The Surgeon

Looking forward to the next one

Author
American. Always wanted to be a writer, but her Chinese-American parents insisted she get a real job. Did medicine and became an internist (general physician). Married another doctor and wrote her first novel while on maternity leave in the 1980s. Started out with “romantic suspense”, then medical thrillers, then police procedurals with a medical element. This book represents the debut of gritty female Boston detective Jane Rizzoli. Its 2002 sequel The Apprentice introduced Rizzoli’s crime fighting other half: female medical examiner Maura Isles. Mr G has now churned out 12 Rizzoli and Isles titles, and a similar number of standalone novels. The small screen adaptation of R & I is still going strong after 105 episodes, I believe.

In brief
Misogynistic male psycho killer trope meets nobody takes me seriously because I’m a girl cop trope. Sprinkle in female doc who narrowly escapes trope 1 only to face a re-run two years later and 1000 miles away. Add assorted male chauvinist coworkers to reinforce trope 2, but season with a couple of nice guys to prove all men aren’t bastards. Oh, and blood and guts, plenty of blood and guts not just thanks to the perp, but also to the potential vic who is a trauma surgeon up to her elbows in gore every day. Stir at increasing pace until denouement. Drizzle honey on ending but leave space for dessert, I mean, a sequel.

Writing
Clear, crisp, well-paced. Ms G was 15 years into her career as a published author when she wrote this. It shows. A professional effort that maintained attention to the end despite the predictable plot and caricature-isation. I feel no great urge to explore the series further.

Bottom line
Made for TV even before it was.

My first read by this author. Couldn't put it down. Will be reading more of hers for sure.