A serial killer is on the loose in Richmond,Virginia. Three women have died, brutalised and strangled in their ownbedroom. There is no pattern: the killer appears to strike at random -but always early on Saturday mornings.So when Dr Kay Scarpetta, chief medical officer, is awakened at 2.33am, she knows the news is bad: there is a fourth victim. And she fearsnow for those that will follow unless she can dig up new forensicevidence to aid the police.But not everyone is pleased to see a woman in this powerful job.Someone may even want to ruin her career and reputation...