Rizzoli And Isles Books In Order

I've recently finished the latest book by Tess Gerritsen featuring the famous duo Rizzoli and Isles and as the question should we read the Rizzoli And Isles books in order comes up quite frequently, this post is my take on it based on my experience with reading the books up to the very last one.

Currently the Rizzoli & Isles book series includes 10 books - well 11 books really if we also count the free Kindle book called Freaks and if you like to follow character development, then I suggest you read the books in order. Each book builds up on the first, although the actual stories are different, with different criminals and crimes committed.

For example the very first book, The Surgeon only has one character in it, namely

shown above the latest book in the series: LAST TO DIE

Also I'm kind of strange this way, but I do like to read my books in chronological order because I can this way develop a stronger connection to the main players, and I will enjoy the books much more.

Here you will also find the books reviewed so if you haven't gotten a chance to read them, you might be persuaded to do so - trust me, you'll get a totally different view from reading the books as well, rather than just watching the Rizzoli and Isles TV show!

I love this fun book series, much more so than the TV show (which is kind of weak, if you ask me). Tess Gerritsen knows how to write, and she has proven over and over again with the many book genres she has so far written: romance novels, medical thrillers (those are actually still my most favorites from all her books) and the forensic CSI style of book.

I think with the Rizolli and Isles series she has really hit on a market that was ripe for CSI style novels. Ever since the initial CSI TV series there were (and still are) countless writers and TV producers to come up with their own creations. And while some are good, others not so good, this particular book series is really one that I can highly recommend. And I recommend you read the books in order.

Having said that, here is the proper chronological (and publishing) order of the Rizolli and Isles books by Tess Gerritsen.

1. The Surgeon (Rizzoli & Isles #1) - This is the first Rizzoli and Isles book, published in 2001
2. The Apprentice (Rizzoli & Isles #2) - The Apprentice is book #2 in the popular mystery series. This is the first book where Maura Isles appears. Book was first published in 2002.
3. The Sinner (Rizzoli & Isles #3) - Books #3, The Sinner, was first published in 2003.
4. Body Double (Rizzoli & Isles #4) - The 4th book featuring the popular duo solving really bad crimes, was first published in 2004.
5. Vanish (Rizzoli & Isles #5) - Vanish is the next of the Rizzoli and Isles books in order. It was published for the first time in 2005.
6. The Mephisto Club (Rizzoli & Isles #6) - The Mephisto Club is another famous book in the series. It was published in 2006.
7. The Keepsake (Rizzoli & Isles #7) - The Keepsake, book #7, was published in 2008.
8. Ice Cold (Rizzoli & Isles #8) - Ice Cold is book #8 in the popular mystery series, with a publishing date of 2010.
9. The Silent Girl (Rizzoli & Isles #9) - The Silent Girl is the 9th book in the series, and it also includes the short novella Freaks. If you don't have this book, you can read the novella for free (see the next entry)
10. Freaks (Rizzoli & Isles #9.5) - Here is the novella Freaks, free Kindle downloadable book. If you have the Silent Girl novel, this is also included as a free bonus, so check that book before downloading it as you might already have it.
11. Last to Die (Rizzoli & Isles #10) - Currently the last book in the Rizzoli and Isles series, Last to Die, was published in 2012.

I remember the first time I picked up The Surgeon, I thought would be a mystery novel (which I like, but I love thrillers more), so I was really excited to finish reading it once I started it. I couldn't put it down.

So if you're looking for a great thriller with serial killers, this is one that you should pick up.

However, beware - there are quite some graphic scenes of rape, mutilation, so caution is advised if you're sensitive to this. Some people might even find the book a bit on the creepy side. But on the other hand, most CSI style books have a bit of it, so us, readers of this genre, should be really used to the gore by now :)

This first novel introduces Jane Rizzoli (Maura Isles will first appear in the second book) and if you've been watching the TV show, you'll be surprised as to how different Jane looks and acts compared to her appearance on screen. The two are completely different, as if you're talking about entirely non-related things.

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