Cause of Death

By: Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by: C.J. Critt

Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

On a quiet day, away from the hustle of Richmond, in a small cottage on the Virginia coast, Dr. Kay Scarpetta receives a disturbing phone call from the Chesapeake police. Thirty feet deep in the murky waters of Virginia's Elizabeth River, a scuba diver's body is discovered near the Inactive Naval Shipyard.

As the police begin searching for clues, the wallet of investigative reporter Ted Eddings is found. Unnerved by the possible identity of the victim, Scarpetta orders the crime scene roped off and left alone until she arrives. What was he doing there, searching for Civil War relics as the officer suggested, or was there a bigger story? As she rifles through the multitude of clues, a second murder hits much closer to home. This new development puts Scarpetta and her colleagues hot on the trail of a military conspiracy.

Filled with lurid details that Cornwell's legions of fans have come to expect, Cause of Death is a breathtaking mystery further enhanced by C. J. Critt's gripping narration.

Cause of Death is the 7th book in the Kay Scarpetta series.

Don't miss the other titles in Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series.

©1996 Patricia Daniels Cornwell (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Cornwell remains a master of the genre, instilling in readers an appetite that only she can satisfy." (Publishers Weekly)
"The fascination with monstrous evil that's run through Cornwell's recent work blossoms with a vengeance....Full marks, as always, for the gripping forensic detail and beleaguered Scarpetta's legendary toughness." (Kirkus)

Abrupt endings

I have listened/ read many Scarpetta books. I love the detail in the whole story line I just wish there were more details in the endings. It seems like the minute the problem/crime is solved the books ends. I wish it were drawn out a few minutes at least. Please continue endings with the same detail you give the whole rest of the book! Other then that I love the books and the series.

Interesting character developments.

Did not want this one to end at this point. I always want a reunion of characters . One with Scarpeta getting them together for one of her Italian meals.

Wonderful Story

Amazing characters that you feel for. Performance is what I expect from a Kay Scarpetta novel.

Loose Ending

This book was given to me as an introduction to Kay Scarpetta years ago; however, I was so turned off by just about everything very early in I ended up swearing off the series altogether. It wasn't until I recently started afresh from Book One and arrived at this one by natural progression that I understood why you really need both the character & societal buildup from every prior book for it all to make sense. Having said that - unfortunately the narrator detracts from the murder mysteries themselves, too often whining dialogue using cringey, offensive stereotypes. Finally, the ending is incredibly abrupt, seemingly out of nowhere!

Good Story

Enjoyed listening to this story. It’s not my favorite so far but still good to listen to. Great author and will continue to keep up with their work!

Main Character very unprofessional

There are a number of inaccuracies in this book (NIS was already NCIS years before this) but what got to me the most is the unprofessional behavior of the main character. Wandering through an active response while looking for her niece!

Also, the coroner would have been in a support role, not a first responders. The author needs to do more research.

She should have been kicked out and then fired.

Amazement at how well written

Patricia Cornwell does it again.... a creative story. well written, and fast moving. I find myself not able to leave the car.... I listened to the audio version.... I feel like I'm with a friend.

Great suspense story

Enjoyed the drama tracking down the dangerous plot of a deranged cult leader and his followers.

Patricia never let's you down.

Story was good, did not enjoy the abrupt ending. Narration could have been better, felt like that could have been stronger.

Good read

Story had twists and till the very end. Both thev writing and proformance are excellent.