"Point of Origin," by Patricia Cornwell. Putnam. 356 pages. $25.95.

Cornwell's ninth thriller featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Virginia's chief medical examiner, is the best yet.

It's been five years since killer Carrie Grethen was incarcerated in a psychiatric center. Suddenly, Scarpetta gets a note from Carrie, indicating she's not done causing mayhem for Scarpetta and others.

"Point of Origin" moves with tension-building pace and Cornwell's characters are more highly developed than her previous works. Her villains are as heinous as any that Stephen King has created.

! Pub Date: 7/12/98