3.5 stars for the eBook, 5 stars for the narration.
Identity Unknown takes Dr. Kay Scarpetta into two chilling cases: the suspicious death of 7-year-old Luna Briley and the bizarre murder of Nobel-winning physicist Sal Giordano, who was once Scarpetta’s lover.
The story begins with intrigue, from a tragic child abuse case to a haunting murder scene in an abandoned theme park, complete with crop circles and eerie clues.
The forensic details are sharp, but the novel feels overloaded. With countless subplots and references to past events, I struggled to keep track. This isn’t a standalone—new readers will probably feel left out. The UFO angle was weird, though it ironically reflects the current US drone sightings.
Cornwell excels at creating a fascinating cast, and Scarpetta’s emotional depth shines, especially in her reaction to Sal’s death. My favorite part was January LaVoy’s audiobook narration. Her velvet voice brings the characters to life, making the story more enjoyable. If you’re considering Identity Unknown, the audiobook is the way to go.
Though the mystery starts off baffling, the ending is underwhelming. Longtime fans may enjoy revisiting familiar faces, but for newcomers, Identity Unknown might be too much to unpack. As a grandmother, reading about an abused child hit me hard. It’s a painful element that adds emotional weight.
** Thanks to the publishers for copies of the eBook and audio. The opinions are my own.