Patricia Cornwell's Identity Unknown is the 28th installment in the Kay Scarpetta series, and it's a rollercoaster of suspense, technology, and personal drama. As a long-time fan, I can confidently say this is one of her best works yet.

The book throws Kay into the deep end with two chilling murders—a scientist and a child. The pacing is relentless, with twists that kept me glued to the pages. Unlike some earlier novels that got bogged down in procedural details, this one balances forensic depth with heart-pounding action.

What stood out to me was the return of Carrie Grethen, a villain who adds layers of psychological intrigue. The helicopter scenes? Absolutely cinematic—Cornwell’s descriptions made me feel like I was strapped in alongside Lucy, dodging danger with those futuristic 'smart glasses.'

The finale ties up loose ends in classic Cornwell fashion: complex but satisfying. Though longtime readers might groan at Carrie’s persistence (seriously, can we retire her?), the emotional stakes and cutting-edge tech (moon dust plotline = genius) more than compensate.

Newcomers should start earlier in the series for context, but Identity Unknown works as a standalone thriller too. If you crave forensic detail wrapped in breakneck storytelling, this is your next read. Now, about that TV adaptation…