Forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta seeks to start life anew by moving to Charleston, South Carolina, and opening a private practice, but it's only a matter of time before she is investigating another string of death.

Former South Carolina forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta takes a case in New York in which a patient in a psychiatric prison asks to speak to her about wounds he claims were inflicted during a murder he did not commit, and after talking with the man, she starts to believe he is telling the truth and a serial killer is on the loose.

Dr. Kay Scarpetta, who works as the senior forensic analyst for CNN, offers her services pro bono to the chief medical examiner of New York City, and when she becomes involved in a strange plot involving a famous actor and is asked to launch her own television show, she worries about her future as a professional.