Identity Unknown cover

Identity Unknown

Kay Scarpetta • Book 28

4.16 BLT Score
(23.6K ratings)
★ 4.07 Goodreads (22.4K) ★ 4.46 Audible (1.2K)

Why You'll Love This

A decades-old love affair, a body in an abandoned theme park, and clues the victim planted for Scarpetta himself — this one gets under your skin.

  • Great if you want: long-running forensic thriller with deep emotional stakes
  • Listening experience: tense and methodical, with a genuinely unsettling atmosphere throughout
  • Narration: LaVoy keeps forensic detail gripping, never letting it turn clinical
  • Skip if: you haven't read earlier Scarpetta books — emotional weight lands harder with history

Listen to Identity Unknown on Audible →

About This Book

Dr. Kay Scarpetta faces her most personal and perplexing case when she's called to an eerie abandoned theme park to examine a murder victim who turns out to be someone from her past. The bizarre crime scene features strange ritualistic elements and physical evidence that defies easy explanation, leading some investigators to consider otherworldly possibilities. As Scarpetta performs the autopsy, she discovers that the victim may have left behind cryptic clues specifically meant for her, transforming a professional investigation into an intensely personal journey that forces her to confront old relationships and hidden truths.

January LaVoy delivers a masterful narration that captures both the scientific precision of Scarpetta's forensic work and the emotional complexity of confronting a victim with deep personal significance. LaVoy's nuanced performance distinguishes between multiple characters while maintaining the atmospheric tension that permeates this mysterious case. Her steady pacing allows listeners to absorb both technical details and psychological insights, creating an immersive experience that enhances Cornwell's intricate plotting. The audio format particularly suits this story's blend of procedural elements and personal drama, with LaVoy's skilled delivery making the forensic discoveries feel immediate and the emotional revelations genuinely affecting.

This Book Features