Gruesome in places Rizzoli and Isles thriller - but thoroughly enjoyable. all the same ( )

2003) Another good medical related thriller with police detective Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles trying to figure out why a nun and a leper were murdered. Turns out it was related to an industrial accident in India that causes the deaths of hundreds in a leper colony, and its cover-up.

I'm a fan of a good mystery, and Gerritsen usually delivers, but this time around, I was slightly disappointed. It's not a bad read, overall, but as a Gerritsen fan, I found it not quite up to par with her other mysteries and thrillers -- more along the lines of one of her romances.

And speaking of romance, the side plots involving Maura and Jane's love lives are pretty weak. It's like we're on a thrilling rollercoaster ride of a murder case, and suddenly we're taking a detour through the petting zoo. Isles and Rizzoli's personal lives felt more like distractions than meaningful additions to the plot, and their resolutions left me shrugging more than swooning. If I wanted a romance, I'd have picked up a different book. I grabbed this one for the forensics and the thrill of the chase, not for a couple of lukewarm love stories.

So, all in all, it's not a total loss, but it's not Gerritsen at her best either. Here's hoping the next one brings back the thrill and suspense I've come to expect and love. ( )

This one held my attention well. It also diverged the characters more thoroughly from their TV counterparts. Lots of plot differences. I could have done without the rats though. ( )

A very entertaining Rizzoli & Isles novel that starts with the murder of a nun and another nun critically injured in a convent. The story was interesting and suspenseful throughout, and I really enjoyed the character of Father Brophy. ( )