New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen knows
how to expertly dissect a brilliantly suspenseful story, all the
while keeping fascinated readers riveted to her side. By turns
darkly enthralling and relentlessly surprising, THE KEEPSAKE
showcases an author at the peak of her storytelling powers.

For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten
in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its
sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an
attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy
--- to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact --- seems a
ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But
medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message
hidden within the corpse --- horrifying proof that this
“centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder
victim.

To Maura and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, the forensic
evidence is unmistakable, its implications terrifying. And when the
grisly remains of yet another woman are found in the hidden
recesses of the museum, it becomes chillingly clear that a maniac
is at large --- and is now taunting them.

Archaeologist Josephine Pulcillo’s blood runs cold when the
killer’s cryptic missives are discovered, and her darkest
dread becomes real when the carefully preserved corpse of yet a
third victim is left in her car like a gruesome offering --- or
perhaps a ghastly promise of what’s to come.

The twisted killer’s familiarity with post-mortem rituals
suggests to Maura and Jane that he may have scientific expertise in
common with Josephine. Only Josephine knows that her stalker shares
a knowledge even more personally terrifying: details of a dark
secret she had thought forever buried.

Now Maura must summon her own dusty knowledge of ancient death
traditions to unravel his twisted endgame. And when Josephine
vanishes, Maura and Jane have precious little time to derail the
Archaeology Killer before he adds another chilling piece to his
monstrous collection.

THE KEEPSAKE © Copyright 2011 by Tess Gerritsen. Reprinted
with permission by Ballantine Books. All rights reserved.