Best sellling crime novelist Patricia Cornwell, left, signs autographs and poses for photos after speaking with members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) class, Detective Fiction & the Quest for Justice, at the Bishop's House on Duke's East Campus on Wednesday afternoon.

The writer, who grew up in North Carolina, spoke to instructor Pamela Gurney's class about her experiences in covering crime for the Charlotte Observer, her time in a Virginia medical examiner's office and her interest in using crime fiction as a way of exploring society.

OLLI is a venture of Duke Continuing Education and offers a variety of classes in literature, history, religion and other topics to members of the Duke and local community.

For more on Cornwell's visit, click here for a story in the News & Observer.

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