The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen | Rizzoli and Isles #1

Title: The Surgeon
Author: Tess Gerritsen
Pages: 416
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Book Description: 
In Boston, there's a killer on the loose. A killer who targets lone women, who breaks into their apartments and performs terrifying ritualistic acts of torture on them before finishing them off. His surgical skills lead police to suspect he is a physician - a physician who, instead of saving lives, takes them.
But as homicide detective Thomas Moore and his partner Jane Rizzoli begin their investigation, they make a startling discovery. Closely linked to these killings is Catherine Cordell, a beautiful medic with a mysterious past. Two years ago she was subjected to a horrifying rape and attempted murder but she shot her attacker dead. Now she is being targeted by the new killer who seems to know all about her past, her work, and where she lives.

The man she believes she killed seems to be stalking her once again, and this time he knows exactly where to find her...

Get it here | Good reads

My Opinion:
The first novel in the Rizzoli and Isles series, one Boston detective and the chief medical examiner take on a serial killer in this fast-paced thriller. Before I start the review, there is a television series, named Rizzoli and Isles based on Gerritsen's novels (there's 7 of them I think) and they're really good! I've watched all of them up to date and would certainly recommend them. Anyway, onto the review.

Firstly, the novel starts with an ominous narrator who we as an audience are completely unaware of. I was hooked entirely from the beginning and loved the insane plot line with it's many, many twists and turns. As the story continues we figure out who this speaker is and I really enjoyed it because you had to read on to discover it; it's wasn't something I predicted. The character was always on the sidelines until the ending when he surfaced and the voice became clear. It was fascinating to hear his point of view.

Following the story line, it honestly was so intense. There wasn't a scene when I was bored and if I had had the time I'd have probably read this in one sitting. Everything was so well written  and linked together and as soon as one problem was solved another one arose! The ending had to be the best part because it was action packed and had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation! Certainly one of the best plot lines I've read and one of the most exciting thrillers.

Due to the genre of this novel, I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers, For starters, there's a lot technical language surrounding parts of the body and other biological factors since this is a crime fiction which may be difficult for some readers to understand (mainly since this is aimed at adults and there were even some terms I was unsure of!) and secondly there are some really gruesome scenes such as murder and dissection which may be unpleasant to some readers. I personally don't mind it.

Overall this was a fantastic first novel to the Rizzoli and Isles series and I've jumped straight onto the second book, The Apprentice. Gerritsen has written some stand along thrillers which I assume are just as insane as this one, so if you're looking for a fast paced mystery about crime, this is your author!

Favourite Quotes: 

The most intimate feeling people can share is neither love nor hate, but pain

~~~~

She now knew her death was inevitable, and with that acceptance came liberation. The courage of the condemned

~~~~

And like a drowning woman who chooses the black sea instead of rescue, she did not take it

 Rating ★★★★★ 

5 out of 5 stars 

 Next book I'm going to review:
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

Blood Brothers by Willy Russell

Title: Blood Brothers

Author: Willy Russell

Pages: 112

Genre: Play, Drama

Book Description:

A Liverpudlian West Side Story: twin brothers are separated at birth because their mother cannot afford to keep them both. She gives one of them away to wealthy Mrs Lyons and they grow up as friends in ignorance of their fraternity until the inevitable quarrel unleashes a blood-bath.

Get it here | Good reads

My Opinion:

During my time at secondary school, I came across this play as part of my English course. It follows the lives of two twin brothers that were separated at birth. One grows up in a high middle-class family whilst the other is raised by his real mother in a council estate. I really enjoyed studying this.

The best part of this play was the story line. Most authors use the well known, literary technique of flashback to hint at things that happened in the past. Interestingly, Russell does the opposite and frequently flashes forward in the text. This is a really unique feature of the play because we get to see how the two boys grow up and how their lives intertwine.
I thought the ending was also really well written because it was unexpected. Personally, I find that plays that end in tragedy are usually the best (perhaps why I love Shakespeare's work!) because it can be so surprising and sad. The ending really made me think about how the characters in this novel acted and how things could have been different if different choices had been made in the beginning.

The characters were interesting and had a lot of depth to them. I enjoyed the contrast between the two brothers since this linked to how the environment you've been raised in change shape your personality.

The play itself was quite short so it's a nice and quick read, as most play's usually are. To some degree, I would've liked to have heard more about the boy's life, however I also felt like everything wrapped up well and there were no loose ends or unanswered questions.

Overall I do recommend reading this if you're looking to explore more genres or fiction besides novels, since this is short, yet full of tragedy, humor and even a small romance!


Favourite Quotes:

See,this means that we're blood brothers, an' that we always have to stand by each other

Rating ★★★

3 out of 5 stars 

 Next book I'm going to review:
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Title: Lord of the Flies
Author: William Golding
Pages: 182
Genre: Classic
Book Description:
William Golding's compelling story about a group of very ordinary small boys marooned on a coral island has become a modern classic. At first, it seems as though it's all going to be great fun; but the fun before long becomes furious & life on the island turns into a nightmare of panic & death. As ordinary standards of behavior collapse, the whole world the boys know collapses with them—the world of cricket & homework & adventure stories—& another world is revealed beneath, primitive & terrible. Labeled a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse, Lord of the Flies has established itself as a classic.

Get it here | Good reads

My Opinion:
When a group of primary school boys are stranded on an island they must do whatever they can to survive. Even if that means fighting like savages and causing chaos.

This was a good read. I liked the narrative voice being the child because we really got to see the young boys perspective.

Although I really enjoyed the storyline, I felt that there were some scenes, especially those involving violence, were a little unrealistic. However, when in that situation. I recognise that people often do the unexpected. This is something that was really well conveyed throughout as I was always left wondering what was going to happen next.
The ending was also a bit disappointing. I liked how it was left ambiguously and you have to assume what happens however I felt like there could have been more detail and description.

My favourite character was Piggy. As soon as he was introduced I found him to be quite sensible and cute. I loved watching his friendship with Ralph develop as the novel progressed because at the beginning it was clear Ralph was unsure about him. I was so sad and shocked to hear what happened to him but I felt like he was a fabulous character.

Lastly, I enjoyed the themes introduced. For instance, group hierarchy was something really interesting to read about as this showed how the characters reacted to each other and which boys were seen as better leaders. The underlying message here is that human nature is corrupt and beyond redemption and that's something so fascinating to be able to explore. I also loved the reference to the title half way through as this made a lot of sense despite the pretty twisted and gruesome imagery.

Overall this was a short and pleasurable read, despite having a few faults. I felt that it was well written and I enjoyed the character development throughout. There are some violent and gothic scenes so I would recommend this to older readers!

Favourite Quotes:

Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us

~~~~

The thing is - fear can't hurt you any more than a dream

~~~~

Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?

~~~~

People don't help much

Rating ★★★★

4 out of 5 stars 

 Next book I'm going to review: 
Blood Brothers by Willy Russell

Atonenment by Ian McEwan

Title: Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
Pages: 351
Genre: Classic, Romance, Historical
Book Description:
Ian McEwan’s symphonic novel of love and war, childhood and class, guilt and forgiveness provides all the satisfaction of a brilliant narrative and the provocation we have come to expect from this master of English prose.

On a hot summer day in 1934, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses a moment’s flirtation between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant and Cecilia’s childhood friend. But Briony’s incomplete grasp of adult motives—together with her precocious literary gifts—brings about a crime that will change all their lives. As it follows that crime’s repercussions through the chaos and carnage of World War II and into the close of the twentieth century, Atonement engages the reader on every conceivable level, with an ease and authority that mark it as a genuine masterpiece.

Get it here | Good reads

My Opinion:
Set in World War II England, we follow the lives of 3 main characters as the youngest one misinterprets her older sister's love affair to be something much worse. This is a fascinating novel about romance, separation and honesty.

Straight away, I loved the descriptions. This was the first thing I noticed as I was reading and they were so lovely from start to finish. McEwan seems to have a way of describing things in such a delicate manner. I'm not usually a fan of lengthy descriptions however I do not mind these for they were so beautifully written.

Following many different character perspectives was an unusual touch that worked really well as we got to see their in-depth thought processes. This was especially interesting between the sisters, Briony and Cecilia, as it really enforces the age gap and their differing levels of innocence.

I also enjoyed how the story line is split into parts so that we see how this event has affected the character's entire lives and not just their childhood. We get to see historical events and the gender roles, such as men being in the army and a woman's role in medicine/nursing. This is something that really interests me personally so I enjoyed this aspect a lot.

The ending was also fantastic with a lovely revelation and closure. I felt that this was brought to a close at the correct time with no unanswered questions.

This novel altogether was really well rounded and followed an in-depth-written plot. The characters were really vivid and I loved how similar yet different they were, as well as seeing how their relationships changed over time by growing closer and further apart. I'm so glad to have read it as I feel that I've learned a lot so I'd definitely recommend it!

Favourite Quotes:

Wasn't writing a kind of soaring, an achievable form of flight, of fancy, of the imagination

~~~~

A story was a form of telepathy. By means of inking symbols onto a page, she was able to send thoughts and feelings from her mind to her reader's. It was a magical process, so commonplace that no one stopped to wonder at it

~~~~

Was everyone else really as alive as she was?

~~~~

She lay in the dark and knew everything

~~~~

A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn, not easily mended

Rating ★★★★★

5 out of 5 stars 

I watched the film adaption before reading the book by chance, which was a shame since I knew the ending and noticed many things in the novel which I doubt I'd have picked up on otherwise. However it's a beautiful film, with wonderful casting and fantastic scenery. Although the book is better, as usual, the directors have done an excellent job of recreating it visually. 

I certainly recommend watching this although you made need a box of tissues as it will definitely bring on some tears!

Next book I'm going to review:
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Title: A Farewell to Arms
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Pages: 293
Genre: Classic, Historical, Romance
Book Description:
In 1918 Ernest Hemingway went to war, to the war to end all wars. He volunteered for ambulance service in Italy, was wounded, and twice decorated. Out of his experiences came A Farewell to Arms. Hemingway's description of war is unforgettable. He recreates the fear, the comradeship, the courage of his young American volunteer, and the men and women he meets in Italy with total conviction. But A Farewell to Arms is not only a novel of war. In it, Hemingway has also created a love story of immense drama and uncompromising passion.

Get it here | Good reads

My Opinion:
I've never read any of Hemingway's novels but since he's so well regarded in the literary world I felt like I should give this one a try as the historical topic fascinates me. However, upon finishing this, I was a little disappointed.

I felt like the story line lacked something. It began with an intriguing start as the romance subtly expanded and the protagonist left for war but soon after that it died out. The spark was gone and I felt myself struggling to continue, yet I persevered and I'm glad I did (to some extent). The pace picked up again around 2/3s of the way through as the couple embarked on a new journey and escape from the war.
The ending was surprisingly good for such a slow novel. Despite it's sadness, I finally felt like I received the emotion and tone I had been expecting throughout.

While I'm not a huge lover of romance in novels, I did find this one enjoyable. I felt like Catherine and Tenente were a good match and I liked the way they were head over heels in love with each other. They have a powerful relationship and I think that's why the ending hits so hard.

Overall I found the topic of war really interesting to read about because we not only get a clear sense of what it's like fighting, but also how it feels for the ones left behind and what it's like to return home to your loved ones. In my opinion, Hemingway's writing style wasn't captivating or unique, causing a novel with so much potential to be disappointing. I don't think I'll be reading any other books by this author which is a shame as I did hope to enjoy it.

Favourite Quotes:

That is why the peasant has wisdom, because he is defeated from the start.

~~~~

The killing came suddenly and unreasonably

~~~~

I’m not brave any more darling. I’m all broken. They’ve broken me

~~~~

'And you'll always love me won't you?'
'Yes'
'And the rain won't make any difference?'
'No'

~~~~

There isnt always an explanation for everything.

Rating ★★

2 out of 5 stars 

 Next book I'm going to review:
Atonement by Ian McEwan