The Depraved Heart: A Scarpetta Novel    by Patricia Cornwell Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2015 (2015) Hardcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Dr. Kay Scarpetta receives a very disturbing video link on her phone with no identifying information to tell her who sent it. But she doesn't really need a signature. The scene she watches shows her niece Lucy in her dorm room at FBI headquarters twenty years previously. Kay is sure it is from Carrie, who seems to have risen from the explosion of a helicopter many years previously. Carrie is a psychopath who had a brief affair with Kay's niece Lucy. With this woman on the scene again (feeling rejected by both Kay and Lucy), they must both fear for their lives as well as those of Lucy's current partner and her five-year old nephew. Carrie takes no prisoners and any one in her way must suffer the consequences. Kay is sure that Carrie is the one who killed two police officers and shot her in the thigh with a spear gun while she was on a scuba dive on FBI business. Many questions flow through Kay's mind and she wants answers. Even if she doesn’t like them. She hates to believe it but she is not sure of Benton, her beloved husband. Depraved Heart is a thriller all the way through. Kay and the rest of the cast are put in jeopardy time after time. They not only worry about attack but must watch their conversations in Lucy’s own home! Listening devices abound. We also get a good look at the security systems put into play to keep Lucy's home inviolate. Lucy herself is a character to be reckoned with. Rich beyond belief, she lives by her own standards which are not always in favor with the FBI. Her home is invaded by a team from the FBI and we suffer through the indignity along with her. Characters bite the dust with abandon. Fortunately Kay and her family group manage to cling to life. Unfortunately, so does Carrie. So I assume there will be another novel devoted to bringing Carrie down, hopefully with no more loss of life. Depraved Heart is the 23rd novel in Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series. Cornwell is recognized as one of the world's best crime writers. She is a licensed helicopter pilot as well as a certified scuba diver. She brings her life experiences into her writing to produce books that win great acclaim. She constantly researches state-of-the-art forensic technology so she can bring reality to her books. She does it well. If you're looking for a real thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you can't miss with Depraved Heart. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews