Dragonwell Dead (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

This is a month for the Tea Shop Mysteries for me.  Another one to devour - book eight of the series.  This time, murder calls much closer to home for comfort.  Theodosia's sorta boyfriend, Parker Scully, owner of Solstice Bistro and Wine Bar, said to her as they were walking to a meeting at the Heritage Society, that he was curious as to why Theodosia was "such a lightning rod for this stuff?...somebody in this town drops dead and you're Johnny on the case."  Well, how astute, I have been wondering that myself!  Then again, if not for Theodosia and her curious and inquisitive nature, there wouldn't be any Tea Shop mysteries for us to sit back and enjoy in a delightful way like a good cup of tea does.  As always, Charleston is a historically beautiful setting for these mysteries.  Happy reading!

Why not introduce this book with the last line in the book for a change?  Here it is:

Last line in the book:  Placing one of Miss Maybelle's needlepoint pillows behind her head, Theodosia leaned back against the couch and said, "There's always time for tea."

Taken from the book blurb:  Each spring, Charleston's upper crust opens its sprawling gardens to the public for the Spring Plantation Ramble, an occasion for flower shows, rare-plant auctions, and contagious spring fever.  Although Theodosia Browning barely knows a Phalaenopsis from a bog rose, she still enjoys the Ramble, especially since she can promote her Indigo Tea Shop and her latest conconction, Dragonwell Sweet Tea.  But the festivities come to a screeching halt when commodities broker Mark Congdon wins a bid for a rare monkey-face orchid - and promptly dies.  It looks like a simple heart attack, but both Theo and his widow suspect that someone purposely turned his green thumb blue...
Includes delicious recipes and tea time tips!

Rating: 3/5 (Enjoy!)

Dead At Daybreak by Deon Meyer

Without a doubt, imagination is key to reading but there are just some scenes which need a little bit of help conjuring up so here are some photos taken by Meyer in conjunction with this book (courtesy of his website) which you have just got to check out:  http://www.deonmeyer.com/xtra/xtra_dad.html

I read this story both as a book and an audio.  The audio is narrated by talented Saul Reichlin who reads with a well-honed newsreader presenter voice, smooth and oddly sensual, not unlike a bass cello.  His interpretation is perfect, for want of a better word, with a capital P.  He effortlessly guides the listener through all kinds of emotions - fear, joy, lust, anger, heartbreak, humour.  The many different accents are so convincing that it felt like there were a few narrators talking it out instead of one man.  Even when he narrates a woman's part, he does not identify it with a put-on high-pitched voice which almost always sounds false and grating.  Instead, he does not miss a beat and adjusts his voice accordingly to each change of scenes.  I do not listen to audios much but I must say this has been the BEST audio interpretation I have ever listened to and would gladly look out for Saul Reichlin's voice in the future.  If you want to know more about Sam Reichlin, click on his website at http://www.saulreichlin.biz/index.htm

Personally and honestly, I do not think anyone writes like Deon Meyer anymore.  What a fine writer.  What talent.  What pure poetry.  I love his language.  I love the slow pace of his writing.  I love his writing.  Pure and simple.  He creates a tone that mimics both the turbulence of the old South Africa and the new changes in modern South Africa.  He writes very effectively of a flawed but normal guy who is trying to come to terms with his personal and professional life with soul-searching ruminations, recountings of past experiences from his childhood right through to the present and with moving on with life as such, being a survivor.  In what has been described as a "risky move", the plot is cleverly divided into two events which connect chronogically using 1st and 3rd person points of view by the same character (protagonist and ex-cop Zatopek van Heerden).  I would say this book has the right combination of a convincing thriller and personal redemption.  Admirably, the female characters and their influences are strongly portrayed.  The bad news is that the central premise of a one week deadline is perhaps a touch unreal.

Dead At Daybreak has been shortlisted for a number of awards and won a number of accolades, chief among them French Le prix Mystère de la critique 2004.  I highly recommend this one because it is a deserved winner!

Opening line in the book: He woke abruptly out of an alcohol-sodden sleep, the pain in his ribs his first conscious sensation.

What is Dead At Daybreak about?  (taken from the blurb):

The past is never dead.  An antiques dealer is burned with a blowtorch, then killed, execution-style - a single shot to the back of the head with an M16.  The contents of the safe are missing and the only clues are a scrap of blank paper and the unusual weapon used, a gun that's generally the preferred choice of mercenaries, not burglars.  Now ex-cop Zatopek 'Zed' van Heerden has seven days in which to solve the case - a task made even harder when he discovers that up to a few years ago there is no record that the victim even existed...
Dead At Daybreak is a brilliant and provocative South African thriller set in a damaged society coming to terms with new freedoms - and new dangers.

Warning:  This book contains more than anyone's fair share of the proverbial (bleep) word.  Normally, it adds nothing to the dialogue but in this case, it adds ambience and a certain depth to the raw emotions in the story.

Rating: 6/5 (Outstanding writing/translation/narrating)

Blood Orange Brewing (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

"Serving tea is so much like old-fashioned visiting and Southern hospitality.  You know, being nice to people.  Taking care of them." - Miss Dimple, bookkeeper to Indigo Tea Shop, Charleston. 

Do you agree with Miss Dimple?  I do.  However, I have read a number of bad reviews about this book; some saying that this was the worst book written by Childs or that it was not very well-written but I beg to differ.  This book is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie's "locked room murder mystery" and the clues are so scarce that the mystery comes to a head only toward the end of the book but it does not mean that the book is poorly written.  The dead-ends, run-arounds, puzzles and questions that Theodosia threw around lend an interesting and colourful mix to the investigation and in and around that mix, she keeps sharing with us her luscious array of tea facts, treats and tips.  Besides, there is always something exciting to be learned from Childs' books, be it tea or friendships or South Carolina's history.  There is also a heartbreaking story about Theodosia's dog, Earl Grey, going missing briefly before being found again.  However, one puzzle for me is why the chief detective of Charleston worked so closely with Theodosia to solve the murders; I would have thought he would have consulted with his colleagues instead of a civilian as Theodosia plainly was. 

Anyway, as Mystery News reviewed, it has "an inspiring conclusion".  I will be reading the #8 book of the Tea Shop Mystery soon.

Opening line in the book:  "Fascinating," declared Theodosia Browning as her quizzical blue eyes roved about the hexagon-shaped room.

What is Theodosia up to now in book #7?  (Taken from the blurb):

When social darling Delaine Dish throws a lavish benefit for the restoration of a run-down Victorian home, Theodosia Browning donates tea and treats from her Indigo Tea Shop.  But the grand unveiling of Theo's spread proves a gruesome scene when a beloved local politico falls dead with a jagged piece of metal in his neck.  Anyone at the event could be the culprit, but the police have few leads - and no suspects.  Try as she might, Theodosia can't help but wonder who the murderer is.  But her investigation will lead her into places darker than the blackest tea...
Includes delicious recipes and tea time tips!

Rating:  3/5 (Another treat)

Chamomile Mourning (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

Opening line in the book:  Since the weatherman at Channel 8 had predicted a glorious evening, that's exactly what Theodosia Browning was expecting.

Synopsis (taken from the blurb):

Charleston, South Carolina, is alive with music, dancing, and the arts as the Spoleto festival gets underway.   But Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning feels far from festive when the inaugural Poet's Tea is forced into one of the Heritage Society's austere halls by rain.  And when it rains, it pours - as proven when a respected auction house owner plummets from the balcony, landing dead on Theodosia's specially-prepared cake.  Worse yet, it looks like someone helped him over the edge.  With a full kettle of suspects, Theodosia pursues an investigation into the murky swamps of the Low Country, where she uncovers a thriving criminal enterprise of art forgery, fraud - and murder...
Includes delicious recipes and tea time tips! 

Someone said that Theodosia's investigative techniques are all within the realm of possibilities for an amateur sleuth and I absolutely agree with that.  A well-executed plot that started when a dead body comes slamming down on top of Theodosia's tea table, stylistic writing and likeable characters sum up this easy-to-read light cosy.  Even though I have missed the third, fourth and fifth books in the series but I have been so much entertained by the cast of old and new characters alike and another murder to solve for Theodosia in the traditional and historic city of Charleston dubbed "a kingdom by the sea" that it has not made much of a dent in skipping those books.  The beauty of it is that readers can still catch up with Theodosia and company whether they are starting the sixth or the first book.  Another important point to make is I love this series because it contains no foul language or references to sex and still make an entertaining and unputdownable read.  What more can I say?  On to #7 and quicksticks...

Rating: 3/5 (Page-turner)

Gunpowder Green (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

Opening line in the book:  Theodosia Browning reached up and removed the tortoiseshell clip that held her auburn locks tightly in place.

Synopsis:  (courtesy of the blurb)

Tea shop owner Theodosia Browning knows that something's brewing in the high society of Charleston - something other than her newest tea...
The Indigo Tea Shop, Charleston's favourite spot of tea, has just come out with its latest flavor: Gunpowder Green.  Theodosia Browning cannot wait to hear its praises as it is unveiled at the annual yacht race.  But when she hears the crack of an antique gun meant to end the race, a member of Charleston's elite falls dead.  Theodosia has a hunch that his demise was no accident - and will go out of her way to prove it.  But if she doesn't act fast, Theo will find herself in hot water with some boiling-mad Charlestonians - and more than a little gun-chai...
Includes delicious recipes and tea-making tips!

This time, Theo plunges straight into an investigation of an accidental death at the Isle of Palms Yacht Race in Charleston, having bitten the bug solving her first murder in Death by Darjeeling (review: 12 September 2010).  However, is the death accidental or deliberate?  There seems to be a feud between two men going as far back as 1892.  What does this feud have to do with the death of a Charlestonian at the present time?  Has that whetted your appetite so far?  Without saying anything further, I am just going to say that I have absolutely enjoyed reading Childs' second Tea Shop Mystery book in the old-world South Carolina's low country and will recommend it to anyone who is interested in a clever mystery, a bit of history and last but not least, that tiny teacup of gunpowder green!

Sadly, I am not able to get a hold of the next three books of the Tea Shop Mysteries and so, will be moving on to book #6 Chamomile Mourning.

Rating:  3/5 (Love it yet again)

Angels Of Death: Inside The Bikers' Global Crime Empire by William Marsden & Julian Sher

This book caught my eye in the library last week and because I am prone to reading international bestsellers, I brought it home with me along with a heavy pile of other requested books.  Must admit I do not know much about the Hells Angels.  Since then, I have learned that they are "the United States' only homegrown contribution to international organized crime".  They are also known as OMGs (the acronym for Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs).  I then searched youtube to find out whether I could gather more information on the OMGs and have chosen this 5-part videos very closely related to the book I took home. 

Check them out below:











This book is a result of the authors' curiosity as to how the biker gangs manage to conquer so much of the organized crime territory around the world.  They have written a book on the biker gangs prior to this called The Road to Hell: How the Biker Gangs Are Conquering Canada which I have not had the pleasure of reading yet.  William Marsden is a senior investigative reporter for The Gazette in Montreal and Julian Sher is the author of several books.

What is this book about?  (Taken from the blurb of the book):

Angels Of Death takes us straight to the dark heart of the Hells Angels' story - from the fatal stabbing of an innocent woman in the Arizona desert, through a violent subculture of bombings, shootouts, drugs, weapons trafficking and extortion.  This lawless story is played out across 25 countries, from the streets of London and Amsterdam to the Australian outback and beyond.

Due to the fact that this book is of an investigative nature and contains true facts, I will not be rating it at all.  However, it has been a fascinating read and totally unputdownable.  If you are interested in the Hells Angels, be sure to read this book or you can visit their official World website at  http://www.hells-angels.com/ to find out more.  Or, if you want to know who the legendary patriarch of Hells Angels is, do visit Sonny Barger's website at http://sonnybarger.com/index3.html

Slash and Burn (The New Joe Hunter Thriller) by Matt Hilton

 

First line in the book:  It was the worst year of her life.

Synopsis:  "Some may call me a vigilante.  I think I've just got problems to fix."

Police officer Kate Piers's older sister, Imogen Ballard, went missing after she placed a call to Kate and said she needed help.  Kate then asked Joe to help find Imogen.  Incidentally, Joe knew Kate and Imogen's brother from the Special Forces team and felt obligated to help her.  When they neared Imogen's house in a remote valley above Little Fork in Kentucky, all was not as it seemed.  The house was dead silent and empty.  When gunfighting ensued, dead bodies materialized fast and without mercy.  Apparently, the dead bodies were acting on behalf of entrepreneur businessman, Robert Huffman aka Quicksilver.  One thing led to another and now Kate was missing and the last place Joe left her was in a motel room where they were hiding.  Suddenly, the motel room was ambushed...  What was the reason for the sisters' disappearances?  Why were they hunted anyway?  Could Joe stop the bad guys and more importantly, could he save the two sisters' lives?

Matt Hilton is no stranger to me as I have read his debut (Dead Men's Dust) when it came out in October 2009 and I am glad to see the comeback of my favourite vigilante, Joe Hunter, a Rambo kind of guy with multiple scars on his body, although if you say that to his face, he would say he is not a vigilante but a "go-for-broke kind of guy".  I like Joe.  He is a paradox.  On the one hand, he can be heartless and cold and on the other, he can be sensitive and kind. 

The reader will find that the story alternates between Joe's viewpoint written in first person and the villain's viewpoint written in third person.  Therefore, a scene will be told twice but from different perspectives - from Joe's side and then the villain's.  This is Hilton's unique writing style.  The baddies, the Bolan twins, are part hilarious and part scary although one of them was killed off in the beginning allowing the remaining to avenge his brother's death.  Other baddies are divided into goons and professionals.  As is usual, Joe has called upon his most trusted friends, Rink and Harvey, to balance the deficit so to speak.  Written at a ferocious pace and with non-stop gruesome action throughout, you will not be disappointed with this thriller.  Be ready to plug your ears with all those deafening gunfire and grip your armchairs at the escalation of action sequences and an explosive showdown at the end.  I highly recommend it and look forward to more.

Matt Hilton was a beat officer in Cumbria, England, before he quit the force after landing himself a five-book deal with Hodder and Stoughton.  Lucky chap!  He has worked in private security and is also a high ranking martial arts expert, all of which lend an authenticity to the high-action scenes described in his books.  He still lives in Cumbria.  Slash and Burn is the third Joe Hunter thriller. His fourth book, Cut And Run, is already out in bookshops on 19 August 2010.  Do visit his websites for more information about him and his works at http://www.matthiltonbooks.com/ and http://www.joehuntervigilante.com/

Rating: 4/5 (Promising)

Death By Darjeeling (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

First line in the book:  Theodosia Browning leaned back from the clutter of her antique wooden desk, balanced a bone china cup and saucer on one knee, and took a much-needed sip of Lung Ching tea.

What this book is about (taken from the blurb):

Meet Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston's beloved Indigo Tea Shop.  Patrons love her blend of delicious tea tastings and Southern hospitality.  And Theo enjoys the full-bodied flavor of a town steeped in history - and mystery...

It's tea for two hundred or so at the annual historic homes garden party.  And Theodosia, as event caterer, is busy serving steaming teas and blackberry scones while guests sing her praises.  But the sweet smell of success turns to suspense when an esteemed guest is found dead - his hand clutching an empty teacup.  All eyes are on Theo...who is now trying desperately to save her reputation and track down the real killer.  If only she can make sense of it all - before someone else takes their last sip...

Death by Darjeeling is the first book in the Tea Shop Mysteries.  This is my favourite cosy mysteries of all.  It is absolutely packed with intriguing tea facts, maybe because I am a tea drinker myself, my favourite being Sencha, Japanese green tea, from Shimizu, the home of Mount Fuji.  I am also fascinated by the town Charleston in South Carolina, which is steeped in history and tradition.  I have not been there yet but it is nice to read about the South from a fun and mysterious perspective.

Death by Darjeeling has a clever murder plot that holds your interest all the way, absolutely warm and personable characters whom you will love and very interesting, punchy and easy to digest storyline but hard to guess whodunit!  The author has skilfully made everyone suspects so the real killer remains a puzzle within a puzzle right until the very end.  In my opinion, this book is an above average cosy mystery and will get you totally hooked.  Without saying further, I highly recommend it and look forward to reading the next one.

Laura Childs is the bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, the Scrapbooking Mysteries and the Cackleberry Club Mysteries.  She is a consummate tea drinker, scrapbooker and dog lover, and frequently travels to China and Japan with her husband.  In her past life, she was a Clio Award-winning advertising writer and CEO of her own marketing firm.  Her website is at http://www.laurachilds.com/ or you can add her as a friend on her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000996587077&v=wall

Rating:  3.5/5 (Love it)

Fed Up (A Gourmet Girl Mystery) by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant

First line in the book:  I peeked in the rearview mirror of my car, touched up my lip gloss, and ran my hands through my hair.

What this book is about (taken from the blurb):

Chloe Carter, part-time student and full-time food lover, is glued to her chef boyfriend, Josh Driscoll, as he competes to star in a new local TV series.  Everything is cooking to perfection - until someone drops dead after eating Josh's homemade cuisine.

The cameras were on Josh the whole time so everyone knows he's innocent.  But someone is guilty.  Was it one of Josh's competitors?  Or maybe it was the deceased's husband?  Or a member of the film crew?

While sifting through the suspects, Chloe also must deal with her best friend's impending wedding, Josh's erratic behavior, and the appearance of one very sexy young carpenter.  The Gourmet Girl is going to have to balance her overflowing plate while trying to catch a food felon...

Fed Up is the fourth book in the Gourmet Girl mystery series.  This book is my favourite so far, in other words, it is right up my gastronomic alley.  Be prepared for a hysterical wedding scene that will make you cackle out loud and a cliff-hanger ending for Chloe Carter.  As for the rest of the story, you will have to read it for yourself.  Again, I love the attractive cover.

I shall look forward to the fifth book out in February 2011 called Cook The Books.  It shall be the last book in the series as there is confirmation that the publisher will not be renewing the series at all.  What a shame!  You can friend Jessica Conant-Park on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/Jumby24?ref=ts

Rating: 2.5/5 (Good)

Steamed (A Gourmet Girl Mystery) by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant

First line in the book:  On Saturday morning I woke up at eight, poured a nasty cup of coffee that had automatically brewed itself at 5:00 a.m. instead of the programmed time of 8:00 a.m., and plopped myself at my kitchen table to do some early morning people watching out the window.

What is this story about?  (taken from the blurb):

Chloe Carter, food connoisseur and resilient survivor of failed romances, is forever on a quest for the perfect meal and the perfect man.  Getting both in one shot is irresistable.  That's why Chloe (aka Gourmet-Girl) accepts a date with DinnerDude online.  Too bad the fellow food lover is just another cheap, pompous, well-fed bore.  But there must be an easier way to run out on a tab than being stabbed to death in the men's room.

Talk about a rocky love life.  Chloe's first date of the week is murdered - and her second is a sweet chef who'd be ideal if he wasn't the prime suspect.  As the investigation plunges the amateur sleuth into the gourmet restaurant scene, she discovers a cutthroat world rife with killer competition, stormy love affairs, and a recipe for Baby Bok Choy Slaw that's to die for...

This is a big change from the last Gourmet Girl Mystery book I read, Turn Up The Heat (review: 30 August 2010).  Even though it can get rambling at times but this is a much more palatable read.  I get to know the funny and down-to-earth heroine, Chloe Carter, right from the start.  The nefarious behind-the-scenes restaurant tales and decadent sounding recipes are juicy enough to get my taste buds working overtime.  Overall, this is a cozy and appealing read.  I also love the cover of the book.

Steamed is the first book in the Gourmet Girl Mystery series.

Rating:  2/5 (Good)

Trace Evidence by Elizabeth Becka

First line in the book:  Evelyn James parked the county's battered station wagon behind a knot of cars on the side of the road.

What is this book about?  (Courtesy of the blurb):

Forensic scientist Evelyn James is called out to the river's edge to take a look at the body of a young woman.  After years in the job, Evelyn is used to the sight of victims washed up by poverty or grief, but this is quite different - and much nastier.  The girl's feet had been encased in concrete, her body wrapped in chains.  And she isn't alone - other young women have recently met a similar fate.

Evelyn's hunt for the killer takes her to the highest and lowest levels of society, and brings her face to face with a ghost from her past.  And then another girl disappears...

As debuts go, this goes right up to the top of my rating charts.  There is no fumbling around or amaterish writing or monotony but there is a lot of potential, humour and horror.  As Tess Gerritsen reviewed, it is "a smashing debut!"  It is also an advantage that Becka has actually worked as an investigator in Ohio, Cleveland where the story is set.  I like that she has come up with a divorced woman character who has a surly daughter and a mother living next door and a homicide detective with a murky past who checks in on his elderly father everyday.  There are some satisfying twists in the story and it is tightly written and well-paced. 

I highly recommend Trace Evidence and look forward to her next book, Unknown Means.

Elizabeth Becka was a forensic scientist with the Coroner's Office in Cleveland and has written and lectured extensively in forensics.  She now lives in Florida.  Her website is at Elizabeth Becka.

Rating:  5/5

Blood Safari by Deon Meyer

First line in the book:  I swung the sledgehammer in a lazy rhythm.

What this book is about (taken from the blurb):

Lemmer is a freelance bodyguard for Body Armor, a personal security company in South Africa.  Lean, angry, violent, he is way down on the price list where the bargains are to be found.

Emma le Roux wants to find her missing brother, who supposedly died twenty years ago.  Le Roux is convinced she saw him on the news a few days ago as a suspect in the recent killing of a witch doctor and four poachers.  She hires Lemmer to watch her back when she goes looking for answers.

As le Roux and Lemmer look for clues in the Lowveld, it becomes clear someone wants to keep them in the dark.  Someone who will go to any lengths to stop them asking questions.  When they are attacked and almost killed, Lemmer decides to go after whoever is hunting them - against all odds.

Apart from the entertaining thriller which I have enjoyed reading, I have also enjoyed reading about South Africa's wilderness, society, land struggles, history and ecology especially the critically endangered vultures and their dwindling numbers.  Meyer's observations of people and their exploiting nature are unashamedly accurate.  There is no doubt there are things in the book that make me think.  Meyer is a genius.  Blood Safari is a winning read and I cannot stress this enough.  Do read it.

Just look at this awesome photos (courtesy of Deon Meyer's website) related to the book.

Rating: 5/5

The Surgeon (Rizzoli and Isles thriller) by Tess Gerritsen

First line in the book:  Today they will find her body.

Synopsis taken from the author's official UK site:

In Boston, there’s a killer on the loose. A killer who targets lone women, who breaks into their apartments and performs terrifying ritualistic acts of torture on his victims before finishing them off. His surgical skills lead police to suspect he is a physician – a physician who, instead of saving lives, takes them.

But as homicide detective Thomas Moore and his partner Jane Rizzoli begin their investigation, they make a startling discovery. Closely linked to these killings is Catherine Cordell, a beautiful medic with a mysterious past. Two years ago she was subjected to a horrifying rape and attempted murder but shot her attacker dead. Now she is being targeted by this new killer who seems to know all about her past, her work at the Pilgrim Medical Center, and where she lives. The man she believes she killed seems to be stalking her once again, and this time he knows exactly where to find her…

The first book of the Rizzoli and Isles thriller is not so much a thriller than a chiller!  First-rate gory and scary.  The focal attention is not spotlighted on Rizzoli so much and Isles has not made her appearance yet.  I would say the story is more focused on the victims, among others, and I find it more credible for authors to give every character their dues.  I think it is a little dull to expect the same hero/heroine to shine all the time so to speak.  After all, everyone need "a little help from their friends". 

I neither like or dislike this book although I must say it is incredibly jittery to read.  If you are a fan of Rizzoli and Isles, there is no way to avoid this book, no matter how much goosebumps it gives you.

Rating: 3/5 (Good)

The Apprentice (Rizzoli and Isles thriller) by Tess Gerritsen

First line in the book:  Today I watched a man die. 

Synopsis taken from the blurb:

I know I am not the only one of my kind who walks this earth.  Somewhere, there is another.  And he waits for me...

The Surgeon has been locked up for a year but his chilling legacy still haunts the city, and especially Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli.  For now a new killer is at work and Rizzoli senses something horrifyingly familiar about this murderer's modus operandi.  Grim coincidence?  Or more terrifying still, could two monsters have somehow made contact?

It's when the FBI stats taking an interest in the investigation that Rizzoli begins to wonder just what makes this case so different, so dangerous that the Feds feel the need to get involved.  But then the unthinkable happens:  the Surgeon escapes.  And suddenly there are two brilliant, twisted killers on the loose - master and apprentice, united in their hunt for the most challenging prey of all:  the very woman who is hunting them...



Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles television series (shown above) starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander is the sole reason I am rereading The Apprentice, the second book in the Rizzoli and Isles series.  (The reason I am starting with the second book is because I have not been able to get the first book from the library before they called me on the second).

In a nutshell, this novel is a page-turner gripper.  Filled with authentic and highly detailed forensic lore, complex characters, ultra scare-and-gory factor and psychological suspense, this is a thriller that surpasses all I have read so far!  I highly recommend it.

Internationally bestselling author needs no introduction.  She is a physician turned writer.  She has won the Nero Wolfe Award for Vanish and the Rita Award for The Surgeon.  Publisher Weekly has dubbed her the "medical suspense queen".  Now retired from medicine, she writes full-time.  She lives in Maine with her husband and two sons. 

The author's official website is at http://www.tessgerritsen.com/

Rating:  6/5 (Ingenious)