One of today's hottest writers, Patricia Cornwell has pushed the envelope with her popular character Kay Scarpetta, her cutting-edge nonfiction work, Portrait of a Killer, and her own TV appearances covering investigations into Jack the Ripper and the mysterious death of Princess Diana.

Now, devoted fans can delve into her life and work with this definitive guide. The Complete Patricia Cornwell Companion features:

Book-by-book synopses with excerpts and little-known facts

• An examination of Cornwell's life, writing accomplishments, and forensic expertise
• Character portraits of both good guys and bad guys-from Kay Scarpetta, Pete Marino, and Andy Brazil to the cold-hearted killers
• A handy in-depth chronology of all her novels
• The many connections between the author's life history and her fascinating fiction
• A comprehensive list of settings-from Tangier Island to Paris
• Forensic detection "shop talk" and procedures