Sharp Force (Dr. Kay Scarpetta #19) – Patricia Cornwell

For six months, a serial killer has terrorised Northern Virginia, slipping in and out of his victims' homes without a trace. He disables their Wi-Fi and attacks them in bed, and those hunting him have had zero success. Then, in the early hours of June 12, her birthday, Dr. Kay Scarpetta's phone rings: the Phantom Slasher has struck again. This time there are two victims, and one has survived. The scene is Mercy Island and its notorious old psychiatric hospital.

Sharp Force is a modern ghost story. A ghastly figure in black is seen levitating through the fog around the time of each attack, and the technology behind it is of keen interest to the CIA, and even the White House. It's up to Scarpetta to stop the Phantom Slasher before they strike again and vanish, leaving another trail of blood behind.

Rated 4.08 on Goodreads, readers praise its intricate forensic detail and plenty of suspense.

Perfect for readers who love

• Forensic crime fiction
• A strong female lead investigator
• Serial killer investigations
• Eerie, atmospheric settings
• Gripping police procedurals

If you liked these, you'll love this

• Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan series
• Crime thrillers by Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen and Val McDermid
• Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novels
• The Bone Collector – Jeffery Deaver

Series note

Part of Patricia Cornwell's long-running Dr. Kay Scarpetta series. It works as a standalone thriller, but longtime fans will enjoy the familiar faces.

A trade paperback (2008) in Like New condition: appears unread, crisp pages.