Detective Jane Rizzoli and her partner, Detective Barry Frost, are investigating the senseless murder of a ICU nurse named Sophia Suarez. She was found murdered in her home, and the murder wound evidence indicated the use of a round-head hammer. She was a widow who was universally loved in her neighborhood and by her boss and peers. Assisting in the investigation is the quiet, skillful coroner, Dr. Maura Isles. Clearly, Sophia had some secrets, as evidenced by her calls to a traceless burner phone and other random numbers out-of-state. When Jane discovers that Sophia’s murder was linked to a hit-and-run that happened months previously, she is even more unsettled about the case. In the meantime, Jane’s mother, Angela, has her hands full as the self-designated neighborhood watch. But in all fairness, nothing escapes Angela—not the disappearance of the rude young teen down the street, nor the weight-lifting Navy SEAL across the street, nor the infidelity of two other neighbors, nor the new odd neighbors directly across the street. Angela knows there is some kind of trouble, but after calling her daughter and the local police station relentlessly about suspicions and false alarms, when she actually needs help, will anyone listen?

This was a thrilling page-turner of a book by physician Tess Gerritsen, whose writing is so believable that it leaps from the page and captures you right from the beginning! It’s clear that not only the murderer and those murdered had secrets, but Angela’s “quiet neighborhood” had plenty of their own. This was a book full of excitement, with a variety of different happenings and enough twists and turns to keep the reader furiously flipping pages until the very end. Although this book was the last in a series, it read beautifully as a stand-alone. It’s unfortunate that this is my first Tess Gerritsen novel (*embarassed*) but I am now a fan (along with some of my most favorite authors in the genre), and my adventures with Gerritsen and her beautifully drawn characters and scenery have only just begun.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Tess Gerritsen, and Ballantine Books for the ability to read and review this ARC.

Tess Gerritsen is hands-down one of my favorite suspense writers and I feel like I had to wait forever for this latest in the Rizzoli & Isles series. It was a fun and fast read just like all the others, and I really enjoyed that we get to hear Angela's voice and inner dialogue in this one. She's one of my favorite characters and she got her chance to shine in this book. Now to begin the wait for the next book...!

Another great addition to the Rizzoli & Isles series. This series was one of my first set of books when getting into thrillers many, many years ago. It was nice getting back into it. Thr banter between Maura and Jane never fails to disappoint and Gerritsen continuously write enjoyable thrillers. Nothing super different, but i always know it will be a good time.

The murder of a nurse is a senseless crime. Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this. In the mean time Angela's boy friend is gone to take care of his sister. Angela keeps busy seeing what the neighbors are up to. The death of Sophia may have something to do with a death a long time ago. It takes Rozzoli and Frost quite awhile to put it all together and bring the old murder in with the new and the doctor's daughter's accident will tie it all together.

Another great add to the series. Always well written, taut and fun, this was no exception. Tis author just gets better with time.

The last Rizzoli & Isles book came out in 2017. In case you're not keeping score that was five years ago. An eternity for a series (well, unless you're George RR Martin - in which case it would be the equivalent of a lunch break). In that time Tess Gerritsen has released a couple stand-alone novels, so I chalked this up to burn-out or possibly the end to the series. It's been so long since the last book I can't remember the plot other than Dr. Maura Isles made a disastrous romantic decision (old habits being hard to break) that pissed me right the hell off. Seriously, still salty. Anyway, when Listen to Me was announced I was really excited, scored an ARC for the July 2022 release and....there it languished on my Kindle until this month. Because I am the worst. But also because Jane's mother Angela plays a healthy role in this story and for fans of the book series (the TV show is an entirely different kettle of fish IMHO) y'all know a little Angela goes a long way. But in for a penny, in for a pound.

Murder never makes sense, but Boston homicide detective, Jane Rizzoli, has been called to a crime scene that is more senseless than usual. Sofia Suarez is found bludgeoned to death in her home. A widow, a nurse, well-liked by coworkers and neighbors alike. No enemies. No bad habits. The woman was so clean she squeaked when she walked. There have been some burglaries in the area, but nothing appears out of sorts in the house. Not ransacked, nothing obvious taken. It looks entirely random but Jane's not buying it. Someone wanted this woman dead, the question is who and why.

Meanwhile, Jane's mother, Angela, has finally settled into domestic (unwedded) bliss with Jane's former partner Vince - although he's currently out of town taking care of his sister who just had surgery. Angela is the kind of person who has lived in her home for years, knows the neighborhood and her neighbors - that's why she's concerned. A new couple has moved in across the street and they're odd. They don't socialize. They keep to themselves. They're installing bars on their windows. It's just not normal. Then shortly after the new residents move in, a troubled teenage girl from the next street over goes missing. Angela just KNOWS there's something wrong, but neither the local cops or her own daughter are taking her seriously.

I read this while traveling and it was a perfect cross-country airplane read. It keep me engaged, interested, and (most importantly with suspense novels) guessing. I thought I would find the Angela storyline tiresome, but I really ended up enjoying it! Angela is "of a certain age" - which is code for nobody listens to her anymore. Vince is out of town. Jane is busy and dismissive in a way that daughters often are with exhausting mothers 😂. As the reader you waffle between Angela Being Angela and Yes, Something Is Rotten. Gerritsen also keeps it twisting and turning between the standoffish new neighbors and the missing teenage girl who has a history of running away.

The mystery of the dead nurse also kept me guessing. What I liked about this story is that while I had a pretty good idea why she was killed (and turns out, I was right) I never was able to figure out how all the puzzle pieces fit together. There's connections to be made and I never could see how it all fit - until Gerritsen starts tying it all together with the denouement.

Maura's love life still pisses me off (it will never NOT so I guess I need to get used to it...) and while she is featured in this book she's not as integral a part of the main plot as Jane and Angela. Which is fine. She's there to assist, like any good medical examiner and plays her part to perfection.

I really enjoyed this entry a lot. It's a good, solid read and should please fans of the series. Now here's hoping Gerritsen doesn't wait another 5 years.

Final Grade = B+

When the nosy neighbor is your Mom and you're a cop... I'd forgotten what fun the Rizzoli & Isles books are and "Listen to Me" was a great reminder! Angela is driving Jane nuts, first with he concern about 16 year old Tricia's disappearance (so what if she's run away before. This time it could be a crime) and her incessant spying on her new neighbors who are very standoffish. She cannot understand why her daughter, the cop, is not available to take on her projects just because she's investigating the brutal murder of a beloved nurse. Along the way, we learn Maura Isles is playing piano with an amateur orchestra of local doctors, that Angela is on to something and that Jane knows her stuff as she works alongside Frost and tries not to be to honest with him about what she thinks of his wife. A nonstop entertaining read full of marvelous characters. Have to backfill the books in the series I missed along the way.

I will NEVER stop giving Tess Gerritsen praise! I absolutely love her writing and her characters! I blew through this book in 1 day!

This was a fun read. The main focus for this book shifted from Rizzoli to her mother as she keeps a close watch on the drama within her neighborhood.

Gerritsen is one of those rare authors who actually gets better from book to book. While the premise of LISTEN TO ME (like the title) is a little on the nose--women, and particularly mature women, aren't being listened to and should be--the author does manage to keep it from being too trite. As always, it's a pleasure to be back with characters I love.

A fun and entertaining Rizzoli & Isles book. It is an easy read - full of mystery and interesting characters. Love the interaction between mother, Angela, and daughter, Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli. Makes for a good beach read!

Listen To Me is a strong entry in the Rizzoli and Isles series, with a twist: much of the novel and action is from the point of view of Jane Rizzoli’s mother, Angela or Angie to her friends. So there are two mysteries here: one in Angie’s Revere neighborhood where things and people don’t seem to be acting normally; and another in Boston where Jane and her partner Barry Frost are called to a murder scene involving an ICU nurse who appears to have been attacked just as she arrived home from work. The woman was a widow, loved by those who knew her and something just feels off as they look into her recent activities.

I found this a satisfying read which kept me wondering what was coming. Something I enjoy in this type of reading. Maura’s story is quieter this time but she is still performing her vital tasks as well as some new ones.

A recommended read. Probably could be read by someone new to the series though Angela might require more explanation. But no…she’s just the mother who knows A Lot (perhaps too much for her own good)


A copy of this book was provided by Random House through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

I always love the character of Momma Rizzoli, and I loved that we got to have more of her in this book. It also makes you think about the idea of overlooking the thoughts and observations of someone who tends to always be there in your life.

Listen to Me is the 13th and most recent installment of the Rizzoli and Isles series and a great edition to the series. I’ve been binge reading the first 12, and the two novellas this year and I’ve had such a blast with it. This book has the addition of Angela butting her nose where it probably doesn’t belong, with her spending most of the novel spying on her neighbors and blowing up Jane’s phone in the process.

Angela served as wonderful comical relief when dealing which such a gruesome and nail-biting case, even if she was a little much at times. I’m a fan of the narrator and she was particularly great at capturing the spirit of Angela Rizzoli who had the biggest voice in this story, and it was kind of worth Maura taking a back seat in this novel; because the Jane/Angela dynamic was by far my favorite.

I was so convinced that I had everything figured out with this case; but then everything was revealed and I realized that I knew nothing. I’d say that made me enjoy it more; because I kind of hating figuring out whodunit before the cops do in these situations.

Overall, this was such a fun read and I can’t wait to see if this author does in the future.

It was great catching up with Jane and Maura. I really enjoyed the mystery, and the characters are always great.

Rizzoli & Isles: Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen. Pub Date: July 5, 2022. Rating: 4 stars. I have been reading this series sporadically since it was first published and Tess Gerritsen knows how to write a twisty murder mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and turning the pages until the end. Rizzoli and Isles are amazing female powerhouse characters that I love. They have grit, determination and are smart too! In this installment, there is a brutal murder of a nurse as well as the appearance of Jane's mom, Angela, who is a little over the top at times with her constant phone calls and neighborhood gossip/drama. Whenever I pick up a Rizzoli & Isles book, I know I will be in a for a great ride. Definitely pick this one up if you are into murder mysteries because you will not be disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #rizzoliisleslistentome

A puzzle to be put together of murder and who is responsible. Who is who and are people ever who you know them to be?

I enjoyed reading this book and I think you will too. Jane knows early on not everything is as it seems and it looks like she isn't the only one. Read the mysteries that lie within this book.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fantastic. It made my adrenaline flow with everything going on. There were mysteries inside of mysteries. The plot was wild and complex. I have never read anything like it. I definitely recommend this book.

As a big fan of the Rizzoli and Isles mystery series, both in books and on TV, I was so excited to see a new book coming out. I was so happy to see the characters again and the main mystery did not disappoint me. The writing was solid and held my interest. However, I think this book focused too much on Angie, Jane’s mother, who I find a bit silly. I would have liked to see much more of Jane and Maura working together as in previous books in the series. Maura is hardly in this at all, except socially at dinner a few times. I hope there are many more books to come and they go back to their roots.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.

Detective Jane’s Rizzole’s mother, Angela knows something isn’t what it seems with the new neighbors. Is Mr. Green abusing his wife Carrie? Why are their blinds always closed? Meanwhile, Detectives Rizzole and Frost begin investigating a recent burglary and murder of nurse Sofia Suarez. Where do the clues lead and how do they tie into Jane’s mother Angela? This book was well paced with an amazing ending.