The Surgeon - Rizzoli & Isles, Bk 1 Author:Tess Gerritsen A serial killer is on the loose in Boston. The victims are killed in a particularly nasty way: cut with a scalpel on the stomach, the intestines and uterus removed, and then the throat slashed. The killer obviously has medical knowledge and has been dubbed "the Surgeon" by the media. Detective Thomas Moore and his partner Rizzoli of th... more »e Boston Homicide Unit have discovered something that makes this case even more chilling. Years ago in Savannah a serial killer murdered in exactly the same way. He was finally stopped by his last victim who shot him as he tried to cut her. That last victim is Dr Catherine Cordell, who now works as a cardiac surgeon at one of Boston's prestigious hospitals. As the murders continue, it becomes obvious that the killer is drawing closer and closer to Dr Cordell, who is becoming so frightened that she is virtually unable to function. But she is the only person who can help the police catch this copycat killer. Or is it a copycat? To complicate matters even further, Detective Moore, often referred to as Saint Thomas as he continues to mourn the loss of his wife, is getting emotionally involved with the doctor.« less
OK, this book is very well-written and suspenseful. Those who enjoy Elizabeth George's Lynley/Havers mysteries will surely spot similarities between Jane Rizzoli and Barbara Havers. But for me, this book crossed the line of my tolerance for gore and creepiness. Too much detail to the gore, a medical setting with graphic descriptions of trauma-center medical cases, too much viewpoint of the killer. Worth a try if you have a tolerance for more gore and creepiness than the Lynley/Havers mysteries.
Ok, creepy creepy creepy - but excellent writing. This one is followed up the The Apprentice. Look out Detective Rizzoli! You'll want to read them both.
Excellent book and a tense read. This was the first Tess Gerritsen book I read, and I've since read most of her others as a result of how much I enjoyed The Surgeon. I have not been disappointed. Neither will you.
I wasn't really awed until the end of the book. If we had 1/2 stars, I'd go 3 1/2 stars. Although I found most of the story to poke along, the end was pretty suspenseful & not horribly obvious.
The whole "Rizzoli & Isles #1" is a little misleading. Rizzoli was in the book, but I never saw Isles. I've never seen the television series based on these books. I love a good series, so I'll surely pick up #2 soon.
This is Tess's foray and one of her best in my opinion. Impossible to put down and very graphic. If you're squeamish, don't pick this book up. She is a master storyteller that adds the most intricate of details from a medical standpoint. Her background lends itself to writing amazing books like this as well as her others such as Harvest. I am a big Tess fan and have communicated directly with her in email. Very personable and a brilliant storyteller.
I enjoyed the Rissoli and Isles TV series so when I discovered it was taken from the series of books I looked for the first book of the series. I have read almost all of the Patricia Cornwell books but this book was more graphic in a less scientific way, from the view of the killer. That threw me a little at first but the story line drew me in. There are story lines on several characters but they are introduced in a way that is easy to follow. There is also a great love story between two of the characters which isn't resolved until the end. I enjoyed the book and will read more in this series.
I've enjoyed reading this book. Rizzoli is a little softer on the TV show than in the book. Maura is not in this book at all. I liked the characters and got pulled in and actually felt sympathy for them and cared about them. Good book. Looking forward to book 2 "The Apprentice".
Two years ago Dr. Catherine Cordell had been successful in escaping a sexual assault. She had killed her attacker. Now women are being brutally killed in almost identical manner - details never released to the public. She feels he is taunting her and now she is also in danger. Even Detective Thomas Moore cannot protect her from the Surgeon. Gripping suspense.