Patricia Cornwell (2014)

I will never forget the day my mom came home with Postmortem from the library and said, “My coworker said she’s the best and thought you would like this since you like that forensic stuff.” I was completely blown away by how relatable I found Kay Scarpetta. I even pursed forensic psychology (and found I don’t have the stomach for it, but I digress). [I’ve even got a signed copy of Dust] (http://i.imgur.com/aWs7Rwp.jpg) and I can not wait to get my mitts on Flesh and Blood in the very near future.

I can not thank you enough for writing such an amazing, strong, inspirational female lead at a time when the field was rather barren.

I have 3 questions, if I may be so bold.

1. How relatable do you find Kay Scarpetta?

2. Who do you day dream about playing the roles of your characters? Here is my (completely unfulfillable) wishlist of characters. RIP James Gandolfini - he would’ve made THE best Marino. David Zayas or Alec Baldwin are my replacements.

3. Will you have dinner with me at Rao’s? The only problem is that you’ll have to make the reservation since I can NEVER get one! ;)

I recently finished Portrait of a Killer and was left with a few questions.

1. Based on that publication do you believe the evidence you brought forward would have been enough to lead to a conviction if Sickert was tried today?

2. In the book you said, "Sickert never painted something he did not see" This was a huge piece of information but I don't remember it being explained...how did you come to that conclusion?

Hi Patricia! I have been interested in your research on Jack the Ripper. How do you feel about Russell Edwards's recent claim that DNA evidence proves Aaron Kosminski's role in the ripper killings? Personally, I'm quite skeptical, but I was also curious if you are still confident that Walter Sickert is the most likely candidate.

Who is your favorite author?

Hi Patricia. Tell us a secret?

Hi, Patricia! HUGE fan! What is your opinion about Jack the Ripper being identified as Aaron Kominski?

If you could take only one book from the Scarpetta series with you to a deserted island which one would it be and why?

What is your writing process?

How much research goes into your writing?

Thanks for answering. Got one more, maybe a bit personal but anyway: what are you most afraid of?

I love your books, love the strong women you write, and got lots of looks when I was a teen for telling people I wanted to be a forensic pathologist. I didn't end up pursuing that field, but still am always happy to pick up a new title of yours knowing full well it will make my commute race by.

Since I doubt you commute to work for an hour a day like I do, where do you do most of your reading?

Thanks! Have a great day!

Patricia, I just wanted to thank you for keeping me company out in the woods while I'm deer hunting every year. Your books are awesome and help me endure the cold Wisconsin temps while I'm in my deer stand!

Where do you get your inspiration?

On a scale of 1-10, 1 being no way 10 being absolutely certain do you think that Sickert's first wife knew he was the ripper? Do you think it is perhaps something he might have confessed to her, do you think that fits his character?? Or something she found upon her own devices....

Hi Patricia, my girlfriend is a big fan of yours. Her name is Aye, can you give her a shout out?

Hi Patricia!

My mom has a few questions she’d like to ask you.

Per my mom

1. I devour your Kay Scarpetta novels as soon as they come out. Will we be seeing more of Lucy in the next one?

2. Read your nonfiction work about Jack the Ripper. How long did you research the material and are you still convinced of your findings?

What was your favourite novel you wrote?

Hi, if you could change one thing in this world forever, what would it be?

What are a scarpetta?

Who do you have in mind to star as Angie?

What do you do when Scarpetta doesn't do what you want her to?

What's your favorite recipe and can you provide it here? Please and thank you!

I used to love reading your books in highschool!

Can I ask what your top two must read books are? Thanks.

My mom has bought and given me Cause of Death a half dozen times. She read it years ago and liked it enough to want to share it with me over and over again. Can you recommend another book of yours to buy me multiple copies of?

Which letters do you own from Jack The Ripper?
Where did you buy them?

From your first novel Postmortem Benton and Kay have a professional relationship. They work togheter. She describes him as an handsome fascinating man. He worries about her safety. Re-reading the books its easy to catch those subtle feelings they have.
Did you know from the beginning that their relation should evolve from professional to a personal one?

When you let Benton die i felt the same pain as Kay was feeling and that lasts during all the books where she was alone. I hated you!
Then you made him come back and i loved you again!
Did you know from the beginnig that Benton should come back?

I would have read about the way they resume their relationship after Benton's came back.
Why didnt you write about?

Is it true that the recent 'reveal' stating that Aaron Kominski was in fact JTR did not take into account potential confounds from so many people having access to the shawl?

How old were you when you started flying helicopters?

Did you utilize Casebook.org at all during your Ripper research?

Flesh and Blood is your best book in YEARS. Thank you! The ending holds so many possibilities. Are you currently working on the next Scarpetta novel?

Most fans of your work know that you spend a lot of researching your character's tools, resources and hobbies so that you have everything you need to represent those tangibles or skills accurately in your work. How much does your own curiosity of the world intertwine with your characters'? Do the story arcs give you a freedom or boldness to experience things you may not try otherwise? In other words - would you be flying helos without Lucy? =)

Thanks for taking time to AMA and thanks for creating Scarpetta's world.

I am so excited to see you on here! Thanks for doing this.

Growing up, I loved to write short stories, but none never made it to novel length. Now I work so much and have life distractions that I don't have time to sit and get any of the bazillion ideas out of my head. Do you have any advice for someone who is in a similar situation, but wants to write?

How did you find your literary agent?

Have you ever played tennis with Jean Balukas? I think you and she would get along quite well.

Will you ever go back to writing in the third person? We miss the insight that gives the readers.

Patricia, if you could change one thing about any of your books or your characters, what would it be?

Do you see medical examiners on TV, and based on what you've learned in researching your books, had to resist the urge to scream: "What? That would NEVER happen!"

Favorite place to vacation?

Ever hear of Reddit's subreddit [Unresolved Mysteries] (http://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/top/?sort=top&t=all) ?

What unresolved mystery intrigues you the most?

Some authors, writers, etc do not like the idea of fan fiction. (I don't know why, I think it is a compliment) What are your views on the subject? In your opinion, is it flattering or plagiarism?

Thanks for doing an AMA! I loved Portrait of a Killer and read it twice. It was a fascinating application of modern forensic science to one of the most famous unsolved murders in history. Have there been any new developments on your research regarding Walter Sickert as Jack the Ripper? Thanks again.

I really enjoyed your work on Jack the Ripper. What made you decide to write about the Ripper murders? Do you plan to return to that era in your writing?

When you have more fun: doing research for a book or writing that book?

Hello ma'am and thanks for coming to Reddit.

Who would win in a street fight, Scully or Scarpetta?

Also, my dear friend Lanette loves your work. Could you take just a moment to say hi? It would make her entire year. Again, thanks!

What are you thoughts on your fans? Devoted? Crazy? Eccentric? Delusional? Boring? ;-) Current user excluded of course....

You mentioned pizza and tv - what are some of your current favorites (shows or characters)?

When not writing or researching, what do you like to do in your downtime to relax?

How has Lucy aged 20 years but Dr Scarpetta hardly aged at all? Is Kay a vampire? Should I reread your books looking for subtle hints about her vampirism?

Seriously you need to tell us if she's a vampire.

Hey Patricia! Thanks for the AMA. Two questions: What's your all time favorite movie, and what is your favorite book?

Hi I love all your books, just re-read whole series and finished Flesh and Blood -fantastic, re-read ending so many times was too stunned to take it in!
Would you like Lucy as a niece/daughter?
Scarpetta is soooo patient with her, would you be the same?

Hi Missis Cornwell,
Thanks for the ama session

What s ur writing time?
How do you proceed to write a book? Idea by idea? Or all ideas in a raw?

Where do you get ur inspiration?

How would you describe ur litterary style?

What was tr ebdt advice u received in ur life?by who?

Did uou know since ur childhood that u wanna to be a writer?

Which characters of ur books is the closest to you?

Thanks