The Surgeon

A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

By: Tess Gerritsen

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

In her most masterful novel of medical suspense, New York Times best-selling author Tess Gerritsen creates a villain of unforgettable evil - and the one woman who can catch him before he kills again.

He slips into their homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, unaware of the horrors they soon will endure. The precision of the killer's methods suggests he is a deranged man of medicine, propelling the Boston newspapers and the frightened public to name him "The Surgeon".

The cops' only clue rests with another surgeon, the victim of a nearly identical crime. Two years ago, Dr. Catherine Cordell fought back and killed her attacker before he could complete his assault. Now, she hides her fears of intimacy behind a cool and elegant exterior and a well-earned reputation as a top trauma surgeon.

Cordell's careful facade is about to crack as this new killer recreates, with chilling accuracy, the details of Cordell's own ordeal. With every new murder, he seems to be taunting her, cutting ever closer, from her hospital to her home. Her only comfort comes from Thomas Moore, the detective assigned to the case. But even Moore cannot protect Cordell from a brilliant hunter who somehow understands - and savors - the secret fears of every woman he kills.

Filled with the authentic detail that is the trademark of this doctor turned author...and peopled with rich and complex characters - from the ER to the squad room to the city morgue - here is a thriller of unprecedented depth and suspense. Exposing the shocking link between those who kill and cure, punish and protect, The Surgeon is Tess Gerritsen's most exciting accomplishment yet.

Please note: This is the abridged edition. An unabridged version is now also available.

©2001 Tess Gerritsen (P)2001 Random House Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gerritsen fans know by now what to expect from her: a fascinating story with a gripping plot and believably human characters. Such is The Surgeon, and, in places, then some. Let new readers learn what the fans delight in. (Booklist)

"Gliding as smoothly as a scalpel in a confident surgeon's hand, this tale proves that Gerritsen...has morphed into a...suspense novelist whose growing popularity is keeping pace with her ever-finer writing skills." (Publisher's Weekly)

great book - wish it wasn't abridged though

What did you like best about The Surgeon? What did you like least?

this is a great book, i read it a few years ago and wanted to listen to it again. the only version available on audible is the abridged version. dont bother with this version - buy the book!! the abridged version cuts out so much background and you dont get to know Rizzoli as well as you should.

amazing book

loved the story.. very good mystery crime thriller. would def recommend to any friend to read

THe Surgeon

I enjoyed every page and would say it is worth your time and money. It will hold you and you will hate to stop and do anything else. Good- very good.

great

As mysteries go, this is a great one. Though I'm a classical detective novel fan, this is all it needs to be - cold, brutal, disquieting, suspenseful.

The Surgeon

I have seen the show that this book has inspired, I knew what was going to happen yet I was on the edge of my seat. AMAZING 😍

Abridged is better than nothing

If you could sum up The Surgeon in three words, what would they be?

as a Abridge book something is better than nothing.

Its a great start. answer some of those weird questions your may have regarding the TV series.
Looking forward to the rest and the new summer series(TV)

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes, I looking for opportunity to finish the book

Gripping

Amazingly focused - couldn't stop reading. I'm looking forward to reading the whole series. Just when I thought I figured it out - I'd be surprised.

Great plot

What made the experience of listening to The Surgeon the most enjoyable?

I liked listening to it because I could "read" a book and while doing other things.

What other book might you compare The Surgeon to and why?

Tess Gerritsen's books are like the Lincoln and Child books. I like them because the plots have so many twists and turns I usually don't figure the mystery out until I read the end.

What three words best describe Dennis Boutsikaris???s voice?

Unchanging, clear, poor character change

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A policemen can also be a victim.

Excellent read.

What made the experience of listening to The Surgeon the most enjoyable?

Got # 9 in this series as a

The narrator ruined this book for me

First, the story, although billed as Rizzoli and Isles, only has Rizzoli. Its a pretty decent story, though a bit heavy on the medical jargon. I only finished this book because the story was good. Unfortunately the book is heavily weighted toward female characters and this narrator is terrible at reading the female parts. If you can ignore the poor performance I recommend the book just for the story.