The things we keep

By Ande Jacobson

Tess Gerritsen’s seventh Rizzoli & Isles book, The Keepsake, was first released in 2008. Gerritsen digs even further into her anthropology background branching off into the sub-specialties of Archeology and Egyptology when a mummy discovered at a local museum turns out to be not at all what it seems. As always in this series the past predicts the future, although in this perplexing case, far more secrets than usual are uncovered. The story begins with a quote from Dr. Jonathan Elias, Egyptologist:

“Every mummy is an exploration, an undiscovered continent that you’re visiting for the very first time.”

Gerritsen follows that quote with a background chapter of a young woman who fifteen years before the time of that introduction spent time on a dig in Egypt’s western desert. At the time of the chapter though, she remembered the time she spent in that far away desert with a collection of other young archeology and anthropology students spending a summer abroad on an exciting adventure that turned into a nightmare. Now she was the mother of a teenager, and she was terrified. Something horrible happened back then that she’s been running from ever since. Her name isn’t important, yet, nor is her daughter’s.

The second chapter jumps ahead to the present in Boston with our favorite medical examiner, Dr. Maura Isles. A celebrity examination is about to take place. The patient, Madam X, is brought through a throng of reporters and spotlights for what will turn out to be far from what everyone expects. This isn’t an autopsy though. It’s a CT scan being used to learn about Madam X, a mummy recently found in the bowels of the nearby Crispin Museum. Dr. Nicholas Robinson and Dr. Josephine Pulcillo are archeologists affiliated with the museum, Robinson is the curator and Pulcillo is his colleague. Simon Crispin is the last of the Crispin family who founded the museum, and though ancient, is still resident. None of them knew that this particular mummy was there until they found her in storage with no idea how long she’d been there. They had arranged to have the mummy brought to the hospital to scan her to determine more about her. What they find though is not at all what they expect. While her wrappings are ancient, she is not, and so begins an exciting mystery to not only determine who she is, where she came from, how, why, and when she was stashed at the museum, and most importantly who killed her and why. Of course she’s not the only victim in this story, and as others come to light, things get even stranger.

The past and present collide in unexpected ways as is often the case in Gerritsen’s stories, and this one also teaches readers not only about investigations and forensics, it broadens their knowledge of Egyptology and methods of preservation. It turns out that it’s not all that easy to mummify a body. Absent an appropriate lab environment, specific and rare natural conditions are required. In the context of the museum, the subject of how to create a shrunken head is also broached.

All the regulars are on hand including Jane Rizzoli, her partner Barry Frost, Vince Korsak (but not as a cop, as Angela Rizzoli’s new beau), and Gabriel Dean. Detectives Tripp and Crowe also help in the investigation, Crowe this time in a less annoying way than usual for him. Anthony Sansone, the eccentric billionaire first encountered in The Mephisto Club, has also become something of a peripheral regular with means and insights that he shares to help in the investigations. Although not officially a member of the police, his investigative skills are substantial, in large part due to his endless contacts the world over. He also is clearly trying to gain Maura’s favor, although he’s in stiff competition with her “secret” lover, Father Daniel Brophy. Maura considers Anthony a friend, but despite his intentions, not a romantic interest, at least so far.

There are additional characters introduced as there is no shortage of suspects in what becomes a serial killer hunt, this time tied to an old family secret that’s intertwined with the archeological mysteries. How many of the new characters will return in future stories is up for grabs at this point, but it’s likely that some may make an appearance. After all, Sansone and Korsak started out as side characters and both continue to enrich the each of the subsequent stories as they become part of the core ensemble.

While most of the action takes place in Boston, there are side trips across the country and the world. It’s fascinating how Gerritsen uses her storytelling to educate readers on the finer points of science, as well as the cultural aspects of the different locations along the way. She fully utilizes her academic and travel backgrounds to inject scientific and cultural nuance to the plot through her personal experience and fully researched methods and applications. While not entirely plausible that the killer could get away with what they are doing in this adventure, Gerritsen’s expert hand makes it seem possible.

Gerritsen drops plenty of hints along the way to entice readers to attempt to solve the crime, but she holds back a few key elements that aren’t revealed until very late in the story. Still, she weaves a fascinating puzzle. She also tackles the question of how far a parent will go to protect their child, no matter how far off the rails they might veer. This book takes that to an unexpected and sometimes terrifying extreme, yet in the context of the story it’s entirely understandable and even admirable. This story also further invites questioning the influence of nature vs. nurture. Which has the greater effect on a person’s character and actions? Although that specific question isn’t directly answered in the story, its ramifications are explored.

References:

The Surgeon, by Tess Gerritsen
The Apprentice, by Tess Gerritsen
The Sinner, by Tess Gerritsen
Body Double, by Tess Gerritsen
Vanish, by Tess Gerritsen
The Mephisto Club, by Tess Gerritsen
The Keepsake, by Tess Gerritsen
https://www.tessgerritsen.com/
https://www.starttv.com/lists/the-differences-between-the-rizzoli-isles-books-and-tv-show