From Potter's Field

ChristmashadneverbeenaparticularlygoodtimeforDrKayScarpetta.Althoughaholidayformost,italwaysseemtoheightenthealienationfeltbysociety'sviolentfringe;andthatusuallymeansmoreworkforScarpetta,Virginia'sChiefMedicalExaminerI.Thebodywasnaked,femaleandfoundproppedagainstafountaininableakareaofNewYork'sCentralPark.Herapparentmannerofdeathpointstoamodusoperandithatischillinglyfamiliar:thegunshotwoundtothehead,thesectionsofskinexcisedfromthebody,thedisplayedcorpse-allsuggestthatTempleBrooksGault,Scarpetta'snemesis,isbackatwork.Callingonallherreservesofcourageandskill,andtheableassistanceofcolleaguesMarinoandWesley,Scarpettamusttrackthismostdangerousofkillersinpursuitofsurvivalaswellasjustice-headinginexorablytoanelectrifyingclimaxamidthedark,menacinglabyrinthsoftheNewYorksubway.