Just a heads-up to fans of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta, the forensic pathologist. AMAZON PRIME Video will be dropping the first episode of this series on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Nicole Kidman will star as Scarpetta in this 8 episode series. A second season has already been given the Green Light. Are you a fan of Kay Scarpetta?
Mildly so. Will give it a try.
Todd, I’m giving SCARPETTA a try tomorrow, too.
I would like to think that a detective series with Nicole Kidman would be worth watching, but after reading the novels for a while I grew to really dislike Kay Scarpetta, and I imagine that would spill over onto the series if I tried to watch it. I’ll probably give it a pass.
Jeff, I read the first few Scarpetta mysteries…then drifted on to other writers.
Meh. I read the first few Scarpetta novels and was less than impressed. I just don’t care for Cornwell’s writing. I really disliked her first Andy Brazil novel HORNET’S NEST, which put me off reading anything else by her except for the pitiful and laughable “expose” on Jack the Ripper. Ptah!
Jerry, Patricia Cornwell is a controversial writer. She has her fans…and her detractors.
God, no. Hate Patsy Cornwell’s annoying characters.
Jeff, I can’t believe they turned Scarpetta into a redhead!
Sadly, I can’t separate the Scarpetta character from her author.
I’m with the two Jeffs. This is a hard pass.
Beth, your reaction to SCARPETTA seems to be shared by many.
Sadly, I can’t separate the Scarpetta character from her author.
I’m with the two Jeffs. This is a hard pass.
And AI is telling me my comment is a duplicate. I hate technology.
Beth, double the comment, double the fun!
The vagueness of my appreciation might well be my mistaking her work with someone else’s, given the lack of love given here.
Todd, I find occasional vagueness useful..
I’ve never read a Scarpetta because I can’t abide Patsy Cornwell! I’m surprised someone hasn’t beheaded her by now!
Bob, she does get a lot of death threats…
She has earned them!
Hm. I realize now I read THE BODY FARM when it was newish, but wasn’t filled with a passion for more, even given it struck me as not bad,
Hadn’t been keeping up with her since.
One of the reviewers at the Ebert memorial site wasn’t too impressed by the series: https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/scarpetta-nicole-kidman-prime-video-tv-review-2026
Still probably will give the pilot a look.
Todd, I know I read THE BODY FARM but I’m not sure I read many more Scarpetta books after that.
I liked the early books, and she was nice when she first started. I gave up on her books when in one book, she solved a mystery because a cat channeled a building. I’m not sure if it was a scarpetta novel. I’m watching the 3rd episode and won’t continue. The back and forth between current and past scarpetta is annoying.
Maggie, I think a lot of people share your reservations about SCARPETTA.