• Book of the Dead

  • Kay Scarpetta Mysteries, Book 15
  • By: Patricia Cornwell
  • Narrated by: Kate Reading
  • Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (131 ratings)

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Book of the Dead  By  cover art

Book of the Dead

By: Patricia Cornwell
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Publisher's summary

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is starting over with a unique private forensic pathology practice in Charleston, South Carolina. But in this thrilling #1 New York Times bestseller, her fresh start ushers in a string of murders more baffling—and terrifying—than any that have come before...

The Book of the Dead is the morgue log, the ledger in which all cases are entered by hand. For Kay Scarpetta, however, it is about to acquire a new meaning.

A sixteen-year-old tennis star, fresh from a tournament win Charleston, is found nude and mutilated near Piazza Navona in Rome. The body of an abused young boy is dumped in a desolate marsh. A woman is ritualistically murdered in her multimillion-dollar beach home. Meanwhile, in New England, problems with a prominent patient at a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital begin to hint at interconnections among the deaths that are as hard to imagine as they are horrible.

Scarpetta has dealt with many brutal and unusual crimes before, but never has she seen a string of death like what she's facing now. Before she is through, that book of the dead will contain many names—and the pen may be poised to write her own...

©2007 Cornwell Entertainment, Inc. (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

What listeners say about Book of the Dead

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very compelling

It didn’t seem quite finished with some unanswered questions. Getting set up for the sequel.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Depressing

This is an interesting story with a twisted plot. It’s well written but very dark and depressing as everyone is either angry, a victim, crazy, or desperately unhappy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Complicated story, but very well written

I wish there would have been more of a spectacular ending. Seemed like it just kind of got wrapped up and explained in a few sentences. 

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite story

The entire story could have been told in such better detail. Instead of focusing on Marino and his stupid issues or dr self snd her time in the hospital which steal seams so unnecessary maybe more about the boy or what drives the killer to do what he did. His things he did to his victims were never explained. Just ends with him arrested it wasn’t very good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

I truly enjoy these characters and their ongoing stories. I don’t post spoilers, but I hope they all find their way.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Too much detail on Sexual stuff

I like this author but this particular book talked a lot about male arousal, fondling, sexual connotations. Even to the point of a drunken Moreno trying to rape Scarpetta ~ the details of sexual stimulation is not needed, the story could of been told and the characters ugly behavior could have been described with out the details. There was a lot of dialog that dragged on between doctors, that didn't lend to the story line. Very disappointed. I love the narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Many emotions!

This book pulled at my heart strings between the relationship of Dr. Scarpetta and Moreno. I don’t like it when they aren’t close friends. Great book though!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The story line. Have read or listened to all Scarpetta works.

Totally enjoyed all aspects of book. Plot follows well I was sorry to see it end. I will go back and reread the next book in series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Too much bad language

I love the scarpetta novels. Unfortunately, this one is full of the F*** word. It is way overused in this novel. Doesn't add to the storyline at all, just gets very annoying.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mesmerizing storyline

Shocking! I didn’t see the end coming! One of Cornwell’s best! There are truly hateful people in this story, made my skin crawl.

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