Okay, brace yourself. Around books 6 to 10, the series gets a little unhinged. The Body Farm (1994) is amazing—it literally introduces the real-life body farm in Tennessee. It’s gross, fascinating, and very Scarpetta.
But then you get From Potter’s Field (1995), where Kay chases a killer through New York City at Christmas. It’s festive and terrifying. Cause of Death (1996) involves a secret underwater society. Yes, really. Just roll with it.
Unnatural Exposure (1997) has a smallpox scare. It’s tense. And Point of Origin (1998) features a fire that destroys everything Kay loves. This is where the series starts to get very personal.
Pro tip: Don’t skip these. They set up the massive, complicated relationship between Kay and her nemesis, Carrie Grethen. That woman is a psycho with a love for chaos.
