Chaos: A Scarpetta Novel

“When it comes to the forensic sciences, nobody can touch Cornwell.”

—New York Times Book Review

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CHAOS

From the Ancient Greek (χάος or kháos)

A vast chasm or void. Anarchy. The science of unpredictability.

On a late summer evening in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her investigative partner, Pete Marino, respond to a call about a dead bicyclist near the Kennedy School of Government. It appears that a young woman has been attacked with almost superhuman force.

Even before Scarpetta’s headquarters has been officially notified about the case, Marino and Scarpetta’s FBI agent husband, Benton Wesley, receive suspicious calls, allegedly from someone at Interpol. But it makes no sense. Why would the elite international police agency know about the case or be interested? It soon becomes apparent that an onslaught of harassment might be the work of an anonymous cyberbully named Tailend Charlie, who has been sending cryptic communications to Scarpetta for over a week.

Even Lucy, her brilliant tech-savvy niece, can’t trace who it is or how this person could have access to intimate information. When a second death shocks Scarpetta to her core, it becomes apparent she and those close to her are confronted with something far bigger and more dangerous than they’d ever imagined.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell returns with another scintillating thriller in her high-stakes series starring medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

On a hot evening in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Kay Scarpetta investigates a dead bicyclist who was attacked with almost super human force. Before she’s notified, her FBI agent husband receives a suspicious call, allegedly from Interpol. It becomes apparent that an onslaught of interference and harassment might be the work of the cyberbully Tailend Charlie, who has been sending cryptic communications to Scarpetta. Even her brilliant tech-savvy niece, Lucy, can’t trace whoever it is. When a second death hundreds of miles south shocks Scarpetta to her core, she’s confronted with something far bigger and more dangerous than she’d ever imagined.

“[An] absorbing thriller.” - Blackfive.net on Chaos

“Lots of cutting-edge forensic detail and some revelatory character moments.” - Publishers Weekly on Chaos

“Cornwell’s instincts are dead-on.” - Chicago Sun-Times

“Cornwell is the class act.”  - Vogue

“There is a quiet intensity to Ms. Cornwell’s writing that compels you to read, then the eeriness sets in. . . . With CHAOS, once again Patricia Cornwell mesmerizes with her astounding scientific knowledge, her keen ear for dialogue and the human psyche, all woven together flawlessly.” - FreshFiction.com on Chaos

“While Scarpetta’s character has flaws, she is still a powerful female protagonist and she offers the reader an amazing calculating approach to investigation. I am always amazed at the passion that she has for her position. . . . A fast engaging read.” - Dad of Divas Reviews on Chaos

“Patricia Cornwell has created characters with real emotions and life experiences, and she provides them with more than enough danger to make things interesting. Dr. Scarpetta has become a good friend.” - MysteryPlayground.net on Chaos

Praise for Chaos: “Thrilling…. Readers new to Cornwell will find themselves involved from the very first page, as will the veterans. Chaos is one book you should not miss.” - Bookreporter.com

Praise for Patricia Cornwell: “When it comes to the forensic sciences, nobody can touch Cornwell.” - New York Times Book Review

“Cornwell’s books run on high octane fuel, a cocktail of adrenaline and fear.” - Times (UK)