Description
Dust by Patricia Cornwell is the twenty-first book in the Kay Scarpetta series, following Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta as she investigates a meticulously staged murder at MIT. Set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the story opens with the discovery of a body covered in a fine, multicoloured dust that glows under ultraviolet light—a “mineral fingerprint” that hints at premeditation and symbolism. Scarpetta suspects the death may be linked to a missing computer engineer, Gail Shipton, and possibly connected to her niece Lucy, a computer expert. As Scarpetta delves deeper, she uncovers a web of designer drugs, drone technology, organised crime, and high-level corruption, while also contending with the possibility that government officials may obstruct the investigation. With the guidance of FBI profiler Benton Wesley, Scarpetta navigates the tension between forensic science, criminal psychology, and political intrigue.
Intended for adult readers who appreciate complex crime narratives, Dust combines Cornwell’s trademark high-stakes suspense with cutting-edge forensic detail, exploring themes of justice, deception, and the lengths people will go to protect power and secrets.
