Patricia Cornwell First Editions

• Postmortem — 1990 · Charles Scribner's SonsUS Scribner's first edition: copyright page dated 1990 with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. Quarter black cloth over red paper-covered boards, gilt spine lettering; first-issue jacket with the printed price on the front flap. 293 pp. Cornwell's debut and the first Kay Scarpetta novel; won the 1991 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The recognized true first edition is the US Charles Scribner's Sons printing (US publication preceded the UK). A UK Macdonald (London) edition also appeared in 1990 in a small printing and is highly sought, but the earlier claim that the UK edition is the 'true first' is contested and not the standard view; both…. Book-club edition lacks the full number line to 1 and the priced flap, is on lighter bulked paper, and often shows a blind-stamped dot or depression on the rear board.
• Body of Evidence — 1991 · Charles Scribner's SonsFirst printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with a complete number line descending to 1. The book is bound in gray paper-covered boards quarter-bound in black cloth, with silver lettering to the spine, and should come in its priced first-issue dust jacket. The second Kay Scarpetta novel. US Charles Scribner's Sons is the true first; the second Kay Scarpetta novel. Book club editions exist and are identified by an unpriced jacket and a blindstamp or small impressed dot on the rear board, lacking the stated 'First Edition' and full number line.
• All That Remains — 1992 · Charles Scribner's SonsCharles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1992 (ISBN 0-684-19395-7). First printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with a complete number line descending to 1. Octavo, approximately viii and 373 pages, bound in cloth-backed boards, in the original dust jacket which should carry its printed price on the front flap (present rather than clipped is preferred; clipping does not affect edition…. The US Charles Scribner's Sons 1992 printing is the true first. Confirm the stated 'First Edition' and the full number line ending in 1 to identify the true first. Book club editions are identified by an unpriced jacket and a blindstamp or small impressed dot on the rear board, and lack both the stated 'First Edition' and the full number line. A separate UK Little, Brown edition (ISBN 0-356-20863-3) also exists and carries a different imprint.
• Cruel and Unusual — 1993 · Charles Scribner's SonsThe first printing has "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). The binding is light gray boards with a black cloth spine lettered in red, and the author's name blind-stamped on the front board. Issued in a pictorial dust jacket that should retain its printed price on the front flap (the true first is priced; a price-clipped copy is still a…. The US Charles Scribner's Sons edition (New York, 1993) is the true first; the fourth Kay Scarpetta novel. Book-club editions exist and are identified by an unpriced jacket flap and a blindstamp or small impressed dot on the rear board, lacking the stated "First Edition" line and the full number line to 1.
• The Body Farm — 1994 · Charles Scribner's SonsFirst printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 descending to 1. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, on 12 September 1994; octavo, approximately 387 pages. The first-state dust jacket should retain its printed cover price to the front flap (unclipped); a price should be present, with jacket art and rear-panel author photo matching…. US Charles Scribner's Sons is the true first; the fifth Kay Scarpetta novel, in which Scarpetta, Benton Wesley and Pete Marino pursue the serial killer Temple Gault at the request of North Carolina authorities. Book club editions of this bestseller exist and are identified by an unpriced jacket and a blindstamp or small impressed dot on the rear board, lacking the stated 'First Edition' and full number line. Book-club copies are also typically smaller and lighter than the trade first, printed on thinner boards.
• From Potter's Field — 1995 · Charles Scribner's SonsFirst printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page together with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 descending to 1. Published by Scribner on 2 August 1995, 412 pages. The binding is quarter-bound: light grey paper-covered boards with a darker grey cloth spine panel stamped in bronze gilt at the spine, with blue endpapers. The first-state dust jacket should retain its printed cover price to…. US Charles Scribner's Sons is the true first; the sixth Kay Scarpetta novel and the last Scarpetta title published by Scribner's before the move to Putnam. Book club editions of this bestseller exist and are identified by an unpriced jacket and a blindstamp or small impressed dot on the rear board, lacking the stated 'First Edition' and full number line. Book-club copies are also typically smaller and lighter than the trade first, printed on thinner boards.
• Cause of Death — 1996 · G.P. Putnam's SonsThe trade first printing (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1996, ISBN 0399141464) carries a complete Putnam number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page and a first-issue dust jacket with the printed price present on the front flap. Separately, a signed limited edition of 185 specially bound copies (ISBN 0399141707) was issued in a cloth-covered slipcase with no dust jacket as issued, individually numbered…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; the seventh Kay Scarpetta novel and Cornwell's first with Putnam after leaving Scribner's. The trade first and the 185-copy signed limited were issued concurrently by the same publisher. A book club edition of this bestseller exists (commonly ISBN 0783817924) and is identified by an unpriced jacket and a blindstamp or small impressed dot on the rear board, lacking the full 10-to-1 number line.
• Hornet's Nest — 1997 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing carries a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page, alongside Putnam's First Edition statement. Illustrated dust jacket with the first-issue price at the top of the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first. First novel in the Andy Brazil / Judy Hammer / Virginia West series, set in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Cornwell's first departure from the Kay Scarpetta character. No significant book-club or reprint state complicates the true first; confirm by the full number line ending in 1 rather than the jacket alone.
• Unnatural Exposure — 1997 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing shows a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page, with Putnam's First Edition statement present. First-issue dust jacket with the price unclipped at the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first. Eighth novel in the Kay Scarpetta series, following Cause of Death. No significant competing state; the full number line ending in 1 distinguishes the first printing.
• Point of Origin — 1998 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing is identified by a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page. The binding is quarter burgundy cloth over burgundy paper-covered boards, the spine stamped in gilt, collating to 356 pages. Issued in a first-issue, unclipped dust jacket that should retain its printed price. A separate signed, numbered limited issue of 500 copies exists in full burgundy cloth with a matching…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; ninth novel in the Kay Scarpetta series, following Unnatural Exposure. Confirm by the full number line ending in 1. Putnam from 1993 onward does not print a 'First Edition' statement, so the number line alone establishes the first printing. No significant book-club state complicates the trade first; verify by the full number line ending in 1. Do not expect a printed 'First Edition' line, as Putnam of this era relies on the number line only.
• Black Notice — 1999 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing is identified by a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page. The binding is crimson/red paper-covered boards with a black cloth spine, the spine lettering stamped in bright metallic scarlet. Issued in a first-issue, unclipped pictorial dust jacket that should retain its printed price. A separate publisher's signed limited issue exists in full black cloth housed in a matching…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; tenth novel in the Kay Scarpetta series. Confirm by the full number line ending in 1. Note that Putnam from 1993 onward does not print a 'First Edition' statement, so the number line alone establishes the first printing. No significant book-club state complicates the trade first; verify by the full number line ending in 1. Do not expect a printed 'First Edition' line, as Putnam of this era relies on the number line only.
• Southern Cross — 1999 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing shows a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page, with Putnam's First Edition statement. First-issue, unclipped dust jacket carrying the original price at the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first. Second novel in the Andy Brazil / Judy Hammer series, sequel to Hornet's Nest. No significant competing state; the full number line ending in 1 identifies the first printing.
• The Last Precinct — 2000 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst edition, first printing. The copyright page carries the Putnam 'First Edition' statement together with a complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1, the terminal 1 confirming the first printing. Issued in the first-issue, unclipped dust jacket with the printed price present to the flap; ISBN 0-399-14625-3. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first (2000). Eleventh novel in the Kay Scarpetta series, following Black Notice. No significant competing trade state; a separate signed limited edition of 175 copies exists but is a distinct issue, not the trade first. Verify the trade first by the full number line ending in 1 alongside the 'First Edition' statement.
• Isle of Dogs — 2001 · G.P. Putnam's SonsG.P. Putnam's Sons (New York), 2001. First printing has the full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; ISBN 0-399-14739-5. Bound in red/dark-orange boards with a metallic (gilt) helicopter stamped on the front cover and a black cloth spine lettered in matching metallic type; interior design by Amanda Dewey and jacket design by Walter Harper. Issued in an unclipped dust jacket that should retain its…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons (2001) is the true first. Signed copies are typically signed on the half-title; the signature alone does not change edition status. No significant book-club edition concern for the first printing; confirm the trade first by the number line ending in 1 and the priced jacket.
• Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper—Case Closed — 2002 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing has the full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. ISBN 0-399-14932-5; 387 pages; nonfiction. Bound in quarter cloth: black boards with a black cloth overlay on the spine, gilt spine lettering, the author's initials in gilt on the front board, and red endpapers. The unclipped first-issue dust jacket retains its printed price on the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; nonfiction Jack the Ripper investigation arguing Walter Sickert as the killer. None significant.
• Blow Fly — 2003 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing has the full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10). ISBN 0-399-15089-7 (9780399150890). Published October 2003, about 465 pages. Bound in black boards with a red cloth spine, silver lettering, and red endpapers; dust jacket designed by Walter Harper, with the printed price present on the front flap of a first-issue jacket. US G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2003, is the true first; twelfth Kay Scarpetta novel. (The UK Little, Brown edition appeared separately.). None significant.
• Trace — 2004 · G.P. Putnam's SonsUS G.P. Putnam's Sons first printing (September 2004), with the Putnam-style number line reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on the copyright page. ISBN 0-399-15219-9; full title Trace: A Scarpetta Novel; approximately 448 pages. Issued in a dust jacket that should retain its printed price to the flap (unclipped). US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; thirteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. None significant.
• Predator — 2005 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing is identified by the full number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 on the copyright page, with no statement of a later printing. Issued in blue boards with the title and author stamped in gold on the blue spine, and lavender endpapers. The first-state dust jacket carries the printed cover price at the top of the front flap, which should be present and unclipped on a true first. ISBN 0-399-15283-0…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; fourteenth Kay Scarpetta novel, published October 2005. None significant.
• At Risk — 2006 · G.P. Putnam's SonsG.P. Putnam's Sons first printing with the full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; ISBN 0-399-15362-4. Small octavo bound in black quarter cloth over black boards with a red 'PC' square seal device, about 212 pages. The first-issue dust jacket carries shattered-glass and bloodstain cover art and retains its original printed price on the flap. The story was originally run as a serial in The New York…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; first Win Garano novel, followed by The Front. None significant. Confirm the first-issue jacket retains its original printed price to support the first-impression claim.
• Book of the Dead — 2007 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing has the complete number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (all numerals present, including the 1) on the copyright page. Published October 23, 2007; ISBN 0-399-15393-4. Bound in red quarter cloth with black spine lettering over gray boards, with the pictorial dust jacket art by Lisa Amoroso and jacket lettering by Walter Harper. The unclipped first-issue jacket should retain its printed price on the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first edition; fifteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. Jacket art by Lisa Amoroso. No significant book-club issue affecting first-edition identification.
• Scarpetta — 2008 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing has the full number line ending in the numeral 1 on the copyright page. The first-issue binding is black quarter cloth with silver spine lettering over mauve paper-covered boards with the author's PC monogram blind-stamped to the front board. The first-issue dust jacket carries jacket art by Richard Hasselberger and should retain the printed price at the top of the front flap, with the jacket unclipped. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first edition; sixteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. A Little, Brown UK edition appeared the same season, but the Putnam printing is the first. No significant book-club issue affecting first-edition identification; identify the true first by the intact number line ending in 1 and the priced, unclipped Hasselberger jacket.
• The Front — 2008 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing has the full number line ending in the numeral 1 on the copyright page. The first-issue binding uses red paper-covered boards with the author's name blind-stamped to the front board and a dark red card-stock spine printed with black outline lettering; interior book design by Marysarah Quinn. The first-issue dust jacket has jacket design by Lisa Amoroso with jacket lettering by Walter Harper and…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first edition; second Win Garano novel, following At Risk. No significant book-club issue affecting first-edition identification; confirm the number line ending in 1 and the priced, unclipped Amoroso jacket.
• The Scarpetta Factor — 2009 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing has the complete number line ending in the numeral 1 on the copyright page. The first-issue dust jacket should retain the printed price and the '0910' code at the foot of the front flap, with the jacket unclipped. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first edition; seventeenth Kay Scarpetta novel. No significant book-club issue affecting first-edition identification; identify the true first by the intact number line ending in 1 and the priced, unclipped first-issue jacket bearing the '0910' flap code.
• Port Mortuary — 2010 · G.P. Putnam's SonsG.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover, 2010 (ISBN 9780399157219), the eighteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. The first printing states 'First edition' (Putnam house style) and carries a complete number line including the numeral 1 on the copyright page. Issued with color illustrated endpapers and the publisher's dust jacket, which on a first-state example retains its printed price on the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first edition (ISBN 9780399157219); eighteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. The UK Little, Brown printing is a separate edition, not the true first. No significant book-club issue affecting first-edition identification.
• Red Mist — 2011 · G.P. Putnam's SonsG.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover, December 2011 (ISBN 9780399158025), the nineteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. The first printing states 'First edition' and carries a complete number line including the numeral 1 on the copyright page. Issued in the publisher's dust jacket, which on a first-state example retains its printed price on the front flap. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first edition (ISBN 9780399158025); nineteenth Kay Scarpetta novel. The UK Little, Brown printing is a separate edition, not the true first. No significant book-club issue affecting first-edition identification.
• The Bone Bed — 2012 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing carries the full descending number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page. Bound in red boards with copper lettering stamped on the front cover and a black spine also lettered in copper. The first-issue dust jacket, designed by Richard Hasselberger, should retain its printed price on the front flap (an unclipped jacket is the collector's ideal, though clipping does not affect the edition…. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; twentieth Scarpetta novel, and among the last Putnam-published Scarpetta titles before the series moved to William Morrow. No significant book-club issue distinct enough to confuse with the trade first.
• Dust — 2013 · G.P. Putnam's SonsFirst printing carries the complete number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page; 495 pages. The first-issue dust jacket shows the printed code 1311 at the front flap and the printed retail price, which should be present on a collectible first. US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first; twenty-first Scarpetta novel and the final Scarpetta title published by Putnam before the William Morrow move. No significant book-club issue distinct enough to confuse with the trade first; the trade first is fixed by the descending number line and the 1311 jacket code.
• Flesh and Blood — 2014 · William MorrowFirst printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (William Morrow / HarperCollins convention). The first-issue dust jacket is unclipped and carries the printed cover price on the front flap together with the date code '1114' (November 2014) at the foot of the flap; a clipped jacket loses that price corner and is not a later state. US William Morrow (HarperCollins) is the true first; twenty-second Scarpetta novel and the first in the series published by Morrow after the move from Putnam. A UK HarperCollins hardcover appeared under its own ISBN, so confirm the Morrow imprint and stated-edition line for the American first. No significant book-club issue distinct enough to confuse with the trade first; confirm via the stated 'First Edition' line, the descending number line, and the '1114' flap code.
• Depraved Heart — 2015 · William MorrowFirst printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (William Morrow / HarperCollins convention). The first-issue dust jacket is unclipped and retains the printed cover price on the front flap together with the date code '1015' (October 2015) at the foot of the flap; loss of that price corner marks a clipped copy, not a later printing. US William Morrow (HarperCollins) is the true first; twenty-third Scarpetta novel. A UK HarperCollins hardcover was issued under its own ISBN, so verify the Morrow imprint and stated-edition line for the American first. No significant book-club issue distinct enough to confuse with the trade first; confirm via the stated 'First Edition' line, the descending number line, and the '1015' flap code.
• Chaos — 2016 · William MorrowFirst printing carries the words 'First Edition' on the copyright page together with a full number line descending to 1, the standard William Morrow / HarperCollins convention of the period. The first-issue dust jacket is unclipped, retaining the printed cover price on the front flap along with the date code '1116' (November 2016) at the foot of the front flap; a clipped example simply loses that price corner and…. US William Morrow (HarperCollins) is the true first; twenty-fourth Scarpetta novel. A UK HarperCollins hardcover (separate ISBN) appeared alongside it, so match the Morrow imprint and copyright-page statement to confirm the American first. No significant book-club issue distinct enough to confuse with the trade first; confirm via the stated 'First Edition' line, the descending number line, and the '1116' flap code.
• Quantum — 2019 · Thomas & MercerThomas & Mercer (Amazon Publishing imprint) hardcover, ISBN 9781542094061, published September/October 2019. Amazon-imprint titles do not carry a conventional stated-edition line or number line, so first-printing status is identified by imprint and ISBN rather than by traditional points of issue. US Thomas & Mercer is the true first; first Captain Calli Chase novel, outside the Scarpetta series. No book-club edition; issued directly through the Amazon Publishing ecosystem.
• Autopsy — 2021 · William Morrow'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). Published November 30, 2021, in an octavo hardcover of 416 pages; the first-issue dust jacket should retain its printed cover price on the flap (unclipped), though clipping alone does not disqualify a first printing. US William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins) is the true first, published November 30, 2021; twenty-fifth Kay Scarpetta novel. A UK edition was issued by HarperCollins under ISBN 9780008467296. No book club edition of significance for the collector's-market first; identification rests on the stated 'First Edition' and the number line ending in 1.
• Livid — 2022 · Grand Central PublishingThe copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1, identifying the first printing. The hardcover is issued in a dust jacket carrying the printed cover price; a first-issue copy should retain that unclipped jacket, though clipping alone does not determine edition status. ISBN 978-1-5387-2516-0. US Grand Central Publishing (Hachette) is the true first, published 25 October 2022; twenty-sixth Kay Scarpetta novel. Grand Central and Little, Brown UK jointly acquired world rights for simultaneous English-language publication on the same date, so a UK first exists that same month, but the stated Grand Central printing is the collected US first. No book club edition of significance.
• Unnatural Death — 2023 · Grand Central PublishingCopyright page states 'First Edition' and carries a full descending number line ending in 1, the standard modern Grand Central (Hachette) hardcover form '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'; the presence of the 1 confirms the first printing. A first-state dust jacket should retain its printed price at the front-flap corner. US Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group) hardcover is the true first, published November 28, 2023; twenty-seventh Kay Scarpetta novel. ISBN 978-1-5387-4316-4. No book club edition of significance. Confirm the first printing by both the stated 'First Edition' line and the number line ending in 1.

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