The Surgeon - Rizzoli & Isles, Bk 1 Author:Tess Gerritsen In her most masterful novel of medical suspense, New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen creates a villain of unforgettable evil--and the one woman who can catch him before he kills again. He slips into their homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, unaware of the horrors they soon will endure. The preci... more »sion of the killer's methods suggests he is a deranged man of medicine, propelling the Boston newspapers and the frightened public to name him "The Surgeon." The cops' only clue rests with another surgeon, the victim of a nearly identical crime. Two years ago, Dr. Catherine Cordell fought back and killed her attacker before he could complete his assault. Now she hides her fears of intimacy behind a cool and elegant exterior and a well-earned reputation as a top trauma surgeon. Cordell's careful facade is about to crack as this new killer recreates, with chilling accuracy, the details of Cordell's own ordeal. With every new murder he seems to be taunting her, cutting ever closer, from her hospital to her home. Her only comfort comes from Thomas Moore, the detective assigned to the case. But even Moore cannot protect Cordell from a brilliant hunter who somehow understands--and savors--the secret fears of every woman he kills. Filled with the authentic detail that is the trademark of this doctor turned author . . . and peopled with rich and complex characters--from the ER to the squad room to the city morgue--here is a thriller of unprecedented depth and suspense. Exposing the shocking link between those who kill and cure, punish and protect, The Surgeon is Tess Gerritsen's most exciting accomplishment yet.« 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.
