Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Welcome to our discussion of The Surgeon (Rizzoli & Isles #1) by Tess Gerritsen. This book is part of our Spring/Summer Collection Group Reads. Your discussion leader is Lisa.
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About spoilers

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Summary

IN BOSTON, THERE'S A KILLER ON THE LOOSE...

A killer who targets lone women, who breaks into their apartments and performs terrifying ritualistic acts of torture on them before finishing them off. His surgical skills lead police to suspect he is a physician - a physician who, instead of saving lives, takes them.

But as homicide detective Thomas Moore and his partner Jane Rizzoli begin their investigation, they make a startling discovery. Closely linked to these killings is Catherine Cordell, a beautiful doctor with a mysterious past. Two years ago she was subjected to a horrifying rape and shot her attacker dead.

Now the man she believes she killed seems to be stalking her once again, and this time he knows exactly where to find her...

Hello friends, Lisa is on vacation for a few days. She'll be back to lead the discussion in a few days.

Thanks for posting this Gem! Looking forward to the read!

Hi everyone! Has anyone dug into this one yet? I’m so behind this month, but getting started tomorrow.

Lisa wrote: "Hi everyone! Has anyone dug into this one yet? I’m so behind this month, but getting started tomorrow."

It was really good! I read it in two sittings this past weekend.

Having started this series shortly after it came out (long before joining GR), I ended up abandoning is a few years later when the show came out. I do remember reading this one, but couldn't remember some vital details, so reread it again. I remember now that the books were darker and grittier than the show and that Jane harder and more bitter than the Angie Harmon Jane.

I am now committed to rereading the series, even though I had previously ended one either #6 or #7 in the past.

I felt it was a How To book on rape. Much too graphic for me.

I've been mostly enjoying it, and I love the detailed descriptions of the medical/anatomy aspects. Reminds me of Coma in that way. And, like Coma, there are aspects that seem really dated, as far as dealing with gender roles. I expected it in Coma, and, I suppose The Surgeon IS over 20 years old now, but some text hits oddly.

For example, "She looked up, and he saw rage in her eyes. There was a fierceness radiating from her that made her, at that moment, every bit his equal." So, she was his equal just at that moment? And, from a female author. There is also a little too much emphasis on romance, or the undercurrent of it, for my personal taste.

Karen, to your point, yes, very graphic, and I can see how it's not for everyone. For me at this point, it's still a page-turner, and I feel invested, and enjoying the mystery. I'm a little over half done.

Hi friends! Finished this one the other day. There are no real spoilers ahead, but I'm going to tag this anyway, just in case anyone who's not done does not want an overall opinion just yet.
(view spoiler)[I'm on the fence about it - I did like the highly descriptive medical aspects, but the juxtaposition of ultra-gory crimes with the sappy romance elements (and add a dash of misogyny) didn't all land well for me. And, I really didn't like Rizzoli at all. Considering that this is part of the Rizzoli & Isles series, I was surprised that Rizzoli was kind of a lousy cop and a rather vengeful, jealous person, and also at the complete absence of said "Isles" lol. It had its plusses, definitely kept me reading. (hide spoiler)]
What do you all think so far?

I enjoyed the book but agree with earlier comments that some aspects of the story seem dated. Another piece of evidence that both female and male writers struggled to write stories of women coming into jobs that had traditionally been exclusively male.

I had not realized that there was a television series based on the books (I obviously need to get out more!) and maybe it's just me but if the Goodreads title had not said Rizzoli and Isles #1, I would never have thought Rizzoli was the primary character. Isles isn't even in this book unless I just completely missed it. The book focuses more on the relationship between Cordell and Moore.

I would be interested in reading more in the series and Lisa makes a great comment that the book is similar to Coma in how the medical procedures are depicted. Very graphic and more than a little uncomfortable to imagine.

Lisa wrote: "I've been mostly enjoying it, and I love the detailed descriptions of the medical/anatomy aspects. Reminds me of Coma in that way. And, like Coma, there are aspects that seem really dated, as far a..."

Your comments are interesting. I still need to get back into this one, I'm more of a fan of Tess's pre-series books, like Harvest. But your comment on the sappy romance is interesting. Before Tess started writing Medical/Police thrillers, she actually was a romance author with a couple published romance titles.