Author Snapshot: Patricia Cornwell

Pour yourself a glass of wine, lock the deadbolts and keep the Glock close by; Patricia Cornwell's newest book is on the loose. And whether you are a crime-fiction fan or simply want a good book to read in front of the fireplace, her novels will make you want to come back for more.

If you have never read a Patricia Cornwell novel, particularly the series featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta, you are missing out. Rich in action and detail, Cornwell's novels are riveting and addictive. Readers with a forensic science background will especially appreciate her attention to getting the details right. You won't be disappointed.

A very brief history of the author:

According to mysteryauthorsonline.com, biblio.com, and other sources, Patricia Cornwell, born Patricia Daniels, spent her early childhood in Miami, Florida until the age of 7, and spent her later childhood years in North Carolina. It was in North Carolina that she met and befriended Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham (years later she wrote and published a biography of Ruth Bell Graham. The original title was, A Time for Remembering." The title was later changed to, "Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham").

After graduating college, Patricia Cornwell became a reporter for the Charlotte Observer and after a time began covering crime. Later, Cornwell worked at the Virginia medical examiner's office as a tech writer (first) and then a computer analyst. She published her first Kay Scarpetta book, Postmortem, in 1990.

Cornwell lived in Richmond, VA. for several years but has moved several times and, according to some sources, recently settled in Massachusetts. Other sources claim she splits her time between L.A. and Virginia. If I knew where she lived, I would not make the knowledge public, however, because in 2000, Cornwell became the victim of a stalker.

The author's work:

The crime novels featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta include Post Mortem, The Body Farm, Blow Fly, and twelve other novels. She has also published three books featuring the character Andy Brazil; the Andy Brazil novels are lighter in tone than the Scarpetta novels and are infused with Cornwell's quirky sense of humor. If you are new to Cornwell, I recommend reading a few in the Kay Scarpetta series first (and it is best, though not necessary, to read them in order) and leave the Brazil books for the occasional break in between.

Patricia Cornwell novels featuring Andy Brazil--as of this writing:

Hornet's Nest --published in 1997

Southern Cross--published in 1999

Isle of Dogs--published in 2001

Other works by the author:

If you don't like crime fiction, or fear you simply can't stomach the blood, bone, guts, and grits of a Patricia Cornwell novel, you should check out one of her cookbooks: Food To Die For: Secrets from Kay Scarpetta's Kitchen ( co-authored with Marlene Brown) or Scarpetta's Winter Table

If you are a fan of true crime, check out Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper--Case Closed. Patricia Cornwell spent a lot of time and her own money researching and investigating the Jack the Ripper case and concludes that the painter, Walter Sickert, was the real Jack the Ripper. Whether you are interested in Jack the Ripper or not, Portrait of a Killer is a fascinating read.

Patricia Cornwell has also published a children's book: Life's Little Fable.

Scandals and real-life drama:

In a case of life mimicking the drama of fiction, former FBI agent Eugene Bennett was convicted, in 1997, of plotting to kill his estranged wife (who had also been an FBI agent) in 1996. Years after first learning of his wife's alleged affair with Cornwell, Bennett lured his wife to a church ( by tying up the minister and forcing him to call her) and a scuffle ensued. Eugene Bennett claimed an alter ego was responsible for his actions and pleaded insanity; the jury rejected his insanity defense. For anyone interested in reading more about that case, I've included a link to a news story in the sources section of this article.

Book of the Dead:

Patricia Cornwell fans, old and new, will get a fresh taste of crime-solving a la Kay Scarpetta on October 23, 2007 with the release of Book of the Dead.

I wish you happy reading. Don't forget to lock your doors.