Patricia Cornwell Books In Order (+Printable Booklist)
Looks Like Books contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclaimer to learn more.
If you’re looking for a complete guide to Patricia Cornwell books in order, you’ve come to the right place. Best known for her bestselling Kay Scarpetta series, Cornwell helped pioneer the forensic thriller genre and inspired countless TV shows and authors to follow in her path. Her books combine medical forensics, criminal profiling, and edge-of-your-seat suspense – all anchored by bold, complex characters.
In this post, you’ll find a full list of Patricia Cornwell’s books in publication order, including the Kay Scarpetta novels, her lesser-known series, standalones, and nonfiction. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting to read this author, this list will help you decide where to begin – or which book to read next.
Key Takeaways: Patricia Cornwell Books In Order
Most Recent + Upcoming Patricia Cornwell Book Releases
- Unnatural Death – 2023
- Identity Unknown – 2024
- Sharp Force – October 7, 2025
Patricia Cornwell Books In Order
Before we dive in, it’s worth noting that Patricia Cornwell has written several different book series, along with a few standalones and nonfiction titles. By far, her most well-known and longest-running work is the Kay Scarpetta series, which helped define the forensic thriller genre. Below, the books are grouped by series to make it easy for you to follow along or find where you left off.
Kay Scarpetta Books In Order
The Kay Scarpetta series follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant Chief Medical Examiner who uses forensic science to solve complex and often gruesome crimes. In the early books, Scarpetta is based in Richmond, Virginia, serving as the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Patricia Cornwell herself worked in Richmond’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, though not in the autopsy room. She was a computer analyst, but that behind-the-scenes experience shaped the detailed forensics and realism that define the series.
Postmortem – 1990
In Scarpetta’s debut, she investigates a string of brutal murders in Richmond, Virginia, using forensic science in a way that was groundbreaking for crime fiction at the time.
Body Of Evidence
Scarpetta becomes the target while investigating the murder of a reclusive romance writer whose case reveals chilling connections to her own life.
All That Remains – 1992
A serial killer is targeting young couples, and Scarpetta must navigate media pressure and political cover-ups as she hunts for answers.
Cruel and Unusual – 1993
When a convicted killer is executed—but another murder with his signature occurs days later—Scarpetta is drawn into a dangerous game of deceit and corruption.
The Body Farm – 1994
Scarpetta heads to North Carolina and the famed forensic research facility to solve the murder of an 11-year-old girl, uncovering deeply disturbing truths.
From Potter’s Field – 1995
A homeless woman’s murder in Central Park pulls Scarpetta into the path of a ruthless killer who has haunted her past.
Cause Of Death – 1996
On New Year’s Eve, a journalist is found dead in a naval shipyard—and Scarpetta’s investigation uncovers a web of bio-warfare and terrorism.
Unnatural Exposure – 1997
A mutilated body and a threatening email lead Scarpetta to a deadly viral threat and a killer seeking revenge on a personal level.
Point Of Origin – 1998
When a fire investigator is killed and a body is found in a burned horse farm, Scarpetta faces a case with terrifying ties to her own history.
Black Notice – 1999
An anonymous corpse found in a shipping container sets Scarpetta on an international investigation that reaches into her personal and professional life.
The Last Precinct – 2000
Scarpetta herself becomes the focus of a murder investigation and must clear her name while unraveling a case tied to the events of Black Notice.
Blow Fly – 2003
Haunted by past trauma, Scarpetta has left Virginia—but is pulled back in when a killer from her past escapes and targets those closest to her.
Trace – 2004
Scarpetta returns to Richmond to consult on a mysterious death and finds herself facing resistance, secrets, and a killer leaving barely a trace behind.
Predator – 2005
A series of chilling psychological profiles point toward a brutal predator, and Scarpetta must trust her instincts to catch a killer manipulating everyone around him.
Book Of the Dead – 2007
Now running a private forensic lab, Scarpetta investigates the murder of a teenage tennis star while battling old enemies and inner doubts.
Scarpetta – 2008
Hired to examine a man held in a psychiatric facility, Scarpetta is pulled into a spiraling case involving surveillance, media obsession, and psychological warfare.
The Scarpetta Factor – 2009
Set in post-9/11 New York, Scarpetta is pulled into multiple cases involving cybercrime, terrorism, and a killer who’s closer than she realizes.
Port Mortuary – 2010
Scarpetta is now head of a military forensic center and faces high-tech death investigations involving weaponized trauma and government secrets.
Red Mist – 2011
Following the murder of her friend’s daughter, Scarpetta visits a notorious female inmate and uncovers a chilling conspiracy that cuts deeper than expected.
The Bone Bed – 2012
A dinosaur dig in Canada and an anonymous email in Boston collide in a case that drags Scarpetta into dangerous waters—figuratively and literally.
Dust – 2013
A high-profile murder at MIT seems linked to other killings, and Scarpetta faces pressure from powerful forces trying to keep her from the truth.
Flesh and Blood – 2014
While preparing for a vacation with Benton, Scarpetta is drawn into a sniper case—and the clues point toward a personal vendetta.
Depraved Heart – 2015
Scarpetta uncovers disturbing surveillance footage and a conspiracy tied to a betrayal within her inner circle.
Chaos – 2016
In a hot and stormy summer in Cambridge, Scarpetta investigates a bizarre electrocution death while receiving cryptic messages from a cyberstalker.
Autopsy – 2021
Now back in Virginia, Scarpetta navigates a politically charged job and investigates a mysterious death aboard a top-secret space program.
Livid – 2022
Called to testify in a controversial trial, Scarpetta is pulled into a fresh case involving drone footage, a missing judge, and buried secrets.
Unnatural Death – 2023
A body found on a luxury yacht leads Scarpetta into a tangled case with ties to Washington, D.C., international espionage, and digital manipulation.
Identity Unknown – 2024
A woman’s mutilated body with no ID launches a case that threatens to unravel long-held secrets and Scarpetta’s own grip on the truth.
Sharp Force – October 7, 2025
In this upcoming release, Scarpetta must use all of her forensic skills to stop a killer whose methods are as sharp as their message is deadly.
Patricia Cornwell Books In Order – Andy Brazil Series
These books feature Judy Hammer, the newly installed superintendent of the Virginia State Police, and Andy Brazil, a state trooper and Judy Hammer’s right-hand man.
Hornet’s Nest – 1997
Set in Charlotte, North Carolina, this series debut follows reporter-turned-volunteer-cop Andy Brazil as he teams up with seasoned police chief Judy Hammer to expose crime—and corruption—from the inside out.
Southern Cross – 1998
Andy Brazil and Judy Hammer head to Richmond, Virginia, where rising tensions, chaotic politics, and bizarre crimes make for a darkly satirical look at the criminal justice system.
Isle Of Dogs – 2002
In this offbeat entry, Andy Brazil gets caught up in a wild plot involving a rebellious island seceding from Virginia, blending crime, comedy, and chaos.
Patricia Cornwell Books In Order – Win Garano Series
These books feature Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano.
At Risk – 2006
Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano is pulled into a cold case with political overtones when his ambitious boss wants to prove her “at-risk” crime initiative is working—no matter the cost.
The Front – 2008
Garano is sent on another seemingly simple assignment that quickly spirals into a tangled case of murder, cover-ups, and political manipulation in a sleepy Boston suburb.
Patricia Cornwell Books In Order – Captain Chase Series
This is a sci-fi series featuring federal special agent Captain Calli Chase.
Quantum – 2019
NASA cybersecurity investigator Captain Calli Chase stumbles onto a potential sabotage plot just as a deadly storm hits—and her twin sister goes missing—launching a high-tech thriller filled with science, secrets, and sisterhood.
Spin – 2021
In this fast-paced sequel, Calli Chase races to uncover the truth behind a mysterious death aboard a secret space mission—only to discover that nothing, and no one, is as it seems.
Patricia Cornwell Books In Order – Non-Fiction Books
Patricia Cornwell’s nonfiction books are an interesting mix – some make perfect sense given her crime fiction background, while others might surprise you.
The last three on the list, all focused on Jack the Ripper, are a natural extension of her fascination with criminal minds and forensic detail. Even though they’re nonfiction, they fit right into the crime genre she’s known for.
The food books? Unexpected, maybe—but fun. A passion project that shows a different side of her interests.
But the most surprising title on the list might be A Time for Remembering: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham. At first glance, it seems completely unrelated to Cornwell’s usual topics. Why would a forensic crime writer pen a biography about the wife of evangelist Billy Graham?
The answer lies in a little-known personal connection: Ruth Bell Graham and her family took Patricia Cornwell in when her own mother became ill. That bond explains why Cornwell chose to tell Ruth’s story – and it adds a deeply personal layer to her diverse body of work.
- Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham – 1997
- Scarpetta’s Winter Table – 1998
- Food To Die For – 2002
- Portrait Of A Killer: Jack the Ripper – Case Closed – 2002
- Chasing the Ripper – 2014
- Ripper: The Secret Life of Walter Sickert – 2017
Patricia Cornwell Printable Booklist
More About Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell is a #1 bestselling American author best known for the Kay Scarpetta series, which helped launch the forensic thriller genre as we know it. Born in Miami and raised in North Carolina, she now lives in Boston. Her books have sold over 100 million copies, translated into 36 languages, and distributed across 120 countries—making her one of the most successful crime fiction writers in the world.
Her first novel, Postmortem (1990), was written while she was working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. That setting—and her behind-the-scenes knowledge—shaped what would become the first true forensic thriller of its kind. The book’s success helped pave the way for the explosion of forensic storytelling in books, television, and film.
Of course, like many authors, Cornwell didn’t find success overnight. One of the more legendary stories? Her first book signing for Postmortem took place during a break from her job at the morgue. She didn’t sell a single copy, and the only person who approached her asked where to find the cookbook section.
(Spoiler alert: she did just fine after that.)
Before her writing career took off, Cornwell earned a degree in English and worked as a journalist in Charlotte, North Carolina, eventually covering the police beat. That work led her to forensic science, and ultimately to her time with the Chief Medical Examiner’s office.
You may have even seen her on CNN, where she occasionally appears as a forensic consultant.
What Should I Read After Patricia Cornwell?
If you already love Patricia Cornwell’s books and are looking for authors with a similar vibe – gritty crime, forensic detail, and strong female leads – here are a few writers you might want to check out next:
Tess Gerritsen – Best known for the Rizzoli & Isles series, Gerritsen’s books combine medical suspense with smart, fast-paced crime solving.
Tami Hoag – Her psychological thrillers and police procedurals are packed with complex characters, suspense, and emotional intensity.
Lisa Black – A forensic scientist herself, Black writes crime thrillers with plenty of technical detail, often featuring investigators with science backgrounds.
FAQs About Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta Books In Order
Do I need to read Kay Scarpetta books in order?
Yes—this is one series that’s best read in order. While each book features its own case, the personal story arcs, character relationships, and professional developments build from one book to the next.
What book should I start with if I’ve never read Patricia Cornwell?
Start with Postmortem (1990), the first Kay Scarpetta novel. It’s where it all begins – and it’s widely credited with launching the forensic crime thriller genre.
Are all Patricia Cornwell’s books part of a series?
No. While the majority are part of the Scarpetta series, she’s also written the Andy Brazil series, the Win Garano series, the Captain Chase sci-fi thrillers, and a few standalone nonfiction and cookbooks.
Which Patricia Cornwell book is the most popular?
Postmortem is the most iconic, but others like The Body Farm, The Last Precinct, and The Scarpetta Factor are fan favorites.
Has Patricia Cornwell written any true crime?
Yes – she’s written several nonfiction books, including a deep investigation into the Jack the Ripper case and a biography of Ruth Bell Graham, inspired by a personal connection.
Patricia Cornwell Books In Order – Conclusion
Whether you’re just diving into the world of Kay Scarpetta or returning to pick up one of Patricia Cornwell’s latest releases, this list gives you the full picture – series by series, book by book. Her groundbreaking use of forensic science, complex characters, and sharp procedural detail has made her a mainstay in crime fiction for decades.
With more than 100 million books sold and a career that helped shape an entire genre, Cornwell continues to keep readers turning pages – and looking over their shoulders.
📚 Did You Know?
The Scarpetta series – based on Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels – is set to star Nicole Kidman in the title role and Jamie Lee Curtis as her sister, Dorothy. The show has already been picked up for two seasons by Amazon Prime Video.
More in Mystery/Thriller/Suspense:
- Review: Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva
- Book Review: Captive by Iris Johansen
- Review: The Enigma of Room 622 by Joel Dicker
- Review: The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty by Vendela Vida
- Review: The Family Holiday by Shalini Boland
- Deanna Raybourn Books In Order [All 25+]
- Review: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
- Robert Galbraith Books In Order
- Solving the Mystery of the Mystery Books Genre
