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True crime : a memoir / Patricia Cornwell.

Summary:

"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"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781538778449
  • ISBN: 1538778440
  • Physical Description: 454 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 25 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Grand Central Publishing, [2026]
Subject:
Cornwell, Patricia Daniels.
Women novelists, American > Biography.
Novelists, American > Biography.
Detective and mystery stories, American > History and criticism.
Genre:
Autobiographies.
Memoirs.
Informational works.

Available copies

  • 33 of 104 copies available at NC Cardinal.
  • 1 of 1 copy available at Brown Library System. (Show)

Holds

  • 27 current holds with 104 total copies.
Sort by distance from:
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
George H. & Laura E. Brown Library B Cor (Text) 30308101377654 Adult New Biography Available -
Albemarle Main Library B Cornwell (Text) 31010000927733 Adult New Biography Checked out 08/20/2026
Albert Carlton - Cashiers Community Library B CORNWELL (Text) 39493110194778 Adult New Nonfiction In process -
Alexander Main Library B Cornwell (Text) 34269001487272 Adult Fiction Checked out 08/13/2026
Andrews Public Library B CORNWELL (Text) 80605001973840 Adult Biography Checked out 10/08/2026
Ashe County Public Library B CORNWELL (Text) 50503011230556 Adult New Nonfiction Checked out 08/24/2026
Avery County Morrison Public Library B Cornwell (Text) 31111003119896 Adult Biography On holds shelf -
Barco Library B CORNWELL (Text) 39488201043587 Adult Biography Available -
Beaufort Main B CORNWELL (Text) 34208900290304 Adult New Biography Available -
Benhaven Public Library B CORNWELL Cor (Text) 33630005536862 Adult Biography Available -

Accessibility Features

Summary: "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"--