Girl missing by Tess Gerritsen

Kat Novak is an Assistance Medical Examiner who is about to have the worst week of her life - only she doesn't know it yet.  When she agrees to start her shift early so a colleague can get off to his vacation on time, she begins her examination of a Jane Doe who died under mysterious circumstances, the victim of a new and deadly drug that has hit the streets in time for the Mayors reelection campaign.  The first victim is a Jane Doe who has nothing on her except a match book with a phone number, but victim number two is lucky enough to make it to the hospital, and then Kat learns about a third victim.

The case is not going to be straightforward and easy, cases like these never are.  As she searches for the truth Kat rubs shoulders with some rich and powerful men, men who could be the villain she is hunting for.  At every turn it seems as though someone, or several someones, are trying to stop her from revealing the truth about the deaths and the dangerous new drug that is on the streets.  There is the owner of the largest pharmaceutical company in the area, who seems to have an unusual interest in the Jane Doe's although he wont say why.  There is the Chief Medical Examiner and District Attorney who both seem determined to keep Kat quiet about the mysterious new drug, and then there is the Mayor who wants reelection and wants to squash Kat and her theories.

With a deadly drug on the street and no support from the officials Kat puts herself in danger to try and stop the person distributing the drugs before anyone else dies.  But Kat forgot one very important thing, when you are the hunter you have to be careful to make sure that the person you are hunting doesn't hunt you in return. Kat is resourceful and determined, two strengths that will bring her face to face with a killer, one who will stop at nothing to prevent her from connecting all the dots and destroying their plans.  Luckily Kat is not alone, or at least she wont be alone if she finally accepts some help from an unlikely source.

Girl missing is an early thriller from Tess Gerritsen and is a gripping and twisted novel that you will want to read in one sitting - a promising taste of great things to come for this popular author.  Many readers would be familiar with her Rizzoli and Isles series of books, and Girl missing is not that kind of thriller (having more than a slight romantic bent) but you can clearly see the strong character development and careful plot planning that makes Gerrtisen's books so addictive.  Kat is strong and independent, and while she does have her character flaws she is very relateable.  The other characters who make up the book are well defined and while they may be a little cliched (especially one pain in the butt ex-husband) they are still strong in their own rights and help keep the story moving at a great pace.  The plot is well defined with little twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the end.  

Lots of fun to read and great introduction to the thriller side of Tess Gerritsen's writing, as well as pleasurable read for fans of the Rizzoli and Isles series.  Discover (or rediscover) a great classic from a popular crime/thriller genre author.


If you like this book then try:

• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• The apprentice by Tess Gerritsen
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• Low pressure by Sandra Brown
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarrantano
• Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene

Reviewed by Brilla