The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen - A Book Discussion

The Keepsake is Tess Gerritsen’s seventh Rizzoli and Isles novel.  Though the plot line was not quite as dark as the last novel, it was a thrilling read nonetheless. 

The story begins with the arrival of “Madam X,” a mummy that has been discovered in an unlabeled crate in the dusty, dingy basement storage of Boston’s Crispin Museum, and is about to undergo a CAT scan at the city’s Pilgrim Hospital.  Medical examiner Dr. Maura Isles presides with Dr. Robinson, the museum curator, and Crispin’s newly hired Egyptology expert, Josephine Pulcillo.  Dr. Robinson confirms that carbon testing on a swatch of the outer wrapping dates back to second century BC so you can imagine their surprise when the scan reveals modern dental work and a bullet in her leg.   

Therein steps Jane Rizzoli and her partner Barry Frost who uncover more preserved human remains in the museum's storage area, along with a personal message for Josephine Pulcillo.  The discovery leaves them with more questions than answers.  Why would someone go to such great lengths to preserve the victims?  What is Josephine Pulcillo hiding from them?  This question poses a rift between the two partners as Jane feels that Josephine is concealing something vital to the investigation while Barry falls under the spell of her earthly beauty and takes her at face value. Though friction remains between them, they both agree that they have an intellectual and unconventional serial killer who is on the loose on the streets of Boston.

Following my promise not to spoil these novels for those who might be reading them, I have to say that this novel was filled with ample twists and turns, creating another chilling, fast-paced thriller.  My only criticism of this novel would be that unlike the other Rizzoli and Isles novels, the author stuck closer to the plot instead of revealing further insights into Jane and Maura’s personal lives.  Their characters did not grow much for me during this read and I missed that element.  Otherwise, the characters were strong and engaging.  This was yet another good suspense story by Tess Gerritsen.  If you are a Rizzoli and Isles fan, be sure to add this book to your collection.