Sir Alan Sugar has got nothing to be scared of..... (The Apprentice - Tess Gerritsen)

Member Name: sparkymarky1973

Product:	The Apprentice - Tess Gerritsen
Date:	23/06/08 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Entertaining and gives the reader the beginning of an insight into what makes a killer tick

Disadvantages: Ends a bit abruptly and, as an early book, is not quite as compelling as her later novels

The second book to feature Detective Jane Rizzoli and a direst follow-up to THE SURGEON, THE APPRENTICE picks up a year after it's predecessor with Rizzoli attempting to come to terms with what happened and still bearing both the physical and emotional scars. When a new killer emerges on the scene exhibting haunting similarities in his M.O to serial killer, Warren Hoyt, there are those who say that Rizzoli is still obsessed with the man who gave her those scars but when Hoyt escapes from prison and seems to join forces with this latest killer, it is only Jane's obsession that can bring this case to it's rightful conclusion. Teamed with moody FBI agent, Gabriel Dean, who has his own personal agenda, Detective Jane Rizzoli has to prove that she hasn't lost her focus and can still perform in this tense, gritty thriller that is every bit as gripping as the first Rizzoli novel.

This novel seems to take a different approach to Gerritsen's previous work with its much stronger emphasis on how hard it is to cope with being a victim and a much deeper look at Hoyt's pysche and what exactly makes him tick. The latest killer almost at times though feels as though he is being shoved to one side in favour of both the sub-text and the presence of Hoyt and the climatic ending is very sudden and over far too quickly. This seems to be a common pit-fall with many crime authors of late and there is nothing more frustrating than sitting through a novel such as this only to have it all come to a head in a couple of measly pages. That said this is an enjoyable read and it is interesting to understand a bit more about Hoyt though you are still left thinking there is more yet to discover than at first meets the eye.

The book also features the debut of Medical Examiner, Maura Isles, though her appearances here are brief and more of a cameo than as a starring role. For the main part, this is Rizzoili's story and quite rightly so!! Having read BODY DOUBLE set much later than this, it is certainly interesting to see how both characters became the people they are later on though this earlier book never really feels like Gerritsen at her best. It does however provide you with more than enough to want to keep reading mainly because this is such a light and unchallenging read and sometimes that is all you need....

Summary: When The Surgeon escapes prison, emotionally battled detective must use all her wits to track down h