How ‘Scarpetta,’ ‘Body Farm’ author Patricia Cornwell cultivated her life of crime — with help from Billy Graham and his wife
Patricia Cornwell, author of the Kay Scarpetta series and 'Portrait of a Killer,' began her career as an unpublished writer struggling to break into fiction. Her breakthrough came after meeting medical examiner Marcella Fierro, whose mentorship gave Cornwell the forensic knowledge and confidence to write with authenticity. Immersing herself in the work of the Richmond medical examiner’s office not only shaped her novels but also helped her overcome a long-standing eating disorder.
- ▪Patricia Cornwell met deputy chief medical examiner Marcella Fierro in 1984, which marked a turning point in her writing career.
- ▪Cornwell worked in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, observed autopsies, and became a volunteer police officer to gain firsthand experience.
- ▪Her immersion in forensic work helped her overcome a severe eating disorder, which she attributes to gaining control over her life.
- ▪Cornwell’s new memoir, 'True Crime,' details her journey into forensic research and personal transformation.
- ▪Nicole Kidman stars in an Amazon Prime series based on the Scarpetta novels.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Lifestyle exclusive How ‘Scarpetta,’ ‘Body Farm’ author Patricia Cornwell cultivated her life of crime — with help from Billy Graham and his wife By Eric Spitznagel Published May 3, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET Patricia Cornwell showed up to her first meeting at the Richmond, Virginia, medical examiner’s office in the summer of 1984 carrying what appeared to be a cane. The woman who would one day invent the forensic thriller was just 28 years old and still unpublished, living in a cramped seminary apartment with her then-husband while she tried to write mystery novels that no one wanted to buy. A friend had arranged an introduction to deputy chief medical examiner Marcella Fierro, and Cornwell was determined to make an impression.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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