Depraved Heart

A Scarpetta Novel, Book 23

By: Patricia Cornwell

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Patricia Cornwell delivers the newest engrossing thriller in her high-stakes series starring medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

Depraved Heart: "Void of social duty and fatally bent on mischief."
Mayes v. People, 806 III. 306 (1883)

Dr. Kay Scarpetta is working a suspicious death scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when an emergency alert sounds on her phone. A video link lands in her text messages and seems to be from her computer-genius niece, Lucy. But how can it be? It's clearly a surveillance film of Lucy taken almost 20 years ago.

As Scarpetta watches she begins to learn frightening secrets about her niece, whom she has loved and raised like a daughter. That film clip and others sent soon after raise dangerous legal implications that increasingly isolate Scarpetta and leave her confused, worried, and not knowing where to turn. She doesn't know whom she can tell - not her FBI husband, Benton Wesle, or her investigative partner, Pete Marino. Not even Lucy.

In this new novel, Cornwell launches these unforgettable characters on an intensely psychological odyssey that includes the mysterious death of a Hollywood mogul's daughter, aircraft wreckage on the bottom of the sea in the Bermuda Triangle, a grisly gift left in the back of a crime-scene truck, and videos from the past that threaten to destroy Scarpetta's entire world and everyone she loves. The diabolical presence behind what unfolds seems obvious - but, strangely, not to the FBI. Certainly that's the message they send when they raid Lucy's estate and begin building a case that could send her to prison for the rest of her life.

In the latest novel in her best-selling series featuring chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Cornwell will captivate listeners with the shocking twists, high-wire tension, and cutting-edge forensic detail that she is famous for, proving yet again why she's the world's number-one best-selling crime writer.

©2015 Cornwell Entertainment, Inc. (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

I had a reader conflict

If you could sum up Depraved Heart in three words, what would they be?

Good Clean Scarpetta

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kay Scarpetta was in her usual fine form. I am was also intrigued by the character of Chanel Gilbert.

What three words best describe Susan Ericksen’s performance?

Here's where I had my challenge. Susan Ericksen is also the reader for the J.D. Robb, Eve Dallas series. Her style in this book and in the Eve Dallas books is very much the same and some of the character voices were just about identical. It's tough to be a great performer, working in two very popular series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to find out what the knocking was all about.

Any additional comments?

Spoiler alert: I wish the end of this book was the end of the villain. It's time to move on.

Boring, repetitive and slow

This novel started out and continued slow until the end. Not one of her best novels.

what happened to to our unwavering Trust

i loved every minute of Depraved Heart. i see an injuryed woman who is a doctor/lawyer. I understand her frustration, mistrust, and confusion, she is still incredibly brave and smart, but life has thrown her a curve, She is desperately trying to understand why Carrie continues this vendetta against her family and friends. she like many see our government wavering and our long held trust, feels like a lie. where is our truth, who can we trust.

Excellent Book

Kay Scarpetta does it again. Great storyline. It Leaves you wanting more! Love Patricia Cornwell.

Excellent

one of my favorite authors, and again this book does not disappoint. cannot wait for the next one!!

not up to prior Standards

What did you like best about Depraved Heart? What did you like least?

the Scarpetta Character.

What could Patricia Cornwell have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The book was no where close to the quality of early Scarpetta Novels

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Dry she may be good on other types of books but not this type made it dry and boring

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

maybe

Confusing.

I couldn't follow the plot. the complications were too many and the reasons too few.

Ms. Cornwell is masterful and brilliant per usual!

I was on the edge of my seat and can barely wait for the next book. Kudos again to you Ms. C.

Great, suspense!

Loved it! Very suspenseful! Looking forward to the next book! Love Scarpetta series!! Hope a new one comes soon!

Typical Scarpetta

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

We listen to books while traveling and very much enjoy Kay Scarpetta. It's perfect for a long car or motor home trip. We love the characters - they are like family after all these years.The stories are predictable - although these last two did have a couple of zingers. My only concern is that Kay must be about 85 years old by now - How does she do it!

Would you recommend Depraved Heart to your friends? Why or why not?

It's an entertainment read - car trip, plane trip, when you have a cold.

Was Depraved Heart worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Keep writing these books and I'll keep buying them.