Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell's novel 'Postmortem' is a story about the life and career of a forensic pathologist. Cornwell begins the novel by introducing Dr. Kay Scarpetta, who is also a chief medical examiner. Scarpetta is Italian, petite, and divorced. She shares her life with her niece named Lucy. In the next sections of the book, Cornwell provides details about Scarpetta's work. In the novel, Scarpetta is studying cases about brutal rapes and slayings, where the suspect initially stalks his victims; after he captures them, he rapes and strangles them. Cornwell inserts conflict into the storyline; Scarpetta's boss doesn't respect her profession although they are both new to their respective jobs. With this context in mind, Cornwell begins the book on the third murder. By the end of 'Postmortem,' Scarpetta is confronted with the rapist, uncovers internal sabotage, and takes her niece on a vacation.
