He Washed & Clothed Them...But First He Killed Them! (Keeping the Dead - Tess Gerritsen)

Member Name: cazkins

Product:	Keeping the Dead - Tess Gerritsen
Date:	08/11/09 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastically written with well-developed characters & a gritty plot that keeps you gripped

Disadvantages: None

In a word: Wow. I've just finished this book, after only two days of reading, and I want to read more! This is a brilliant book so I wanted to review it and suggest for anyone who wants a book that they can really get stuck into and swept away with into the dark world of murder and mystery.

I've been reviewing a few crime/thriller novels lately as it's a genre I'm really getting into at the moment, and I was keen to read this book having already read & reviewed two other Gerritsen novels (including The Surgeon & The Memphisto Club). Gerritsen is a superb author, and it's reassuring to think that whatever book of hers I pick up I will be able to get into and enjoy reading because she has such a talent for bringing a story to live and engrossing the reader.

Keeping The Dead is the most recent Gerritsen book in the 'Rizzoli and Isles' series, released only this year (2009). The subtitle on the front reads: 'He washed them, he clothed them. But first... he killed them', giving you the sense that this is another gritty, murderous story.

I was surprised to see a circle on the bottom of the book saying 'As good as Kathy Reichs or your money back!'. I haven't read any Kathy Reichs novels, but I have just got one out of the library to see if she's really that good, but the comment is quite insulting. I don't think Gerritsen should necessarily be compared to other authors as she has her own unique voice, her own characters and way of making the book truly her own.

The plot begins as a mummy is discovered in the cavernous basement of the Crispin Museum in downtown Boston. Named Madam X, the mummy caused great public interest as the dowdy museum started to draw in more attention, with people eager to catch a glimpse of this ancient woman. Maura Isles, medical investigator, is invited to watch the physical examination of the mummy, an event that the museum both though Isles would want to be part of and also to generate more publicity for themselves. Madam X is put through a CT scan with her bandages on, as much care is required on such an old, delicate specimen.

It's not long before the plot takes a sinister turn as the CT scan seems to pick up a metal item in the woman's leg. Pulcillo, a female worker at the museum, is in the room with Isles, the Museum bigwigs and a select few other experts as the speculation mounts. A tip from a spear perhaps? No. This metal is a bullet. And suddenly the ancient mummy turns into a 21st century murder investigation.

With this revelation, Jane Rizzoli and her partner Frost, are on the scene. After looking into the mystery, it quickly becomes apparent they have a serial killer on their hands, a man who is perhaps expert in the Egyptian realm, capable of mummifying his victims. A secret room in the museum is discovered, and other bodies, including shrunken heads, turn up.

As the book progresses, the murders seem to be aimed at, or evolved around, Pulcillo, the museum worker. Does she know more than she's letting on? Does she have a secret past, a vengeful admirer? It seems she's running from something, but working out exactly what that is takes us pretty much all the way through the book as twists and turns make us question the truth continuously.

I don't want to give too much away, but as the plot thickens the web of characters and events grows, but Gerritsen is able to up the complexity without losing or confusing us along the way. She is also able to use technical terminology, making the book relevant and intelligent, without sounding overly complex. The general feel, therefore, is one of smooth flowing, fast-paced quality, excellently written and imaginatively created.
As part of the Isles & Rizzoli series, this book continues to see the relationships and personal development of the key characters. Although it's part of the series, prior reading of her novels isn't necessary, but it does help you get a feel for the characters and warm to them.

Gerritsen's writing style is superb; all events are well described, making scenes so vivid and easy to imagine that it's like watching a film. The characters are well developed also, meaning I warmed to them very quickly and felt the empathy Gerritsen was clever in creating.

With such a gritty storyline, this book is one for crime/thriller fans. It has a suspense aspect, with questions and suspicion constantly creeping in and keeping us on our toes. I really liked the plot, which was gritty, dark and quite creepy.

It may be cliché, but I honestly found that I couldn't put this book down. I was engrossed from start to finish, and was quite sad to have finished it because I wanted to keep reading. This is partially because of Gerritsen's writing style, and partly because of the multifaceted characters and increasingly deepening plot.

I would highly recommend Keeping The Dead, whether or not you're familiar with Gerritsen. It's so well written, with excellent characters and plot, that it will draw you into the world of Egyptology, mummification, crime scene investigation and murder. Thrilling and dark, this book is an excellent recent addition to Gerritsen's series. The Independent quotes that this is a 'seamless blend of good writing and pulse-racing tension', which I would agree with, though I think it's an understatement. Fantastic!

RRP £6.99 - Amazon £3.48

Summary: A must read crime/thriller!