Crime · Thriller
Postmortem
Dr Kay Scarpetta, Richmond's chief medical examiner, is racing against a killer who strikes women in their homes, while also dealing with politics and sexism in her own department.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1990
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 356
- Format
- Book 1 of 29 in Kay Scarpetta
Read this if you like forensic detail and a smart, determined investigator who works from the evidence.
Skip this if you dislike clinical descriptions of autopsies and crime scenes.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Postmortem
- What is Postmortem about?
- Dr Kay Scarpetta, Richmond's chief medical examiner, is racing against a killer who strikes women in their homes, while also dealing with politics and sexism in her own department.
- Who should read Postmortem?
- Read it if you like forensic detail and a smart, determined investigator who works from the evidence. Skip it if you dislike clinical descriptions of autopsies and crime scenes.
- How long and how fast is Postmortem?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 356 pages, first published in 1990.
- Does Postmortem have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Sexual assault.
- Can I borrow Postmortem for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Postmortem; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Postmortem?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Silence of the Lambs, The Bone Collector, The Black Echo.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Postmortem
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The Silence of the Lambs Another landmark of the serial-killer thriller from the same era, with a female investigator.
-
The Bone Collector
A forensic-led chase with a brilliant investigator and a killer who plays games.
-
The Black Echo
A patient, procedural series opener that rewards close attention to evidence.
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