eBook Review - Listen to Me

It's been a long time since I read a Rizzoli and Isles thriller. I actually had plans for past few months to reread some older Rizzoli and Isles thrillers (Body Double, Vanish and The Mephisto Club). So, when I was on NetGalley months ago and saw that Tess Gerritsen was going to release this series's thirteen outing, I had to jump on it. I missed these characters and I am ready to return to this world and these characters... 

Title and Author: Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen

Publisher: Bookouture

Bought, Gifted or Borrowed: eProof gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction.

Buy From (Affiliate): Bookshop.org

There's something strange about Angela Rizzoli's new neighbours. They keep to themselves, the blinds in their windows are always drawn and Angela can't shake the feeling that the wife's in danger. But no one believes her, not her neighbours, not her boyfriend, not even her daughter, Detective Jane Rizzilo...

Jane can't think of her mother and her wild theories right now. She finds herself investigate the gruesome yet senseless murder of nurse Sofia Suerez. She was well liked and well respected nurse. No one has a bad word to say about her. But there's something not right, and it seems to be linked to a former patient, a daughter of a doctor Sofia worked with. Is the doctor's teenage daughter, Amy, just suffering from a string of bad luck, or is there something more sinister going on...?

It was a joy returning to these characters. I forgot how much I missed them and am now really excited to reread the earlier Rizzoli and Isles thrillers. But, let's be truthful here, this outing (while fun) wasn't the strongest in the series. 

Let's start with the positives. I love these characters and it felt like I was returning to old friends. Plus, this novel had four narrators and this kept the story moving. Angela's characters was in first person and it adds an nice layer as we know, while Angela and Jane love each other deeply, seeing both her and Jane's chapters showed their mother/daughter relationship from both sides. And Tess's writing is still gripping. 

However, the plot isn't exactly new. The first half of the book was more exciting than the second half. The second half was lacking and several of the subplots were pointless and lead nowhere. Plus, for a Rizzoli and Isles thriller, we barely saw Dr Maura Isles. We only had her for a handful of chapters - this was a very Jane-centred novel - nothing wrong in that, but I do wish we saw Maura, even if it's chapter where she's with Jane and Angela and we look more at their friendship. 

Like I said, this wasn't the strongest outing with these characters, but I missed these characters. Plus, long time fans will be thrilled as it's been five years from Rizzoli and Isles's last outing, I Know A Secret, that came out over five years ago. Now, when should my reread begin...?