Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell (born June 9, 1956) is an American crime novelist and true crime writer best known for her best-selling series featuring medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. She has written over 25 novels, which have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. Cornwell was born in Miami, Florida, and raised in Montreat, North Carolina. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Davidson College and a master's degree in computer science from George Mason University. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a computer analyst for the Virginia State Police. Cornwell published her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990. The book introduced Kay Scarpetta, a brilliant and complex medical examiner who quickly became a fan favorite. Cornwell has continued to write Scarpetta novels, as well as a number of stand-alone works. She has received numerous awards, including the CWA Silver Dagger Award, the Edgar Award, and the Anthony Award. Her work has been critically acclaimed and translated into over 30 languages.