Tess Gerritsen is an American author and former physician who is best known for her crime fiction novels. She is the author of the Rizzoli & Isles series, which was adapted into a popular television show. Her first novel, 'GRAVITY', was published in 1999 and she has since written over 20 books. Tess Gerritsen is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Nero Wolfe Award for her novel 'The Surgeon'.