The Apprentice

A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

By: Tess Gerritsen

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles—the inspiration for the hit TNT series—continue their crime-solving streak.

The best-selling author of The Surgeon returns—and so does that chilling novel’s diabolical villain.

Though held behind bars, Warren Hoyt still haunts a helpless city, seeming to bequeath his evil legacy to a student all-too-diligent...and all-too-deadly.

It is a boiling hot Boston summer. Adding to the city’s woes is a series of shocking crimes, in which wealthy men are made to watch while their wives are brutalized. A sadistic demand that ends in abduction and death.

The pattern suggests one man: serial killer Warren Hoyt, recently removed from the city’s streets. Police can only assume an acolyte is at large, a maniac basing his attacks on the twisted medical techniques of the madman he so admires. At least that’s what Detective Jane Rizzoli thinks. Forced again to confront the killer who scarred her—literally and figuratively—she is determined to finally end Hoyt’s awful influence...even if it means receiving more resistance from her all-male homicide squad.

But Rizzoli isn’t counting on the US government’s sudden interest. Or on meeting Special Agent Gabriel Dean, who knows more than he will tell. Most of all, she isn’t counting on becoming a target herself, once Hoyt is suddenly free, joining his mysterious blood brother in a vicious vendetta....

Filled with superbly created characters—and the medical and police procedural details that are her trademark—The Apprentice is Tess Gerritsen at her brilliant best. Set in a stunning world where evil is easy to learn and hard to end, this is a thriller by a master who could teach other authors a thing or two.

©2002 Tess Gerritsen (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Well-drawn characters and a compelling story will grab readers' interest and earn Gerritsen more admirers." (Booklist)

Audible just won’t learn

Another good book ruined by Anna Fields trying to “speak in voices”.
Just read the books to us, dammit!
Stop trying to perform them in female and male voices.
It doesn’t work.

Great book

Thank God they changed narrators! This was much better than the first. Funny note- one of the voices that the narrator did sounded like Barney Rubble from The Flintstones!

An even better sequal

I love Tess's books.
I read them all and listen to them all.
I love her flow and characters.
She is great and as an Anesthesiologist, I love her ideas and true medical information.
This book flowed perectly from Surgeon.

Love the series

I am really enjoying this series by Tess Gerritsen. I have listened to 3 of the 6 books and just can't put them down. I have to say, however, that the reader of this particular book is terrible and hard to listen to. When she attempts to change to male voices, it is horrible - sounds like she has a sore throat or something. The listening enjoyment would have been much better with a different reader. I would have given the book 5 stars but for the reader.

Better Than The Show

The books are better than the show; well except for Angie Harmon. The follow up book to The Surgeon, Warren Hoyt returns to terrorize both Jane and the general populace and this time he has a partner. The television show made Hoyt out to be a larger factor than he is in the books, but he is a major player in this one. Though there is a great deal of extraneous detail at times this book is quite good. There is a certain amount of disbelief that must be suspended by the listener, but much of the law enforcement portion of the story is well done if not particularly realistic. A good listen.

Disliked the narrator

The story line was definitely a thriller. The narrator did not do a good job of “ playing” other character voices. The two things that really bothered me throughout the book was that she kept saying “ Ritzolli”...instead of “ Rizolli”! The second issue was the title. Why was the book called “The Apprentice “ when the co-murderer was never called that? He was called “the Dominator” throughout the story. It definitely did not flow like other Tess Gerritsen books.

Not the TV Rizzoli & Isles

I started listening to the series because I loved the show. The characters so far don't match up with the way they were portrayed on the series. Story lines and names do. The most annoying part of this audio book for me was the way Rizzoli was pronounced. Otherwise, I enjoyed the storyline, continued in part from Book 1. This book focuses on Rizzoli more than the 1st did.

Descriptive accounts of actions

Liked description of scenes and plot and how each character feels so real to audience

Excellent Thriller

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

Yes, Great follow up to the last book in the series "The Surgeon". This book and narrator gave a sense of thrilling excitement and mystery. The story is fast moving and displays new aspects to Rizzolli's character as the reader begins to understand her a bit more in each book.

What did you like best about this story?

the thriller nature of the story

Which character – as performed by Anna Fields – was your favorite?

She did them all so well it is hard to pick one. She really seems to have Rizzolli down very well, just what you think she should sound like as a tough female cop who has had to claw her way to the top in a man's world.

Any additional comments?

Great book in a good series. Well worth the money or credit point.

Pulls you in

I really liked the narrator; the character of Rizzoli develops and the peek into her mind is very revealing. Just when I thought I'm just going to listen to one chapter, I caught myself listening more and more. A very enjoyable book.