Tess Gerritsen’s “The Mephisto Club,” A Book Review
The Mephisto Club is another intriguing story from Tess Gerritsen. I just finished it yesterday, making me feel a little like I am reading her books in reverse.
When I read Ice Cold, written by Ms. Gerritsen and first published in 2006, I was so impressed. A winter tale always draws my interest, but the mystery and suspense in Ice Cold was wonderful. It became one of my favorites. Since a young man in the book is sent to attend a special school at the end of the story, I was drawn to a follow up called Last to Die. I thoroughly enjoyed it too.
One of the characters that played a part in Last to Die was said to be a member of the Mephisto Club. That is how I got here. I finally decided to see just what the Mephisto Club was all about. Turns out it is another great book by Ms. Gerritsen.
THE STORY
The book begins years earlier when a young man loses his parents and goes to stay with his aunt and uncle and their two children.
A young woman is found brutally murdered with disturbing signs left in several rooms of the house. Upside down crosses, symbols, writing in Latin. Jane Rizzoli, detective, and Maura Isles, medical examiner are called to the scene. As they investigate, it becomes clear their is another body somewhere.
Another woman is killed, with the crosses and symbols left on the door of a prominent man. Enter the Mephisto Club. From that point on, the club is there wherever the clues lead. Are they part of the problem or part of the solution?
Studying evil has brought it right to their door, it would seem. It appears they are now the targets. Is it actual demons? Actual evil? Or the work of one man? Are the murders because of them or is it something even more basic? Either way, more people are meant to die, including each of them. It’s up to Rizzoli and Isles to find the answers before it is too late.
TESS GERRITSEN AND RIZZOLI AND ISLES
With enough twists and flashbacks, the story is exciting, suspenseful, and puzzling. Tess Gerritsen has had a lot of experience with all of those elements and juggles them well into an entertaining, fascinating story.
Her characters, Rizzoli and Isles have recently been featured in a television series by that name. I’ve never watched the series, but after reading several of her novels, I’m betting the show is a good one. Still, the books are always better to me. I can see I will be reading many more books by Ms. Gerritsen.
The newest book featuring Rizzoli and Isles was released in December of 2014. It’s getting excellent reviews already. You can read all about it at the link below.
Die Again: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel