Cause Of Death

The seventh book in the Kay Scarpetta series, from No. 1 bestselling author Patricia Cornwell.

''America''s most chilling writer of crime fiction'' The Times

An investigative reporter is found dead in Virginia''s icy waters . . .

New Year''s Eve and the final murder scene of Virginia''s bloodiest year takes Scarpetta thirty feet below the Elizabeth River''s icy surface. A diver, Ted Eddings, is dead, an investigative reporter who was a favourite at the Medical Examiner''s office. Was Eddings probing the frigid depths of the Inactive Shipyard for a story, or simply diving for sunken trinkets? And why did Scarpetta receive a phone call from someone reporting the death before the police were notified?

The case envelops Scarpetta, her niece Lucy, and police captain Pete Marino in a world where both cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned detective work are critical offensive weapons. Together they follow the trail of death to a well of violence as dark and forbidding as water that swirled over Ted Eddings.

Praise for the groundbreaking series:

''One of the best crime writers writing today'' Guardian

''Devilishly clever'' Sunday Times

''The top gun in this field'' Daily Telegraph

''Forget the pretenders. Cornwell reigns'' Mirror

''The Agatha Christie of the DNA age'' Express