Title: All That Remains
Author: Patricia Cornwell
First published June 11, 1992
373 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780684193953 (ISBN10: 0684193957)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
In the bustling city of New York, a series of murders have left the police baffled. Each victim is found with strange markings on their bodies and no apparent motive for the killing.
When a prominent businessman’s daughter goes missing, renowned medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta is called upon to help with the investigation. As she delves deeper into the case, Kay realizes that the murders may be linked to a decades-old crime.
With time running out and the killer always one step ahead, Kay must use all of her expertise and intuition to catch the culprit before they strike again.
About the Author
In 1990, while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia, Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem. This book was the first of its kind, a forensic thriller that paved the way for a surge of entertainment featuring all things forensic across film, television, and literature.
Postmortem went on to win several prestigious awards, including the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards, as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all of these distinctions in a single year. Cornwell has now sold over 100 million copies of her books in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries, with twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers under her belt.
Cornwell’s novels primarily center around medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. After 25 years, these characters have become an international phenomenon, earning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for the best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.
Fox 2000 has bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta and is currently working to develop the character for the big screen with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg.
Cornwell began her career in journalism, working at the Charlotte Observer after earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979. She gained widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte.
She later moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.
When not writing from her Boston home, Cornwell tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary, including co-founding the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums.
She also serves as a forensic consultant on CNN and is a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. Cornwell has helped fund several initiatives, including the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities.
She is also committed to funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing.
And don’t take no for an answer.”
Editoral Review
All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell is a gripping thriller that was first published on June 11, 1992. Widely regarded as one of her best books, Cornwell takes readers on a suspenseful journey through a forensic investigation, following the life of protagonist Dr. Kay Scarpetta as she tries to solve a terrifying series of murders in Richmond, Virginia.
Patricia Cornwell is an award-winning, best-selling author of crime and thriller novels. All That Remains is part of the popular Kay Scarpetta series, introducing readers to the brilliant forensic pathologist.
Set in Richmond, Virginia, the novel starts with the discovery of a young woman’s dead body in a park, and as the investigation progresses, Scarpetta soon realizes that there is a serial killer on the loose, and that she may be the next target. Along with her faithful team of detectives, Scarpetta follows the clues, using her expertise to piece together a terrifying picture of the killer.
Cornwell’s descriptions of forensic pathology are intricate and fascinating, providing readers with a detailed understanding of the inner workings of investigations. The characters are well developed and are fascinating in their own right.
Kay Scarpetta is a magnetic character, smart and courageous with a flawed past, making her all the more relatable to readers. The novel is heavily focused on themes of obsession, revenge, and the fears that come along with being a victim of a serial killer.
Cornwell creates an eerie tone throughout All That Remains, which is not for the faint-hearted. Not only is the novel engrossing, it also has its cultural significance.
Published during a time when forensic science was becoming increasingly important, All That Remains made readers aware of the valuable contribution of forensic science. One of Cornwell’s greatest strengths is her ability to pull readers into the story with her engaging and descriptive writing.
Her research is impeccable, and this meticulousness is evident in the intricate details of the story. Moreover, Cornwell’s pacing is impeccable; readers are kept on the edge of their seats, as the relentless hunt for the killer reaches a climax.
However, some readers might argue that Cornwell’s obsession with forensic pathology overshadows the other characters, leading to weak character development for some of her supporting characters. All That Remains is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with its nail-biting suspense and intricate plot. Undoubtedly, this book is a testament to Cornwell’s writing abilities and her attention to detail.
Overall, All That Remains certainly deserves five stars out of five, a must-read for crime and thriller lovers or anyone who appreciates excellent writing.
