Part of Kay Scarpetta, book 7
First published 2007
Dr. Kay Scarpetta descends into the frigid waters of a ship graveyard on New Year's Eve. She recovers the body of Ted Eddings, an investigative reporter found dead in the Elizabeth River. Virginia has just endured its most violent year since the Civil War ended. Scarpetta received a mysterious phone call about Eddings' death before police knew about it. She must determine what story the reporter was pursuing beneath the icy water. The murder reveals itself as one piece of a vast conspiracy. Scarpetta applies her forensic expertise to unravel the plot's many layers. The case tests her criminal investigation skills more severely than any previous challenge. Bodies accumulate as the conspiracy deepens. Scarpetta faces a greater threat than solving the crimes. She must protect herself and her loved ones from becoming the next targets.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, investigative-journalism
Setting: Virginia, Elizabeth River
Period: New Year's Eve
356 pages · Paperback · Berkley
Content warnings: death, murder