Writing one of her best, Cornwell has given us a dark psychological
tale, wound tightly with familiar friends and foes. Followers of
Kay Scarpetta will revel in this undertaking. Her relationships
with family, friends, and enemies --- as well as the truth and the
imagined --- all collide in this intriguing story.

Beautiful women are dying in fires across the country, and
Scarpetta and her niece Lucy begin to investigate these mysterious
deaths. As a forensic pathologist, Scarpetta soon discovers a clue
that ties the victims together --- minute metal shards in their
skulls. Apparently these fires, started in the master bath, are an
attempt to hide the real reason for these serial
deaths.  

Things are further complicated by the return of Scarpetta's nemesis
Carrie Grethen. A former lover of Lucy's, Carrie has recently
escaped from prison. She threatens and lurks, but is she involved?
If she is involved, she must have help. Is an unauthorized AOL
computer connection in prison Carrie's source to finding an
accomplice?    

Scarpetta, a multidimensional character, is believable with
strengths and weaknesses.  Her joys, sorrows, triumphs,
and defeats become the reader's own. Facing a very difficult
personal loss fuels her desire to solve this pattern of crime
before Lucy, or even she, is the next victim. She encounters
difficulties as she races headlong toward the thrilling conclusion
which moves at James Bond pace. And Scarpetta is involved at every
step.  

POINT OF ORIGIN will stand as one of Patricia Cornwell's finest
books to date.