The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen is a captivating crime novel with a unique and gruesome plot. The reviewer found the pacing and setting engaging, but had issues with the portrayal of gender dynamics and the handling of sensitive topics like rape and suicide.
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen is a gripping crime novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The reviewer appreciated the balance of action and downtime, as well as the retro setting that brought the story to life. The gruesome and unique crime, along with the well-described horror of each murder, made for a chilling read. However, the reviewer had several issues with the book, including the portrayal of female detectives, the underlying tone that seemed to generalize men as capable of evil, and the sometimes undermining stance on rape. The reviewer also found the language used to describe suicide offensive. Despite these problems, the reviewer still enjoyed the book enough to finish it but will take a break to consider whether to continue with the series.
Quick quotes
This novel is certainly very captivating. I found it difficult to put it down once I had picked it up!
I loved the crime and mysterious criminal and I loved the pace of it all.
I also wasn’t a fan of the underlying tone this book had, that “all men are capable of evil”.