Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Sinner (Jane Rizzoli & Maura Isles, #3)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Sinner

(Rizzoli & Isles #3)

Tess Gerritsen (Goodreads Author)

4.12 · Rating details · 48,858 ratings · 1,731 reviews

From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Surgeon" and "The Apprentice" comes a chilling new novel of suspense featuring Boston medical examiner Dr. Maura Isles, on the deadly trail of an anonymous madman who's committed an unholy crime. . . .
THE SINNER
Not even the icy temperatures of a typical New England winter can match the bone-chilling scene of carnage di From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Surgeon" and "The Apprentice" comes a chilling new novel of suspense featuring Boston medical examiner Dr. Maura Isles, on the deadly trail of an anonymous madman who's committed an unholy crime. . . .
THE SINNER
Not even the icy temperatures of a typical New England winter can match the bone-chilling scene of carnage discovered in the early morning hours at the chapel of Our Lady of Divine Light. Within the sanctuary walls of the cloistered convent, now stained with blood, lie two nuns--one dead, one critically injured--victims of an unspeakably savage attacker.
The brutal crime appears to be without motive, and the elderly nuns in residence can offer little help in the police investigation. But medical examiner Maura Isles's autopsy of the dead woman yields a shocking surprise: Twenty-year-old Sister Camille, the order's sole novice, gave birth before she was murdered. Then the disturbing case takes a stunning new turn when another woman is found murdered in an abandoned building, her body mutilated beyond recognition.
Together, Isles and homicide detective Jane Rizzoli uncover an ancient horror that connects these terrible slaughters. As long-buried secrets come to light, Maura Isles finds herself drawn inexorably toward the heart of an investigation that strikes closer and closer to home--and toward a dawning revelation about the killer's identity too shattering to consider. As spine-tingling as it is mind-jolting, "The Sinner" showcases Tess Gerritsen in peak form--bringing her intimate knowledge of the dark depths of criminal investigation brilliantly to bear. Beneath its layers of startling insight into thesouls of its characters, and the richly wrought depiction of the everyday war between good and evil, beats the unstoppable heart of an irresistible thriller.

Tess Gerritsen left a successful practice as an internist to raise her children and concentrate on her writing. She gained nationwide acclaim for her first novel of medical suspense, the "New York Times" bestseller "Harvest," She is also the author of the bestsellers "Life Support," "Bloodstream," "Gravity," and "The" "Surgeon" and "The Apprentice," Tess Gerritsen lives in Maine.
PRAISE FOR TESS GERRITSEN
"The Surgeon
""A briskly paced, terrifically suspenseful work that steadily builds toward a tense and terrifying climax."
--"People" (Page-Turner of the week)
"Creepy . . . ["The Surgeon"] will exert a powerful grip on readers."
--"Chicago Tribune
""Grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go."
--TAMI HOAG
"The Apprentice
""Skillful and scary."
"--The Washington Post Book World
""An adrenaline rush from start to finish."
--IRIS JOHANSEN
"Masterful . . . Gerritsen moves into the Thomas Harris class, though with a style all her own."
--"Kirkus Reviews" (starred review) ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 342 pages

Published August 19th 2003 by Ballantine Books (first published 2003)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Sinner, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.

Vicars, Priests, Abbots, Fathers, Abbesses, Pastors, Nuns

631 books — 268 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.12 ·

Rating details

· 48,858 ratings · 1,731 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Sinner (Jane Rizzoli & Maura Isles, #3)

May 29, 2018 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nc-br-digital-library, audiobook, author-of-the-week, mystery-suspense-thriller, 12800-in-2018, 5000-books

It all starts with the murder of a nun within her abbey along with the assault on another. As Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles investigate, it leads them toward some highly surprising and divergent paths, including connections to other circumstances.

This is the book where we learn more about Maura Isles, finally. Her voice is the strongest though Jane gets considerable space. Nicknamed the Queen of the Dead because of what she does and her gothic look, Maura had to be more complex than a caricature ...more

flag 45 likes · Like · see review

Feb 19, 2018 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, z2018, fiction

3.5 Stars. (Review contains slight spoilers for books 1 and 2 of the series).

Honestly, I didn't enjoy this as much as book 1 & 2. It was different to the others because instead of heavily relying on the surgeon (and the apprentice), it focused on Rizzoli & Isles solving a few cases and dealing with personal issues. I did find it weird that Rizzoli didn't really think of the Surgeon at all. He went from dominating the first two books, to disappearing and I know it might be because she doesn't se 3.5 Stars. (Review contains slight spoilers for books 1 and 2 of the series).

Honestly, I didn't enjoy this as much as book 1 & 2. It was different to the others because instead of heavily relying on the surgeon (and the apprentice), it focused on Rizzoli & Isles solving a few cases and dealing with personal issues. I did find it weird that Rizzoli didn't really think of the Surgeon at all. He went from dominating the first two books, to disappearing and I know it might be because she doesn't see him as a threat anymore but I just found it odd. I did miss the Surgeon's perspective and I missed that dynamic they had because that is probably one of the best aspects of the series. So instead of getting the Surgeon's POV, we got Maura Isles' POV alongside Rizzoli's. Unfortunately I didn't really like her. I found her intriguing in book 1 & 2, but it turns out getting access to her internal monologue wasn't what I thought it would be. She's quite similar to Rizzoli but she lacks the likeability and I didn't find her interesting. I kind of wish that it was just Rizzoli's POV in this book because reading Isles' POV just made me like the book less.

I thought the story was interesting enough but I thought the story was hijacked by each woman's love/personal life. I did think that the second half of the book was better because that is when everything started to connect and really make sense. I did wish that the crime aspect was more prominent and more developed. It was quite predictable which was unfortunate but I thought Gerritsen had a really good idea. I also didn't find the writing as enjoyable (not sure if that had to do with me not enjoying Isles' POV or if it just wasn't as good). I read this book because I wanted something that was quite addictive but it didn't fully deliver. I still think this is a good series and I will keep reading on. Hopefully I just grow to like Isles as a character.

I know it sounds like I'm sort of bashing this book but I did give it 3.5 stars, which isn't bad and I did enjoy it. I guess I was just a little disappointed because I know how good Gerritsen can write and this just wasn't up there for me. I would recommend this series.

--------------------------------------

"There would be comfort in it, she thought. The ease of knowing, at each dawn, how the day will go. No surprises, no turmoil." ...more

flag 40 likes · Like · see review

Jan 09, 2018 Jean rated it it was amazing

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” No one comes out and says those words in Tess Gerritsen’s The Sinner. This is the third suspense novel in her Rizzoli and Isles series, and I confess, it’s a practically a sin that I haven’t gotten around to reading this book until now. It’s been three years since I read The Apprentice, and as many avid thriller mystery readers know, there are so many amazing books out there just waiting to be read that it’s hard to get to even a small percentage of them. N “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” No one comes out and says those words in Tess Gerritsen’s The Sinner. This is the third suspense novel in her Rizzoli and Isles series, and I confess, it’s a practically a sin that I haven’t gotten around to reading this book until now. It’s been three years since I read The Apprentice, and as many avid thriller mystery readers know, there are so many amazing books out there just waiting to be read that it’s hard to get to even a small percentage of them. Now that I’ve returned to Gerritsen’s series, I won’t be waiting another three years to read the next one.

The first two books focused primarily on Detective Jane Rizzoli. This time around, we get to know Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles a lot better. Called "the Queen of the Dead" by medical students and some of the staff, Maura is a dedicated pathologist who believes that she has a duty to the deceased. She is calm in the face of the most gruesome crime scenes, a controlled, efficient professional. Rizzoli, on the other hand, is testy these days. She’s tired, cranky, and not feeling like herself. It’s days before Christmas, and the winter weather and holiday stress is getting to her. Must be the flu, she says.

When they are called to a crime scene at an abbey for a contemplative order of nuns, Rizzoli and Isles face challenges different from any they have faced before. These are women who do not venture out into the world except on rare occasions. Who would want to harm any of them, much less kill them? These are women of faith. Dr. Isles is a person of science. Detective Rizzoli, too, wants answers the sisters cannot give because their faith simply does not let them imagine the possibilities. Can there be a middle ground?

As a medical examiner in the Boston area, Dr. Isles has more than one case, naturally. What are the chances that she would have another death related to the murder at the convent? Little by little, Tess Gerritsen weaves her story. Along the way, she reveals some secrets. I was feeling proud of myself for figuring things out as I went along. I was putting two and two together and getting four. So far, so good. As for the main piece of the puzzle, however, I was waiting for that one big aha moment when I would have at least an inkling. I did, actually, and it was a good hunch, but I was slightly off the mark. Only slightly.

Do we find out what was bugging Jane Rizzoli those days leading up to Christmas? Read the book. And better yet, to find out if there is any passion and joy under that “Queen of the Dead” mask that Maura Isles wears, read the book. Who killed Sister Camille – and why? Read the book.

I’m glad I did, and I look forward to continuing this series very soon!

5 stars ...more

flag 33 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2019 Heidi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-goal, thriller-horror

Another well-written entry in Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles series... even though this is really the first time we get a chance to meet the ultra professional ME Maura Isles, I finally understand what folks like about their match up.

And even if the mystery was actually a bit cliched (I won’t give it away but you’ll know what I mean when you read it), it was still an interesting mix of characters — victims and villains alike.

I especially liked that Jane Rizzoli’s life is changing as Maura Isles ...more

flag 23 likes · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2018 Jim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-2018, mystery-suspense-thriller

The third book in the Rizzoli & Isles series and we get to know the characters better. Especially Maura Isles who until this book seemed to have more of a supporting role. The story opens with Isles performing an autopsy when she receives a call from detective Jane Rizzoli asking her to come to a crime scene.

The scene is the chapel of Our Lady of Divine Light, a cloistered convent. There two nuns were savagely attacked. 20 year old Sister Camille is dead. The other is critically injured. Who wou ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Dec 15, 2009 Raíla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, reviews-written

Even though I have already read and reviewed The Surgeon and The Apprentice, Tess' previous books in the series, I still feel that it's such a perkiness of mine to review any book written by this genious (I emphasize: genious!). Gerritsen, one more time, now through The Sinner, made me hook into her writing until the end, NOT letting me to put it down, despite a few flaws I found that I dare myself to point again.

A crime envolving two nuns, in the circuntances presented by Jane and Maura therewi Even though I have already read and reviewed The Surgeon and The Apprentice, Tess' previous books in the series, I still feel that it's such a perkiness of mine to review any book written by this genious (I emphasize: genious!). Gerritsen, one more time, now through The Sinner, made me hook into her writing until the end, NOT letting me to put it down, despite a few flaws I found that I dare myself to point again.

A crime envolving two nuns, in the circuntances presented by Jane and Maura therewith the investigation of the case, conduces us to initially match the name of the book to the probable "nickname" that could characterize one of the victims. However, two more crimes — a woman that can't be identified plus a massacre in a village in India years before — come to the surface and probably discard any previously settled teory by the readers about the ending of the story. Also, it's disclosed that the three crimes are, at last, all connected.

During several pages of the book, we're shown Maure Isles' life in and out of the morgue more throughly. It's soon noticed that the focus is aimed at introducing the patologist as a protagonist of the series — just like the policialwoman-detective Jane Rizzoli is in the previous book, The Apprentice.

This point of introducing one more protagonist into the series can turn it into a tiring reading at certain moments. Besides, can shadow the awesomeness the ending could have had — knowing the talent of Tess Gerritsen as a writer — and conduce the readers not to enjoy the book, but to even let them a little disappointed.

Nothing of this, though, mean that being acquainted more deeply with the character has turned The Sinner into a wearisome book. On the contrary: I've met a less cold and "self-loved" Jane Rizzoli, intimately braver to relieve everything, accepting her mistakes and wills, and to push off all the fear and weakness she denied to have. I've also met a new friend, Maura, who shows to be a better positive person, with a big heart, but not allowed to feel completely happy, considering her familiar, relationships problems. We get to, soon, relate ourselves to Maura and Jane, two protagonists that we, certainly, will miss once we have to say goodbye. ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2017 Fred rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, re-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2019 Erin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tv-series, written-by-women, march-2019

If you haven't noticed, I'm obsessed with this series. Despite how different the books are from the tv show, reading them really makes me want to binge watch the show ( I need to see if its streaming anywhere).

The Sinner is about the death of a 20 year old nun and the nearly fatal assault of an elderly nun. While investigating Rizzoli and Isles discover the dead nun had recently given birth(not a spoiler, that's on the back cover).

I was happy to finally get more Maura Isles. The first two book ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Sep 14, 2017 Carolyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, crime, mystery

A complex case for Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles with some red herrings thrown in. The case kicks off in with the violent assault of two nuns in a convent, leaving one dead and one grievously injured. One has recently returned from India and one is new to the order and has a shameful secret - but is that the reason they were attacked? The gruesome find of a hideously mutilated body in an abandoned building also keeps Rizzoli and Isles busy. Both must also deal with their love lives as Maura's ex ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Sep 08, 2020 fleurette rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller

Good, solid story with some interesting threads and twists.

Like many other people, I watched the Rizzoli and Isles TV show and quite liked it. Although it wasn't the TV show that made me start reading these books. I knew about this series before and read other books by this author. And even though I was aware that the show is very, very loosely based on the book series, it still surprised me a lot when I read The Surgeon how many differences there are. This is my second book in this series and t Good, solid story with some interesting threads and twists.

Like many other people, I watched the Rizzoli and Isles TV show and quite liked it. Although it wasn't the TV show that made me start reading these books. I knew about this series before and read other books by this author. And even though I was aware that the show is very, very loosely based on the book series, it still surprised me a lot when I read The Surgeon how many differences there are. This is my second book in this series and this time I was even more prepared. And yet I was surprised again. However this time at least the book was focused on the work of Rizzoli and Isles.

From reading the first book in this series, I remember that I didn't like Rizzoli very much and I generally had a problem with poor knowledge of the characters. And this problem is at least partially solved in this book. I'm not convinced that I like Rizzoli or Isles now, but at least I got to know them much better. And I can say with full conviction that they are interesting and complicated characters that add a lot to this story.

And the story is quite good, though maybe not as scandalous as a dead nun in a closed order would suggest. The full potential of this thread seems not to be fully used, but when I read the book, I had no problem with it. The solutions invented by the author are interesting and not obvious. There are a few things I didn't expect. And the whole story flows smoothly and without unnecessary lengthy fragments. Everything has its purpose. The action is swift and fast-paced with numerous twists and turns.

I am also satisfied with the ending, I mean solving the case, or actually a few cases. As for the events in the personal lives of Rizzoli and Isles, and especially Rizzoli, I have mixed feelings. But this is probably mainly due to the fact that I am surprised by this thread. I don't think I know Rizzoli well enough yet to be involved in her life. But it might be interesting in the next books. At the moment, I think I like Isles more, I find her more interesting.

This book has definitely encouraged me to read the others in this series. ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2017 Eric rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, 2018-reading-challenge, mystery-cop, detective-thriller

The Sinner is a macabre thriller. If you have a vivid imagination, this book will probably gross you out in parts. Besides, "the case" Rizzoli and Isles have some personal dilemmas to face. This is perhaps the best book of this series I have read so far.

This is a well written murder mystery featuring Rizzoli, the tough female detective, and her colleague and friend, Isles. Maura Isles is the Medical Examiner (ME) who "processes" the dead involved in violent crimes. In this story, a brutal murder ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2018 Shaikha Alahmad rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5/5

First there was Detective Jane Rizzoli, then you were introduced to Maura Isles. Now you get to know her more as Tess Gerritsen tells you a part of the story through her point of view. You get to see where she lives and how she works beyond the operating table in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Two nuns were attacked in a Convent, one a young runaway from a family of skeptics and the other is an old-aged humanitarian. Each had a deep dark secret, but who was the reason for the atta ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Nov 30, 2007 Lain rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Rare is the thriller that can scare me enough to leave the lights on at night, while bringing me to tears. The Sinner did both. Filled with more twists and turns than a labyrinth, The Sinner throws a curve at both Jane Rizzoli and ME Maura Isles. Jane must deal with a huge obstacle in her life as well as her relationship with Gabriel Dean, and Maura must face her own ghosts in the form of her ex-husband.

This book serves as a pivotal point in the character development of both women, and is a mus ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 Kris - My Novelesque Life rated it really liked it · review of another edition

RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

I really enjoyed the third book in the series - it continues to deliver on the gritty suspense! This novel has a new case and we get to know more about the elusive Maura Isles. This series is more case driven than about the characters but never fear as the books progress we do learn more about them. I am a fan of Jane's mom. ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2018 CD {Boulder Blvd} rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I liked this book a lot better than the 2nd book in the series. The plot was really engaging and I had a hard time putting my e-reader down and getting anything else done. I'm definitely continuing reading this series.

(My husband did talk me into going to the movies and we watched 3 Billboards. I'm a fan of Frances McDormand!) ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2017 Mark Harrison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Possibly the pick of the series so far. Someone has killed a nun and left another corpse with no face, hands or feet. Pathologist Isles has a series of difficult autopsies to piece the puzzle together whilst her cheating ex-husband unexpectedly shows up. Detective Rizzoli tries to piece what turns into a major investigation together but is distracted by the return of FBI beau Gabriel. Very clever story of corporate greed and corruption with nice red herrings to throw you off the scent and a good ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Brenda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Tess Gerritsen/thriller lovers

Shelves: own-read

When Dr Maura Isles was called to the chapel of Our Lady of Divine Light by Detective Jane Rizzoli, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But it certainly wasn’t the horrific, savage attack on two nuns, one of whom is dead, the other clinging to life. And medical examiner Maura was further shocked when doing the autopsy, to discover that the young novice, 20 year old Sister Camille, had very recently given birth.

The race is on to find the child, and to find the father...obviously he is a suspect! But ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Dec 31, 2018 Bhavik (Semi Hiatus) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

OMG YAAAS TESS GERRITSEN IS LIT.
WHAT A PERFECT END TO 2018!
Loved the plot and my favourite lady characters and their development and then also the gore and the thrill.

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Nov 17, 2012 Melissa Griffith rated it liked it

I've read Tess Gerritsen's first two Rizzoli and Isles books before this one. I really love the way that the case progresses and keeps you hooked in those two. This one, while still very interesting, is a very abrupt change from the first two books. And while I read both of the first two in five days, this one took me almost six weeks because when I set it down, I didn't feel all that strong of a need to pick it back up.

Between book two and this one, the setting moves from a blistering summer to ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2013 Marla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

The more I get into this series the more I like it. This time someone has killed a couple nuns at an abbey and a faceless leper woman. How are they connected? Are they connected? And what happened in India? And why is Isles' ex-husband Victor in town? This book takes you on several twists and turns and I had no clue who the murderer was until the very end. Tess does a great job keeping you guessing and not making it obvious what has happened. I like that this one was more about Dr. Isles. I'm en ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2014 Autumn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sitting-on-bookshelf-waiting-to-be, books-i-own, crime-mysteries, kindle-books, detective, tv-show, books-read-in-2014, suspense, dusty-book-2014

I loved this book so much. It was a fast paced mystery, and I could not put it down. I loved this book because Rizzoli and Isles each had equal time in the book. I wish they were good friends like on the show, but in the books they are more like regular colleagues. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a wonderful mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat! 5 Big Fat Stars!

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 06, 2018 Nida Kazi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen made me cry, this book was amazing nonetheless. I was definitely not expecting the killer. On one page the person I thought to be the killer was entirely another person on turning the page. (different person)

Dr Isles reminds me of Dr Sara Linton but I love the latter more.

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2020 Ian rated it liked it · review of another edition

After thoroughly enjoying book 1 and 2 in TG's 'Rizzoli and Isles' series, I decided to set myself on a mission - to read all of these books within the year, and in the right chronological order. So what did I make of 'The Sinner'? Well, unfortunately I am disappointed to have to report that I found it much weaker and far less appealing than the previous novels as it felt like going 'one step forward, two steps back'. Like the other books, the opening was very strong, interesting and original, s After thoroughly enjoying book 1 and 2 in TG's 'Rizzoli and Isles' series, I decided to set myself on a mission - to read all of these books within the year, and in the right chronological order. So what did I make of 'The Sinner'? Well, unfortunately I am disappointed to have to report that I found it much weaker and far less appealing than the previous novels as it felt like going 'one step forward, two steps back'. Like the other books, the opening was very strong, interesting and original, setting the scene and adding the highly sought after mystery factor which gave me a certain eagerness to continue to discover the jewels and delights contained within its covers. And then the similarity ended. This book had a good solid storyline, with some interesting characters, but the emphasis of the story seemed to be based more upon the romantic lives of the two main protagonists rather than on the thrills and excitement of the medical, murder, mystery adventure itself. A big, big let-down. So much so that in this story Dr Isles appears to be leading the police investigation rather than the irritating, cold and constantly moaning 'tomboy' Rizzoli who seems more preoccupied about her image and private life rather than getting on and actually solving the different elements of the case set before her. Yes, too much 'best seller' romantic distracting 'mush' for me and not enough rough, tough action or the deeper development of actual events set around the crimes themselves. More emphasis given to the initial events, the Nun's lives (especially the Abbess), life in the convent and the role of the Church itself would have been fascinating and added much value to the journey rather than concentrating on ridiculous, blind relationships (Isles and the Priest - how(?)), personal issues, overtly melodramatic pieces of dialogue and vague, slightly far-fetched distractions that detracted from the pleasure and enjoyment of the overall complete reading experience.
So generally, where does that now leave me regarding my mission? Well, my interest has unfortunately waned but the storylines, characters and medical police procedures offered by the author still appeal enough for me to continue with the series, but this excursion did feel like a slight 'knock' and the noticeably negative change of focus of emphasising and concentrating on the private lives of these personalities rather than the murder mystery thriller aspect didn't quite cut it enough for me. Anyway, let's see what book 4 provides and just hope that the series returns to its earlier winning formula whilst providing that 'feel good factor' to the reader. Time will tell, fingers are crossed, but things, right now, are definitely in the balance. I hope I touch lucky. Rating - 3.2 stars.
...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2014 Gary rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime

This book was good but not great. The author went to great lengths to develop her characters, but there is a limit to how much you can accomplish in one novel. Granted, there is a payoff for this type of character development in later novels when the reader is attached to them. This novel has a great story that is forced into the background by the information dump of the personal lives of the characters.
Even the mystery itself seems to be created to develop the characters. I plan to continue rea ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2018 Connie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is the 2nd book I have read this month by this author and I loved this one just like the last one. I have only watched a couple of the shows on TV, but I do believe they cast the actors properly. This had some religious aspects to it, so if you don't like reading about religion in a mystery, this might not be the book for you. In this case it was not a indoctrination, it was just had to do with the death of a couple of nuns and where they lived.

This is a non stop book and I wished I would ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2012 Gary rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The 3rd book in the Rizzoli and Isles by Tess Gerritsen.
I really love the chemistry between the two main characters since made into the television series which doesn't do the books justice. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2014 Siobhan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The third Rizzoli and Isles book and another brilliant read.

If you have read the first two Rizzoli and Isles books then you should know that Gerritsen knows how to weave a great story, keeping things interesting throughout, carrying the story on. In this book we get a deeper insight into the life of Isles – something that will please many people as she has been a bit of an enigma up until this book. Due to this there are, once again, the signs of Gerritsen’s past romance books to be found yet it ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2015 Paige Bookdragon rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Talk about ickyness.

The Sinner is the third book of the Rizzoli and Isles series so it would be better if you read the first two books before reading this one.

The Sinner is gruesome and I loved it. I only hope that Gerritsen would settle down a bit with all the medical terms in her book. It's a bit too much and if I wasn't hooked with the story, I would have given up with this one.

There are some things in this book that'll either make you raise your eyebrows or it'll make the hair at your neck ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2019 Iza Brekilien rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-suspense-thriller

I really liked it, but not as much as the first two books. It was written differently, not only from Jane's point of view, but also from Maura's. There were as much personal issues than actual police affair.

My problem was that it felt like a police novel written for women (maybe it is, after all ?), that is to say : with the label "romance inside". Not that I don't like romance, but there was too much romance : I didn't like Victor, didn't like that he did what he did and went away from it with ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 22, 2016 Nancy Brady rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: from-another-bookcrosser

4.5 stars...this suspense-filled tale finds Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles working together to figure why two nuns in a cloistered convent were brutally beaten and killed. Added into this stress is the murder of a Jane Doe, and individual issues for each of the two main characters.

Putting it all together before anyone else is killed will push them to the edge especially as their own issues may play a part.

Having read these out of order does not affect the enjoyment of the novel.

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question N	2	11	Jun 11, 2018 01:57PM
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question O	3	5	Jun 11, 2018 01:55PM
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question M	3	4	Jun 11, 2018 01:54PM
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question L	3	4	Jun 11, 2018 01:49PM
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question K	3	3	Jun 11, 2018 01:47PM
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question J	3	5	Jun 11, 2018 01:45PM
2-3-4 Challenge B...: Question I	3	4	Jun 11, 2018 01:43PM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Mystery

681 users

Mystery > Crime

414 users

Thriller

393 users

Fiction

274 users

Suspense

137 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

129 users

Mystery > Detective

61 users

Mystery > Murder Mystery

43 users

Adult

41 users

Audiobook

35 users

See top shelves…

About Tess Gerritsen

Tess Gerritsen

14,967 followers

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