Murder and mayhem. Scarpetta is back, and she''s racing against the clock . . .Chief medical examiner Kay Scarpetta is the reluctant star witness in a sensational murder trial when she receives shocking news. The judge''s sister has been found dead. At first glance, it appears to be a home invasion, but then why was nothing stolen, and why is the garden strewn with dead plants and insectsAlthough there is no apparent cause of death, Scarpetta recognizes tell-tale signs of the unthinkable, and she knows the worst is yet to come. The forensic pathologist finds herself pitted against a powerful force that returns her to the past, and her time to catch the killer is running out . .''ONE OF THE BEST CRIME WRITERS WRITING TODAY'' GUARDIAN ''ASTONISHING . . . THIRTY YEARS ON, THERE''S STILL NO OTHER CRIME WRITER LIKE HER'' SUNDAY TIMES ''AMERICA''S MOST STIMULATING AND CHILLING WRITER OF CRIME FICTION'' THE TIMES