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)

Wish they had it unabridged.

I wish they had this book in an unabridged format, especially since it's the first in the series!

For Rizzoli & Isles (TNT) fans, this is a prequel to the series!

Love Tess Gerritsen's Novels

I'm so glad I started the Rizzoli series of books. This was a great start to an awesome series of books and tv shows!

Love Rizoli and Aisles

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

First book not bad. Hard to see Rizzoli as short after watching her as tall in the TV series. No Aisles yet either but good to see how it all started. Intriguing story line not as easy to guess the villain as some books

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

Yes interesting character or victim in the doctor. I like to see that women can take care of themselves sometimes.

Have you listened to any of Dennis Boutsikaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He did very well. There were a few women in there and I never felt like his characters were too feminine a or masculine. Voice characterizations were good.

If you could take any character from The Surgeon out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Moore seemed like such a positive man. Not many are still good hearted after a major loss in life.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for book 2.

Well done

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. Moves quickly. I hated to stop.

What about Dennis Boutsikaris’s performance did you like?

Dennis kept the characters crisp.

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

Gripping suspense

Any additional comments?

This is my first Gerritsen audio book. It will not be my last.

interesting read

I enjoyed the book but to be honest rizzoli felt like a secondary character in the background.

This is an abridged book

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

This is the first book in the series and initially I though it was not written very well and seemed to skip over or not dwell deeply enough on certain areas of the storyline. It wasn't until the end before I realized it was an abridged version. I NEVER listen to abridge books for exactly the reasons I didn't care for this book.
The story was good, I just wish I had found an unabridged version. I would recommend this story in the unabridged version.

intense and very satisfying

loved it.....will look for more stories like this......never have I heard a story like this

This was one of Tess Gerritson's BEST!!!

What did you like best about this story?

Very suspenseful, held my interest throughout. I found myself carrying my iphone with me everywhere for 2 days so I could listen wherever I was.

Have you listened to any of Dennis Boutsikaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, good performance

This was a very good thriller!

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Purchased: Audible.Com

What I Loved: This was a very good thriller! I was pretty much on my toes the whole time waiting to see how it was all going to play out. The end was chilling and you can see where the next book is going to pick up. I also appreciated the small abbreviated introductions of characters. It will allow them to grow over the series.

What I Liked: Tess didn't make her leads without faults, they seemed very real to me. The story had a great pace and enjoyed all the twists and turns.

Complaints: Not long enough but I always feel that way when the story is really good :)

Any Audiobook specific thoughts: The narrator was sufficiently creepy. I thought it was very well done and I was a little scared knowing it was going to be read by a man.

Why I gave it a 4: It hooked me from beginning to end. I will be listening to the rest of the series.

Who I would recommend it too: Fans of Mysteries and Thrillers. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Fair

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This one wasn't best. I believe I will give another in this series a try