by Tess Gerritsen
Genres: Crime Fiction, Suspense Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
THE FIRST BODY IS A MYSTERY.
She's young. She's beautiful. And her corpse, laid out in the office of Boston medical examiner Kat Novak, betrays no secrets - except for a matchbook clutched in one stiff hand, seven numbers scrawled inside.
THE NEXT BODY IS A WARNING.
When a second victim is discovered, Kat begins to fear that a serial killer is stalking the streets. The police are sceptical. The mayor won't listen. And Kat's chief suspect is one of the town's most prominent citizens.
THE FINAL BODY . . . MIGHT BE HERS.
With the death toll rising, Kat races to expose a deadly predator who is closer than she ever dreamt. And every move she makes could be her very last
I discovered Tess Gerristen quite by accident while in the doctors’ office. There was a copy of the Surgeon, and I began reading. I then read all of her thrillers back to back. Her books were turned into a television series called Rizzoli & Isles. As much as I am a fan of her psychological suspense thrillers, I never ventured into her earlier works. I was surprised to learn she started with romantic suspense. Girl Missing is what Tess herself calls her bridge novel from romantic suspense to thriller. I enjoyed this mystery and was tickled to see where it all began. Mini review: strong characters, romance and murder that kept me engaged.
Kat Novak is the medical examiner in Boston, MA. The first body that arrives that morning is a mystery. A beautiful young woman with a matchbook clutched in her fist containing a seven digit number. When Kat calls that number it belongs to a prominent citizen. As the bodies begin to pile up, Kat realizes there is a problem..but the more she digs, and the more she protests, the greater the danger she is in.
I liked Kat; she is tenacious and not the least bit concerned with the politics that go on within the mayor and police department. She cares about stopping a killer and saving innocent lives. She was relentless when following a lead and is a straight shooter. When she begins to develop feelings for her prime suspect things got a little complicated. I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance but felt they worked well together as an investigative team.
Girl Missing offered up a keen murder mystery with unique suspects and characters. I had fun piecing things together. I can clearly see the Gerristen I have come to adore within these pages. While I questioned a few technical aspects, particularly in the ME’s office, I could not find fault with the plot and pacing. The romance while a significant thread really stayed in the background. While I felt they interacted well it lacked that sizzle romantic suspense usually brings. Truth be told the Surgeon is a stronger, tighter, darker novel that left me breathless. While this didn’t wow me, I am glad that I read Girl Missing, and quite enjoyed the tale she wove.
For fans of Gerristen, the trip down memory lane and return to her humble beginnings make Girl Missing a worthy read. If you like crime thrillers, I recommend you check out Tess Gerristen. Her novels are dark, chilling and brilliant.
Three and half cups of coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lauren
I do love crime thrillers, and I love Rizzoli & Isles, so I definitely want to give this one a try! Glad you enjoyed it overall, even if it didn’t wow you. It sounds like a well done dark thriller. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lauren 🙂
Christa
This sounds fabulously intense. I love a good mystery every now and then
kimbacaffeinate
This was good, but her next novel (The Surgeon) and subsequent novels are outstanding and have all of the components that I love in a good crime/suspense/thriller.
Candace
I haven’t read any of her books, but I got to thinking that this might actually be an author my mom would enjoy and I don’t think she’s read any of her books yet. I need to figure out a way to ask her, this might be a good gift idea.
I think I prefer more romantic suspense than thriller, but that’s mostly because thriller is sometimes a bit too much for me. But sometimes it’s not, so I might be wrong. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Get her the Surgeon. It’s murder, mystery and suspense. You could ask her if she likes crime novels where you get inside the mind of a killer. Try pretending you are doing a poll for your blog.
Lindy
It’s neat to see where a favorite author began. It looks like her writing improved, once you get to her later novels. I enjoy murder mystery’s and find the role of the medical examiner to be intriguing! Excellent Review Kim!!!
kimbacaffeinate
This was good, but yes her next book the Surgeon is one of my favorites and it is like she came home and found her niche. Love her!
Pamela D
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed this book despite the romance problems.
kimbacaffeinate
I did but it is always a little sad when that element is missing.
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I haven’t read anything by this author but I do enjoy a good murder/mystery. It’s a shame the romance didn’t really work.
A great review Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Try her book the Surgeon.
Berls
I’m not typically a crime reader, but I recently read one I really enjoyed and I’m thinking I might need to branch out a bit more. I’m curious – are the politics pretty dominant and Kat just doesn’t let them influence her, or do we really not see them at all? Either way, sounds like one I might want to consider. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
We see how the mayor and local District Attorney handle the murders with regard to informing the public. No, they are background.
Lily B
Thought I have heard of her I have never read her books. I heard Rizzoli & Isles was actually pretty well done, so it’s good to see that her talent is reflected in her earlier work as well.
kimbacaffeinate
I love the series they are suspenseful and well done 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds pretty good – sorry the romance didn’t really work though. I’ve never read a book by this author but I’m curious!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lauren, it was fun reading one of her earlier works. Hope you get a chance to try her novels.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I’ve never read this author nor seen the show…but I love the story of how you found her!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Melissa 🙂 It makes me want to leave awesome books in public places!
laurelrainsnow
I love the serendipitous discovery of new authors who then become new favorites. I love this TV series…so I’ve been meaning to read the author. Apparently I need to check out all of her work, not just the Rizzoli & Isles series.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
kimbacaffeinate
Lauren her books are ten times better than the series and differ somewhat with the characters relationships and what not. Start with the Surgeon..they are addicting!
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
I read the description and thought it reminded me of Rizzoli & Isles! Not even giving it a thought. Then I read the review, and you say it is the same author! 🙂 I haven’t read her books, but I do like the show, when I have a chance to watch it. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Her books are different and more in-depth. 🙂
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
Books often are… 🙂 I should give it a try. Maybe.
kimbacaffeinate
I would try the Surgeon.
BornBookish
My sister loves Tess Gerritsen. While I love thrillers I’m not a fan of autopsies and the medical side of things which I think she said is prominent in these books. It sounds really good though!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yeah we get some deets, but I also love how Tess takes us into the mind of her killers. This however was low on those details since it was a romantic suspense. I bet your sister would love to read this bridge book!
Braine
Haven’t read not seen any Rizoli and Isles. I’m a fan of a good mystery, I might binge on the series instead of the books.
kimbacaffeinate
The series is good but it differs from the books. I prefer them but then most of us readers do..LOL
kindlemom1
It has been a super long time since I have read a really good thriller, it use to be almost all I read in high school. I haven’t tried this author yet and I am thinking it is about time that I did.
kimbacaffeinate
She was a doctor and became an author when your child was born so the technical deets are fantastic.
sherry fundin
I love Tess. I don’t know if I’ve read all of them, but I checked out her books from the library, I empty the shelf of all I haven’t read every time I go in. I also own a couple. Thanks for sharing a fantastic author! I love how you came across her. Never know how you will find something or someone.
kimbacaffeinate
So true, and I am glad it happened. Nice to know you are a fan too!
Angela Adams
Thanks for the review! Sounds like a great read for suspense fans!!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Angela, enjoy your weekend
Tanja
I must say that your doctor sounds really good. I mean the only thing you can find in doctor office here is some gossip magazine. Anyhow this sounds like a really interesting read. I like that it really is mysterious and Kat sounds like great character. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was a pretty worn copy and I managed to read quite a few chapters..of course then I was caught up and had to go get a copy from the library..
Melliane
I read some thrillers from time to time but I didn’t not the author. You’re lucky to have novels at the doctors’ office, we don’t have any, only start magazine(don’t know the name in English but I hope you understand what it is). In any case this one sounds great and I love a good mystery like that, it’s always so interesting. But I think I’ll try with the other with I read one of her books. Happy had a good time even if it didn’t blow you away
kimbacaffeinate
Melliane it was an old worn copy and my guess is someone left it there. I left it for someone else to find..but I went to the library and grabbed a copy that day..LOL
Jennifer Bielman
Ooh, a good murder mystery it looks like. I love finding good reads by accident.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Jen. 🙂
blodeuedd
I have never read anything by her
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo you must try and start with The Surgeon!!
Chene Sterckx
This sounds like a great book 🙂 I love a great suspense/mystery/thriller! I love how you discovered this book. I haven’t heard of this author before, thanks for sharing Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give her a try!
Jeann
Sounds like a really thrilling, scary crime novel. Isn’t it the best thing when we stumble upon new reads in the most unlikely places? I find it kind of ironic that a copy of her The Surgeon thriller was at the doctor’s office 😉 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
However it happen I am glad I picked it up and tried it..I loath magazines.
Stephanie
I love how you were introduced to this author. It just goes to show we never know where someone will hear of a book or author. I like that you went back and read this author’s earlier work. I am sure it was fascinating to see how her writing changed over time and across genres. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Stephanie 🙂 It was neat seeing the emerging signs of the author I adore.