Trace

by Patricia Cornwell

Book Overview

A New York Times Bestselling AuthorDr. Kay Scarpetta returns to Richmond, Virginia, the city that once turned its back on her, and finds that nothing is as she expected. A young girl is dead, and only the smallest pieces of evidence are left behind - traces that only the most thorough hunters can identify. It's up to Scarpetta to follow the twisting leads and track the strange details in order to make the dead speak - and reveal the sad truth that...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399152199
• ISBN13: 9780399152191
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.5" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Classic Cornwell

I am returning to Scarpetta after many years. Great place to pick her up again.

about the book

Dr. Kay Scarpetta, now freelancing from south Florida, returns to the city that turned its back on her five years ago. In Trace, Scarpetta travels to Richmond, Virginia, at the odd behest of the recently appointed Chief Medical Examiner, who claims that he needs her help to solve a perplexing crime. When she arrives, however, Scarpetta finds that nothing is as she expected: her former lab is in the final stages of demolition; the inept chief isn't the one who requested her after all; her old assistant chief has developed personal problems that he won't reveal; and a glamorous FBI agent, whom Marino dislikes instantly, meddles with the case. Deprived of assistance from colleagues Benton and Lucy, who are embroiled in what first appears to be an unrelated attempted rape by a stalker, Scarpetta is faced with investigating the death of a fourteen-year-old girl, working with the smallest pieces of evidence-traces that only the most thorough hunters can identify. She must follow the twisting leads and track the strange details in order to make the dead speak-and to reveal the sad truth that may be more than even she can bear.

Awesome Read!

This was a good book that I enjoyed reading. It tells it's own story of autopsy procedure's, which I enjoy reading about. Also about flying helicopter's, and about things that happen to Lucy's girlfriend. Scarpetta's former lab is partically demolished. This is a good read, keep them coming Cornwell!

TRACE

I have been an avid reader of the Scarpetta Series by Patricia Cornwell. Ms. Cornwell is my absolute favorite writer. I have already read TRACE and am presently reading PREDATOR. Once a book is started, I have to consciously remind myself that there are other things that demand my attention besides reading these novels. I must say that the stories need to be read in sequence or the lives and adventures of the characters will be lost and not understood. Each story either continues into the next book or a new twist / adventure is discovered. Being in the medical profession, I thoroughly enjoy the medical/forensic discussions between Scarpetta, Wesley and Marino. There hasn't been a single story line that hasn't brought to light information that is extremely fascinating. Again, bravo to Ms. Cornwell for such fabulous novels. Please don't stop writing the Scarpetta Series.

Pretty Good

Trace Well some people think that her books have gone down hill but really I enjoy them and this one is included. I always enjoy Scarpettas world so no matter what I love finding out what shes doing and what her friends and family are up to.

Trace by Patricia Cornwell

I've read every one of the books in the Kay Scarpetta series and am a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell. In this installment, Scarpetta is called back to Richmond, Virginia by the present Chief Medial Examiner, to consult regarding the mysterious death of a 14-year-old girl. Marino tags along, which always makes the story that much better. Parallel to Scarpetta's investigation, Lucy is dealing with her own troubles after someone attacks a friend and plants a bomb in her mailbox. This is one of my favorites so far in the series- Scarpetta is an excellent character, a woman who seems distant and aloof but has much inner warmth and empathy. Although Marino is now physically healthier, he still has that raw edge which is so appealing. I absolutely love Cornwell's writing style - the fast pace, packed with suspense, with wonderful characters and plot. Highly recommended.