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The Apprentice (Rizzoli & Isles #2)

by Tess Gerritsen (Goodreads Author)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 16,036 ratings · 827 reviews

The bestselling author of The Surgeon returns—and so does that chilling novel’s diabolical villain. Though held behind bars, Warren Hoyt still haunts a helpless city, seeming to bequeath his evil legacy to a student all-too-diligent . . . and all-too-deadly.

THE APPRENTICE

It is a boiling hot Boston summer. Adding to the city’s woes is a series of shocking crimes, in which w...more

Paperback, 376 pages

Published 2008 by Ballantine Books (first published 2002)

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Dec 07, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's summer again, and a new body's been found just outside of the Boston precinct. Korsak calls Rizzoli, believing as she does this has something to do with the Surgeon--even though he's behind bars. Even though she knows he's behind bars, the way everything is laid out at the crime scene convinces her that he's involved somehow.

Too bad no one else believes that. Convinced Jane is obsessed with the Surgeon, Special Agent Dean of the FBI tries to get her removed from the case. But even when thei...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Neide Parafitas rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, leituras-2012

Mais uma vez a cidade de Boston volta a ser acometida por crimes hediondos que deixam os seus habitantes absolutamente aterrorizados!!

As vítimas são casais abastados e enquanto a esposa é torturada, o marido é obrigado a assistir! O modus operandi é bastante semelhante ao do "Cirurgião", o que leva a crer que é este o culpado! Mas o "cirurgião" está preso e não há qualquer possibilidade de que tenha sido este a cometer estes crimes.

Assim sendo, só há uma explicação... "O cirurgião" tem um admira...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Duesterwald-Online rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: krimi-thriller

Inhalt:
Wieder herrscht in Boston ein heißer, unerträglicher Sommer. In dieser Zeit findet eine grausame Serie von Verbrechen statt, in denen Männer gezwungen werden zuzuschauen, wie ihre Frauen brutal vergewaltigt werden - Für beide endet dieses grausame Szenario immer im Tod.
Das Muster dieser Verbrechen erinnert an einen bereits bekannten Täter: Warren Hoyt.
Doch dieser sollte eigentlich im Gefängnis sitzen.

So bleibt also nur ein Nachahmer in Frage - Jedenfalls denken das Detective Jane Rizzol...more

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Apr 07, 2010 Raíla Soares rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, reviews-written

When I finished reading The Surgeon, I was way too excited to put my hands on the next book of this series and read it. Unfortunatelly, I only could do it months later, but I did it well. I read The Apprentice in one day and a half. This rarely happens! I have seen that it's only a sugestion for you to read the series in order. I don't think so, though. I believe I wouldn't have understood it well if I haven't read The Surgeon first.

This second one is basically a sequel for The Surgeon. The "new...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Mel rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 21st-century-fiction

I really don't care for medical thrillers. Like csi this book suffers from the problem of everyone standing around and explaining their jobs and the technicalities of what they found.

I love the show that is based on these books and wanted to read this one too because it had Maura in. I was amused to see she was a goth! But she is not the adorable geeky Maura of the show. Half way in and she has no personality at all.

Maura's isn't the only disappointing characterisation Korzak is horrible and ho...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Ana Evelia rated it 4 of 5 stars

First of all, I've decided to write a review for The Apprentice after re-reading the majority of the Rizzoli & Isles series by Ms. Gerritsen. I can't say that I didn't enjoy the book, since it is my second time reading the book, I knew to expect gruesome details, a lot of law enforcement jargon -- and I wasn't disappointed. But I was disappointed with the fact that this time around I realized that I had a problem with the way Ms. Gerritsen portrays Jane as if she were ashamed of being a woma...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Simon Jenner rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read 'The Surgeon' before this and enjoyed it and I wondered where the author would go from there. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with this as, whilst the main character continued to be fleshed out, the rest of the book was very 'samey' and never really took off for me.

I was especially disappointed with the ending, which for me was wrapped up far to quickly and conveniently and seemed like it had been rattled off to get the book finished. All of the 'samey' build up resulted in a...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-read, audible-purchase-2009-to-2011, audiobook

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Purchased: Purchased Audiobook from Audible

What I Loved: This was the 2nd book in this series and it was firing on all cylinders. From beginning to end, the case was intriguing and chilling. Perhaps the best part of the book was the continuation of the story between the Surgeon and Rizzoli. It was wonderful to watch the story unfold from both of their perspectives in a unique, emotional, and raw way. I won't give away any spoilers but I will say that the story takes ma...more

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Oct 22, 2011 Kerry sullivan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, thriller-suspence-mystery

This book was reviewed for Musings of a bookworm

The synopsis
Boston detective Jane Rizzoli hasn't completely recovered from the near-death experience at the hands of a serial killer (The Surgeon) that left her scarred and scared, but that doesn't keep her from going after a copycat murderer whose modus operandi is disturbingly familiar. Warren Hoyt may still be behind bars, but Jane thinks there's a connection between him and the man the police call the Dominator, based on the way this new fiend...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Ivanalessia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

http://illibroeterno.blogspot.com/201...…
“Sapeva che gli uomini pensavano a lei come a Jane Rizzoli la temeraria [...] Ma seduta nella sua auto, dietro all'ufficio del medico legale, non si sentiva né temeraria né d'acciaio.”

Esattamente un anno dopo la sua traumatica esperienza con il serial killer, Warren Hoyt (detto il “chirurgo”), la detective Jane Rizzoli viene contattata da un detective di Newton, Vince Korsak, per un caso di omicidio che ricorda molto il modus-operandi di Hoyt, infatti l’u...more http://illibroeterno.blogspot.com/201...…
“Sapeva che gli uomini pensavano a lei come a Jane Rizzoli la temeraria [...] Ma seduta nella sua auto, dietro all'ufficio del medico legale, non si sentiva né temeraria né d'acciaio.”

Esattamente un anno dopo la sua traumatica esperienza con il serial killer, Warren Hoyt (detto il “chirurgo”), la detective Jane Rizzoli viene contattata da un detective di Newton, Vince Korsak, per un caso di omicidio che ricorda molto il modus-operandi di Hoyt, infatti l’uomo è stato legato e ucciso, e la moglie è scomparsa.

“Le era venuto un nodo allo stomaco. Un terribile senso di familiarità. La gola squarciata, il nastro adesivo. Effrazione notturna di una finestra. La vittima o le vittime sorprese nel sonno.
E una donna scomparsa.”

La detective si avvale della collaborazione dell’anatomopatologa Maura Isles, detta “la regina dei morti” (come l’hanno soprannominata quelli della omicidi) che effettua l’autopsia sull’uomo.
Dopo alcuni giorni trovano il corpo della moglie e i resti di un’altra donna, e questo è solo l'inizio.
Per Jane, il nuovo serial killer vuole continuare le gesta del “chirurgo”, ma non le crede nessuno, anzi, viene ostacolata da un agente dell’FBI, Gabriel Dean, che vuole estrometterla dalle indagini perché è ossessionata da Hoyt...

Questo è il mio primo romanzo di Tess Gerritsen e sicuramente non sarà l'ultimo, perché “Lezioni di morte” è un ottimo thriller, ricco di azione e tensione che cattura il lettore fino all'ultima pagina
Oltre alle accurate descrizioni scientifiche degli omicidi e delle autopsie (da ex-dottoressa dimostra tutta la sua conoscenza in campo medico), l’autrice si sofferma sul profilo psicologico dei personaggi principali (Jane e Hoyt), entrando nelle loro menti e mettendo a nudo ogni loro pensiero, azione ed emozione.
Jane Rizzoli è una detective del dipartimento della polizia di Boston che deve lottare ogni giorno per farsi accettare dai suoi colleghi maschi.
Testarda e determinata, Jane affronta i casi e i colleghi con un atteggiamento duro e distaccato che maschera la sua fragilità, perché l’incontro con Hoyt, “il chirurgo”, le ha lasciato il terrore sotto la pelle, e nonostante si trovi in carcere da un anno, la ragazza è ossessionata dal suo ricordo e non si sente sicura neanche in casa.
Nella vita privata deve affrontare il difficile rapporto con la madre e sul lavoro deve combattere contro l’arroganza e la supponenza, dell’agente dell’FBI Gabriel Dean, che si è intromesso nelle indagini senza spiegarne il motivo (di solito l’FBI non s’intromette nei casi della polizia), la ragazza non sopporta il suo modo di fare ma è nello stesso tempo attratta dalla sua forza e la sua determinazione.
Jane mi piace come protagonista perché ha una grande forza di volontà che le permette di andare avanti, anche nei momenti più difficili. Molto interessante anche la Dottoressa Maura Isles, l'anatomopatologa della polizia, una donna fredda e imperturbabile che esegue il suo lavoro con la massima cura e che diventerà coprotagonista dell’intera saga letteraria.

Consigliato?
Assolutamente si!
(less)

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Sep 17, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm a big fan of the Rizzoli & Isles tv show and with the fall hiatus, I decided to start reading the actual books. Full disclosure, I skipped The Surgeon (#1 in this series) because, honestly, Maura Isles is not in it. Sorry. Not interested.

I can definitely tell you, if you've watched the tv show, you can jump into this book first without any problems. The changes that were made for the tv show are, in my opinion, fairly minor in terms of characters and their relationships to each other (fo...more

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Sep 15, 2011 Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes I feel like I am the last person to hear about a great book! I mean this book was written in 2002, but I suppose I was busy with other things in late summer and early fall of 2002!

I am glad that I have finally found this series and though I do not think I will focus just on this series in the upcoming weeks. I hope to eventually read them all. I think I like the series too much to want to watch the TV show -- for I really do not agree with TV directors ideas of doing things. But you kn...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Danni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just like the surgeon, The Apprentice kept my attention the entire way through. Which I was actually quite surprised about, considering Jane Rizzoli, the main character of the series, was one of my least favorite characters in The Surgeon. I went into this book worrying that I wouldn't like it because of my dislike for the main character. Instead, by showing us more about her, and letting us into her head for the entire book, rather than the snippets of the last one, I grew to respect her, and m...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Mrs. Foley rated it 3 of 5 stars

The 2nd book in the series of murder thrillers that inspired the "Rizzoli and Isles" TV series. Also a good read. Continues the story of "The Surgeon" from the 1st book. I remember the episodes on TV that were from these books. Now I kinda want to go back to see what changes the TV show made (besides the obvious fact that Angie Harmon cannot be "plain-looking!").

Review from Booklist:
Gerritsen's fans--and they are many--will be clamoring for this sequel to her most recent book, the best-selling...more

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Oct 10, 2010 Photojim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, library-book, mystery

After reading The Surgeon I wanted to try another Tess Gerristen. Specifically I wanted to see how it was that Detective Rizzoli or an unmentioned Dr. Isles could inspire a television series. In The Surgeon Rizzoli comes off as so unlikable that you don't get the sense of relief that she lives one would expect. Well she does grow on you some in this. Not completely, but some. And we also get to meet Dr. Isles.

A year has passed since the Surgeon was put away and Rizzoli is back on the job doing t...more

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Aug 10, 2010 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This review will have spoilers. You’ve been warned.

The only reason I checked this book out of the library is because I watched Rizzoli & Isles on TV and I enjoyed it. This is not the type of book I normally read. This is the second book in the Rizzoli & Isles mystery series. Rizzoli is a homicide detective who a year before heroically captured the serial killer dubbed The Surgeon. She was also nearly his victim, which has left her scarred inside and out.

The scars start to itch when she’...more This review will have spoilers. You’ve been warned.

The only reason I checked this book out of the library is because I watched Rizzoli & Isles on TV and I enjoyed it. This is not the type of book I normally read. This is the second book in the Rizzoli & Isles mystery series. Rizzoli is a homicide detective who a year before heroically captured the serial killer dubbed The Surgeon. She was also nearly his victim, which has left her scarred inside and out.

The scars start to itch when she’s invited to a crime scene outside of her district. The murder itself isn’t initially similar, The Surgeon preferred women who had already been victims, and this killer has chosen a well-to-do couple. The husband has been slaughtered and the wife is missing. However, there are certain aspects of the crime scene that lead her to believe that a new killer has taken The Surgeon’s signature and modified it for his own use.

When the body of the wife is found, a mysterious FBI agent named Dean appears and she’s ordered to work with him. His intentions are unclear, but he points out certain clues for them to find that were about to be overlooked. He seems to know what he’s looking for in the crimes, but he isn’t sharing everything. He visits Rizzoli one night because he’s realized she and The Surgeon have a bond, unwanted though it may be.

While this can help with the case, it becomes a very real liability when The Surgeon escapes prison and they find he is obsessed with her – the one who survived him.

Considering the series’ title, there wasn’t much of Isles, the coroner. If it hadn’t been for the show, I wouldn’t have even known she was supposed to be a major character. Rizzoli deals with several people in the BPD during her investigation; the coroner is just one more. They don’t seem to be more than colleagues. Rizzoli is an isolated character. Isolated by the fact she’s the only female homicide detective, isolated by the fact that she was nearly a victim, and in a brief scene, we find she’s even isolated by her family who seem more interested in the matriarch’s birthday being perfect than anything else. I mean really, fussing at your daughter, the daughter who’d nearly gotten raped and butchered a year ago, for not baking you a cake? Priority check lady! You should be thanking God she’s still alive to even show up!

And now I’m mad at fictional characters.

The three stars are because it really is well written and suspenseful. Despite the fact I knew how it would end because the story is what the first episode of the TV show was based on. I still read it quickly, eager to see what the show hadn’t told me.

I think the most disappointing bit was the romantic interest in the end. Dean, manages to break through Rizzoli’s wall by helping her face what she’s gone through and she admits that she might, maybe, possibly, need someone to lean on. However, it‘s so rushed that it almost made it ugly. Which is what the real world often is. Ugly.
(less)

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Jul 20, 2010 Jerry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Gory sequel to "Surgeon", be prepared for blood and guts...

While we usually hear this author's name mentioned alongside Robin Cook and Michael Palmer, we find this third (of her six) we've read so far to be more a typical, hard-core police procedural, focused far more on the psyche and activities of the book's brutal serial killers and their cop chasers than on medical speculation or intrigue. John Sandford's "...Prey" series jumps right to mind as a comparison -- and indeed, the plot and actio...more

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Feb 11, 2010 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars

Tess Gerritsen- The Apprentice (Ballantine Books 2003) 3.75 Stars

Another hot summer in Boston leads to rich couples being targeted in a series of horrifying crimes in which men are forced to watch as their wives are raped. The women are then kidnapped and are turning up dead days later. To Detective Jane Rizzoli it looks like the work of Warren Hoyt, but she put him behind bars, so she decides that it must be a copycat. Now Jane must look her fear in the eyes and overcome the horrors that haunt...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Petty Witter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amazing, what a great read, be warned though it probably isn't for readers with a weak stomach as though there was nothing overly gratuitous about the violence in that it was used only when totally necessary to the plot when it was depicted it was fairly graphic.

Fast paced, a real page turner with one or two complete surprises (FBI agent Gabriel Dean's true involvement in the case I really didn't see coming), it was however the psychological insight into the characters of Rizzoli, and in particu...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Jonetta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's been a year since Jane Rizzoli's encounter with the now jailed Surgeon and she's still recovering. Not so much from her physical wounds but the deeper ones no one can see. When she's called to a crime scene by another detective from a different squad, Rizzoli must face the horror all over again as she finds similarities to the Surgeon's work.

Things are also compounded when an FBI agent inserts himself into the investigation. Gabriel Dean isn't forthcoming with too many details as to why he'...more It's been a year since Jane Rizzoli's encounter with the now jailed Surgeon and she's still recovering. Not so much from her physical wounds but the deeper ones no one can see. When she's called to a crime scene by another detective from a different squad, Rizzoli must face the horror all over again as she finds similarities to the Surgeon's work.

Things are also compounded when an FBI agent inserts himself into the investigation. Gabriel Dean isn't forthcoming with too many details as to why he's there and Jane must not only tackle her resurfacing demons but hold her own with her own team and the lead detective from the Newton squad. Medical examiner Maura Isles is also introduced here.

I was reluctant to resume the series after the last book where a deeply flawed Jane Rizzoli didn't seem to think she needed redemption nor would she own up to her troubling behavior. Her jealousy of fellow detective Thomas Moore's relationship with a victim, Catherine Cordelia, led her to put his career at risk. And, the request she made of a fellow detective to cover up the details of her shooting of an unarmed suspect went beyond the pale. However, in this story, we find not only a repentant Rizzoli but one who is more introspective and less willing to be a victim of sexism. She's still edgy and tough, which are her stengths, but without the huge boulder on her shoulder that characterized her in the first book. Rizzoli is much more focused on the investigation and working with not only her team but the detective from the other squad and the mysterious Gabriel Dean. We also learned more about the dynamics of her family, allowing us better insight into this intriguing character.

The re-emergence of the Surgeon was chilling and this story moved rapidly. For me, the bogey man was around every corner and I was tense for most of the book (really good thing for me). It is a tribute to the exceptional writing that my opinion of Jane Rizzoli was completely transformed. I'm looking forward to continuing the series and highly recommend this book.(less)

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Jun 19, 2011 Marianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Apprentice is the second novel in Tess Gerritsen’s Jane Rizzoli/Maura Iles series, and the first book in which Maura Iles makes her appearance. About a year after Rizzoli solved “The Surgeon” case and sent Warren Hoyt to jail, another hot Boston summer sees another serial killer on the loose. This killer is mimicking many of The Surgeon’s actions, but with some differences. As Warren Hoyt is safely locked up, is this a copycat? As well as dealing the with the psychological scarring the Surge...more

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May 09, 2013 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013

Jane Rizzoli, a detective in Boston, is one tough cookie. She's not going to let anyone see her cry. But all that toughness comes with a price, and some of the danger turns out to be decisions that are not as good as she is capable of. Jane survived the attack of a monster, Warren Hoyt, in her last book. Not only did she survive, she put him away for a long time and thought he was definitely out of her life.

Forward a year and a series of shocking crimes that end in abduction and death. Jane's o...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people that like thrillers with psychopatic killers

Recommended to Mark by: tv show

Shelves: detective, rizzoli-isles, tess-geritsen, female-writers

Well onwards with Rizzoli & Isles book 2, well actually the book is about detective Jane Rizzoli and for the first time indeed a new person in the morgue is mentioned as a dr Isles. So her role is very limited in this tale. Like the previous book was more about a detective Moore who was assisted by Rizzoli who at the end cracked the case wide open, this one is mostly about Rizzoli and the damage caused by Warren Hoyt on her personal life and emotions.

This novel is actually a straigth sequel...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Cathy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, mystery, bookclubs, police

I'd say 2-1/2 stars - Not as good as I was hoping, but I'd probably read another one. I don't know if it was because since I'm watching the tv show, I expect the books to fit into my vision of the characters - not fair, since the books were written first, but that's the way it turned out. I didn't like how distasteful Korsak was described because I really like his tv character (again, not fair to the book). The book brought up an interesting question - was the Surgeon born evil or did he develop...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Megan Cooper rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the kind of book that, while pretty well written among the suspense/mystery series genre, wouldn't be allowed much literary acclaim in circles where debates about "great literature" are held, but that many a reader will surely enjoy for the plot and pacing. And because we like mystery television. I didn't know until I found the audiobook on my Catalist app that the show was based on a book series--then, looking for something that would keep my attention and interest (read: not let me fal...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

This is the second book in the Rizzoli and Isles series. It again is told mostly from the point of view of Jane Rizzoli, although this time we are actually introduced to Maura Isles (though only briefly) - she was missing from the first in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it did keep me guessing - I was continuously trying to figure out who The Dominator was (though I was nowhere close to right once it was revealed). Gerritsen does a great job creating suspense for the reader. The on...more

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May 27, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I have only read two Gerritsen books before and that is the Surgeon, and the Sinner. I have like both of those books before but my interest in the Rizzoli and Isles books didn’t start until the television series last summer. It seems from most of what I have read from readers, they hate the show when compared to the novels. Since I like the show first I am not bias one more than the other. Both have their faults and good parts. I do like the character of Maura Isles better i...more

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Jan 27, 2009 Stacey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, 2009-books

I prefer to read series books in order, however, my local library didn't have the 1st book in the Rizzoli series on audio CD so I waivered and went ahead with The Apprentice. I had already listened to another book in this series and it didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous ones.
The Apprentice, however, constantly refers to events and characters in The Surgeon. I didn't feel lost or that I couldn't understand the full effect of what was going on, but rather, I felt like there were secret...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, author-tess-gerritsen

Don't let the figures of Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander on the cover fool you. In this follow-up to Tess Gerritsen's "The Surgeon" Medical Examiner Maura Isles shows up in a few autopsy scenes and that's it. I'm not sure where the TV show came up with the idea of making these two ladies bosom buddies, but I can tell you it wasn't from this book.

"The Apprentice" finds Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli hard at work in the Boston heat a year after she captures the Surgeon, a serial killer w...more Don't let the figures of Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander on the cover fool you. In this follow-up to Tess Gerritsen's "The Surgeon" Medical Examiner Maura Isles shows up in a few autopsy scenes and that's it. I'm not sure where the TV show came up with the idea of making these two ladies bosom buddies, but I can tell you it wasn't from this book.

"The Apprentice" finds Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli hard at work in the Boston heat a year after she captures the Surgeon, a serial killer with a penchant for surgically removing an organ from his victims. This summer she's faced with another gruesome crime scene, and although the Surgeon is secured in a prison, this new killer has borrowed a few details from her old nemesis. The case brings Rizzoli into partnership with Vince Korsak, a detective from nearby Newton, Massachusetts. If you love the Det. Korsak as played by TV's Bruce McGill you may be disheartened by Ms. Gerritsen's character in the books. He's overweight, sweats profusely, drinks too much, wheezes loudly and smells of cigarette smoke. Just as the TV show prettied up the character of Jane Rizzoli, it also made Vince Korsak more lovable (and hygienic). The two make a great pair though and are working amicably until Special Agent Gabriel Dean of the FBI steps in and steps on their toes. The new serial killer, dubbed the Dominator, has entered the scene and interest in the case goes straight to Washington DC.

The mystery seems to slowly plod along until all of the sudden you're on the last twenty pages and the killer is revealed. There was a good mix of police procedure and character development, but the characters weren't as engaging as Det. Thomas Moore and Catherine Cordell (the Surgeon's previous victim) in "The Surgeon". I enjoyed getting to see more of Rizzoli's parents and brothers, and again can't imagine how the TV show created such a loving, sweet family out of the mess Ms. Gerritsen gave Jane for a family. The books feel more real, giving you the tough, ugly side of things, but it is a satisfying venture. I'm sure many more women can connect with Jane Rizzoli, not so many with Angie Harmon.(less)

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Aug 17, 2010 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Apprentice is the 2nd installment in the griping and crudely detailed Rizzoli & Isles series. I like thrillers and I like things realistic and this series takes care of both of those requirements. Gerritsen knows the medical terminology to gross you out and make you appalled and the police work isn't solved 'magically' like some 'thrillers & mysteries' I have encountered.

The book starts us out back in the sweaty heat of Boston in the summer. Rizzoli is faced with a killer that immedi...more The Apprentice is the 2nd installment in the griping and crudely detailed Rizzoli & Isles series. I like thrillers and I like things realistic and this series takes care of both of those requirements. Gerritsen knows the medical terminology to gross you out and make you appalled and the police work isn't solved 'magically' like some 'thrillers & mysteries' I have encountered.

The book starts us out back in the sweaty heat of Boston in the summer. Rizzoli is faced with a killer that immediately reminds her of last summers gruesome murders committed by Warren Hoyt who is wasting away in prison. At first, she is told no it couldn't be, you need to focus on this and nobody wants to accept that the killings have returned and Boston is once again faced with a serial killer.

Enter the FBI and sexy agent Dean. (I am a sucker for FBI agents in books with the 'tall dark and handsome' description.) He shows up on a scene and suddenly Rizzoli feels validated that something is up and pissed off that he won't share anything he knows. Forced to work with him, Rizzoli slowly builds some trust and finds herself attracted to him.

The police come up with a new name for their new killer, the Dominator, because he likes to surprise couples instead of single women. He likes to make the male watch as he dominates his woman in front of him. While trying to figure out who this new killer is, they are faced with a twist, Warren Hoyt has escaped from prison.

Rizzoli once again faces herself off against her male counterparts. She shows no weakness, asks no favors and always pushes herself even when a male counterpart would probably take a break. She has something to prove even if it is only to prove it to herself. I find her character very intriguing because she does grow as a character but fights it the whole way. Very realistic and very much what I think a female detective would face in a male dominated field. She reminds me of Benson from SVU. I also am glad I have seen a few episodes of the tv show cuz I can definitely picture Angie Harmon as Rizzoli. And can I just squeee about how much I love Angie Harmon? She's hot and damn I love her in everything I have watched her in! Including the sadly short lived Women's Murder Club Series whose books I also enjoy reading!

This is the first book that we are introduced to Dr. Maura Isles and the one part of watching the shows first makes it hard to accept the book version of her. The tv show definitely makes her more alive and that's what I picture, but the books haven't really brought her out to life, much more focused on Rizzoli, perhaps the other books delve more into her life. I did think that it seems like Dr. Isles was a last minute add in after the series sprung to life. She just kind of enters into this book instead of being introduced in the first book. That would probably be one of my only complaints about the character development.
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About Tess Gerritsen

Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.

While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller...more

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“Some people make choices hoping for the best; Korsak had made a choice simply to avoid the worst.” — 3 people liked it

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The Apprentice (Rizzoli & Isles #2)

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