Unnatural Exposure

By: Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by: C.J. Critt

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Filled with tension and continual surprises, Unnatural Exposure is a thrilling chapter in Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta's life, and a triumph for #1 New York Times best-selling author Patricia Cornwell.

The body of an elderly woman is found dismembered in a Virginia landfill. Scarpetta initially believes the clues mirror that of a serial killer she's tracked before. But upon further investigation, she discovers puzzling pox-like erruptions on the woman's body that, perhaps, point in another direction.

When the killer contacts her via e-mail, Scarpetta enlists the aid of her computer-savvy niece, Lucy, to help track this monster through cyberspace. Learning that the Virginia victim was exposed to a high-tech virus that might unleash an epidemic, Scarpetta realizes she's dealing with a sophisticated mind.

Her investigation leads her from the government's biological defense facility in Utah, to Atlanta's Center for Disease Control, and eventually to quarrantine, when it is discovered that Scarpetta has been exposed to this fatal virus. Along the way, she's forced to deal with the unscrupulous ambitions of a slick FBI agent, Lucy's problems, and her own turbulent feelings for Agent Wesley Benton.

Unnatural Exposure is the 8th book in the Kay Scarpetta series.

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

©1997 Patricia Daniels Cornwell (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Cool, abrasive, with an edge sharper than a Stryker saw." (The New York Times Book Review)
"In this return to the luridly fascinating world of Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Cornwell delivers the goods." (Publishers Weekly)

A lot of Nothing Happening

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No - it dragged on and didn't seem to get anywhere.

Any additional comments?

I love the Scarpetta series, but couldn't hold out to the end on this one. Very little substance.

I have come to love these books...

And I have finally gotten used to the narrator's shortcomings. Matter of fact I've come to expect them. Now, Audible has gone and changed narrators on me! The new narrator starts on the next book and she's worse. I give up...

Unnatural Exposure

A good Kay Scarpetta story. It had enough depth of character and plot twists to keep my rapt interest. And, for series readers, relationships change and natural aging happens with the familiar characters.

Really odd narration by C.J.Critt

The story is great, as most Cornwell books, but the narrator makes me feel as though she believes I am either a small child or have an IQ under 60. She speaks VERY slowly and deliberately, pausing in odd places, and seems to think that commas need long pauses, periods longer, and chapter breaks a long dead air space. It detracts considerably from the story and is hard to listen to.

Love her early Scarpetta...

Classic early-Scarpetta, when she was fearless and had grit and drive. I'm a fan of Scarpetta stories told in first-person -- as most of the early books were -- rather than the remote third person of the more recent novels. Great character development, edge-of-the-chair thriller.

great story, not so great narration

the narrator almost ruined it for me, but I love cornwells books, so I struggled through

Enjoying listening to a well loved series!

I have read them all and then re-read them all a dozen times over the years so it is a pleasure to be able to listen to this series!

Scary That This Story is Still Relevant- Mark of Forward Writing

Another great story. A little sadder and more autopsy gory than I like, but still a great read. This one was a bit more introspective and very much with Kay most of the time along with all the varied people she mixed with. It wasn’t heavy with her usual cast which I missed. I wish there was more of Pete’s humor and interaction, but I understand this book had so many different characters to cover. Enjoy seeing the characters grow and Kay’s sharpened no nonsense wit while still showing much empathy for the victims she encounters.
Unlike the rude people who have no taste, I Love Critt’s narration. I think she does a great job with all the characters and gives them more depth than most readers out there. Joe Barrett and January Lavoy are examples of other narrators I like.
Highly recommend.

One of Cornwell’s best

From Tangier Island to USAMRID I liked the varied locations. A good outbreak story always has heart pounding suspense and this book was no exception.

narrator

I like the story a lot but the narrator is awful. She sounds mad, and when reading the part of Kay she sounds like she is talking down to everyone.