I needed to figure out a way to start reading series where I am not current or the series is finished but haven’t read them yet. So it’s a way to commit myself to read my backlist, particularly series.
Another police procedural series is the Rizzoli & Isles I want to read. I have watched a few of the tv series but it is very different.
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen Narrator: Laurel Lefkow
Series: Rizzoli & Isles #1
Published by Random House Audio on November 3, 2020
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 49 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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A killer who targets lone women, who breaks into their apartments and performs terrifying ritualistic acts of torture on them before finishing them off. His surgical skills lead police to suspect he is a physician - a physician who, instead of saving lives, takes them.
But as homicide detective Thomas Moore and his partner Jane Rizzoli begin their investigation, they make a startling discovery. Closely linked to these killings is Catherine Cordell, a beautiful doctor with a mysterious past. Two years ago she was subjected to a horrifying rape and shot her attacker dead.
Now the man she believes she killed seems to be stalking her once again, and this time he knows exactly where to find her...
The Surgeon was very much different than what I expected having watched a couple episodes of the TV series. I should know better but they are nothing alike. Jane Rizzoli is struggling, bitter in an all male team which doesn’t include her or give her any credit. There is a doctor involved but not a medical examiner and no Isles!
It was good mystery, police procedural with serial killers going after women. They are found with their uterus removed and their throats cut. With effort, the team discovers that the women were often raped, a few months previous to being killed, to terrify them more. They also found cases in other cities with similarities.
Jane has real issues with her partner. He turns her in for breaking rules. She turns in her partner for also breaking the rules. Her violation is more serious but it doesn’t make me like them any better. She is to be left out of the case from there forward. But she figures out where the woman is being held and goes to save her.
It’s an exciting case and one culprit escaped and will be part of the next book, The Apprentice.
Narration:
I don’t think I have heard this narrator before. I was comfortable with the voices for male and female characters. I was too focused on the story to pay more attention to the narration. I was able to listen at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen Narrator: Anna Fields
Series: Rizzoli & Isles #2
Published by Penguin Audio on March 18, 2004
Genres: Mystery
Length: 9 hours, 34 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
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It is a boiling hot Boston summer. Adding to the city’s woes is a series of shocking crimes, in which wealthy men are made to watch while their wives are brutalized. A sadistic demand that ends in abduction and death.
The pattern suggests one man: serial killer Warren Hoyt, recently removed from the city’s streets. Police can only assume an acolyte is at large, a maniac basing his attacks on the twisted medical techniques of the madman he so admires. At least that’s what Detective Jane Rizzoli thinks. Forced again to confront the killer who scarred her—literally and figuratively—she is determined to finally end Hoyt’s awful influence . . . even if it means receiving more resistance from her all-male homicide squad.
But Rizzoli isn’t counting on the U.S. government’s sudden interest. Or on meeting Special Agent Gabriel Dean, who knows more than he will tell. Most of all, she isn’t counting on becoming a target herself, once Hoyt is suddenly free, joining his mysterious blood brother in a vicious vendetta. . . .
The Apprentice was much easier to read because the foundation was there for the series. Some of the things which were odd about the first book, like the relationship with her partner are reconciled here. Jane Rizzoli is still the prickly woman whose instincts put her in a fight with every man she works with.
A new killer, very similar to the surgeon is leaving bodies across town. The surgeon, Hoyt, is still in prison. A Fed Gabriel Dean comes to town to gather information about the case, but he isn’t very good about sharing information with Jane who is heading the case. We do meet Dr. Isles and her gravelly voice is described as such in the books, but is very different from her tv version. She and Jane don’t work together very much. Or at least, Dr. Isles doesn’t leave the morgue.
Hoyt escapes from prison and Jane is terrified but keeps working hard on the case. They keep collecting information but don’t seem to get ahead. The new killer and the surgeon appear to be working together now.
While Jane does all the right things and investigates well, the case seems to be mostly reactive. Her personal relationships are somewhat interesting but don’t add to the investigation. The solution is terrifying and a bit lucky, but Jane does catch the killers.
Narration:
This is another new narrator to me and the series. I was comfortable with the voices for male and female characters. Her voice for both Rizzoli & Isles is lower in tone than I expected. Isles especially is gravelly but they do both sound female. I was able to listen at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
I remember disliking Jane Rizzoli in the first book. Then I read an interview with the author who stated she never intended this to be a serious, let alone Jane as the central character. That explains a lot as the series takes a serious pivot in books two and three. I ended up loving this series and hope you do, too, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. I am glad to have your insight.
That’s interesting that the second main character didn’t get introduced until the second book and Jane sounds a bit intense and a struggle at first. Glad it smoothed a little in book two.
It’s an interesting series with characters to learn.
Rizzoli & Isles!!! That was a fun show.