The Keepsake

A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

By: Tess Gerritsen, Alyssa Bresnahan

Narrated by: Carolyn McCormick

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen knows how to expertly dissect a brilliantly suspenseful story, all the while keeping fascinated listeners riveted to her side. By turns darkly enthralling and relentlessly surprising, The Keepsake showcases an author at the peak of her storytelling powers.

For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy–to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact–seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse–horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim.

To Maura and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, the forensic evidence is unmistakable, its implications terrifying. And when the grisly remains of yet another woman are found in the hidden recesses of the museum, it becomes chillingly clear that a maniac is at large–and is now taunting them.

Archaeologist Josephine Pulcillo’s blood runs cold when the killer’s cryptic missives are discovered, and her darkest dread becomes real when the carefully preserved corpse of yet a third victim is left in her car like a gruesome offering–or perhaps a ghastly promise of what’s to come.

The twisted killer’s familiarity with post-mortem rituals suggests to Maura and Jane that he may have scientific expertise in common with Josephine. Only Josephine knows that her stalker shares a knowledge even more personally terrifying: details of a dark secret she had thought forever buried.

Now Maura must summon her own dusty knowledge of ancient death traditions to unravel his twisted endgame. And when Josephine vanishes, Maura and Jane have precious little time to derail the Archaeology Killer before he adds another chilling piece to his monstrous collection.

©2008 Tess Gerritsen (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Mesmerized

The story/plot was gripping!!! Again, well done Tess Gerritson! Brava! This will stay in my audible library for a very long time, so I have a chance to listen to it again and again.

Always buy Unabridged

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I wasn't paying attention when I bought this book... the abridged version leaves so much out :( I was disappointed, but my own fault...

Kept me exercising

I used my audiobooks as a way to lure me into exercising. Not allowed to listen unless I am doing something productive. This book was worth it. I kept needing to go back to it and was satisfied with the ending.