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Available
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Series
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Ballantine Books
Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * "A briskly paced, terrifically suspenseful work that steadily builds toward a tense and terrifying climax."--People (Page-turner of the week) He slips into homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, about to awaken to a living nightmare. The precision of his methods suggests that he is a deranged man of medicine, prompting the Boston newspapers to dub him "The Surgeon." Led by Detectives Thomas Moore and Jane Rizzoli, the cops must consult the victim of a nearly identical crime: Two years ago, Dr. Catherine Cordell fought back and filled an attacker before he could complete his assault. Now this new killer is re-creating, with chilling accuracy, the details of Cordell's ordeal. With every new murder he seems to be taunting her, cutting ever closer, from her hospital to her home. And neither Moore nor Rizzoli can protect Cordell from a ruthless hunter who somehow understands--and savors--the secret fears of every woman he kills. "[A] top-grade thriller . . . Sharp characters stitch your eye to the page. An all-nighter."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Creepy . . . will exert a powerful grip on readers."--Chicago Tribune… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ladypembroke
Why did I now know about these books before the TV show, and why has it take me 2 years to actually start reading them?
LibraryThing member drhapgood
So I come to this series as a fan of Rizzoli and Isles. Well, maybe not a hardcore fan. Let's say I love Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander from their previous cop show adventures, and I'm not quite willing to pass up a show that features BOTH of them. In its defense, R&I is getting better.
So, I've
Craving more characterization than this book gave, but since it's the first of a series, I can be patient. I'm trying not to hate book Rizzoli, but she really makes it hard, being so bitchy and one dimensional. Again, I'll be patient.
Good, believable story with decent characterization. I kind of wish that Dr. Cordell became the focus of the series, but I think that's Ms. Gerritsen's point. Rizzoli has her flaws and it's what makes her real.
So, I've
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never as passionate about this genre of books as I am about my fantasy loves. That said, I enjoyed this as much as most of the Kathy Reich's books, and a hell of a lot more than Virals. Still can't say enough bad things about Virals.Craving more characterization than this book gave, but since it's the first of a series, I can be patient. I'm trying not to hate book Rizzoli, but she really makes it hard, being so bitchy and one dimensional. Again, I'll be patient.
Good, believable story with decent characterization. I kind of wish that Dr. Cordell became the focus of the series, but I think that's Ms. Gerritsen's point. Rizzoli has her flaws and it's what makes her real.
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LibraryThing member ABVR
The Surgeon is billed, on the cover, as the first book in Tess Gerritsen’s “Rizzoli and Isles” series, and it is . . . sort of. Jane Rizzoli is present and accounted for, but as a supporting character in the story of Boston trauma surgeon Catherine Cordell: the would-be victim, and killer, of
Gerritsen keeps multiple subplots in play throughout the novel: a series of crimes in Boston that mirror those The Surgeon committed in Georgia years before, the efforts of Rizzoli and her partner Thomas Moore to solve them, Cordell’s traumatic flashbacks to her ordeal, threats against her that may be coming from the copycat killer, and the tangled personal lives of all three. Gerritsen balances them well, but the sheer number means that most of them are developed, most of the time, in fairly schematic ways. The police work is satisfying but streamlined, Rizzoli’s fight against marginalization (as the “new guy” and only woman among the detectives) is believable but over-familiar, and the identity of the killer feels—for lack of alternate suspects—almost inevitable. The story is consistently engrossing, but rarely gripping.
A consistent exception—not surprisingly, given Gerritsen’s medical background—are the hospital scenes of Cordell at work. They work both as medical drama and as characterization, establishing her as a tough, competent, resourceful woman, and rendering her actions (past and present alike) plausible. They make Cordell the one fully-realized character in the novel—though Moore comes close—and that, in turn, works to the book’s immeasurable benefit, since she takes center stage more and more often as the multi-threaded plot spins toward its climax. Reading The Surgeon with no real sense of where the series is going, I found myself looking forward to watching Gerritsen do similar things with Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles.
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a notorious serial murderer known as The Surgeon. Gerritsen keeps multiple subplots in play throughout the novel: a series of crimes in Boston that mirror those The Surgeon committed in Georgia years before, the efforts of Rizzoli and her partner Thomas Moore to solve them, Cordell’s traumatic flashbacks to her ordeal, threats against her that may be coming from the copycat killer, and the tangled personal lives of all three. Gerritsen balances them well, but the sheer number means that most of them are developed, most of the time, in fairly schematic ways. The police work is satisfying but streamlined, Rizzoli’s fight against marginalization (as the “new guy” and only woman among the detectives) is believable but over-familiar, and the identity of the killer feels—for lack of alternate suspects—almost inevitable. The story is consistently engrossing, but rarely gripping.
A consistent exception—not surprisingly, given Gerritsen’s medical background—are the hospital scenes of Cordell at work. They work both as medical drama and as characterization, establishing her as a tough, competent, resourceful woman, and rendering her actions (past and present alike) plausible. They make Cordell the one fully-realized character in the novel—though Moore comes close—and that, in turn, works to the book’s immeasurable benefit, since she takes center stage more and more often as the multi-threaded plot spins toward its climax. Reading The Surgeon with no real sense of where the series is going, I found myself looking forward to watching Gerritsen do similar things with Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles.
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LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
In this serial killer novel, the culprit is somebody with a medical background who has been dubbed by the media as “The Surgeon”. On the case are Detectives Moore and Rizzoli, who consulted in a case in Georgia a couple of years earlier. Tied into the two cases are Dr. Catherine Cordell, who
I have read so many serial killer novels, that I tend to get bored by them. There is only so much that can be done on the subject, and it pretty much has already been done before. With the lack of new ground, there has to be something that really stands out to make it interesting. Nothing stands out about this novel. The writing is certainly solid and I don’t have much to complain about. It’s very obvious early on that the person performing the murders is someone who was involved with the original murderer, so the reveal is hardly surprising. Everything else about the novel is fairly generic and not horribly compelling. Not that this was a bad novel, it just doesn’t stand out.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
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killed the man responsible for the previous murders. She is now in Boston where the attacks are happening, and appears to be the center of the killer’s obsession.I have read so many serial killer novels, that I tend to get bored by them. There is only so much that can be done on the subject, and it pretty much has already been done before. With the lack of new ground, there has to be something that really stands out to make it interesting. Nothing stands out about this novel. The writing is certainly solid and I don’t have much to complain about. It’s very obvious early on that the person performing the murders is someone who was involved with the original murderer, so the reveal is hardly surprising. Everything else about the novel is fairly generic and not horribly compelling. Not that this was a bad novel, it just doesn’t stand out.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
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LibraryThing member smik
Tess Gerritsen was already a well established author when THE SURGEON launched the Jane Rizzoli series in 2001. Jane is a female detective working in a man's world in the Boston Police Department. She's recently moved from Vice and Narcotics to Homicide. She's the only woman in Homicide and already
There's a serial killer on the loose in Boston, his hallmark that he operates on his victims, removing body parts while they are still alive. Jane Rizzoli knows solving this case could be the making of her career. Her assigned partner is "Saint" Thomas Moore, the cop who never stepped over the line, never swore, never lost his cool.
THE SURGEON snags the reader straightaway, opening with a prologue from the killer's point of view.
Today they will find her body.
Today they will know we are back.
The Surgeon has a fixation of Boston doctor Catherine Cordell. His victims, we learn, are women who have already been damaged, as has Catherine Cordell, through rape. In their own ways Jane Rizzoli and Thomas Moore both step over the line, Rizzoli in a way that could mean the end of her career.
The blurb on the front of the book says THE SURGEON is a page turner - as I read this on my Kindle, the "next page" button got a rapid work out.
An excellent read and highly recommended.
Perhaps I should warn that some of the medical details may make you a little squeamish.
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there has been trouble between her and another detective. She's a woman out to make her mark.There's a serial killer on the loose in Boston, his hallmark that he operates on his victims, removing body parts while they are still alive. Jane Rizzoli knows solving this case could be the making of her career. Her assigned partner is "Saint" Thomas Moore, the cop who never stepped over the line, never swore, never lost his cool.
THE SURGEON snags the reader straightaway, opening with a prologue from the killer's point of view.
Today they will find her body.
Today they will know we are back.
The Surgeon has a fixation of Boston doctor Catherine Cordell. His victims, we learn, are women who have already been damaged, as has Catherine Cordell, through rape. In their own ways Jane Rizzoli and Thomas Moore both step over the line, Rizzoli in a way that could mean the end of her career.
The blurb on the front of the book says THE SURGEON is a page turner - as I read this on my Kindle, the "next page" button got a rapid work out.
An excellent read and highly recommended.
Perhaps I should warn that some of the medical details may make you a little squeamish.
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LibraryThing member DaffiMere
I quite enjoyed this book. Thiller/Crime books are not really high on my to read stack/list of books to read, but I found this book enjoyable. Even through this book is listed as the first book in the Rizzoli & Isles series, I would call 'The Surgeon' a prequel.
If you like the TV Series of 'Rizzoli
This book was so enjoyable that I read it under 20 hours.
If you like the TV Series of 'Rizzoli
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& Isles', you would like this series.This book was so enjoyable that I read it under 20 hours.
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LibraryThing member laytonwoman3rd
A fairly standard serial killa thrilla, but well done. Reminiscent of some of Jeffrey Deaver, some of Thomas Harris. Lots of exsanguination, not for the queasy. Good character development; potential for stereotyping avoided by having a couple people learn things about themselves. This is the first
Review written in March, 2011
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Jane Rizzoli novel; I understand she gains a partner and creates a series. She has an awful chip on her shoulder in this one, but actually does a fair job of knocking it off by herself in the end.Review written in March, 2011
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LibraryThing member TerriBooks
I recently started watching the TV series "Rizzoli and Isles" and thought it would be good to read the books the series is based on. This is the first of them. Other than being a bit gruesome for my taste, I enjoyed the read. It was a quick, light crime novel, grabbed my attention right from the
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beginning. I liked the characters; they were not too good to be true but they were heroic enough to be "the good guys". I was surprised that Detective Rizzoli wasn't the main character, and Dr. Isles doesn't appear at all. I'll put the sequels on my audiobook list for commuting time, and am looking forward to getting to know Rizzoli and Isles. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kara
I went back and forth between three and four stars.
On one hand, the book was highly engaging. It was easy to read and drove me to keep going because I just needed to know what would happen next. The book shifts perspective from a third person narration following the detective side of the case to
Now the bad. Something was making me uncomfortable, and it took me about half the book to put my finger on it. Men are portrayed in an extremely unflattering light in this book. They all fall into one of three categories: douchebags who look down on women, "nice guys" who find vulnerability attractive, or murderers and rapists. In the whole book, there is only one man who might be an exception to this rule.
I ended up going with four stars to give Gerritsen the benefit of the doubt. A lot of the book is told from the perspective of a female cop having a tough time in a male world (Rizzoli), so it kind of makes sense. I'd have to read another work of hers to see if this is a theme.
One more note: this book is not for the faint of heart. There's murder and rape and grisly details. Gerritsen is an M.D., and it shows. The book is littered with medical details which I found added a certain authentic feel.
On one hand, the book was highly engaging. It was easy to read and drove me to keep going because I just needed to know what would happen next. The book shifts perspective from a third person narration following the detective side of the case to
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first person from the view of the murderer himself which created an interesting dynamic. I also thought Gerritsen did a nice job of weaving in a bit of mythology--I love that kind of thing.Now the bad. Something was making me uncomfortable, and it took me about half the book to put my finger on it. Men are portrayed in an extremely unflattering light in this book. They all fall into one of three categories: douchebags who look down on women, "nice guys" who find vulnerability attractive, or murderers and rapists. In the whole book, there is only one man who might be an exception to this rule.
I ended up going with four stars to give Gerritsen the benefit of the doubt. A lot of the book is told from the perspective of a female cop having a tough time in a male world (Rizzoli), so it kind of makes sense. I'd have to read another work of hers to see if this is a theme.
One more note: this book is not for the faint of heart. There's murder and rape and grisly details. Gerritsen is an M.D., and it shows. The book is littered with medical details which I found added a certain authentic feel.
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LibraryThing member nlavery
Good fun. This book reminded me of the Patricia Cornell style of writing with a medical flavour (rather than forensic), and a serial killer (a la Hanibal) style. Other books of hers have not hit the target with me.
LibraryThing member crazy4reading
The Surgeon is mystery, suspense novel. It is based in Boston Massachusetts and Savannah Georgia. The woman Catherine Cordell is a doctor whom was raped 2 years earlier in Savannah Georgia. She has kept the past in the past and doesn't talk about the rape. She has made her life so that she feels
The detectives involved in this case are, Thomas Moore and Jane Rizzoli. When the first murder happens in Boston Tom and Jane have to talk to Dr. Cordell. Jane is a woman working in a mans field and always feels that she is judged differently then the men. Tom is known as Saint Thomas because he seems to never do anything wrong.
I found myself wanting to read when ever I had a free moment. I would hide the book under my desk and read while everyone else was working. I found myself thinking about the story as I would fall asleep at night. The Surgeon is a well executed mystery book. Tess Gerritsen kept me on the edge of my seat during the whole book. If you are looking for a new mystery writer then give Tess Gerritsen a try.
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secure and is always on the alert for possible things to happen. Dr. Cordell now lives in Boston and the murders start again. It is believed that Catherine has killed the man responsible in Savannah.The detectives involved in this case are, Thomas Moore and Jane Rizzoli. When the first murder happens in Boston Tom and Jane have to talk to Dr. Cordell. Jane is a woman working in a mans field and always feels that she is judged differently then the men. Tom is known as Saint Thomas because he seems to never do anything wrong.
I found myself wanting to read when ever I had a free moment. I would hide the book under my desk and read while everyone else was working. I found myself thinking about the story as I would fall asleep at night. The Surgeon is a well executed mystery book. Tess Gerritsen kept me on the edge of my seat during the whole book. If you are looking for a new mystery writer then give Tess Gerritsen a try.
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LibraryThing member Darrol
I am not a great fan of serial killer fiction. I would be curious if this killer is based on a real case. Criminal as atavism. I enjoyed the introduction of Jane Rizzoli. I am curious about the wig the killer used to disguise himself.
LibraryThing member emhromp2
A good book, reads like a rollercoaster ride. There are a lot of bloody scenes in it though. I liked the credible unsuspected ending!
LibraryThing member Esiotrot
I really enjoyed this book, although the medical descriptions were gory I didnt find it as scary as I anticipated. Its a clever, fast paced medical thriller with a little romance on the side, the characters are well formed and believable. I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series. I
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also have The Apprentice so it wont be long before I am back with Rizzoli again. Show Less
LibraryThing member RoaldEuller
These are beach reads nothing more. Perfect as an impulse buy before a long plane flight, but instantly forgettable (although I must admit some of the grizzlier scenes tend to linger...)
LibraryThing member eembooks
This is a gruesome medical thriller about a psychopathic killer and read because it was chosen by my book group and was intrigued enough to keep reading but would not likely read another of this author’s novels. While sometimes I really like mysteries if introduced to various suspects and trying
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to solve the crime as go along there was no way to see who committed the crimes until almost the very end. Most of the time I thought Catherine was inventing the murder and think that would have much more interesting story. Although the author is a physician I thought the ER scenes unrealistic (say this as a former nurse). The ending is insipid. Show Less
LibraryThing member HollyinNNV
For me, this novel read like a snowball rolling uphill. Ok-the snowball had some momentum to start with. But, the excitement, intrigue and suspense really ended about mid-way through the book. To Gerritsen's credit, I did have to finish the book because I was curious. However, I hate it when I can
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guess the endings of books, and this was a book where I thought the ending was obvious. Show Less
LibraryThing member loridaniels
I enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. The oly thing I did not like was that the authour told us who the killer was a little more than half way through the book, way before the hero knew. I like books that allow me to try and figure it out with the hero. Other than that it was a great read!
LibraryThing member reakendera
This is only the second Gerritsen book I've read, but I love her writing. Again, such a light read, but absolutely engrossing. I read this in two sittings, couldn't put it down it was so good. Amazing read! Can't wait to pick up another one.
LibraryThing member miyurose
I felt pretty "ho-hum" about this book. It was alright, but not so great that I'll seek out more books by Tess Gerritsen. On to bigger and better things!
LibraryThing member ForfarLibrary
I read this on recommendation of a borrower and I thought it was good. It wasn't as formulaic as some of the serial killer novels, but it was just enough in genre to be comfortable. Tess writes well without cliche and although it wasn't particularly suspenseful, it was still a page turner for me.
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The medical detail adds interest without being overdone. I'll look for more in this series. The main characters were drawn fully enough to make me want to read about them again. - Fiona Show Less
LibraryThing member teeth
This was a good murder mystery. i liked all the twists and turns. Women are being murdered all over Boston and the killer is at large. A phscian who had been raped in Savannah is at the center of this murder mystery.
LibraryThing member MsBeautiful
Interesting Mystery/Thriller, well written
LibraryThing member turtelina
A good read! Some passages were a bit long, but the unfolding of the story was really good and unforseeable. I loved all the medical details, and of course the end. That God did not only made the good people, but also the bad ones. Very true.
LibraryThing member Sinetrig
A very good read within the contemporary Mystery-Detective genre. The plot line is about the Boston PD's efforts ("Criminal Minds" + "CSI" style) to identify and apprehend a particularly vicious sexual serial killer who has recently started to rape and kill, after a period of no activity. Dr.
However, it is the contrasts in the mental outlooks of a Dr. Cordell, rape victim, and the killer, that provide a deeper human interest than normally present in detective stories. The two mind sets: a rape victim's enduring, persistent, silent and unseen trauma of "life-after-being-raped" contrasted with the killer's self-satisfaction and self-justifying thought patterns, implying that ancient societies' rites of "serial" human sacrifice legitimize his own actions.
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Catherine Cordell, a trauma surgeon, and a rape victim of 2 years, is the key to the puzzle of the why and the who of the serial killings. However, it is the contrasts in the mental outlooks of a Dr. Cordell, rape victim, and the killer, that provide a deeper human interest than normally present in detective stories. The two mind sets: a rape victim's enduring, persistent, silent and unseen trauma of "life-after-being-raped" contrasted with the killer's self-satisfaction and self-justifying thought patterns, implying that ancient societies' rites of "serial" human sacrifice legitimize his own actions.
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Subjects
Awards
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (Winner — Suspense — 2001)
RITA Award (Finalist — Romantic Suspense — 2002)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001
Physical description
4.18 inches
ISBN
0345478770 / 9780345478771
Local notes
Series - Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles #1