Dec/Jan 2014 - Author Read- Tess Gerritsen

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

To make things a bit easier during the busy holiday season we traditionally discuss the total work of an author rather than just one book.

This year it's Tess Gerritsen. Gerritsen took an unusual path to writing mystery fiction and has written in several genres. A major TV series has been developed from one of her characters.

To read more about Gerritsen and see a list of all her books with both the US and UK titles here is the link to her website http://www.tessgerritsen.com/

So once the holiday rush calms, pull up a comfy chair, a warm/cool drink, and enjoy a good book.

[Britney]

I have read the first two in the Razolli and Isles and loved them. This series is on my list to finish in 2014

[Autumn]

Yea! I loved this one! Funny story, when this TV series came out I wanted to read the first book. So... I got the book from the library and had it sitting on my kitchen counter when the first episode came out. I had it on my DVR, and I thought, "I will just watch the first episode, it'll be okay." Yeah, right. One of the first lines out of the main character's mouth was, something along the lines of, "Is this the work of so-and-so? Is The Surgeon out of prison?" I thought, "You have got to be kidding me." I put off reading the book for two years so I could forget and have a fresh start.

[Bill]

I've read one of her books, The Mephisto Club and didn't like it very much. Nice to see so many fans here, enjoy your selections.

[Jan C]

Autumn wrote: "Yea! I loved this one! Funny story, when this TV series came out I wanted to read the first book. So... I got the book from the library and had it sitting on my kitchen counter when the first episo..."

I've had the same problem with Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane. I have to get that movie out of my head before I can read the book.

[[deleted user]]

Tess Gerritsen is one of my favorite authors. I really enjoy the Rizzoli and Isles series and am wondering when the next one will be out. It's been almost a year and a half. I can't seem to find out looking on the internet.

[Terri]

I have enjoyed the Rizzoli and Isles I have read. One that was a bit disappointing was Call After Midnight

[Jessi]

Tess Gerritsen has a permanent place on my "favorites" shelf. I was hooked as soon as I finished The Surgeon in 2008 and I haven't stopped since! One of my favorites of Tess' as of late is Last To Die, one of the more recents in the Rizzoli and Isles series. It kept me on the edge the entire time I read it.

[Sharon]

I have read all Tess Gerritsen books and I love them. I can never seem to put down not one of her murder mystery books. I also love watching the T.V. Series to see how different the book characters and the T.V. characters are.

[Kim]

I love Tess Gerritsen. I haven't read all her Rizzoli and Isles books, but I've read a few, and I've always been impressed at her ability to weave some truly compelling character development and deeper issues into the faster-paced mystery/thriller plotlines. She's a smart and talented writer. (And, I have to confess a particular affinity for Tess Gerritsen because I also happen to be a doctor-author, like her--and there aren't many of us! Not like the legions of lawyer-authors...) ;)

[Chava]

I've read 3 of hers so far, all Rizzoli and Isles books. I read The surgeon (#1), Ice Cold (#8), John Doe (#9.5) and I'm currently reading The mephisto club (#6) for another book club group. I really like her books and they are easy on the brain. After a long day at work, this is a lovely way to escape and relax. I have watched the series on TV as well and I have now found that I actually picture those actors as the ones being the characters. I have to say, it sometimes doesn't fit. The TV series does a great job (I enjoy the series enormously), but I feel the books are different. What do you guys think?

[Chava]

Sharon wrote: "I have read all Tess Gerritsen books and I love them. I can never seem to put down not one of her murder mystery books. I also love watching the T.V. Series to see how different the book characters..."

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the book and tv characters are different!

[Chava]

Bill wrote: "I've read one of her books, The Mephisto Club and didn't like it very much. Nice to see so many fans here, enjoy your selections."

oh no! I'm reading that one at the moment. I'm not getting very far though, I keep on falling asleep after 2-3 pages :D

[Sherrie]

I love her! I have read all the Rizzoli and Isles so far.

[[deleted user]]

Chava wrote: "I've read 3 of hers so far, all Rizzoli and Isles books. I read The surgeon (#1), Ice Cold (#8), John Doe (#9.5) and I'm currently reading The mephisto club (#6) for another book club group. I real..."

Chava, I have found myself doing the same thing with picturing the characters in the book as they are on tv, except for Frost and Maura. Maura is so different in the book than she is on the show, I can't picture her character the same. I used to picture Rizzoli as Bebe Neuwirth with her hair down. I thought she was a better fit according to the book description. Now I can't help but picture her as Angie Harmon.

[Jannene]

I love her Rizzoli books. I tried Bone Garden but didn't like it. I still want to read Bloodstream.

[Rhian]

janenne give the bone garden another try its a great book

[Shannon]

i have read all her books i hope she write new book soon

[Shannon]

Jannene wrote: "I love her Rizzoli books. I tried Bone Garden but didn't like it. I still want to read Bloodstream."

yeah it took me awhile to read bone garden really not her best

[JackM]

I've read The Sinner and The Apprentice. Maura dominated one of the books with her job and detracted from the main storyline. I read these a while ago and didn't rate them on here or any other forum.

[Nickythebean]

Just read my first novel by TG. Last to Die. LOVED it. Want to read more of her R&I books. Any favorites?

[Rhian]

the silent girl is fantastic from the R&I series my other favorite is the stand alone medical thriller gravity

[Katherine]

I have really enjoyed the Tess Gerritsen books that I have read so far (1-4). Looking forward to reading Vanish soon. The TV Show Rizzoli and Isles is one my favorites- can't wait for the new season in February.

[[deleted user]]

The only stand-alone book of hers that I have read is Harvest and it was very good.

[Rita]

Guess will read other TG books after The Surgeon. I like reading books where events take place in the cities I've visited and Boston is one of my favorites.

[Jannene]

Kathryn wrote: "The only stand-alone book of hers that I have read is Harvest and it was very good."

I read Harvest as well and I enjoyed it. I have Bloodstream on my list to read this year.

[Britney]

I am going to read Keeper of the Bride within the next month. So excitec to see if its good as the others I've read.

[[deleted user]]

Jannene wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "The only stand-alone book of hers that I have read is Harvest and it was very good."

I read Harvest as well and I enjoyed it. I have Bloodstream on my list to read thi..."

The thing about Harvest is that I believe that stuff goes on in real life. That made the book even more real for me while I was reading it.

[Suzanne]

This (The Surgeon) was the first Tess Garritsen book I've read - I liked it a lot - it was interesting and I liked the characters. I'm glad to find a new good author!

[Michael]

The Mephisto Club
Once I got the tv series characters out of my head, I really enjoyed reading this.

[Vera]

This is the first I have actually picked up this author. I read The Surgeon . The character development was good. The mystery was interesting. I found that some of the time in the killers mind to be tedious. I don't think I would rave about this book, but interesting enough to want to continue the series. I have not seen the tv show at all.

[Jen]

I've had this on my to-read list forever, and finally dusted it off since it was the group read. I definitely found it compelling and loved the characters.

Vera wrote: I found some of the time in the killers mind to be tedious.

Interesting - there were times when I felt the same way, though I thought the pacing elsewhere was excellent. The overabundance of details on the various and sundry ways people have died and killed over the course of history (told from the killer's POV) did get a little wearing at times. Overall, I thought this was definitely a good read; I'm looking forward to reading more of the series in 2014.

[Vera]

Jen, I agree that pacing elsewhere was good. If I ever go back for a reread I may skip some of the killers mind and see what I feel about that read through.