Cruel and Unusual
by Patricia Cornwell
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Editions of Cruel and Unusual
 |
ISBN |
Binding/Format Hardcover |
Publisher Scribner |
Date 1993 |
Price $1.00 |
 Very Good |
 |
ISBN |
Binding/Format Hardcover |
Publisher Simon & Schuster |
Date 1993 |
Price $4.50 |
Good |
|
ISBN |
Binding/Format Hardcover |
Publisher Thorndike Pr |
Date 1993 |
Price $1.00 |
Good |
|
ISBN |
Binding/Format Audio Cassette |
Publisher Chivers Audio Books |
Date 1996 |
Price None Available |
|
|
ISBN |
Binding/Format Audio Cassette |
Publisher Brilliance Audio |
Date 1993 |
Price $5.00 |
G |
|
ISBN |
Binding/Format Audio Cassette |
Publisher Brilliance Audio |
Date 1993 |
Price $16.00 |
Fine |
 |
ISBN |
Binding/Format Paperback |
Publisher Harpercollins |
Date 1995 |
Price $1.00 |
Acceptable |
Publisher Notes
When convicted killer RonnieJoe Waddell is executed in Virginia's electric chair, he becomes what shouldbe a routine postmortem case for Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.But after Waddell's execution, the murders continue, as everyone connectedto him begins to die -- including a member of Scarpetta's staff.
Then, when crucial records disappear from her files, Scarpetta comes underfire for incompetence. Caught in a web of political intrigue, betrayed bythose she trusted, Scarpetta must fight to free herself from murderous insinuations-- and threats to her own life.
To save her career, Scarpetta soon finds herself retracing Waddell's bloodyfootprints, following a trail that might lead to long-hidden secrets deepwithin the state government. Either the truth will set her free -- or unleashupon her a punishment both cruel and unusual.
First Line
It is two weeks before Christmas. Four days before nothing at all. I lie on my iron bed staring at my dirty bare feet and the white toilet missing its seat, and when cockroaches crawl across the floor I don't jump anymore. I watch them the same way they watch me. I close my eyes and breathe slow.
I remember raking hay in the heat of day and getting no pay compared to the way white folk live. I dream of roasting pea nuts in a tin and when the tomatoes are in eating them like apples. I imagine driving the pickup truck, sweat shining on my face in that no-future place I swore I'd leave.
I can't use the john, blow my nose, or smoke with out guards taking notes. There's no clock- I never know the weather. I open my eyes and see a blank wall going on forever. What's a man supposed to feel when he's about to be gone?
Like a sad, sad song. I don't know the words. I can't remember. They say it happened in September when the sky was like a robin's egg and leaves were on fire and falling to the ground. They say a beast got loose in the city. Now there's one less sound.
Killing me won't kill the beast. The dark is his friend, flesh and blood his feast. When you think it's safe to stop looking that's when you'd better start looking, brother.
One sin leads to another.
