Patricia Cornwall opens up about same-sex marriage

Crime author Patricia Cornwall has written a host of novels about her character Kay Scarpetta and her 15th and latest tome about the forensic pathologist is dedicated to her partner Dr Staci Gruber.

Entitled Book of the Dead, this latest novel is filled with many technical details, courtesy of knowledge provided by Harvard university neuroscientist Dr Gruber.

In a recent interview with the Daily Telegraph, Cornwall opened up about her same sex marriage and revealed that she has discovered a sense of belonging as a result of the union.

She said: "Like Scarpetta, I finally feel rooted somewhere. I feel a sense of responsibility and stability that I didn't have before. I hadn't been in a long-term relationship since I got divorced in 1988 and it's hard to live that way. Being with someone who is smart and gives good advice adds tremendously wonderful elements to your life."

In addition, the 51-year-old said that while she has been quiet about gay rights for many years, she now feels that she should stand up and fight for equality.

"I've never been a soapbox person for gay rights, but now I'm in a same-sex marriage I tend to be more open, because I am outraged that it should be illegal in other states," Cornwall commented.

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