Tess Gerritsen

This is the first book Tess Gerritsen ever wrote about crime, having previously been a romance writer, but this is in no way evident in her writing. The book is well written and the lead character - the strong willed Kat Novak - is the driving force behind the story, with never a dull moment to be found.

The book sets the tone for other novels to come, and hooks readers into becomming long term Gerritsen fans.

Tess Gerritsen gives a refreshing viewpoint on books revolving around murders and medical examiners in the US.

The book is not focused on the medical examiner and her life like many others, but rather focuses on the different characters in the story and how they take part in the case. The characters are well written and their personalities described in a way that enables you to have a detailed picture of them from the start. The way the story is written keeps you interested all the way through - a definite page turner.

This was one of my favourite crime books of recent years - alongside Mark Billinghams "Sleepy Head". It's a slick read, fast paced and very credible in it's descriptions of the medical and forensic areas surrounding the horrific murders. It's also interesting to get a female perspective in the serial killer genre, Gerritsens use of Jane Rizzoli, as the detective assigned to the case, and Catherine Cordell, who is hunted by the Surgeon, adds more depth to an already multi-layered story. ..read more

This is a good read but is not as thorough as her other books, nor is it as gruesome - there's a reason for that. This was one of Gerritsens first books and was written over 15 years ago! Originally called "Peggy Sue Got Murdered", it's more of a romance story than a murder mystery - in fact, Gerritsen does make note of this in her introduction.

This is one of Tess Gerritson's earlier novels which kept me engrossed from page one; she has a wonderful way of keeping you guessing all the way to the end which she certainly has with this book 'The Mephisto Club'.

I must quote from the back of the cover of the book,  a comment by Harlan Coben, and I have to agree with it - " Its hard to believe just how good Gerritsen is. This is crime-writing at its most unputdownable, and nerve-tingling best." 

Nerve tingling, disarming, very unusual and brilliant is this latest crime book by Tess Gerritsen.  The story unravels and you keep thinking what's going to happen next?  Where is this leading to?