Kindle
$9.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$12.28
Mass Market Paperback
$11.25
Buy new:
$11.25
FREE delivery Thursday, May 2 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: AssuredSalesUnlimited
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, May 2 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 7 hrs 17 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$11.25 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.25
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Thursday, May 2 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 7 hrs 17 mins
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by Books Today For You
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Gently read once. No marks of previous ownership; not an ex-library copy. Binding tight; spine straight and smooth, with no creasing; covers clean and crisp. Minimal signs of handling or shelving. 100% GUARANTEE! Shipped with delivery confirmation, if you’re not satisfied with purchase please return item for full refund.Ships direct from amazon

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Patricia Cornwell
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Cruel & Unusual (Kay Scarpetta Mysteries) Mass Market Paperback – May 1, 1994

by Patricia D. Cornwell (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,119 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.25","priceAmount":11.25,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"25","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"c%2B4hgB%2BsW2CGy%2BnJBvg9d57Rd1oXksuBulYJOqgdn3xMsQ%2BLfzUDXG55PTstsMRjrd79HUTOAdDntKk0r8c3ETmgn8wBoN9EFpSrvA0gXlTuSZeJOxfIaGTTZPGNbWkZgByJRK6DJKVGt%2FiDXmLxk%2BRVFaQ2IxfFxXX4Qy7SR1ZVcIrBldhmE6feI5pDn2H0","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$6.14","priceAmount":6.14,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"6","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"14","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"c%2B4hgB%2BsW2CGy%2BnJBvg9d57Rd1oXksuBOYc3W21r2%2BL6yd%2FPpytmK6PDHjVWNBIynsxbdqSqSlwGt6Z4CSdrp9Uw9pDv1g7%2B9Mel9bOu05JoU8R8dMsS4Wfv9nvWnjuJ5Dfzdr%2BQHx%2B2wqzy3AD3x66CGvUXQ8U89%2Fa26%2F6%2F40m8OklKQgsUdJP7yq%2BFHyom","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Trying to solve the murder of a thirteen-year-old boy, Dr. Kay Scarpetta and police lieutenant Pete Marion race against time to find a killer after the fingerprints of a recently executed murderer turn up at a new crime scene. Reissue.
Previous page
  1. Book 4 of 28
    Kay Scarpetta
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Avon
  5. Publication date
    May 1, 1994
  6. Dimensions
    4.19 x 1.04 x 6.75 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0380718340
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0380718344
  9. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This fourth mystery to feature Virginia Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kay Scarpetta was a 12-week PW bestseller.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A first-rate thriller...as taut and terrifying as Silence of the Lambs...Cornwell's boldest, darkest work yet." -- --Baltimore Sun

"A knockout...the best work yet from Cornwell...disturbing...compelling...the most successful case thus far for Dr. Kay Scarpetta." -- --People

"A page-turner...I dare you to start reading Patricia Cornwell's new book and then be able to put it down." -- --Larry King, USA Today

"Classic Cornwell...chilling...riveting...utterly convincing." -- --Richmond Times-Dispatch

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon (May 1, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380718340
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380718344
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 1.04 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,119 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

In 1990, Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, while working at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. An auspicious debut, it went on to win 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 these distinctions in a single year. Growing into an international phenomenon, the Scarpetta series won Cornwell the Sherlock Award for 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.

Today, Cornwell’s novels and iconic characters are known around the world. Beyond the Scarpetta series, Cornwell has written the definitive nonfiction account of Jack the Ripper’s identity, cookbooks, a children’s book, a biography of Ruth Graham, and two other fictional series based on the characters Win Garano and Andy Brazil. While writing Quantum, Cornwell spent two years researching space, technology, and robotics at Captain Calli Chase’s home base, NASA’s Langley Research Center, and studied cutting-edge law enforcement and security techniques with the Secret Service, the US Air Force, NASA Protective Services, Scotland Yard, and Interpol.

Cornwell was born in Miami. She grew up in Montreat, North Carolina, and now lives and works in Boston and Los Angeles.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
6,119 global ratings
LARGE print
4 Stars
LARGE print
Book came in exceptional condition however this edition is large print. I've gone back to order and no where does the description state this. I'm a bit disappointed, you should have a choice as this isn't what I would have chosen.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Lynne C. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery-Forensic book
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great read. Well written and true to forensic practices. Recommend
Helpful
 Report
Loretta Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars So Many Avenues To Follow
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Pretty good book but hard to follow at a few points but would pull together within a few chapters. Maybe it was just me. It was suspenseful, and enjoyable.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Michelle Ward
5.0 out of 5 stars Cornwell Does It Again!
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
Cruel and Unusual pits Kay Scarpetta against everyone in this thriller. She knows how to envoke the senses! The characters are complex and interesting.
Helpful
 Report
Kathryn
5.0 out of 5 stars Cruel and Unusual
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
This installment in the Kay Scarpetta series in one of my favorites thus far. It sucked me right in from the beginning, the mystery taking many twists and turns. It’s one of those times that you worry because characters you care about are being set up and wonder how they’ll get out of the mess. One thing that puzzled me early on was was the part of the storyline involving Mark James. Since I have been reading this from the beginning, I thought I missed a book or that maybe there was a short story covering this issue after the last full-length book. I didn’t miss anything, you just have to let the story play out and then it all comes together by the end. If you’re a fan of this series, you won’t want to miss this one!

Side note: I’m still not much of a fan of Lucy. Though her character is growing on me, Kay certainly has more patience with her than I would have.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
rosekrystofolski
5.0 out of 5 stars Fourth book in the Kay Scarpetta Series
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Fourth book in the Kay Scarpetta Series. This book starts with the execution of a man on death row in Virginia, Ronnie Joe Waddell. Someone on Scarpetta's staff at the morgue "forgets" to print his body but when the morgue supervisor is later murdered and is found to have deposited unexplained money in her account Scarpetta realizes that it's probably corruption in her office and that someone has switched their prints in AFIS to show up as Waddell's. There are a lot of twists and turns and this is one of the best books in this series.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read but a little too technical for mere mortal!
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2012
Verified Purchase
I quite enjoyed this book and found myself mystified throughout as to "whodunnit". In that sense it was a really good read and delivered the suspense it promised. I usually enjoy Patricia's books and like the way she builds a profile of her heroine's life, including the people she is close to as well as those more on the periphery of her life - it helps the reader to relate to her and treat her as a real person. I particularly like the way she combines her professional life with her personal one and think it shows the human side which is very necessary considering her profession which could otherwise seem very detached and clinical so well done for that consideration. The plot was complex but not too much so and very cleverly thought out. The only reason I didn't find it unputdownable was because for me the over usage of technical jargon got in the way too much. Most people not familiar with the terminology will probably find it irritating - after all, who wants to have to refer to a medical directory to understand what's being said! I have heard many others make a similar comment but personally I never found it a bother in her other books but on this occasion I was quite exasperated. A small quibble and I wouldn't let it put me off.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Debra Lamie
5.0 out of 5 stars Patricia Cornwall never disappoints!
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Again, Cornwell’s writting pulls you into her world, and you can’t put it down! You have to read just one more page to try to figure out what is happening. Just when you think you have it right, a twist takes you in another direction!
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
This series of books is a good read...one book ending but also leaning into the start of the next one(s), characters evolve from book to book..if you enjoy lots of details...autopsies, which are interesting and gruesome, but works for this series!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Keerthana
5.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in India on March 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
The story is very chilling and she brings all the loopholes in the society into a single book in a way only patricia can
Report
Squeaky Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars Complex and intriguing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
When convicted murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell dies in the electric chair, Dr Kay Scarpetta doesn’t expect his fingerprints to turn up at a time scene. And why does that particular crime scene – the death of a young lad – seem to mirror Waddell’s modus operandi? Together with Detective Marino and FBI pal Benton Wesley, Scarpetta tries to work out what’s going on. After another person is found dead, the diligent doc ropes in her niece Lucy to deal with a possible hack of the morgue’s computer system. And then another body is found…

This is book 4 in the Scarpetta series and it’s a good one. The plot is complex and intriguing with lots of twists and turns. What I particularly enjoyed was some of the dialogue between Scarpetta and Marino. At times, the words sizzle and crackle like the best Raymond Chandler one-liners and Marino’s newfound insight into his friend is also very interesting. Some reviews say this is the point where Ms Cornwell should’ve taken the chance to alter Scarpetta’s character for the better, but to me, I like her fine the way she is – cold and clinical (in a nice way).

As always, this is a well-researched and detailed tale that shows Ms Cornwell’s increasing ability to tell a damn good story and hold the reader’s attention to the bitter end.
Report
Tayla
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in Brazil on March 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
The books is good and addictive. I was, however, very disappointed at the end. Cornwell"s books that I have read usually have many suspects but then at the end the killer is someone you cannot guess because is never a part of the story.
Report
Dagmar McColl
5.0 out of 5 stars Cruel and unusual
Reviewed in Canada on September 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
This along with all the books in the series are good....it’s a good idea to read the series in order as it makes more sense that way.
Report
Joan C
5.0 out of 5 stars cant put it down
Reviewed in Australia on October 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
As with the other Scarpetta novels i have read you are kept on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book.
The whole story is so real and the drama just keeps building. ive read these books before and im sure i will read again.
2 people found this helpful
 Report