The
Mephisto Club
A
Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles Mystery
Tess
Gerritsen
Ballantine
(Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-345-47699-9 (0345476999)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-47699-9 (9780345476999)
Publication Date: September 2006
List Price: $25.95
Synopsis (from
the publisher): PECCAVI. The Latin is scrawled in blood at the scene of
a young woman's brutal murder: I HAVE SINNED. It's a chilling Christmas
greeting for Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane
Rizzoli, who swiftly link the victim to controversial celebrity
psychiatrist Joyce O'Donnell—Jane's professional nemesis and
member of a sinister cabal called The
Mephisto Club.
On tony Beacon Hill, the club's acolytes devote themselves to the
analysis of evil: Can it be explained by science? Does it have a
physical presence? Do demons walk the earth? Drawing on a wealth of
dark historical data and mysterious religious symbolism, the Mephisto
scholars aim to prove a startling theory: that Satan himself exists
among us. With the grisly appearance of a corpse on their doorstep,
it's clear that someone-or something-is indeed prowling the city. Soon,
the members of the club begin to fear the very subject of their study.
Could this maniacal killer be one of their own-or have they
inadvertently summoned an evil entity from the darkness?
Delving deep into the most baffling and unusual case of their careers,
Maura and Jane embark on a terrifying journey to the very heart of
evil, where they encounter a malevolent foe more dangerous than any
they have ever faced ... one whose work is only just beginning.
Review:
The
Mephisto Club is the sixth
mystery in this series featuring Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and
medical examiner Maura Isles, this time on the case of the brutal
murder of a young woman on Christmas Eve. Though both women participate
in the investigation, Jane plays a much larger role than Maura in the
book.
The crime, and a subsequent murder, is quickly linked to an unusual
group of wealthy individuals who are members of The Mephisto Club,
an organization that seeks out evil in the world. The group is headed
by a mysterious and powerful man with the highest level connections,
giving him access to confidential information on the victims and the
crimes. Though apparently working on the same side as the officials
investigating the murder, it's not clear his objectives are the same.
Is he part of the solution or part of the problem?
The
Mephisto Club has a solid,
effective, fast-paced plot with a number of unusual features that make
it an above average thriller. The incorporation of obscure symbolism
and the inclusion of arcane biblical references make the, at times,
implausible storyline quite credible.
There are a few problems, however, that prevent The Mephisto Club
from being first rate. In an effort to show the familial side of both
Jane and Maura, Gerritsen includes two side stories that seem
incongruous. For Jane, there are the droll scenes with her parents that
seem to be present solely for comic relief. For Maura, it's her
troubled relationship with Father Brophy. Neither seems terribly
important for this book, but may simply have been included for the
purpose of continuity of the series.
A more serious problem is the motivation of the culprit and the purpose
for the murders. Though it appears to be personal, in the end, the
implication is that there was an ulterior motive to the crimes that is
at odds with the events that took place. It's rather convenient how it
all turns out, and just a bit illogical.
Despite these few shortcomings, The
Mephisto Club
is definitely worth adding to your library.
Special thanks to Book Report Network for providing a copy of The Mephisto Club for this review.
Review Copyright © 2006 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read The Mephisto Club? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series ...
The
Surgeon
Random House (Hardcover), August 2001
ISBN-10: 0-34544783-2 (0345447832)
ISBN-13: 978-0-34544783-8 (9780345447838)
The
Apprentice
Random House (Hardcover), August 2002
ISBN-10: 0-345-44785-9 (0345447859)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-44785-2 (9780345447852)
The
Sinner
Random House (Hardcover), August 2003
ISBN-10: 0-345-45891-5 (0345458915)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-45891-9 (9780345458919)
Body
Double
Random House (Hardcover), August 2004
ISBN-10: 0-345-45893-1 (0345458931)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-45893-3 (9780345458933)
Vanish
Random House (Hardcover), August 2005
ISBN-10: 0-345-47697-2 (0345476972)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-47697-5 (9780345476975)
The Mephisto Club
Ballantine (Hardcover), September 2006
ISBN-10: 0-345-47699-9 (0345476999)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-47699-9 (9780345476999)
The
Keepsake
Ballantine (Hardcover), September 2008
ISBN-10: 0-345-49762-7 (0345497627)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-49762-8 (9780345497628)
Omnimystery
keywords for The Mephisto Club
...
Location(s) referenced: Boston,
Rome.
