laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
The Apprentice
5 Stars
Synopsis:
It is another hot summer in Boston, and a sadistic serial killer is on the loose again. Detective Jane Rizzoli is drawn into the case as the murders are reminiscent of Warren Hoyt’s rampage, and she forced not only to deal with a secretive FBI Agent but must also confront her worst fears when Hoyt escapes custody and joins forces with the city’s newest monster.
Review:
An excellent sequel.
The plot is well-written, fast-paced and suspenseful. However, there are several disturbing scenes that require a strong stomach. Moreover, a number of sections of the story are told from Warren Hoyt’s perspective which adds to the tense and creepy atmosphere.
Rizzoli is an incredible character. She is tough and hard as nails but comes across as so real and compelling that it is difficult not to identify with her. The secondary characters are also intriguing and some series regulars make their first appearance including Maura Isles, Agent Gabriel Dean and Vince Korsak.
On a side note, this is the book that the pilot episode of the TV series Rizzoli & Isles is based on. There are many differences between the show and the book, the most significant being that Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles are merely acquaintances in the book and not fast friends. As such, readers coming to the book from the series may be disappointed.
In sum, this book is thoroughly entertaining and I wholeheartedly recommend it for those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers with a touch of
5 Stars
Synopsis:
It is another hot summer in Boston, and a sadistic serial killer is on the loose again. Detective Jane Rizzoli is drawn into the case as the murders are reminiscent of Warren Hoyt’s rampage, and she forced not only to deal with a secretive FBI Agent but must also confront her worst fears when Hoyt escapes custody and joins forces with the city’s newest monster.
Review:
An excellent sequel.
The plot is well-written, fast-paced and suspenseful. However, there are several disturbing scenes that require a strong stomach. Moreover, a number of sections of the story are told from Warren Hoyt’s perspective which adds to the tense and creepy atmosphere.
Rizzoli is an incredible character. She is tough and hard as nails but comes across as so real and compelling that it is difficult not to identify with her. The secondary characters are also intriguing and some series regulars make their first appearance including Maura Isles, Agent Gabriel Dean and Vince Korsak.
On a side note, this is the book that the pilot episode of the TV series Rizzoli & Isles is based on. There are many differences between the show and the book, the most significant being that Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles are merely acquaintances in the book and not fast friends. As such, readers coming to the book from the series may be disappointed.
In sum, this book is thoroughly entertaining and I wholeheartedly recommend it for those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers with a touch of
viis97's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
booknookie's review against another edition
4.0
You can read more of my reviews at my blog The Book Chick.
I enjoy Tess Gerritsens writing and find her a terrific storyteller. That Jane Rizzoli gets on my nerves all the time and that I sometimes just want to scream, is a testimony for how great her writing really is. I had no trouble with keeping the speed up and there were few slow parts in the book. It is action packed and suspense filled all the way from the first page to the last. Such a great ride. We did pick it up more or less from the end of the first book and we are following the same track with Hoyt and all that. I thought it would be excessive and underwhelming, maybe even a little boring but it is never anything like that.
One thing I love is how great Gerritsen is with the medical explanations. They are never tedious or hard to understand for someone like me who is not that knowledgeable in those subjects. And even though I have seen the TV series several times over and there is not that many differences between the book and the series, I was never bored. It was nice to meet some of the other characters that has a big part in the TV series and I was a little surprised because they are a little different yes. But I do think it will be some changes further on in the book series that I'm exciting to follow.
I enjoy Tess Gerritsens writing and find her a terrific storyteller. That Jane Rizzoli gets on my nerves all the time and that I sometimes just want to scream, is a testimony for how great her writing really is. I had no trouble with keeping the speed up and there were few slow parts in the book. It is action packed and suspense filled all the way from the first page to the last. Such a great ride. We did pick it up more or less from the end of the first book and we are following the same track with Hoyt and all that. I thought it would be excessive and underwhelming, maybe even a little boring but it is never anything like that.
One thing I love is how great Gerritsen is with the medical explanations. They are never tedious or hard to understand for someone like me who is not that knowledgeable in those subjects. And even though I have seen the TV series several times over and there is not that many differences between the book and the series, I was never bored. It was nice to meet some of the other characters that has a big part in the TV series and I was a little surprised because they are a little different yes. But I do think it will be some changes further on in the book series that I'm exciting to follow.
dianaolnn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
pandochka's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
thefateofivalice's review against another edition
3.0
Maura Isles is goth. Holy shit.
Looking forward to book #3. I finished this book in under 24 hours. I got it from a library, and read until I was ready to pass out. I don't do that with a lot of books. This book was good -- but comparing it to the first one, it does seem a little lackluster. I find that this is common with sequels, where they just don't meet all of the same expectations. However, I do see a good future for the books.
Looking forward to book #3. I finished this book in under 24 hours. I got it from a library, and read until I was ready to pass out. I don't do that with a lot of books. This book was good -- but comparing it to the first one, it does seem a little lackluster. I find that this is common with sequels, where they just don't meet all of the same expectations. However, I do see a good future for the books.
leau84x's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
whaney's review against another edition
4.0
The book just kept me wanting to read more... and then almost at the end it gets wrapped up... almost. The final pages pull me into the next book already! Guess I should go find the next one. :-)
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Purchased: Purchased Audiobook from Audible
What I Loved: This was the 2nd book in this series and it was firing on all cylinders. From beginning to end, the case was intriguing and chilling. Perhaps the best part of the book was the continuation of the story between the Surgeon and Rizzoli. It was wonderful to watch the story unfold from both of their perspectives in a unique, emotional, and raw way. I won't give away any spoilers but I will say that the story takes many twists/turns that will leave you breathless.
What I Liked: I liked the introduction of Isles in this book. It was understated but you got the feeling that she is going to become very important in the series. I also like the fleshing out of the character of Frost. I think he and Rizzoli make a great cop partnership and together they make a very solid foundation to build cases upon.
Complaints: Only one, I did not enjoy the narrator for this book. She made Isles sound really masculine and I believe my total dislike for Dean comes from the way she voiced him.
Why I gave it a 4: This was a very good follow-up to the first book in the series. Tess did not cheat her characters by automatically healing them from the things that have happened but she also didn't victimize them. She let them grow naturally and for that reason I am excited to read more from her.
Who I would recommend it too: I would recommend this book to thriller readers. It was well-paced, well-written, and well-delivered!
Author's website: http://www.tessgerritsen.com/
Purchased: Purchased Audiobook from Audible
What I Loved: This was the 2nd book in this series and it was firing on all cylinders. From beginning to end, the case was intriguing and chilling. Perhaps the best part of the book was the continuation of the story between the Surgeon and Rizzoli. It was wonderful to watch the story unfold from both of their perspectives in a unique, emotional, and raw way. I won't give away any spoilers but I will say that the story takes many twists/turns that will leave you breathless.
What I Liked: I liked the introduction of Isles in this book. It was understated but you got the feeling that she is going to become very important in the series. I also like the fleshing out of the character of Frost. I think he and Rizzoli make a great cop partnership and together they make a very solid foundation to build cases upon.
Complaints: Only one, I did not enjoy the narrator for this book. She made Isles sound really masculine and I believe my total dislike for Dean comes from the way she voiced him.
Why I gave it a 4: This was a very good follow-up to the first book in the series. Tess did not cheat her characters by automatically healing them from the things that have happened but she also didn't victimize them. She let them grow naturally and for that reason I am excited to read more from her.
Who I would recommend it too: I would recommend this book to thriller readers. It was well-paced, well-written, and well-delivered!
Author's website: http://www.tessgerritsen.com/
mrose21's review against another edition
3.0
Ah. I'm actually really disappointed in this.
I will not reveal any spoilers here but I'm actually just disappointed with the ending. We get a fantastic chase a really thrilling up and down cat and mouse chase and then bam its all done in about 4 pages. I get it the main part wouldn't take for ever Rizzoli is either dead or not and she is obviously going to live because the series is named after her. Thats not a spoiler that is an uh duh moment.
I enjoyed the cat and mouse and the whole who was behind the serial killings this time my mind was boggling at who it could have been. Who was hunting Rizzoli this time, is it the old foe or a new one. I think once you understand the title becomes very apt and it makes a lot of sense. This isn't a murder mystery to me, its a murder crime but I don't see the mystery. The only mystery is who did it and the nature of this book the who did it to me becomes very unimportant and an almost side note. That may be a bit too revealing. Read into it what you want..
I did like seeing more of Isles and you see a more vulnerable but the same hard ass Rizzoli, I was angry for her at points and angry at her in other points. Shes the perfect imperfection. I enjoy the fact she has a meltdown but is also very put together and seems to be unwilling to admit when she is in danger because shes a woman and wants to be one of the guys.
I probably will continue onto this series just because the writing is nice and I like the story line.
I will not reveal any spoilers here but I'm actually just disappointed with the ending. We get a fantastic chase a really thrilling up and down cat and mouse chase and then bam its all done in about 4 pages. I get it the main part wouldn't take for ever Rizzoli is either dead or not and she is obviously going to live because the series is named after her. Thats not a spoiler that is an uh duh moment.
I enjoyed the cat and mouse and the whole who was behind the serial killings this time my mind was boggling at who it could have been. Who was hunting Rizzoli this time, is it the old foe or a new one. I think once you understand the title becomes very apt and it makes a lot of sense. This isn't a murder mystery to me, its a murder crime but I don't see the mystery. The only mystery is who did it and the nature of this book the who did it to me becomes very unimportant and an almost side note. That may be a bit too revealing. Read into it what you want..
I did like seeing more of Isles and you see a more vulnerable but the same hard ass Rizzoli, I was angry for her at points and angry at her in other points. Shes the perfect imperfection. I enjoy the fact she has a meltdown but is also very put together and seems to be unwilling to admit when she is in danger because shes a woman and wants to be one of the guys.
I probably will continue onto this series just because the writing is nice and I like the story line.