Interview with Patricia Cornwell

I've been reading Cornwell's books since high school. In the dead of the night too, which makes her thrillers even better! Can't wait to read her next one!

C.

..at Postmortem. 

I remember at the time checking out every bookstore I could find for her next novel.

...and I've read every Scarpetta book since.

Wonderful interview...thank you!   :)

The most fantastic article I've ever, ever seen on AE. I simply treasure it already! Thank you so much for bringing this to us, for interview PC. Since 1990, I've adored Ms. Cornwell. That she is open and out and honest just makes me all the prouder to say 'I am a fan'.

The only thing I wondered, I was quite sure that in one of the books, Scarpetta & Lucy were talking and there was something about how Kay had never had feelings for another woman, never experiemented... that's going to drive me crazy now because I was so sure I'd read that... 

As much as I am not a fan of Benton, I really hope Scarpetta isn't a lesbian. I know, shock, horror, right? But seriously, Kay is Kay. To add yet another layer to her that would be as monumental as lesbainity or even bisexuality, it would be interesting but not something I can picture!

The only thing I'd love to see is, as much as Lucy is an angry person, I just want her to be happy! Jaime could be the one who finally brings that happiness to Lucy and even if she's still angry about other things, I for one would love to see her in a stable, happy relationship! 

Ms. Cornwell, I thank you. And of course, Heather Aimme I thank you as well! 

There are only a select few authors who I think are worthy of reading/being obsessed with their series, and Patricia Cornwell is one of them. I remember being so shocked when I learned that she was out, but it only made me respect her more. I always thought that Lucy was the most developed character, and I guess there's a reason why....

This is an excellent article - I've always wanted to know her thought process because the fact that someone can churn out a 17-book series in just under 20 years astounds me. She's got some major creativity going on.

http://twitter.com/whyyesitscar

Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorite authors and I'm proud to own every book in the Scarpetta-series. I can't wait to read the next book...

Unfortunately I'm not convinced about the movie... I don't think Angelina Jolie is the right choice and it can be difficult to transform a long book-series to a really good movie.

"You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help." - Calvin

I love Patricia Cornwell, have read all of her books, and am eagerly looking forward to reading her latest.  I am so glad she did an interview with AfterEllen!

However, am still not happy with Angelina Jolie playing Kay Scarpetta.  She is just totally wrong for the part, not to mention too young.  I could see her playing the part of Lucy, but not Kay.

 I absolutely love this interview.  You asked the right questions.  I'm glad Patricia talked about her writing from her earlier works to now. I think that suspense and thriller crime novels are her niche. There aren't a lot of womyn who can compete w/ the Big Boys like James Patterson when comes to novels like suspense and thriller. 

I'm so glad she agreed to do this interview.  It makes me happy. I actually thought a lot of  major LGBTQI celebs are stuck-up and don't want to be interview by gay press or gay websites.  

So Thanks to Patricia Cornwell!  

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Patricia Cornwell has been my favourite writer since I can remember. I have all of the Scarpetta books lined on my bookshelf, each read multiple times. I have to say the books even started me on my career path!

My late grandfather introduced me to them back in the day when Lucy was a kid. He would buy the new book, read it and then pass it on to me.  Then we would discuss! When it became clear that Lucy was gay, he never changed his positive attitude towards her. So when he died three years ago, without knowing I was gay, thanks to Lucy I had a little bit hope that maybe he wouldn't have minded too much.

Great interview!!! Made my day!! I also love Patricia Cornwell'S Jack the Ripper non-fiction. It's so interesting!

Can't wait to see what happens with Lucy! And, a BIG secret for Kay from her past?!  ...interesting!

Great interview....WTG AE!! :D

this was a good intereview, I came late to the whole scarpetta books my friend tried years ago to get me to read them but I was reading more fantasy at the time and just wasnt interested but someone gave my mum book of the dead for her birthday and she said I should give it a go I read it on holiday unfortunately I could have done with reading that last, given that the storylines follow on but afterwards I went back and read them all in order and was like agggghhhh lol I must admit to being a little disappointed with scarpetta so im hoping the scarpetta factor is much better but even having said that patricia cornwells books are still far superior to similar books out there at the mo. I would like to add my voice to the fact that I dont think angelina jolie would be right as kay. I always saw kay as more a younger helen mirren or amanda burton from silent witness with longer hair.

~sarah 

and great photo of patricia cornwell on the first page too! thanks so much, heather.

i haven't read any of the scarpetta novels for a few years. i have to admit to getting a bit bored. i'm going to give the scarpetta factor a go though. besides, i always followed lucy's story line closely :o)

i completely agree with mel, the ripper investigation was a very good read. 

if there ever is a film, i could definitely imagine an actress like helen mirren or amanda burton in the scarpetta role. good call!

I've also read all of her books, and can still remember how my heart pounded when the series first revealed that Lucy was gay. What a thrill! And when I'd look at the author's photo, my gaydar kept buzzing, long before she came out. And how wonderful that she's so open and easy about it with the press.

And as much as I like Angelina Jolie, I also can't see her as Scarpetta at all. And as much as I worship Helen Mirren, I almost think she may be too old for the character. Think early Jane Tennison, that may have been the time to do it. Oh well, I wouldn't be sad to see her chosen of course. But A.Jolie, no no no.

Excellent interview!

Patricia Cornwell is gay?

Wow... that explains so many things... (yeah... I'm totally clueless)

I've been her fan for such a long time and that just made my day.

And I'm also so glad that Jaime Berger is back!

as scarpetta? no way... as lucy? definitely... jolie screams lucy to me... 

given what we know about scarpetta's physical person - blonde, on the lush side, gorgeous - and what we know about her IQ, i'd choose an actress that could sell both.. while i love jodie foster, on balance she lacks the requisite lushness that is scarpetta.. she's not substantial enough physically for me to buy her as kay... that's part of the problem with jolie playing her, aside from the fact that jolie always comes off as dark & menacingly sexy which is far more lucy than kay..

i'd like to see someone like meryl streep -- who could sell anything, she's beyond the most amazing actress but happens to have both the look and intellect to play scarpetta... or how about the meryl streep of daytime, crystal chappell?  they call her that for good reason -- she's insanely talented....  i'd love to see crystal move beyond daytime and into the big screen.. i think she's up to it and could well sell the IQ and lushousness.. in fact, unlike streep, as an actress in her early 40's crystal could play early scarpetta and work her way towards the latest books in the series.. 

scarpetta casting aside, great interview with one of my fav authors!