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Patricia Cornwell

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Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed

Biography

Born on June 9, 1956, in Miami, Florida, Patricia Cornwell grew up in Montreat, North Carolina. In 1979 she graduated from Davidson College, began her career with the Charlotte Observer, and went on to win an award for her investigative reporting focusing on the issues of crime and prostitution in downtown Charlotte. Having obtained some degree of prominence, Cornwell proceeded to write (and have published, in 1983) A Time for Remembering, her award-winning biography of Mrs Billy Graham.

The year 1990 saw Postmortem, Cornwell’s first crime novel, go on to win many prestigious awards. These included the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure. Dr. Scarpetta, one of the focal characters of Postmortem (and several of Cornwall’s successive books), won the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author. In 2008 Cornwell won the Galaxy British Book Awards’ Books Direct Crime Thriller of the Year – the first American ever to win this prestigious award.

Following the Scarpetta series’ success Cornwell continued to compose bestsellers, some of which can include those novels that make up her Andy Brazil series; Hornet’s Nest, Southern Cross and Isle of Dogs. Cornwell later delved into other styles of writing, using her cook books and children’s book (Life’s Little Fable) as a means of exploring her other ideas.

Cornwell must also be accredited for her work in co-writing and co-producing the film ATF for ABC. Additionally she was one of the founders of the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine. All of her novels have been meticulously researched and translated into 36 languages, and she is regarded as one of the best-selling international authors in the world.

jackie.cope1 commented on Patricia Cornwell's profile

She is my all time favorite author I have read everyone of her books but Red Mist and its next. When you start reading her book you can't wait to turn the page.

chrismaccius commented on Patricia Cornwell's profile

I did not start reading her until 4 or 5 years ago and the only plus with that is you can read so many of her books one right after another.I am a true crime fan also and her books are so realistic.She is brilliant! I love her tenacity when it comes to things she is interested in.Like when she was hunting for Jack the Ripper she did not stop until she was ready to and I think she will always keep searching for more answers.

patricia.basford commented on Patricia Cornwell's profile

Truly one of the best authors out there. I've read every single one of her books up to Red Mist, which is next on my reading list. I heartedly recommend her books, each and every one is a page turner.