Cornwell’s latest book, The Scarpetta Factor, has her heroine, Kay Scarpetta, living and working as a medical examiner in New York City. As always, she’s got a baffling case to solve and there are plenty of exciting and unexpected twists and turns that would likely overwhelm your average detective. But not our Kay! Not only is her mind razor sharp and her instincts right on, she’s also developing and deepening as a woman of maturity.

I asked Patricia, a baby boomer herself, how she sees Kay evolving over the years. She told me that Kay fits right in with our demographic and is growing much like the rest of us. She’s becoming more introspective, more analytical, and more conscious of how her past decisions are affecting her present realities. She seeks to understand and connect, and find the lessons behind her challenges.

When you read The Scarpetta Factor, you’ll be mesmerized by the plotline, the amazing breadth of factual information Cornwell shares, and the references to the changes all of us boomers are experiencing. Kay is like us even in subtle ways—facing a world that seems to be changing more rapidly than ever, she (like me) is decidedly not a fan of text messaging!

So take ten minutes and listen to this fascinating, world-renowned author speak of her personal experience, some of her own self-doubts and questioning, and how she relates to her famous heroine. She gives amazing background on her research for the book and her success at gaining access into the internal workings of the NYPD—an insider’s viewpoint you won’t want to miss.

Then give yourself the gift of this amazing read: it’s a big book with a big story and it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. (One of Cornwell’s many fans wrote she stayed home from work just to finish the book.) For sure, as a boomer woman who can relate to this fabulous and feisty heroine, you won’t be able to put The Scarpetta Factor down. In fact, you may find yourself calling in sick to work, too!