Please Welcome Author TESS GERRITSEN!

[tess_gerritsen…]

"when I first saw your name on books, I thought of a red-haired Irish woman. It was kind of a shock to see your picture on the back of the book and realize that my perception was 100% wrong!"

It's true -- I certainly don't look like a "Gerritsen"!  My husband's Dutch.  When I was working in the hospital, the wards always expected a blonde doctor to show up.

[tess_gerritsen…]

GRAVITY was my favorite because it was the most challenging book, and I think the most thrilling story I've written.  It's set aboard the International Space Station, and it's chock-full of fascinating details about manned spaceflight.  (My husband says it's also the most romantic story I've ever written, even though the hero and heroine don't even kiss in the story!)

[becke_davis]

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tess_gerritsenTG wrote:

GRAVITY was my favorite because it was the most challenging book, and I think the most thrilling story I've written.  It's set aboard the International Space Station, and it's chock-full of fascinating details about manned spaceflight.  (My husband says it's also the most romantic story I've ever written, even though the hero and heroine don't even kiss in the story!)

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I haven't read that one - just ordered it!

[becke_davis]

Tess - How has your life changed since RIZZOLI & ISLES, the TV series, became such a big hit? Does it feel strange to see your characters brought to life? Did any of the actors meet with you to discuss how to portray their characters?

[leisure_reader]

Welcome Tess,

I have a few of your books waiting on my shelf.  I enjoy watching the Rizzoli and Iles series when I can find it (doesn't always show up on TV when it is convenient for me). 

How much of your personality is in each one of the characters?  Each one appears to be a strong female lead.

J

[becke_davis]

Just watched the new episode of RIZZOLI & ISLES. I thought it was really good! It's interesting the way they've taken Tess's characters and tweaked them. I can recognize them from the books, but they are different, too. Usually when that happens I'll stop watching because I'm loyal to the books. With this series, even though there are differences, I find myself liking the TV show anyway.

But I still like the books best!

[harleyhoney]

Welcome Tess and thank you so much for joining us on the B&N Mystery Forum.  I'm a big fan of the Rizzoli and Isles TV series and Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander are wonderful in their roles.  My daughter has given me the series to read and I'm up to The Sinner.  I also have The Bone Garden in my TBR pile and it's good to know that there are many more books out there waiting.  Thank you for giving us some great stories and characters. I hope that you enjoy your week here with us.

Nancy

[lizlip]

Welcome, Tess. I am such a big fan, and I love Rizzoli and Isles. Great news that it's been renewed for another year. Congrats.

[becke_davis]

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lizlip wrote:

Welcome, Tess. I am such a big fan, and I love Rizzoli and Isles. Great news that it's been renewed for another year. Congrats.

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Hi Liz! I'm looking forward to your upcoming release!

Liver Let Die  

[dhaupt]

Hi Tess and welcome, I love the series of novels and have also read some of your stand a lones and it's so nice to have you visit the mystery board.

My questions have pretty much been answered by the previous commentors so I'll just say Hi

[tess_gerritsen…]

The biggest change from the TV show is the number of new readers who have come to the books.  They've watched the show, and now they want to see where the characters originated.  The show has brought me so much more visibility.  And whenever I get the question, "Should I know your books? and I tell them there's a TV show based on the characters, it helps convince people that I really am a writer!

[tess_gerritsen…]

Thanks for all the nice comments about "Rizzoli & Isles."  And yes, there are differences between the books and TV show, but I can see why they made the changes.  Last night's episode, for instance, featured Jane's younger brother Tommy, who was recently released from prison and struggling to integrate back into normal life.  In the books, Jane's younger brother is Mike, who always plays it safe and works for the Post Office.  I can understand why the TV writers chose to use an ex-con instead, for dramatic purposes.

[tess_gerritsen…]

"How much of your personality is in each one of the characters?  Each one appears to be a strong female lead."

There's almost nothing of me in Jane.  But Maura really is me -- from her medical background to her need for a logical explanation for sometimes inexplicable things.  Even down to the details -- which kind of car she drives, where she went to school, which wines she drinks -- those are taken straight from my own life.

The eerie part is what's happened in the TV show.  I just saw photos of the TV sets of Maura's "house," and even though no one working on the show has ever seen my home, they managed to choose some of the same decorative accents I have, such as African masks and Asian antiques!

[becke_davis]

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tess_gerritsenTG wrote:

The biggest change from the TV show is the number of new readers who have come to the books.  They've watched the show, and now they want to see where the characters originated.  The show has brought me so much more visibility.  And whenever I get the question, "Should I know your books? and I tell them there's a TV show based on the characters, it helps convince people that I really am a writer!

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It's exciting that the TV series is bringing you more readers, but it's a sad state of affairs when people have to find books via their television sets!

[becke_davis]

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tess_gerritsenTG wrote:

"How much of your personality is in each one of the characters?  Each one appears to be a strong female lead."

There's almost nothing of me in Jane.  But Maura really is me -- from her medical background to her need for a logical explanation for sometimes inexplicable things.  Even down to the details -- which kind of car she drives, where she went to school, which wines she drinks -- those are taken straight from my own life.

The eerie part is what's happened in the TV show.  I just saw photos of the TV sets of Maura's "house," and even though no one working on the show has ever seen my home, they managed to choose some of the same decorative accents I have, such as African masks and Asian antiques!

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Now THAT is cool!

[becke_davis]

I highly recommend Tess's short story FREAKS - it's a perfect way to get a taste of her writing style as well as the snappy dialogue between Rizzoli & Isles. And there's a surprising twist, too!

Freaks (A Rizzoli & Isles Short Story)  

[becke_davis]

Tess - After reading FREAKS, I have to ask - have you ever considered writing paranormals?

[IBIS]

Tess, I love how you've taken Boston, and reshaped it to make it uniquely your own.

I've just finished "The Silent Girl' and it's as if you turned the lights on and off in a familiar room... For years I've enjoyed walking through everyday Chinatown on my way to work...

.... dimsum lunches. the harried restaurant chefs, the  exotic markets... for years I've taken them at face value.

After "The Silent Girl",  no longer.

I'm now eerily conscious of dark alleys, walled-off clubs, madness, bloody vengeance...  you've revealed in your splendid story some of what lies hidden behind the facadeI

What is it about our fair city of Boston that inspires you?

[IBIS]

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becke_davis wrote:

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*waves madly* Hi IBIS - great to see you here!

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Hi Becke, it's great to visit your marvelous bookclub!

You do such a wonderful job moderating it!  When I read that Tess Gerritsen was visiting this week, wild horses coudn't keep me from meeting one of my favorite authors. I've read all your posts, and am just tickled pink.

[becke_davis]

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IBIS wrote:

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becke_davis wrote:

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*waves madly* Hi IBIS - great to see you here!

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Hi Becke, it's great to visit your marvelous bookclub!

You do such a wonderful job moderating it!  When I read that Tess Gerritsen was visiting this week, wild horses coudn't keep me from meeting one of my favorite authors. I've read all your posts, and am just tickled pink.

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We've had this scheduled for quite awhile. I've been counting the days!!