# Is "Body of Evidence" by Patricia Cornwell a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1991) is identified by: First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1, in a price-clipped-free (priced) dust jacket. US Charles Scribner's Sons is the true first; the second Kay Scarpetta novel.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1, in a price-clipped-free (priced) dust jacket
- Publisher imprint reads Charles Scribner's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Patricia Cornwell |
| Publisher | Charles Scribner's Sons |
| Year | 1991 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing has 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete number line descending to 1, in a price-clipped-free (priced) dust jacket.

## Is this the true first?
US Charles Scribner's Sons is the true first; the second Kay Scarpetta novel.

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

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Body of Evidence* by Patricia Cornwell a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/body-of-evidence
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.