress (hide spoiler)].

The relationship she has with Marino has potential to go just about anywhere. Looking forward to seeing how that develops.

The pacing was excellent. There was a lot of exposition, but I never felt like the story dragged because of it. The resolution was satisfying.

Thanks to whoever suggested this series for a buddy read! I'm really happy to rediscover the world of Dr. Scarpetta.

It'll be interesting to see when they start using DNA in this series. This book was first published in 1990 and the first Lincoln Rhyme book came out in 1998. Only eight years, but it sounds like it was the dawn of DNA forensics in murder investigations, so lots of changes were taking place.

I did a little research and DNA profiling comes from the discovery of DNA fingerprinting by Alec Jeffreys, a British geneticist, in 1984. It was first used in civil cases the following year, but that was primarily for paternity cases. DNA fingerprinting was then used in a murder investigation for the first time in the UK in 1986/1987; it actually exonerated the initial suspect and eventually helped find the right perpetrator who then confessed. In the US, DNA evidence was used to convict someone of murder in New York state in 1988. This would be right around when the book was pitched and written. We'll see how this series introduces DNA into their investigations and how they explain it. I'm really looking forward to this now!