Part of Kay Scarpetta, book 9.5
First published 1998
Dr. Kay Scarpetta takes a break from autopsies and crime scenes to gather with detective Pete Marino and her niece Lucy Farinelli during the quiet days after Christmas. The Virginia chief medical examiner opens her home for an intimate holiday celebration that stretches through New Year's week. This special novella captures Scarpetta in a rare moment of peace, surrounded by the two people who matter most in her demanding professional life. Marino brings his gruff humor to the dinner table while Lucy adds her technical expertise to family conversations. The story unfolds through shared meals, holiday traditions, and the bonds that hold this unconventional family together. Cornwell includes her own Christmas recipes and photographs, giving readers a glimpse into the domestic side of characters they know from high-stakes forensic investigations. The week between holidays becomes a time for reflection, connection, and the simple pleasure of good food shared with trusted friends.
Genres: family-life, mystery, crime, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Setting: Virginia
Period: Christmas, New Year's
81 pages · Hardcover · Wyrick & Company