Dust
Patricia Cornwell
Dust
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patricia Cornwell
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
After witnessing a devastating mass tragedy, Kay Scarpetta dives into a chilling case involving the death of a graduate student connected to strange murders in D.C. As danger closes in, her husband, an FBI agent, races to catch a serial killer lurking in the shadows. Together, they navigate a dark and twisted investigation that tests their resolve and courage.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include murder, violence, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Dust 11IE
Dust is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 495 pages (approximately 130,718 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dust works for readers up to grade 8.6.
Read aloud, Dust runs about 14.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Dust as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder, Violence, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Dust explores mystery, thriller, crime, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, thriller, crime.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Scarpetta series.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780399157578
- Pages
- 495
- Publisher
- Putnam Publishing Group
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 130,718
- Read-Aloud
- ~14h 31m
- Text Density
- Dense