Author of the Month

Name: Tess Gerritsen

First book:
first one published ('87): Call After Midnight
first crime thriller ('96): Harvest

Most Recent Book: Vanish

‘…an explosive read by one of my favourite authors.‘

Synopsis:

A blessed event becomes a nightmare for pregnant homicide detective Jane Rizzoli when she finds herself on the wrong side of a hostage crisis in this timely and relentless new thriller from the New Your Times bestselling author of Body Double.

A nameless, beautiful woman appears to be just another corpse in the morgue. An apparent suicide, she lies on a gurney awaiting the dissecting scalpel of medical examiner Maura Isles. But when Maura unzips the body bag and looks down as the body, she gets the fright of her life. The corpse opens it eyes. Very much alive, the woman is rushed to the hospital, where, with shockingly cool precision, she murders a security guard and seizes hostages…one of them a pregnant patient, Jane Rizzoli.

Who is this violent, desperate soul and what does she want? As the tense hours tick by, Maura joins forces with Jane’s husband, FBI agent Gabriel Dean, to track down the mysterious killer’s identity. When federal agents suddenly appear on the scene, Maura and Gabriel realise they are dealing with a case that goes far deeper than just an ordinary hostage crisis. Only Jane, trapped with the armed madwoman, holds the key to the mystery. Only she can solve it - if she survives the night…

Review

Vanish starts as it ends. This novel is an explosive read by one of my favourite authors. This book was so gripping that I read it in less than 24 hours. A true testament to a thumping good book!

Rizzoli, Dean and Isles are back with an investigation running as a parallel story to that of Mila, an immigrant on the run. Someone is after Mila. She is the last witness of a story that needs to be told, but telling will mean a certain death.

Gerritson knows how to keep the reader captivated with an intense plot and compelling characters, even though it is sometimes difficult to imagine Rizzoli as a mother, Her character is totally believable as a feisty, dedicated detective who lives for her work.

Gerritson, as always, develops the plot and the character in such a way that you simply cannot put the book down… This is a definite must-read!

Reviewed by H. A.

CrimeSquad Rating

Questionnaire:

1) How would you describe your books?

Crime thrillers with unflinching medical details

2) What is your favourite crime read of all time?

This is a cruel question! I have to pick just one? I guess it would be REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier. Because I have such fond memories of reading it in my youth.

3) Would you describe yourself as a Crime fan and if so, which authors do you most admire and why?

I'm an omnivorous reader, tending toward historical fiction as well as crime. I really admired Mo Hayder's TOKYO, which I found spellbinding. And I've just discovered Simon Beckett, whose upcoming book THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH is brilliant.

4) Who, in your eyes, is pushing the boundaries of crime fiction today – and why?

Charlie Huston is certainly pushing it with his vampire/crime novels. And JD Robb (Nora Roberts) took a daring leap when she created her futuristic crime thrillers. If that's not pushing the envelope, I don't know what is!

5) Without giving away the plot, which book included your favourite plot twist of all time?

I recall being utterly surprised by several twists in Jeffrey Deaver's THE COFFIN DANCER. I was surprised, as well, by the secret in A PLACE OF EXECUTION by Val McDermid.

6) What is your favourite movie adaptation of a crime novel?

"L.A. Confidential."

7) Jane Rizzoli is a tough cop and now a mother. Do you plan to show your readers the fine balance between being a policewoman and a parent?

I try to write about full-blooded characters who have real lives, so Jane's struggles as a woman -- a wife, a mother, and a daughter -- will always be part of her story. I worked as a physician, and I recall that the most difficult part of my job was the balancing act between work and motherhood. I know how hard it is to be a working mom.

8) Are you planning more Jane Rizzoli books or do you have any plans for a novel with different protagonists?

I'm working on my sixth book in the Jane and Maura series, and I introduce a new character in this one, a mysterious man who considers himself a professional "demon hunter." Whether he's real or a wacko is the question.

9) Where do you see Crime fiction going next?

I think there will be more thrillers written by authorities or insiders, people who can bring us into their own worlds and teach us obscure facts. A geologist, for instance, or an airline mechanic could bring a fresh and fascinating point of view to the thriller genre. (Provided, of course, they can also write!)