It was fantastic to catch up with Dr Kay Scarpetta, her husband Wesley Benton, her investigator Pete Marino, her sister Dorothy, her secret service niece, Lucy and her work partner Tron! Kay is taken to an abandoned theme park, where a body has been found in mysterious circumstances and she is shocked to learn that it's old friend Nobel Laurate Sal Giardano. How did he end up here? What happened to him? This is a well written and descriptive book. It's fast paced, a real page turner, and all the sub plots weave together to a climatic conclusion with a few twists and turns that I never saw coming.

Iv read every Scarpetta novel written and I’m a huge fan. This did not disappoint, as always Kay, Benton, Lucy and Pete kept us gripped and guessing till the end. Loved this story and highly recommend, can also be read as a stand alone. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this early copy.

I’ve been a fan of Patricia Cornwell’s novels for many years and always look forward to the next installment in the Scarpetta books.
Identity unknown hooked me in from start to finish and pulled me out of a book slump. It’s a medium/fast paced crime thriller and you can definitely read this book even if you’ve never read any of the previous books in the series.
I love the forensic side of Patricia’s novels and appreciate all the research she puts in to her writing.
Highly recommend if you’re a fan of medical/crime thrillers.

Patricia Cornwell is one of those writers you can always rely on and this title is no exception, great read

The latest in the Dr Kay Scarpetta novels is an interesting read and one that mainly focuses on the character of Kay and a past love of hers Sal, who is found dead on his 60th birthday having been found in an abandoned theme park looking like he has been dropped there by an unidentified flying object. At the same time the young daughter of the theme park owners is found dead in their home. The parents saying that she turned the gun on herself.

Some of the events in this book may seem wildly unlikely however I found it a great and pacy book, with lots of intriguing concepts and updates of charity at I have enjoyed reading about for many years.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I started this series years ago and they rarely disappoint. This one barely seemed to take any time to read, not due to the length of the book, but how fast I was reading. The characters have changed over the years just as people do, so even if you start the series with this one I don't think it will matter. I do think there were more murders in the early books though so worth reading them if you like this one. More investigating too as not as much tech involved ( obviously another way investigations have changed over the years too). This book involved an old friend of Kay's so she had an emotional element to deal with whilst doing her job. Another good read from this series

I have read most of Patricia Cornwell's books and was highly delighted when I saw this that there was a new one. However, i found this a little disappointing. It was far too slow and rather disjointed. Too much detail about the moon and not enough forensics.

First time ever reading Patricia Cornwell (clearly I’ve been living under a rock!) and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Scarpetta book.
Scarpetta is dealing with the murder of an ex-boyfriend, and the investigation involves UFOs, Theme Parks, and murderous child predators/billionaires. It was a little OTT at times, but Cornwell succeeded in making sure it wasn’t too much.

I have been reading Patricia Cornwell books for years and have enjoyed them all. Especially the older books. The detail that goes into these books is second to none.
This one is slightly different in that Scarpetta and crew dont know who or even what killed and or transported the victim who happens to be an ex lover of Scarpetta's. Marino is his usual jealous self, Benton quiet but always in the know. Lucy well she's Lucy. Lots going on in this installment and will not spoil it.
Thank you for advanced copy.

I have been reading books by Patricia Cornwell for over thirty years. Almost every one has gained a well deserved five srar rating from me. As does Identity Unknown.

A cast of characters has grown alongside the career of Kay Scarpetta. Her cheeky niece, Lucy, grew into a genius with technology; much of which has been of benefit to Kay especially in this book.

I don't intend to share any of the content. Doing so could deny readers the pleasure of another well written masterpiece. What I will say is that I have learned something new from every book and this one is a full lesson worth learning.

Another enjoyable Scarpetta mystery. I did find this a little slower than the previous books but it will still a very good read.

A good addition to the Scarpetta series that I recommend.

All the scarpetta love. Detail and more detail. An amazing plot...lots of tensions in different places. Adoring fan here, since the start of scarpetta ❤️

I haven't read a Scarpetta for several years and I found this one strangely under-powered and slow. It took until chapter 13 before Scarpetta and Marino (photography) actually started the autopsy. I was a bit incredulous at the UFO angle. Persevered and it finally got a bit more pacey, but still lacked the tense and thrilling finale I was expecting.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel pre-publication.
I have read all the Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta novels but I am getting a little bored with the continuing presence of Carrie Grethen the villain. Safe to say in recent times Grethen appears wreaking havoc, Scarpetta wins through and the villain flees only to appear in the next book. All a bit predicable and boring now. I for one need more forensic-ness and less personal demons !

Spoilers


3 ⭐


I liked a lot about this book.
Firstly, the trio, Kay,Marino and Lucy.
The two cases and how they could be connected.
The creepy abandoned theme park.
The piecing together of evidence.
Dorothy provided some comic relief.


I didnt like so much, that as soon as someone is found dead, it HAS to be about Kay.
That they jump to conclusions who it is.
That Kay is suddenly superwoman doing everything.
The jealousy surrounding a fling many years ago.
Catching the bad guy was too quick and too easy. Lacked tension for me.


Honestly, it feels like one big moan, but I enjoyed it. I'll always be back for more.