Unnatural Exposure

Virginia's chief medical examiner, Kay Scarpetta, is trapped in a nightmare of unsolved murders and a pernicious virus in this breathless thriller, where clues are elusive and the killer's threats are hurled through cyberspace. Dr. Kay Scarpetta is newly returned from Dublin, where she was called in to examine the remains of a murder victim whose limbs and head were expertly severed--a signature of a cunning serial killer on the loose again after an eight-year sabbatical--when the same killer apparently strikes again, this time much closer to home to Scarpetta. The remains of a woman are found in a Virginia landfill, her body dismembered in the same expert way as in the Dublin case. After Scarpetta investigates the murder scene, the killer boldly contacts her through the Internet, inviting her to download photos of the murder victim and signing off with a chilling screen name: deadoc. Scarpetta soon discovers inconsistencies between this new case and the serial murders she has been investigating. With the help of her niece, Lucy, and FBI computer expert, she takes an extraordinary virtual tour of the background of the e-mailed photo. But even as Scarpetta and Lucy probe illuminating details in virtual relaity, local authorities try to wrap up the case by charging the man who discovered the body. When Scarpetta determines that the victim was exposed to a rare smallpox-like virus before she died and, later, that herself may have been infected, she realizes that she is up against a killer with access to an incredible sophisticated arsenal of deadly force--a killer with a specific animus directed toward her. Packed with unrelieved tension and constant surprises, Unnatural Exposure is the case of Kay Scarpetta's life--and a triumph for Patrica Cornwell. I loved this book because of the high tension throughout and the attention paid to forensic details. Cornwell is defintely an author who just seems to get better and better.

Once again Patricia Cornwell does not dissapoint her avid reading fans with "Unnatural Exposure". This is the second time I have read all of her novels except the latest one that just came out in 2005. I turned 50 this year and treated myself to all of her collection in hardback. I have to honestly say she is my favorite writer...hands down. This novel just like any of hers is facinatingly detailed with forensic discoveries about medical examiner, Kay Scarpetta's,fast paced life in her Virginia hometown. Not only do you visualize the crime detail through her writing, you are also treated to a glimpse into her home, and her Italian heritage. Can't get enough, Maggie

I just got bored one day and I read P. Cornwell's 'Unnatural Exposure.' It's a compelling story and has a great plot. However, I ended up being right about who the psycho was. However, it was still a good book......

I personally loved the book. The involvement of mystery with the Internet and killings drew me to the book even more. Every time you turn the page you just have to keep reading to find out what will happen next. Cornwell is a very graphic writer, which makes you even more engrossed into the story line. When Cornwell wrote about the email messages and notes the DEADOC (the killer) it brought fear into you. At one point, I had goosebumps! All around this was another great book by Cornwell. I will continue reading books by her.

This is the first novel I read by Patricia Cornwell. It is my favourite of all her novels. This book deals with Wesley's and Scarpetta's on/off relationship. The plot revolves around a dismembered body found in a dump, but expands in many directions with lots of action with Scarpetta getting inadvertantly caught up in a dangerous situation. This book is definitely a good read as it never goes through a slow or boring patch. I recommend that if you're going to try reading a Patricia Cornwell novel you should read this one first.