Patricia Cornwell, born Patricia Carroll Daniels, is an acclaimed American crime writer known for her best-selling novels featuring medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. The first novel in this series was inspired by a series of sensational murders in Richmond, Virginia, where most of the stories are set. Cornwell's plots are distinguished for their emphasis on forensic science, which has significantly influenced later TV portrayals of police work. Beyond her novels, Cornwell has initiated new research into the Jack the Ripper killings, naming the popular British artist Walter Sickert as a suspect. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.

Before achieving fame, Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. This book became the first bona fide forensic thriller, leading to an explosion of entertainment featuring forensic science across film, television, and literature. Despite a humble beginning, where she sold no copies of Postmortem at her first signing, Cornwell's literary career flourished. To date, her books have sold over 120 million copies in thirty-six languages across more than 120 countries, making her one of the most successful authors in modern times.

Cornwell's work extends beyond the Kay Scarpetta series, including a definitive account of Jack the Ripper's identity, two cookbooks, a children's book, and a biography of Ruth Graham. She has also developed two other series based on characters Win Garano, a Boston detective, and Andy Brazil, a Charlotte reporter. Her contributions to literature and artistic development have earned her several prestigious awards, including the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Aside from her writing career, Cornwell is actively involved in forensic research, philanthropy, and advocating for psychiatric research. Her advice to aspiring authors is clear and motivating: "Start writing. And don't take no for an answer."