Product Description
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.

From the Hardcover edition.

Amazon.com Review
Boston detective Jane Rizzoli hasn't completely recovered from the near-death experience at the hands of a serial killer (The Surgeon) that left her scarred and scared, but that doesn't keep her from going after a copycat murderer whose modus operandi is disturbingly familiar. Warren Hoyt may still be behind bars, but Jane thinks there's a connection between him and the man the police call the Dominator, based on the way this new fiend subdues and violates his victims before he kills them. Political interference from an FBI agent who seems to know more about the Dominator than anyone else only intensifies Jane's determination to solve the case. When Hoyt escapes from prison and teams up with his blood brother to take revenge on the policewoman who put him there, the pace of this truly frightening thriller picks up and drives the narrative to its violent conclusion. --Jane Adams

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 84 reviews)

Nothing like "The Surgeon".

I must say, I'm confused at the reviews labeling this as "The Surgeon 2". It's nothing like the first book. The Surgeon was clever, suspenseful and gory. This is dull, bland and aggravating.

In a nutshell: Nothing happens. The first few chapters start out great. I was at first thinking that this book was reading better than The Surgeon. Then it falls off and it falls off hard. Absolutely nothing happens. I can't state that enough. Nothing happens.

What's worse, is that this book literally repeats itself. Scenes are redundant and pointless. And there are parts that contradict. The woman who evaluates Hoyt while in prison describes him to us. Yet we read in his letters to her the complete opposite of what she told us he said. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. And why in the world is information so needlessly repeated? It's like are reading two different variations on a chapter back to back. As if two versions had been written and rather than choose the best one they just stuck 'em both in!

I couldn't say enough about how much I liked The Surgeon, though. And I do like Jane Rizzoli so I'm probably going to read part 3 in the series. But, if it sucks, I'm done with the Rizzoli & Isles books for sure.
September 30, 2008

Great read

I love this author and have never been disappointed. When I first discovered her last year, I had to buy and read all of her books. Each one is at least as good as the last and leaves me anticipating the next.
August 29, 2008

The Apprentice

I LOVE this book. It's a page turner for sure. I LOVED The Sinner and I wish there would be a sequel to that book to find out what Jane Rizolli's and Dean's baby is! Thanks, Tess!
August 03, 2008

Tess Gerretsen

she is a fabulous author whom i decided to try. A little too medically graphic for me --- got to have a strong stomach for her readings. However, she surely gets her points across and not ony does she use her medical knowledge [she is a doctor] her writing skills and ideas are a close 2nd to Patterson, however, no one can fill his shoes. I definiutely recommend her books.
June 29, 2008

As good as usual!

Tess Gerritesen is such a compelling author! She makes you want to keep reading, hard to put it down! This one follows the characters in "The Surgeon". Nice thing is you don't have to have read that one to be able to follow this one. She is so talented that you can read it and still know what's going on, it stands on it's own.
April 20, 2008

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Life Support
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