Dr. Kay Scarpetta

Kay Scarpetta's character has been fleshed out over a period of years by author Patricia Cornwell. The majority of Cornwell's books feature Scarpetta and the success of her character has been largely responsible for the author's success. What is it about Scarpetta that attracts such a large and loyal following of readers? One likely factor seems to be Scarpetta's command of forensic medicine, a scientific art form that fascinates the general public. Television shows, books and movies have popularized the combination of modern technology with old fashioned detective work. Scarpetta's character serves as an instrument for Cornwell to showcase her detailed knowledge of forensics for the entertainment of her readers. Scarpetta is a modern day Sherlock Holmes who guides the reader through the intricate, technical details of fighting crime in the twenty-first century.

Cornwell adds complexity to her cases through Scarpetta's character. Placing a woman in...