Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the shifting perspectives of The Surgeon make you feel about the characters and their experiences? Were there any characters you particularly related to? What emotions did the passages written from the perspective of the killer make you feel?

2. If you have seen the television adaptation of Rizzoli and Isles, how does the version of Detective Rizzoli in The Surgeon compare to the version seen in the television series? Did you find one depiction more realistic or engaging than the other? If so, how?

3. What did you find most compelling about the story’s exploration of misogyny in the workplace and in society more generally?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Detective Moore’s internal conflict between his romantic attraction to Dr. Cordell and his professional ethics drives much of his character development. When have you experienced similar tension between professional obligations and personal desires?

2. In what ways do you find yourself acting in professional settings that differ from how you personally feel, much like how Dr. Cordell acts calm and authoritative while operating while internally struggling with feelings of vulnerability and self-doubt?

3. Have you ever faced misogyny in the workplace like Detective Rizzoli? How did you handle it?

4. Detectives Rizzoli and Moore are drawn into conflict over their mutual attempts to hold each other accountable for their mistakes. Have you ever faced a similar situation where attempting to hold a colleague or a friend accountable for their actions created conflict in the relationship? How did the ways you approached the situation compare to those of the detectives?

5. Dr. Cordell finds comfort in the online support group for women who struggle with PTSD from sexual assault. What communities or groups, whether in real life or online, have provided you with a sense of being truly understood?

6. How did the graphic depictions of violence and medical procedures in The Surgeon make you feel?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel portrays the challenges that professional women face in male-dominated workplaces. What examples of this dynamic have you observed in contemporary society? Have things changed since the book was published over 20 years ago?

2. The Surgeon depicts a range of responses from women after being sexually assaulted. To what extent do these responses reflect the real-world experiences of women following sexual assault?

3. In what ways does Gerritsen’s portrayal of a serial killer differ from classic portrayals of serial killers found in crime thrillers like The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (1988)?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What does the depiction of Rizzoli’s actions, particularly her shooting of an unarmed civilian and continuing the case after being formally removed, reveal about the novel’s moral perspective regarding ethical behavior for police officers?

2. How does The Surgeon’s use of shifting perspectives create tension and suspense?

3. Analyze Detective Rizzoli’s relationship with Detective Moore. How does his influence shape her character development? What does she learn from the relationship? How does his perception of her shape her perception of herself?

4. How does Moore’s love for Dr. Cordell serve as a foil for The Surgeon’s obsession with Dr. Cordell throughout the work? How does the characterization of Dr. Falco’s interest in Dr. Cordell relate to this dynamic?

5. Discuss Tess Gerritsen’s use of technical medical terminology in The Surgeon. How does it contribute to the realism of the work? How does it affect the pacing of the novel overall?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Make a playlist for Detective Moore and Dr. Cordell’s wedding reception. What kind of music do you think would represent their personalities?

2. Detective Rizzoli could use a break. Design the perfect vacation for her.

3. Imagine Dr. Falco wrote a letter to Dr. Cordell in which he explained his feelings about her. What would he say?