# Is "Unnatural Exposure" by Patricia Cornwell a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1997) is identified by: First printing shows a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page, with Putnam's First Edition statement present. US G.P.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First 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
- Publisher imprint reads G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Patricia Cornwell |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 1997 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing shows a complete number line reading 10 down to 1 on the copyright page… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First 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.

## Is this the true first?
US G.P. Putnam's Sons is the true first. Eighth novel in the Kay Scarpetta series, following Cause of Death.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant competing state; the full number line ending in 1 distinguishes the first printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Unnatural Exposure* by Patricia Cornwell a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/unnatural-exposure
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.