CAUSE OF DEATH

An investigative reporter is found dead in an inactive Navy shipyard. While doing the post mortem, Virginia Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta detects the unmistakable odor of bitter almonds arising from the body cavity. Death by cyanide is not usually an accident, and this one proves no exception. As Kay, niece Lucy, and pal Marino get tangled in the investigation, more murders occur. Meanwhile, Kay and her erstwhile lover re-kindle an old flame, and a terrorist cult and their messianic leader are introduced. C. J. Critt's reading is appealing, despite predictable scenarios and a credibility-stretching conclusion. Cornwell and Scarpetta are usually a great team, but this time the shaky plot doesn't measure up, leaving Critt a handful of interesting characters, but little else to work with. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]