Patricia Cornwell Reading Order

3 books (1996–2001)

Patricia Cornwell's Andy Brazil and Judy Hammer trilogy comprises three mystery and thriller novels published between 1996 and 2001. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Hornet's Nest, followed by Southern Cross, and concluding with Isle of Dogs. Each installment builds on the previous entries, making sequential reading essential for following the characters' development and interconnected storylines.

Start with Hornet's Nest and read in order.

#	Title
1	Hornet's Nest 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Southern Cross 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Isle of Dogs 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2002–2002)

#	Title
1	The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Modern Crime Fiction 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2019–2020)

Patricia Cornwell's Captain Chase series consists of two mystery thrillers published between 2019 and 2020. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Quantum followed by Spin. Both books are now available, providing a finished narrative arc for readers seeking a closed-ended series.

Start with Quantum and read in order.

#	Title
1	Quantum 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Spin 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

30 books (1990–2027)

The Kay Scarpetta series comprises 29 mystery and thriller novels published from 1990 to 2025, with the series still ongoing. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Postmortem and continuing through the most recent installments. The series follows forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta as she investigates complex criminal cases, combining procedural investigation with psychological suspense across multiple decades of storytelling.

Start with Postmortem, the first of 29 books in the Kay Scarpetta series.

#	Title
1	Postmortem 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Body of Evidence 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	All That Remains 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Cruel and Unusual 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Body Farm 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	From Potter's Field 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Cause of Death 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Unnatural Exposure 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Point of Origin 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Black Notice 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	The Last Precinct 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Blow Fly 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Trace 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Predator 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Book of the Dead 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Scarpetta 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	The Scarpetta Factor 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Port Mortuary 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Red Mist 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Bone Bed 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Dust 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Flesh and Blood 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Depraved Heart 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Chaos 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Autopsy 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
26	Livid 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
27	Unnatural Death 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
28	Identity Unknown 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
29	Sharp Force 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
30	Rapid and Fatal 2027Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1983–2026)

Patricia Cornwell's non-fiction series spans from 1983 to 2026 with seven books that should be read in publication order. The collection includes biographical works, culinary volumes, and true crime investigations examining historical cases and figures. The series remains ongoing, offering readers a mix of personal narratives, forensic analysis, and historical research across its various entries.

Start with Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham, the first of 7 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	Ruth, A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Scarpetta's Winter Table 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Food to Die For: Secrets From Kay Scarpetta's Kitchen 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Chasing the Ripper 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Ripper: The Secret Life of Walter Sickert 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	True Crime 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (1999–1999)

#	Title
1	Life's Little Fable 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2006–2008)

Patricia Cornwell's Winston Garano series consists of two mystery thrillers published between 2006 and 2008. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with At Risk followed by The Front. These novels follow the investigative pursuits of their protagonist through Cornwell's signature crime fiction style.

Start with At Risk and read in order.

#	Title
1	At Risk 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Front 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible