Title: Keeper of the Bride
Author: Tess Gerritsen
First published January 1, 1996
256 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781551669359 (ISBN10: 1551669358)
Rating: 3.6
Overview
In Keeper of the Bride, Nina Cormier narrowly escapes death when her wedding ceremony is interrupted and the church is bombed. However, her relief is short-lived as she soon realizes that someone is after her.
When a stranger tries to run her car off the road, Nina seeks help from Detective Sam Navarro. As Sam investigates, he discovers a terrifying truth that puts both him and Nina in danger.
With a brilliant but deadly madman on their trail, they must race against time to stop him before it’s too late. As they work together, Sam and Nina can’t help but feel a connection that goes beyond their professional relationship.
But will they be able to survive long enough to explore their feelings?
About the Author
Tess Gerritsen has a unique story on how she began her career as an internationally bestselling author. After graduating from Stanford University and attending medical school at the University of California, San Francisco where she obtained her M.D., Tess took a break from her work as a physician to start writing fiction while on maternity leave.
In 1987, her first novel, a romantic thriller titled Call After Midnight, was published. Over the years, she has written eight more romantic suspense novels and a screenplay, “Adrift”, which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.
In 1996, her first medical thriller, Harvest, was released in hardcover and marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Since then, she has written several suspense novels that have been translated into 31 languages, with over 15 million copies sold worldwide.
She has won both the Nero Wolfe Award (for Vanish) and the Rita Award (for The Surgeon), and has been a #1 bestseller in both Germany and the UK. Critics worldwide have praised her novels as “Scary and brilliant” (Toronto Globe and Mail), “Pulse-pounding fun” (Philadelphia Inquirer), and “Polished, riveting prose” (Chicago Tribune).
Publisher Weekly has dubbed her the “medical suspense queen”.
Tess Gerritsen is now retired from medicine and writes full time. She currently resides in Maine.
Editoral Review
Keeper of the Bride by Tess Gerritsen is a gripping Romantic Suspense novel that will have readers on the edge of their seats from the first chapter to the last. Gerritsen, known for her medical suspense novels, takes a detour from her usual genre and delivers arguably her best work yet.
The novel follows the story of a beautiful young bride who disappears on her wedding day, leaving behind a bloody trail that leads to her groom, Justin. Justin swears he is innocent and hires the only attorney willing to take his case, Victoria.
The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The author does an excellent job of weaving together suspense, romance, and deep-seated family secrets to create a captivating story that will keep readers hooked.
The setting of the book in a small town adds to the intrigue and makes it all the more atmospheric. Gerritsen’s writing style is excellent- the pacing is perfect, the plot is well-structured, and the characters are well-developed.
The narrative is fast-paced, and the book is hard to put down once you start reading. The romantic aspect of the novel is also handled with a mature and deft touch, never detracting from the suspense aspect.
One of the strengths of the novel is the deep characterization of Victoria- a strong and independent heroine who will appeal to female readers. The way she goes about solving the case, piecing together clues is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, and readers will love her efforts.
The only criticism that can be leveled at the book is that the conclusion is a bit too tidy. Readers may find it convenient, and the resolution too easy, but this does not detract from the powerful storytelling, which is the hallmark of Gerritsen’s writing.
The author does an excellent job of exploring themes such as love, loss, betrayal, and family secrets. The novel’s subject matter is universal and applicable to contemporary times, making it both engaging and relevant.
Overall, Keeper of the Bride by Tess Gerritsen is an excellent book that is well-written, well-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable. It is a standout novel that will appeal to fans of Romantic Suspense and thriller genres.
The book receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5, based on the outstanding writing, complex characters, and compelling plot. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exciting and captivating read.