Tess Gerritsen Releases New Martini Club Novel
The former physician’s third book in the series explores the lives of retired intelligence officers living in Maine.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
Live Poll
Would you be comfortable if a local author used your life as inspiration for a novel?
Author and former physician Tess Gerritsen has released her latest novel, The Shadow Friends. The book is the third installment in her Martini Club series, which follows the lives of retired intelligence officers in Maine.
Why it matters
While this is a fictional release, fans of Gerritsen’s work—which includes the Rizzoli and Isles series—often engage with her characters to explore themes of aging and community. Her writing draws on her background as a medical doctor and her observations of retired professionals in her home state.
Gerritsen has authored 33 novels throughout her career, achieving global sales of 40 million copies. Her works have been translated into 40 different languages.
The players
Tess Gerritsen
A former medical doctor and prolific novelist known for the Rizzoli and Isles crime series and the Martini Club series.
The details
The Martini Club series is inspired by the author’s observation that many former CIA and State Department personnel choose to retire in Midcoast Maine. The narrative focuses on five retired spies navigating their post-career lives in the region. This series marks a departure from her previous crime fiction but maintains the focus on character-driven suspense.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The Shadow Friends was released.
Health Landscape
The Martini Club series serves as a fictional lens into the lives of retired professionals, reflecting real-world migration patterns of retirees to coastal Maine. This series follows the author’s extensive previous work, including the globally recognized Rizzoli and Isles crime franchise.
Engaging with literature and complex narratives is often cited as a healthy way to maintain cognitive stimulation in later years. While this book is for entertainment, reading and social connectivity remain positive habits to discuss with a physician as part of a brain-healthy lifestyle.
The takeaway
Maintaining cognitive activity through intellectually stimulating hobbies like reading can support brain health as you age. Consider adding narrative fiction to your daily routine to stay mentally engaged.
Further reading
Explore more about how creative engagement affects cognitive health in our Alzheimer’s section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wabi.
Live Poll
Would you be comfortable if a local author used your life as inspiration for a novel?
