#CJSReads REVIEW: I Know A Secret by Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen @randomhouse #ballantinebooks
I Know A Secretby Tess Gerritsen
Ballantine Books
Happy Publishing Day!! 8/22/17
Book 12 in the Rizzoli & Isles series that reads like a stand alone - you WANT to get into this series!! Jump in ASAP!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
In the twelfth gripping novel featuring Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, the crime-solving duo—featured in the smash-hit TNT series Rizzoli & Isles—are faced with the gruesomely staged murder of a horror film producer.
The crime scene is unlike any that Detective Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles have ever before encountered. The woman lies in apparently peaceful repose on her bed, and Maura finds no apparent cause of death, but there is no doubt the woman is indeed dead. The victim’s eyes have been removed and placed in the palm of her hand, a gesture that echoes the terrifying films she produces. Is a crazed movie fan reenacting scenes from those disturbing films?
When another victim is found, again with no apparent cause of death, again with a grotesquely staged crime scene, Jane and Maura realize the killer has widened his circle of targets. He’s chosen one particular woman for his next victim, and she knows he’s coming for her next. She’s the only one who can help Jane and Maura catch the killer.
But she knows a secret. And it’s a secret she’ll never tell.
The crime scene is unlike any that Detective Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles have ever before encountered. The woman lies in apparently peaceful repose on her bed, and Maura finds no apparent cause of death, but there is no doubt the woman is indeed dead. The victim’s eyes have been removed and placed in the palm of her hand, a gesture that echoes the terrifying films she produces. Is a crazed movie fan reenacting scenes from those disturbing films?
When another victim is found, again with no apparent cause of death, again with a grotesquely staged crime scene, Jane and Maura realize the killer has widened his circle of targets. He’s chosen one particular woman for his next victim, and she knows he’s coming for her next. She’s the only one who can help Jane and Maura catch the killer.
But she knows a secret. And it’s a secret she’ll never tell.
My Review:
I'm not even going to bother with a synopsis - you'll see it in my readers-in-crime reviews, above, Goodreads.. wherever. Let's just get right to the nitty gritty with this one.
Confessions: I've had the very first book in this series on my kindle for AGES. My cousin INSISTED I had to read this series. I, stupidly, put it off and off and off because it was also a tv series... and there's SO many in the series I HAVE to start at the beginning right? Well, yes, that's usually my motto. But here's book TWELVE in the series and Sam of @cluesandreviews has also been RAVING about this series so when #cjsreads got the opportunity to read and review this one, well it was like fate slapping me in the face and saying "WAKE UP STUPID - READ THE DAMN BOOK!" So I did! Maybe reading the first 11 would've given me more background, but it didn't really matter. This book read extremely well as a standalone. Right from the beginning, it's a ride well worth being on. Gerritsen throws things at you left and right and I was too dizzy trying to figure out what was going on to catch any of them. I had some suspicions and while one thing did prove right towards the end, shazam, she went further and I LOVED IT.
There was character build up from not only the main characters, Rizzoli and Isles (in case you didn't figure that out by now ha!), but with the victims, suspects, so on and so forth. I love it when an author reels me in and makes me care. Not only do we get a peek into Rizzoli and Isles personal lives, but we get a good background on the other characters as well. The premise, the many little twists, the psychological state of the sociopath... I mean, just when you think you had it all figured out.... I am admittedly a huge fan and will definitely go back and read the first 11 in the series. I highly suggest that if you like thrillers you give this series a proper effort. You won't be disappointed. The only thing I'm mad about is that I waited this long to prove everyone else right!
Jessica's Thoughts:
I'm ashamed to say that this is the first time I've picked up a Rizzoli and Isles book. I don't know why it's taken me so long to do so, but I'm kicking myself. I KNOW A SECRET by Tess Gerritsen is book 12 in the series, and I absolutely loved it. I've never read the books or seen an episode of the TNT TV show, so this was my first experience with Rizzoli and Isles.
Detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are on the case again, but this time it's a crime scene neither of them have ever seen before. A woman is laying in her bed, looking as if she fell asleep and went peacefully. Isles can't find any apparent cause of death - how do they know she's actually dead? The woman, a horror film producer, is holding her removed eyes in the palm of her hand. This is eerily similar to the films that she has produced - is this a crazed fan trying to recreate the films?
Another victim is found. Again, with no clear cause of death and in a gruesomely staged crime scene. Jane and Maura are trying to chase down the killer and realize that his circle is growing larger. They come across a woman that knows he's coming for her next, and she's the only on that can help Rizzoli and Isles solve the case.
I just have to say, wow! How have I not picked up one of these books yet?? The dynamic between the two characters is great and the murders are truly gruesome. I'm a huge fan of horror movies so it was interesting seeing these crime scenes as reenactments. The story throws the reader into the action right away. We are brought straight into the first crime scene and that sets the tone for the rest of the investigation.
The only reason why this isn't a solid 5 star read for me is because I definitely am missing some information. I need more about Maura's biological mother. She really added to the gripping crime story and I would love to know more about both main characters. As for the ending, I did not see that coming. About halfway through the book I thought I had it figured out, oh man, was I wrong!
Overall, if you're a fan of Rizzoli and Isles, then that's a no brainer for you! If you're just starting your journey with them then I'd still highly recommend this (even as book 12). I wasn't too lost in the story or characters and it was a page turning thrill ride!
I give this 4.5/5 stars!
Sam's Thoughts:
When #cjsreads is choosing titles for our upcoming months, we usually decide together on titles. It is easier that way. The only general rule we try to stick by is to avoid any novels that are deep into a series; it makes sense for our sanity. However, when I discovered that I Know A Secret, the twelfth novel in the Rizzoli and Isles series by Tess Gerritsen, was coming out this summer, I begged and forcefully pushed my friends to read this book asked kindly and, since they are nice, Chandra and Jessica obliged. Am I glad they did!
I’ve mentioned about a bajillion times on my blog how much of a Gerritsen fan I am, especially in regards to her Rizzoli and Isles series. I picked up the fifth book in the series randomly last summer, binge read it and ended up going back and devouring the first nine in the series before deciding to pace myself. Kick ass female leads are pretty much my favourite and Gerritsen has created two brilliant characters in these novels; downright addicting, they are!!
The newest installment is no exception. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. Gerritsen is a master storyteller and this is consistently made clear in her novels. From the rich character backgrounds to the fast-paced, dark, suspenseful plots, she leaves no stone unturned and weaves the story brilliantly. In fact, I find the series gets better with age! This novel is a highlight in the series!!
If you are a crime lover that has yet to dive into this series, you are seriously missing out! I urge you to go and check out The Surgeon (the first in the series), I promise, it does not disappoint!!!
5/5 stars.
Big thank you to Ballantine Books for these copies in return for our honest opinions.
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