"Killing me won't kill the beast" are the last words of rapist-murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell, written four days before his execution. But they can't explain how Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds Waddell's fingerprints on another crime scene — after she'd performed his autopsy. If this is some sort of game, Scarpetta seems to be the target. And if the next victim is someone she knows, the punishment will be cruel and unusual…

Cruel and Unusual is the fourth installment in the Kay Scarpetta Mysteries series by Patricia Cornwell. This gripping mystery novel follows the renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, as she investigates a series of brutal and unusual murders. Packed with suspense and twists, this hardcover edition is a must-read for fans of the genre. Patricia Cornwell's masterful storytelling and attention to detail will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.