Reviews

The Surgeon, by Tess Gerritsen

kaine_'s review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

jmeyers888's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicide, Torture, and Violence

ripxw's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence

Moderate: Murder and Police brutality

Minor: Sexism

clobio's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jennlcollier's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Torture

lauramichelle5's review against another edition

Couldn't put it down. Gerritsen's medical knowledge makes this book all the more thrilling.

mxajlikesbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Steeped in gender roles, misogyny, and the plot heavily revolves around sexual violence. 

Very engaging and easy to read (finished the whole thing in two sittings in less than a day), enjoyed the medical details and I found the killers POV moments creative and intriguing but was bored by the two main characters and found them very unsympathetic (especially Rizzoli's internalised misogyny and both cops' unethical behaviour at different points). Was also highly disappointed by the completely unnecessary "twist" that

Spoiler

the villain had worn a wig/crossdressed, contributing to the tired and queer/transphobic trope of serial killer men donning drag as part of their villainy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Medical content, Misogyny, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Police brutality, Rape, and Violence

Moderate: Transphobia

ellejaoy's review against another edition

2.0

Didn’t like a single character. Rizzoli spouts so much crap about fitting in but seems to be an actual terrible detective given how she has a breakdown mid book and draws the same conclusions as others but ten minutes too late. Never want to spend another second with any of these people and don’t even get me started on the bullshit writing of women in general. For a book that’s meant to show a strong female character it made me wanna gag. Maybe it’s just not aged well? Either way stick to the excellent tv show and ignore the books.

nmyoung's review against another edition

4.0

This was my first Tess Gerritsen book. I had heard good things about her, especially about her Rizzoli and Isles characters.

While I enjoyed this story I feel like it didn’t get really good until the last few chapters. It would suck me in for a little before losing me for a while before sucking me back in again.

I think Gerritsen did an amazing job of explaining how Jane Rizzoli felt being the only woman in a male dominated field. She also did very well explaining how Rizzoli felt “unattractive” compared to other women and hit on some insecurities that many of us have.

I’m looking forward to reading more of her books in the future.

taque's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Spoiler

really good mystery story, but way more graphic than I would have liked

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gore, Sexual harassment, Death, Confinement, Murder, and Blood

Minor: Car accident, Suicide, Misogyny, Gun violence, and Grief