In three words:
disappearances, massacre, chinatown
What I thought:
This is the ninth Tess Gerritsen book I have read this year in the same series. I read the first eight all in a row as I couldn’t put them down (something I have never done before). As soon as I knew that there was a number 9 in the series I could not WAIT to get my hands on it and was totally sure that Gerritsen wouldn’t let me down and would deliver a cracking book once again. I was right!
Rizzoli & Isles are back on the case, this time in Boston’s China Town where the body of a young lady has been found with her neck slashed and her hand cut off by what looks like a sword. As Rizzoli and team get to work, they start to uncover links with not only a massacre that took place in a Chinese restaurant 19 years ago, but also the disappearance of two of the victims daughters within a few months of each other. Rizzoli becomes convinced that the crimes are related but she can’t figure out how and meanwhile, her and her team become stumped at the apparant presence of something lightning fast, human size but with monkey fur at some of the murder scenes.
I love how all Gerritsens books are so diverse. She has clearly done her homework and seems passionate about other cultures and rituals etc and often brings them into her books and this is no exception. I read somewhere that Gerritsen, being Chinese American herself, has wanted to write about something to do with Chinese culture for a long time but had been told that it wouldn’t sell. I beg to differ. Not only is this book, as usual, gripping and a real page-turner but I loved the bits of Chinese culture that were woven into the plot to help us understand the killers motives and actions. I have wanted to get myself a copy of Wu Cheng’en’s Journey To The West and now I have an excuse to buy myself a copy as I am fascinated to learn more.
Verdict: Another poweful and absorbing book from this author who has become my all-time favourite crime fiction writer. Write faster please, Ms Gerritsen!!!
PS/ I will interviewing Tess Gerritsen on my blog shortly so make sure you look out for that 🙂
Have you read any Gerritsen? If not, what are you waiting for?
(Source: this book is from my own collection)
The Book Whisperer 
Sounds like another great book. Of course Chinese culture is interesting! Aren’t there best selling like Amy Tan and Lisa See? And I’m sure Gerritsen is famous enough to try something like that. Glad she did.
I haven’t read this. I’m behind on my crime reading. I have two books by Gerritsen and I hope to get round to them soon (but that’s what I say about almost all books on my TBR). 🙂
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I know that feeling, Judith. Every time I see a review on another blog I think I should move it up my pile but there are just too many damn books to read!!!! 😉
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Gerritsen is my favourite crime author, I’ve read everything she’s wrote and have a lovely small bookcase devoted to her 😉 I was a little worried that this wouldn’t work as well, but I was surprised at how well it did, I love Chinese folklore so this was great for me!….when is the next R&I out?
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It really worked, didn’t it Louise? No need for her to worry, I don’t think – I’m sure they’ll fly off the shelves.
I didn’t know you’d read ALL her books! Which of her stand-alones do you recommend?
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I do not believe I have read this author… guess I should 🙂
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Yes you really should, Sheila – they’re fantastic!
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I liked Bloodstream, Gravity, Harvest out of her stand alones, I also liked The Bone Garden which does mention Isles. I think Bloodstream has been reissued, as I noticed it in Asda the other day, I love my older copies though, I like the medical, blood splattered covers 😉
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Good review– I also have read and reviewed it, having read every book ever of hers, even the stand-alone suspense from before. I even met her in person and she was surprisingly humorous. Can’t wait for your interview with her 🙂 Rae
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Which of the stand-alone’s are the best, Rae? I haven’t tried those yet.
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I have the killing place on my shelf. Just wondering…are they stand alone books or is it a to be continued series?
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I’ve only tried one, the second book in the series. I’m curious about the rest of the series. I just haven’t had time to read them.
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I can’t believe you read all this year but because of you I started and loved The Surgeon. I look forward to catching you up, you have provided great reviews. Can’t wait for interview.
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Can’t wait for the interview!
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