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Several have expressed a desire to continue the Rizzoli & Isles series after our Sept. Book of the Month, The Surgeon. We will read the series one-a-month starting with The Apprentice in October. Feel free to join in on any or all of these buddy reads!

✔September BOM - The Surgeon
✔October - The Apprentice
November - The Sinner
December - Body Double
2017:
January - Vanish
February - The Mephisto Club
March - The Keepsake
April - Ice Cold
May - Freaks (short novella)
May - The Silent Girl
June - John Doe (short novella)
June - Last to Die
July - Die Again
August - Strange Girl - to be released in Aug. 2017 - will read in August or September when available

October 2016 -

Synopsis/Blurb:

The bestselling author of The Surgeon returns, and so does that chilling novel's diabolical villain. Though held behind bars, Warren Hoyt still haunts a helpless city, seeming to bequeath his evil legacy to a student all-too-diligent . . . and all-too-deadly.

THE APPRENTICE

It is a boiling hot Boston summer. Adding to the city's woes is a series of shocking crimes, in which wealthy men are made to watch while their wives are brutalized. A sadistic demand that ends in abduction and death.

The pattern suggests one man: serial killer Warren Hoyt, recently removed from the city's streets. Police can only assume an acolyte is at large, a maniac basing his attacks on the twisted medical techniques of the madman he so admires. At least that's what Detective Jane Rizzoli thinks. Forced again to confront the killer who scarred her - literally and figuratively - she is determined to finally end Hoyt's awful influence . . . even if it means receiving more resistance from her all-male homicide squad.

But Rizzoli isn't counting on the U.S. government's sudden interest. Or on meeting Special Agent Gabriel Dean, who knows more than he will tell. Most of all, she isn't counting on becoming a target herself, once Hoyt is suddenly free, joining his mysterious blood brother in a vicious vendetta. . . .

Filled with superbly created characters and the medical and police procedural details that are her trademark,The Apprentice is Tess Gerritsen at her brilliant best. Set in a stunning world where evil is easy to learn and hard to end, this is a thriller by a master who could teach other authors a thing or two.

I'll join in on #3.

I have it on hold at the library.

I was looking all over for this thread...lol. We're still reading The Apprentice this month, right?

Yes! I plan to...I have it loaded on Kindle. I can't start it this week though - but def in Oct.

Already read this, it was a great book! Can't wait to read the discussions.

It will be close to mid month for me...Too busy this week for sure!

I'm in for whenever everyone wants to start.

Started this morning...gory already!

I'm behind and reading the 1st book. I will be able to read the 2nd one before the month is over.

I have it on hold at the library, will pick it up on Wed.

I just finished the first book last night.

Charlene wrote: "Started this morning...gory already!"

I've started The Apprentice also. Just need to find some reading time!

I can start this one next. Probably in a couple days.

Finished this afternoon - I think this was even better than the first. 5 stars for me.

When I read this series, I always thought that each book was that much better then the last. Loved this series. Probably won't get to this one until November.

Charlene wrote: "Finished this afternoon - I think this was even better than the first. 5 stars for me."

Oh...that's awesome! I've started but got side tracked doing a beta read for an author. Can't wait to get back to this one.

I'm going to start this one tomorrow. Other people have said the same thing. That each book is better than the last.

Looking forward to starting the 2nd book. I pulled an all nighter and finished the first book. It was so good. Just disappointed the Isles wasn't in the first book.

I'm pretty sure someone told me she's in the 2nd one.

Karen �� wrote: "I'm pretty sure someone told me she's in the 2nd one."

yes...she's in this one, but not in a big way...more of an introduction to the character.

♑Namita�� wrote: "Looking forward to starting the 2nd book. I pulled an all nighter and finished the first book. It was so good. Just disappointed the Isles wasn't in the first book."

Yay!

Maura is in book #2 but it is only in book #3 that she becomes a main character.

Aside from the character names and location, the books and the TV show are very different.

Actually glad I've never watched the television show...I have no expectations from that. Loving these books though!

Sandra ~ �� Cross My Heart �� wrote: "Actually glad I've never watched the television show...I have no expectations from that. Loving these books though!"

I read most of the books before seeing the show and enjoy both for different reasons. They are so different that I managed to separate them in my mind quite easily (although there are a couple of plot developments that I wish were more like the books).

I'm listening to the audio book and this story really takes off right from the beginning.

Finished. I really enjoyed this one but didn't feel it had the suspense of the first one.

It's really gory - shocking revelations about this killer and dead bodies! Jeez. Hope to finish it tomorrow.

The last couple chapters were really good.

Finished The Apprentice and need to start on The Sinner next. I think I have it on hold at the library.

Feel free to openly discuss The Apprentice. This was an awesome read...graphic & chilling! Loved it!

Karen �� wrote: "Finished. I really enjoyed this one but didn't feel it had the suspense of the first one."

I'd agree, Karen, there wasn't quite as much "on the edge of your seat" action. I liked the characterization of Jane much more in this one though. In the first she seemed more one-dimensional - a female cop with a chip on her shoulder. We learned much more about her here.

I like Jane more in this one too, Charlene. I feel like I "know" her better. Also like Isles!

I definitely agree. We got to know a lot more about Jane in this one. I really enjoyed the scenes with Maura Isles too. It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops.

What did you all think of Agent Dean? And Hoyt's escape from prison?? omg.

I think this author is really good...this one is brilliantly written down to the minute details...the descriptions are so vivid, so real.

Seems since I joined ŷ������ I want to read the series or book of month you're on, but am several behind. This time I did get to read The Surgeon this month & loved, so I'll be month behind again, but maybe catch up before everyone is discussing #3. Sounds exciting!

I really liked Dean. I was hoping that he was not involved in Hoyt's escape. When Hoyt pulled that stunt, I was yelling at my e-reader, come on, don't believe him...lol

Kim. E. wrote: "Seems since I joined ŷ������ I want to read the series or book of month you're on, but am several behind. This time I did get to read The Surgeon this month & loved, so I'll be month behind again..."

Looking forward to you joining the discussion, Kim. It is a great series!

Since I got this one from the library, I'm starting today.

Karen �� wrote: "Since I got this one from the library, I'm starting today."

Oh...can't wait. It'll probably be a week or so for me.

I watched R&I tv show before I found the books. I loved the theme music and gave the show a try. Then I watched the credits somewhere and it said based on the books.

Even though I usually don't like anything based on books, R&I I think did a really good job.

To some degree I prefer where the show took Jane's personal life vs the books, I don't mind the book love interest, but what came after I wasn't too keen on.

Karen �� wrote: "Since I got this one from the library, I'm starting today."

I'm going to start soon too, probably on the weekend.

Myst wrote: "To some degree I prefer where the show took Jane's personal life vs the books, I don't mind the book love interest, but what came after I wasn't too keen on."

Interesting. I'm the exact opposite. I prefer the way Jane's personal life develops in the books and was disappointed that it didn't go that way in the show. It could be because I read the books first and had certain expectations.

I think Jane could/should've had a love interest in the show. I just wasn't all that fond of R in the books. Maybe it's just the name that bothers me.

I suspect if the actress who played Jane ended up in book Jane's condition they would've followed that part of the book storyline.

Look at the Temperence Brennen books by Kathy Reichs vs the show. Show Tempe's personal life had to change due to real life circumstances. I don't mind that change, except I despise her current wardrobe.

Spoilers ahead!
(view spoiler)[I'd glad that Bones didn't go the Scandal route of trying to hide the girl's condition. I only saw pics, but those poor costume people and camera angle people...lamps do not hide that, nor do purses!

But look at Problem Child 2. They hid her condition almost perfectly. Maybe she wasn't as far along, but that was well done camera work, costume work and sleight of hand to distract you from realizing that you never see her full body torso.

To make this spoiler tag R&I related, I've heard the suits to simulate the condition are super uncomfortable and maybe that's why they didn't go that route. Although they also could've done a time jump and say "6 months later"...we rarely are told what the show's time span between episodes of any show are. (hide spoiler)]

Finished The Sinner. I really feel that each book gets better. I loved this one.

I'm about halfway through The Sinner...I like that we're getting to know Maura better.

I'll be reading it later this month...

Finished...thought this one was a great mystery. I couldn't figure out how all the pieces were going to come together...but then it all made sense.

I will start as soon as it is available on overdrive....Have one person in front of me.