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The Surgeon  By  cover art

The Surgeon

By: Tess Gerritsen
Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
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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)

Featured Article: 10 Authors Like David Baldacci


David Baldacci is the bestselling author of dozens of novels for adults, and a handful of books for kids and teens. His best-known titles are mystery novels starring FBI and Secret Service agents, and his plots run the spectrum from historical mystery to political thrillers. He's even written general fiction, romantic fiction, kidlit, and YA. If Baldacci is one of your favorite authors, but you listen faster than he can write, never fear! We’ve got you covered with some suggestions of 10 great authors like David Baldacci who write mysteries, thrillers, and fast-paced stories that you’ll love.

What listeners say about The Surgeon

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

The Surgeon

I thought it was the unabridged version at first then realized it was not. It as good as an abridgement can be, bad like all abridgments is seriously lacking. My suggestion is to find a unabridged version or read the book otherwise you miss so much the story does not make sense.

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40 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

She's becoming more popular everyday

This is the second book of Gerritsen's I actually read. It was extremely suspenseful! I had a hard time putting either of her books down. I'm a RN, but don't think medical background is necessary to love her writing. If you like intense medical thrillers, this book & Bloodstream are worth the time.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good book, but....

When I read that Angie Harmon would play Rizzoli in a TNT version of Rizzoli & Isles this fall, I thought I would try to read the source novels. This was an intereting crime novel, but for me, far to gory, bloody and shows torture in clinical detail. Not my cup of tea, and I'm not even remotely interested in going forward to the other novels in the series. Great for those interested in that kind of thing though!

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Surgeon

I love a good mystery and this one will keep you on the edge of your seat! I'm only half way through, but wanted to stay up last night to listen to it - had to work today, but have not been able to get my mind off of it. Hurry up 5 o'clock!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Heart-pounding, up all night suspense!

This book kept me awake for hours- it is one of her best! It has excellent narration- I just couldn't turn it off.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Gory bloodshed and torture.

What would have made The Surgeon better?

This is the first in the series, but I found the details of attacks and murders too gory. The story line is good, but I like my murder mysteries less gritty and no detailed torture.

Has The Surgeon turned you off from other books in this genre?

It has turned me off from possibly reading the rest in this series, not the genre.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

a good thriller

This is a good thriller that is not predictable. Is is bloody and gross and exciting. It will keep you wanting to listen to more. I didn't find it quite as fabulous as the other reviewers but, it is definetly worth listening to.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A great Beginning

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Couldn't stop listening

This was a great book! I kept finding myself staying in my car to find out what happened next. It was suspenseful and well thought out. If you liked Silence of the Lambs, you'll love this novel.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good story

Enjoyable introduction to Jane Rizoli. The characters could have been developed more. I'm hoping that happens in the rest of the books.

I did not like Dennis Boutsikaris's reading of the novel. It didn't emphasize the various characters voices However he did well with the rise and fall of the action. Otherwise the reading was close to a monotone making listening to the book difficult.

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1 person found this helpful