Tess & No Rest for the Dead

You can go here to check out Simon Audio's twitter feed, and here to check out Tess's contribution to the audiobook (iTunes link).

Jane and Maura are Googling

It seems to us that Maura would have done this first, but Jane gets to claim FIRST on this one. Look who joined Google+. You can find Jane here and Maura here. Now, go forth and Google+ (hey, that's a verb now!)

Bruce is Going to be on the Big Screen

According to San Antonio's blog:

Three actors associated with the Alamo City have been cast in the movie about the 16th U.S. president, which is based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.”

Alamo City native Bruce McGill and San Antonio’s Tommy Lee Jones were cast awhile back...

Check out the rest here.

Really? We mean... really?

Props to Sasha

TVGuide.com gave a list of five rules actors should follow to better interact with us fan type people. Look who got props:

4. Watch the show with your fans. Following actors' live tweets when they're watching their own show can be fascinating. Similar to a director's commentary on DVD, this gives you the opportunity to share the behind-the-scenes details, dish out juicy gossip from the set and answer viewer questions in real time. Kyra Sedgwick, Sasha Alexander and Jeff Probst have all seen a huge surge in followers by doing this and are sharing information that fans could never get elsewhere.

Check out the rest of the article here.

Things to Watch Online

According to gizmodo.com:

Remember that Google TV thing we all cared so much about? When was that? Last year I think? I feel so old. Well if you want to dust yours off, now might be the time: TNT and TBS channels unlocked.

... you'll be able to stream all the Conan, and, uh, Rizzoli and Isles (?) you can eat.

You can check the rest here.

Tess Talks About Everything

Fun little interview by Len Warnner over at www.thecrimeofitall.com.

How would you describe yourself in a sentence?

A hardworking dreamer who’s too stubborn to give up.

How would your best friend describe you in a sentence?

A woman who’s endlessly curious about the world beyond her own life.

Crime fiction is at its best when…

it moves me emotionally.

Check the rest here.

Sasha at the HBO Annual Emmy Awards Post Award Reception

Go Fug Yourself wants to know how much you loved or hated Sash's dress from the post party. So, head on over and vote!

Hey Maura

Our very clever and talented girls have been at it again! Gail (aka lesbianmum) was inspired to create this, and we thought everyone should have a chance to have a hear. If you like it, you can download it for free here.

The Lyrics!

As promised, the lyrics from the singer herself for "Edge of Gayzolli". Enjoy!

There ain’t a reason the M.E. should be alone

Tonight Rizzoli, Tonight Rizzoli

And I got a reason that you should take her home tonight

She needs your guns to keep her warm when she’s so cold

Tonight Rizzoli, Tonight Rizzoli

The legal limit’s where you know you both belong tonight

It’s time to get her buzzed and she won’t mind because

She’s gonna run right to, to the bed with you

And say, “Jane, please use the handcuffs!”

‘Cause you’re on the edge, Rizzoli

And we’re waitin’ on that moment of truth

Out on the edge, Rizzoli

She just needs that one confession from you

You’re on the edge, the edge, the edge…

You’re on the edge of Gayzzoli

And we’re waiting on that moment with you

We’re all waiting for you

We take a shot when you look in each other’s eyes

Tonight Rizzoli, Tonight Rizzoli

Please, God, don’t let be another one where they date guys

Already drunk before the theme song even plays

Tonight Rizzoli, Tonight Rizzoli

We think it’s finally the episode where you’ll get laid

Is it so hard to see

The only thing she needs

Is you to run right to, to her side it’s true

And give her some TGTGT

‘Cause you’re on the edge, Rizzoli

Already got your rainbow papers to prove

That you’re on the edge, Rizzoli

Your friends and family give their blessing to you

you’re on the edge, the edge, the edge…

You’re on the edge of Gayzzoli

And we’re waiting on that moment with you

We’re all waiting for you

Dr. Isles is waiting for you…

Ponies, Jokes, and... Is that a little R&I We See There?

You find Jane and Maura in the strangest of places. Take the site My Little Brony, for instance...

Last Days of Shooting

Today is the last day of filming for season two of Rizzoli & Isles. What are your thoughts?

What is R&I Responsble For These Days?

The metrotimes.com has a fun little article up on what they think R&I is responsible for these days in the world of tv:

What has Rizzoli & Isles done to us?

You might as well point a finger at Mad Men too. They're as much to blame as those two crimefighting BFFs from Boston for the trends engulfing the new fall TV season this month.

...

So what's the new buzz on network TV this fall? Girls, girls, girls!

Check out the rest here.

Rizzoli & Isles TCA Visit 7-26-2011

Angie talks about 2x10 at the end of this clip. Don't ask, we have no idea what she says at the start, but, if you can figure it out, feel free to post it in the comments section below.

Dorothy Does 2x10

Snarker's review of "Remember Me" is up:

First things first: Let’s bring it in for a big Rizzles gals group hug. It’s the summer finale, which means no more gayzzoli or eye sex or TGTGT until the show returns in November. Also, this episode is kind of intense. So put on your big-girl pants, hold your LLBFF close and let’s watch Det. Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles kick some evildoer ass together one more time this season.

It’s a bad morning to be wearing orange — well at least jailhouse orange. A young lad who looks entirely too fresh-faced and well-scrubbed to be in prison has just posted bail when he is shanked in the bathroom. The Rizzoli & Isles production crew really went all-out on its fake blood budget here.

Check the rest here.

Lorraine Loves R&I

Check out this fun interview from Lorraine Bracco on AOLTV.com

Lorraine Bracco gets to play against type on 'Rizzoli & Isles' as Angela Rizzoli, as the mother of Angie Harmon's Detective Jane Rizzoli. But according to Julie Chen on 'The Talk' (weekdays, syndicated on CBS), Bracco still sometimes has trouble shaking her roots in mobster movies like 'Goodfellas' and TV shows like 'The Sopranos.'

"It's fun," Bracco said of playing Rizzoli. "It's so different for me because she's kind of funny." Funny wasn't exactly the mood of the day when she was playing Karen Hill in 'Goodfellas,' but she has her fans. Chen recounted people coming up to Bracco in a restaurant and "kissing her ring, like she's the Godfather."

See the rest here.

R&I On Alibi

RadioTimes.com has an article on R&I coming to Alibi.

In the 23 years since Cagney and Lacey of New York’s 14th precinct closed their casebook, female police partnerships have been a rare sight on US TV. We may have had ball-breaking bosses such as The Shield’s Capt Monica Rawling or capable officers like Law & Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson who work alongside male colleagues, but there’s been little in the way of buddy-buddy women crimesolvers sharing professional and personal problems.

So, it’s kind of a novelty to see the pairing of Rizzoli & Isles (10pm, Alibi), a new American import that puts the girls front and centre and gives them the bulk of the action.

Check out the rest here.

Recaps/Reviews - 2x10 "Remember Me?"

TVFanatic.com has their review of the season finale up:

Charles Hoyt was back on Rizzoli & Isles this week, as "Remember Me" brought back Jane's worst nightmare - and just in time for her birthday. How sweet, right?

Check out the rest here.
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Fempop.com has their review up:

Dude gets shanked in prison. Is this Oz? What the hell.

Now Maura and Ma Rizzoli are talking Jane’s birthday. Maura wants to get Jane a sleep coach to help with her slumber. Which begs the question: “How many sleepovers do you have with her Maura?” Ma Rizzoli doesn’t ask that question. As she’s mother to one and roommate to the other she already knows. But she doesn’t like Maura’s choice in gifts because they will not make Jane sexy in bed…I feel these two should reverse their roles in this scene.

Check the rest here.
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DaemonTV.com's review:

RIZZOLI & ISLES “Remember Me” Season 2 Episode 10 – This summer finale sure ran the gambit of emotions for me. Unlike that really serious episode we had a little while ago, this one actually managed to fit in quite a few humorous moments as well as the dramatic ones and I felt that the mix worked well. Having those little moments of laughter or team camaraderie broke up the tension nicely and in fact only added to those tense scenes when they came.

Check out the rest here.

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NiceGirlsTV.com does a recap:

Speaking of unwelcome men from the past, “Remember Me” features the return of Hoyt, the serial killer fixated on Jane. When Rizzoli & Isles are called in to investigate the brutal prison stabbing of a young man who’d just made bail, they find cancer-ridden Hoyt in the next bed in the infirmary. Fun fact: Hoyt loves reading murder mysteries, specifically those by Tess Gerritsen who writes the novels the show is based on.

Check the rest here.
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TheVoiceofTV.com has their review up:

Welcome to the summer finale of Rizzoli & Isles fittingly called Remember Me. With a jail murder and the reappearance of Charles Hoyt (Michael Massee), I don’t have a doubt anyone would easily forget this episode. To be honest, I actually think this episode would have been a good season finale but considering it doesn’t have a cliffhanger, it fell a litte short of it but only a little bit. The real season finale that will air in December will make up for that, I’m sure.

Check the rest here.
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The examiner.com has their review up:

Jane: “Why because I saw my own personal boogeyman today?”

For those of you who have been watching since the beginning, you immediately recognized Hoyt. Thankfully, if you hadn’t caught on to who Hoyt was, the writers threw in some flashbacks that gave you all the information that you needed to know. Having Hoyt in the episode definitely brought a sense of impending doom that kept you on your seat. His storyline was well planned and the twist at the end was insane. Hoyt is finally dead, which is a good thing not just because he is a scumbag but because if he kept coming back it would just be too repetitive. The writers spent just the right amount of time on Hoyt, and now it is time for a new big bad.

Check the rest here.
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Butch in Progress has their review up:

[B+K] Be brave: “Remember me” aka the last summer-episode of Rizzoli & Isles has just graced your TV/laptop screen - a cold Rizzles-less autumn is about to start, but we’ll do our best to alleviate the pain and provide you with as much subtext as possible to cling to during these hard times (btw: I don’t understand the concept. Of summer finales that is. Well, actually, I’m also not quite sure whether I have yet fully grasped the concept of LLBFFs OR the riddle of how something as gay as Rizzles can still be in the closet). Yet what do we get work with before the credits? Instead of a bit of cute subtext to warm our hearts and inspire the fan-fiction that’s gonna make the coming three months bearable, we get a lot cruel and extremely bloody violence. Guess that’s the prize you pay to have an overly emotional Hoyt-Episode. And boy, emotional it was.

Check the rest here.

Rizzles Anthem - Listen Now, Thank Us for Showing You Later ;-)

One of our girls, hollywilli, posted a kick arse fark song that every Rizzles Girls should listen to. Right. Now.

A play on Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory", "The Edge of Gayzzoli" has some really perfect lyrics. A few highlights:

...You're on the edge of gayzzoli, and we're waiting on the moment with you... ...Already drunk before the theme song even plays...

Go check it out. You can download it as well so you can listen to it while working out or, you know, however else you may choose to burn the calories from your Rizzolified pumpkin spice latte. We'll be posting the lyrics as soon as Holly shoots them our way. ;-) In the meantime, go listen to it again. You know you want to!

Screen Caps for 2x10

@SashaASource (sasha-alexander.org) has posted some really great screen caps from the season finale. Go check them out!

What Did You Think? 2x10- Remember Me?

Tell us your thoughts on the season finale? Are you as giddy as we are?

Season Finale Monday!

Monday is fast approaching, and, with it, the season two finale. Are you ready? What are you doing to prepare?

Make sure to follow Jane (@JaneRizzoli / FB) and Maura (@MauraIsles / FB) for whatever crazy shenanigans might come with season finale celebrations!

Snarker Reviews 2x09

Snarker sacrificed her last tidbits of Labor Day to write this. We better go check it out!

It’s a beautiful morning in Boston. Dr. Maura Isles answers the knock at the door in slinky high-heeled boots only to find Det. Jane Rizzoli on her doorstep adjusting her Ponytail of Sporty Butchness (not unlike the Ponytail of Righteous Justice, but less likely to pack heat). Jane looks Maura up and down and, while appreciating her sexy ensemble, chastises her immediately for forgetting their crack-of-dawn run – the crack-of-dawn run which was Maura’s idea in the first place.

Check the rest here.

Tess Comes Back to the Couch!

We asked you a few weeks ago to send in questions you would like to ask Tess, and we would pick a few and pass them along. Tess was able to answer them just after getting back from being overseas, and we've very grateful for her time. Here's what she had to say:

__________________
Hi Tess,

The ladies at Rizzles Girls are just tickled to death that you’ve agreed to answer our questions again this year. Thank you so much for being willing to take a little time for us. We’ve been gathering, and here’s what our followers would like to know.

Several of our followers said they really enjoyed Bone Garden. Are you planning to write another historical fiction piece?

A: I loved that book -- in fact, it's one of my two favorite books, but I'm afraid it didn't sell very well. Which is why I probably won't be writing another historical novel. I'm not sure the audience is there for such stories, which is a shame.

Beth (RizzoliQuotes) asked:

I'd like to know what you have planned for Jane in the future. Will you continue to humanize her or ground her a bit? Maybe show more of a contrast between living as a homicide detective and as an average, everyday woman?

A: I'm trying to show a bit of that with every book. In recent stories, I've shown her (and Gabriel's) struggles with parenthood. Regina is a stubborn kid who doesn't like to sleep, and in ICE COLD, you see the exhausted parents trying to figure out how to get their kid to bed. Jane must also struggle against Gabriel's requests for her to back down, for her own safety. And motherhood has made Jane a little more cautious, a little less likely to do dangerous things.

Shauna (dietcokebottle) asked:

Did you ever expect such a high interest or success in the series when you first began writing it? How did you come up with the idea of a detective and coroner working so closely together?

A: The partnership happened organically, through the development of the stories. Jane was introduced in THE SURGEON as a minor character who somehow took over the story. Maura was introduced as a minor character in the follow-up book, THE APPRENTICE. Their working relationship developed over time, and over the course of the next few books, until suddenly they had formed both a team and a friendship. I never imagined there would be such a long-running series, nor did I ever imagine that friendship would morph into a TV show. None of this was planned; it just happened, as it does in real life!

Liv (adm_hawthorne) asked:

How do you feel about your audience; have you seen a shift in the types of people who read your works?

A: At the beginning of my writing career, my audience was 75% female, mostly women age 40 and older. As time has gone by, I'm noticing larger numbers of younger readers, male readers, and definitely more lesbian readers. It's been wonderful seeing the audience expand, and I'm thrilled that so many have discovered Jane and Maura.

Soledad Brewster asked:

What was your inspiration for Maura?

A: Me. Really. The instant she walked on the page, I felt that she was a stand-in for my own personality, which is logical, scientific, and a bit socially awkward. I've often felt I had a touch of Asperger's syndrome, and if Maura comes across that way, then there's a reason for it. It's also why so many of the minor details about her life (what make of car she drives, which colleges she attended) is taken from my own life. Interestingly, the first time Exec Producer Janet Tamaro and I met, she instinctively knew where Maura came from -- and she also knew Maura had Asperger's.

SVURizzoli asked:

Why did you start writing?

A: I started writing at age seven because I wanted to tell stories. That's the short answer. I was already an avid reader and daydreamer, and was always making up stories to amuse myself. When I started reading the Nancy Drew mystery series, I got hooked on that genre and knew that was exactly the sort of book I would someday write.

Lucille asked:

Do you ever miss practicing medicine?

A: It's been over twenty years since I practiced medicine, so I would be dangerous at it now. While I loved the sense of being needed, of doing something vital for humanity, I found I couldn't combine that demanding work with being a mother to two young sons. So it was for personal reasons that I left the profession. Now I've been away from it so long that I wouldn't be qualified to go back.

Nittwitt227 asked:

Of all the Rizzoli & Isles books you’ve written, which is your favorite so far?

A: It's hard to choose, but I think either VANISH or BODY DOUBLE would be my favorites. Then again, there's ICE COLD which I thought was a thrill to write as well!

Cret Kid asked:

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystical aspects to The Mephisto Club and The Keepsake. Will you be bringing more of that into later works?

A: The Mephisto Society will play a role in the book I'm writing now, which takes place in the mysterious Evensong School, which was started by the society. So you will be seeing more of the society -- and Anthony Sansone.

Ice Cold was wonderful; bringing Maura out of her comfort zone. I also loved the character of Rat; and bringing back characters from The Mephisto Club and The Keepsake. You've done so again in The Silent Girl. Is it hard to integrate characters from previous stories into your newer work? Or does the interactions of the story lines make the stories easier to write, or to draw more readers to the series?

A: Some characters are naturals as recurring characters. Rat, for instance, who was so important to Maura's survival is sure to come back. And Sansone, who's so very sexy and mysterious, needs to come back again as well! But some characters experience such a dramatic arc in a single book that there's no way to gracefully have them return. Iris Fang, for instance, suffered so much in THE SILENT GIRL that I need to let her go her way in peace. I never plan big multi-book arcs for characters; these situations have to happen naturally, out of the stories themselves.

SydneyGirl1903 asked:

I also loved Ice Cold because we learned so much more about Maura and her desire to help the kid, maybe wanting to be a Mum herself? I was wondering if you will elaborate on that somehow. If Maura, too, could have a child in the books? Is Daniel Brophy going to be back at some point? Or will Maura finally find someone who will fully commit to her alone?

A: I don't believe that Maura will ever have a child of her own, but Rat will certainly take on that role in many respects. The relationship with Brophy has run its natural course, although there will still be painful encounters in the future, simply because they are bound to see each other again because of their jobs. As for romance in Maura's future, I'm not certain what lies ahead. I'll have to find out by writing the next few stories.

An Anonymous follower asked:

Tess! I love all of your R&I novels. Would you ever consider featuring Maura's neighbors more? Specifically her lesbian neighbors? They're both civil rights attorneys. I just think that's cool. It would just be really cool to see a lesbian featured. To read a story written by you about someone who could be like me :)

A: That's a really good idea, one I hadn't considered! I introduced her lesbian neighbors quite a few books ago, without planning to involve them more deeply in a future plot, but you've got me thinking...

Erin asked:

Do you have a specific writing style, i.e., do you block out certain times to just sit & write? Also, at this point, do you envision an end to the Rizzoli & Isles series, or are there still plenty of ideas/avenues for you to explore with them (hopefully so!)?

A: I generally start writing mid-morning, writing my first drafts with pen and unlined typing paper. (Yes, I'm one of those old-fashioned writers who can't compose fiction on a computer!) I try to produce about four pages a day, however long that takes. -- sometimes a few hours, sometimes all day. And I never plot out my books ahead of time, so those first drafts wander all over the place as I try to figure out the villain. As for the Jane and Maura series, I can't say I see an end to it yet, not while there's still life in these characters.

I just wanted to comment that I am thoroughly enjoying the Rizzoli & Isles series. I have loved the law since I was 6 years old (yes, 6!) ... and this series combines both of my loves: the law & medicine. Your writing is very infectious & is made that much more believable due to your medical expertise. Thank you for this fantastic series & for the inspiration that has become the TV show which has brought so many of us fans together. I hope to one day be able to meet you & express my thanks in person.

A: Thank you so much! It means a lot knowing how much you're enjoying the series!

Ems asked:

What would you like for readers to take away from your books?

A: Every book has its own theme and message. In MEPHISTO CLUB, it was an exploration of the age-old question: what is evil? Is it real or merely a philosophical concept? In THE SILENT GIRL, it's that justice is never black and white; sometimes a crime must be committed for justice to be done. And in THE BONE GARDEN, I wanted to acquaint readers with the turbulent history of medicine, and how genius -- and true scientific progress -- may go unrecognized for decades.

Tess Recaps 2x08

Here is Tess's recap of 2x08 from The Mothership:

My Own Worst Enemy (Season 2, Episode 8)

When a mysterious man from Maura's past turns up on her doorstep, she joyously welcomes him into her arms. Now home from his charity work in Africa, Dr. Ian Faulkner (guest star Jonathan Cake – Desperate Housewives) is dashing, passionate and the love of Maura's life. So why doesn't she breathe a word about him to Jane? It's Angela who discovers that Ian has moved into Maura's house, and when Jane hears about it, she's none too happy that her best friend has kept this important secret from her.

Those secrets make it difficult for Jane and Maura to work together on the new murder case they're investigating: an attack on a father and son outside a restaurant. The dead shooting victim is the father, Evan Dunbar, who owned numerous businesses in town. His severely injured son Christopher is now recovering, but he can't remember any details of the attack. It looks like a simple mugging-gone-wrong, and when a junkie with the murder weapon is later found dead of an overdose, the case seems neatly tied up. But Jane's instincts tell her it's all too neat, and she's not about to stop digging for more information.

Jane also can't stop digging into the background of Maura's live-in lover. She soon learns that Dr. Ian Faulkner is not who he appears to be, but she worries that telling Maura of her suspicions just might end their friendship.

2x09 - What Do You Think?

Doyle's return. Tommy's beautiful mind. Jane's sensitivity... and a murder or two on top of that!

What did you think of last night's episode? How did you feel about the dynamic between Jane and Maura this time? Was Tommy a worthwhile addition to the storyline? Did you facepalm at Angela's scene? Tell us!

Laughter and Dead Bodies

Great little article about the humor in R&I at the NewOK.com:

Janet Tamaro, “Rizzoli & Isles creator and executive producer, wanted to give her show a very realistic splash of comedy. Before working in TV, Tamaro was a journalist, covering cynical cops who used humor to deal with the darkness of their jobs.

Check the rest here

Dorothy Does 2x08

Snarker's review of 2x08 is up, and, if you haven't, you should go read it now:

I felt a great disturbance in the Gayzzoli last night, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. And those millions of voices were crying, “Wait, what? No gayzzoli before the opening credits?” Sorry, no gayzolli before the credits. Just a father and his grown son assaulted by an armed gunman who then kills the older man. What is this, a real crime show or something?

At Casa Isles-Rizzoli, Dr. Maura Isles is working late when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Ian. We don’t like Ian immediately. We don’t like Ian because as soon as Maura opens the door she jumps into his arms and they start making out. In fact, we hate Ian. That lucky bastard.

Check the rest here.

Casting News

In case you missed it, according to TVLine.com, Lisa LoCicero of General Hospital fame has signed up to be a murder suspect. Set to air in December, "Don't Stop Dancing, Girl" should prove to be interesting. Go check out the rest (and a few spoilers on the episode) here.

Recap/Reviews - 2x08

Yup, 2x08! We're a little behind and very sorry about that! We promise we'll get these up much quicker for last night's episode.

TVFanatic.com:

You know when Maura Isles hides something important from her best friend, there's something off. That something would be Maura's wandering lover, Ian, and he sent Jane's cop senses pinging.

Check the rest here
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Examiner.com

Angela: “It hurts your feelings that she is not confiding in you. I’m sorry sweetheart.”

Jane and Maura’s friendship has always been at the heart of the show. They are best friends, but viewers don’t always get to see just how much they mean to one another. Sure, there is the banter and the obvious friendship there in the writing, but this episode showcased how much Maura’s friendship means to Jane.

Check the rest here
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NiceGirlsTV.com

This week’s episode of Rizzoli & Isles felt disjointed. Was it just me? Admittedly I was distracted by the appearance of Jonathan Cake (Cole Barker on Chuck!) and trying to figure out who he was to Maura, but the case of the week never engaged me and what was the deal with the foot fungus/ingrown toenail subplot? Throw in Ma Rizzoli’s sudden foray into becoming a certified organization specialist and this one was all over the place.

Check the rest here
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Butch In Progress:

This dad is reuniting with his son when an attacker bursts in, punches them and kills him. Bad end to dinner.

Following the titles Maura’s in her jammers drinking wine and looking tired.

Check the rest here
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DaemonTV.com

RIZZOLI & ISLES “My Own Worst Enemy” Season 2 Episode 8 – In this episode, something is afoot in Boston – and no, I’m not talking about Jane’s ingrown toenail or Korsak’s foot fungus. First off, a man is murdered in front of his son and soon the team is caught up in a case full of drugs, nail salons and kidnapping.

Check the rest here