Patricia Cornwell: at the morgue

iVillage: When you want to relax, what do you enjoy reading?

Patricia Cornwell: Well, I like to read my research material. I'm doing research on Jamestown right now. I enjoy reading books about John Smith and Native Americans. John Jakes' On Secret Service is a great book; lots of factual details in novel form. I like to learn something new when I read. I also like Far Side cartoons. iVillage: Which Scarpetta novel is your personal favourite, and why?

Patricia Cornwell: The Last Precinct is my favourite. It's the most powerful book I've written; it brings you right into Kay's soul and mind. This book is almost miraculous. I don't know how I did it, but I knew I wrote a good book. I hope I'll like the next one even better.

iVillage: Was mystery writing your first passion, or are there other genres you've explored or are interested in exploring?

Patricia Cornwell: When I started writing, I wrote poetry, then literary novels. But I'm interested in reporting on real life, and in talking to people who have had loved ones murdered. I like seeing, feeling and smelling these things. I'm a non-fiction writer. I take the facts and then run with them and add imagination.

iVillage: Is there a significant event that you feel has contributed to your success as a writer?

Patricia Cornwell: Yes: my first visit to the morgue changed how I look at things. The reality of death changed the way in which I want to express myself. I want to capture the reality, compassion and terror of violence. All cruelty in life is about abuse of power. And Kay will never abuse her power. Murder is the ultimate abuse of power. I'm writing about deeper human issues that are as old as time. We all need to avoid the abuse of power. Kay would agree with me on that.

That's not to say you can't defend yourself. There's one scene in the book where Kay stops a woman from abusing a dog. I'm very involved with animals; I'll get into a fistfight with someone who harms an animal.

Patricia's last words: Enlightenment; do no harm; and leave the world a better place than you found it.