True Crime

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell finally tells the story that rivals all of the works that precede it: her own.

Patricia Cornwell is best known for her international bestselling thriller series about forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta. Every story comes from somewhere, and Scarpetta’s began when Patricia Cornwell embedded herself in a morgue.

In this achingly honest memoir, Cornwell excavates her own life, detailing her traumatic childhood being raised by neglectful parents, her father abandoning the young family on Christmas day, her mother being institutionalized twice, an abusive foster family, and developing a parental relationship with evangelist Billy Graham’s wife Ruth. Cornwell depicts a harrowing hospitalization and near-death car accident. She unflinchingly shares overcoming obstacles that later gave her the ambition to become an award-winning police reporter. From there it was research in a medical examiner’s office that would turn into a full-time job. She would become a forensic expert and worldwide publishing phenomenon.

Cornwell leaves no stone unturned in this deeply candid account of her life, offering inspiring insight into what made her into the international sensation she is today.

• “Patricia Cornwell’s memoir is a personal page-turner, filled with mysteries and tragedies like her fiction, but these characters are real.”
  Jamie Lee Curtis
• "Patricia Cornwell’s TRUE CRIME is absolutely riveting and beautifully written, revealing the origin story of someone with unparalleled tenacity—never quitting, even when facing tremendous adversity. Her memoir underscores the sentiment that only enormous pressure creates a diamond—which is exactly what Patricia is." 
   
  Billie Jean King
• “Our favorite medical examiner turns her forensic skills on herself—this is Scarpetta’s autopsy of Patricia Cornwell’s life. Add “True Crime” to Cornwell’s stack of great, vivid reads—secrets are unpeeled and dissected—compelling storytelling with no shortage of twists and surprises.”
  Lesley Stahl
• "Sometimes a true crime doesn’t look conventional but in Patricia Cornwell’s life, the crime was true enough. Childhood abandonment and neglect forged a resilience and perception of humanity clearly evident across her best selling novels. A remarkable, enthralling, and riveting story of her life."
  Dan Aykroyd
• “Let’s start, and end, with this: Patricia Cornwell’s autobiography, TRUE CRIME, could be the best book she’s ever written. And I’ve read them all!”
  James Patterson
• "Patricia Cornwell has logged more hours in morgues than any crime writer I can think of. The millions of readers addicted to her novels will enjoy this eye-opening and profoundly personal autobiography. How she came to create the indelible character of Dr. Kay Scarpetta is only part of a surprising, whirlwind story."
  Carl Hiaasen
• “Having long been a fan of Patricia Cornwell’s work, I was excited to read her memoir, "True Crime.” Cornwell brings a deft hand and her well-honed storytelling skills to the circumstances of her own fascinating life. It is parts touching, searing, thoughtful, heartbreaking and never fails to captivate. She is as brutally honest, and bone deep with herself, as she has been with her fictional characters. I learned a lot, both about Patricia Cornwell, and humanity in general. A book truly worthy of anyone’s time and attention.”
  David Baldacci
• 'A memoir with all the thrills and twists—not to mention a bit of blood and terror—of one of Cornwell's thrillers. This will keep them awake until the small hours.'
  Val McDermid
• "In this powerful memoir, Patricia Cornwell reveals the extraordinary life behind her success. She writes with raw clarity about a past that would have broken many, refusing to soften the truth or look away. This is a deeply human story, told as if she were talking to a best friend, and readers will feel like they are taking the journey with her. Her ability to persevere defines resilience, strength, and hope."
  Barbara Butcher, former death investigator for New York City
• "This literary memoir is as good as it gets, with more action and drama than many novels."
  Kirkus (starred review)
• "This is a story only Patricia Cornwell could possibly tell, about the greatest Cornwall character of them all: Herself."
  Mike Lupica