Tess Gerritsen 2023

[Mateos Weinzapfel]

SoGerritsen, who will be at the Jacksonville Main Library on Monday as part of a book tour on behalf of her latest novel, "Die Again," dutifully pursued an education in science, earning a bachelor's degree in anthropology from Stanford, then studying medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, from which she received her medical degree in 1979.

Still, the desire to write never went away. So after five years of medical practice, while on maternity leave, she began to write. Initially, she wrote romance novels. Nine of them were published by Harlequin Intrigue and Harper Paperback beginning in 1986.

A year later, she introduced the character of Maura Isles, a Boston medical examiner, in "The Apprentice," the second novel to feature Jane Rizzoli. She still wasn't thinking in terms of a series, she said, but the relationship intrigued her enough that she decided she wanted to "carry the story forward." "Die Again" is her 11th Rizzoli & Isles novel.

On July 12, 2010, "Rizzoli & Isles" debuted on TNT with Angie Harmon as Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as Isles. In December, TNT renewed "Rizzoli & Isles" for a sixth season, which will begin later this year.

While she is listed in the show's credits as a consultant, Gerritsen said she has very little input in the series. She pays attention out of curiosity but said the series doesn't affect what she does in her books.

During her Jacksonville appearance, Gerritsen will attend a fundraising reception at 5 p.m. in the library's Lounge, located off the Laura Street entrance hall (the address is 303 N. Laura St.). She will speak at 6:30 p.m. in the library's Hicks Auditorium.

The 5 p.m. wine and cheese reception is a ticketed event. The cost - $50 for couples, $35 for individuals - includes an autographed copy of "Die Again" and a reserved seat at the 6:30 p.m. talk. To buy tickets go to jplfoundation.org/gerritsen/.

Award-winning and bestselling author Tess Gerritsen has written more than thirty books that have been published in forty countries and sold more than 40 million copies. Many of her novels have been top three bestsellers in the U.S. and #1 bestsellers abroad. Her new espionage series featuring a mature group of retired spies who live in coastal Maine and call themselves the Martini Club launched with The Spy Coast, published by Thomas & Mercer in November 2023. www.tessgerritsen.com

This event will take place at street level. ASL interpretation may be provided (based on the availability of interpreters) but must be requested at least 2 weeks in advance of the event. Seats are limited. Please email us at tic...@brooklinebooksmith.com as soon as possible if you require ASL interpretation, guaranteed seating, or other accommodations. We will do our best to serve your needs!

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