# Is "Autopsy" by Patricia Cornwell a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell (William Morrow, 2021) is identified by: '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). US William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins) is the true first, published November 30, 2021; twenty-fifth Kay Scarpetta novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- '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
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Patricia Cornwell |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Year | 2021 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (10… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'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.

## Is this the true first?
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.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
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.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Autopsy* by Patricia Cornwell a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/autopsy
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.