Reviewed by Rebecca Holmes for Readers' Favorite

Shadow in the Ward by Ari Gray is a gripping medical sci-fi thriller set in the not-too-distant future. From the perspective of a veteran emergency physician, an eager medical student, and a brilliant programmer, we are drawn into a chilling 'what if?' tale about artificial intelligence in healthcare. Dr. Winter believes he has unlocked a new era in medicine by developing the first fully automated healthcare providers, capable of making accurate medical diagnoses and administering complex patient care without human intervention. Feeling burnt out from years of night shifts in the ER, Dr. Kelley leaps at the chance to experience automated healthcare and assess its capabilities for himself. Yet inside the state-of-the-art Premier West Hospital, all is not as it seems. Are Dr. Kelley and his new colleagues witnessing a healthcare revolution? Or will a fundamental flaw in the programming turn the automation dream into a nightmare?

Filled with accurate medical science and plausible future enhancements for the year 2042, Shadow in the Ward is equal parts frightening and fascinating. While the biomedical terminology and graphic descriptions are not for the faint of heart, this book has a unique soul and perspective that speaks of author Ari Gray's real-life clinical experience. It serves as a welcome reminder of the endless battle fought by unsung heroes in emergency rooms every day while providing a cautionary tale of how easily AI could potentially be misused and spiral out of control. The last third of the book just flew by - I couldn't read fast enough to see how it would end. If medical thrillers are your jam, this book is for you!

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Coded to Kill by Marschall Runge is a gripping medical thriller set in North Carolina that delves into the dark side of technological advancements in healthcare. The story revolves around implementing the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system at Drexel Hospital, designed to revolutionize medical care by providing instant access to patient records. However, as the EHR gains momentum, it becomes a tool for unimaginable power and an efficient killing machine. Dr. Mason Fischer, a physician with a mysterious past, becomes entangled in a web of conspiracy when patients start dying under suspicious circumstances. The novel introduces a diverse cast of characters, including RT, a streetwise techie, and Dr. Carrie Mumsford, an internal medicine resident connected to the hospital's president, her father. As the death toll rises, the group discovers a sinister plot orchestrated by a former NSA honcho, Hugh Torrence, who seeks to exploit the EHR for his nefarious purposes.

Coded to Kill is a masterfully crafted thriller that skillfully combines elements of espionage, technology, and high-stakes drama. With a keen understanding of the medical field, Marschall Runge delivers a gripping narrative that explores the potential dangers and ethical complexities of the Electronic Health Record system. The characters are well-developed, each adding a unique layer to the intricate plot. Runge's writing is both detailed and deft, creating a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The novel not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the intersection of technology and healthcare ethics. Coded to Kill is a thought-provoking read showcasing Runge's storytelling and medical knowledge expertise.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Unblinded by D. Michael Hallman is a suspenseful crime thriller with a fascinating premise that teases the senses. When Dr. Paul Lazarus, a university researcher, discovers a wonder drug that will potentially repair damaged optic nerves and perhaps allow people who have been blind, even for decades, to regain their vision, everyone is naturally excited and agog over the prospect. Tests on rats and primates have been overwhelmingly successful, with no noticeable side effects. It is time to test this miracle drug on humans. Initially, a very low dosage of the drug is administered to just ten blind people in a Phase I trial. The sole purpose of Phase I is to monitor the patients for any side effects from the drug. Nobody expected significant results in patients’ vision with this part of the trial, so when two of the participants had seemingly miraculous recoveries from low dosage, excitement ran high as to the potential of this new wonder drug. Trey Osborne’s sight is miraculously totally restored after three years of complete blindness. Kathy Wright’s eyes are also totally restored but, having been blind for around thirty years, her brain is unable to reestablish visual pathways and everything is just a jumble of colors and shapes which depresses her deeply. Dr. Paul Lazarus begins to suspect the drug may cause unforeseen psychological changes in its subjects but for Trey and Kathy, these changes could prove to be severe and potentially damaging, as their lives begin to fall apart.

Unblinded is a compelling, exciting, and well-written book. Author D. Michael Hallman knows and understands his subject matter and all the medical aspects of drug trials and protocols. The characters are fascinating and if their vision impairments weren’t enough to have readers empathizing with them, then the issues they faced once their sight was restored will certainly be enough. I particularly appreciated the consideration the author gave, through Paul’s character, as to whether the behavioral changes the drug was suspected of causing were behavioral characteristics that had always been present in the individual. I also enjoyed the dilemma faced by medical researchers everywhere when they desperately want a drug to be successful, either for the good of humanity or even just for the millions of dollars the drug will rake in for them. I thought the author presented both sides of this argument exceptionally well. It was clear that when a drug is having the desired medical benefits, it is easy to gloss over any possible side effects and suggest they are probably not even related to the drug. Ultimately this story is about morality and coping with a massive change in life but the author made it interesting and fun by including a good old-fashioned detective drama in the narrative. This was an exceptionally enjoyable book to read and I can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Doctor Lucifer is a work of fiction penned by author Anthony Lee in the medical thriller, suspense, and action genres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to the presence of strong language and violence throughout. This intense and gripping novel explores the terrifying intersection of cyberattacks and medical care as Dr. Mark Lin faces a hacker known as Doctor Lucifer, who manipulates medical records to harm patients. Despite Mark's efforts to defend himself and his patients, he is blamed for medication errors caused by the hacker. As Doctor Lucifer escalates the threat, Mark must navigate a world of technological warfare and personal vendettas to stop the cybercriminal's deadly actions.

Author Anthony Lee has a real knack for tension, crafting an exhilarating dive into the world of cybercrime and medical suspense that successfully blends elements of thriller and wider social commentary on the vulnerabilities of modern technology. This solid foundation of realistic and well-thought-out concepts allows the character-driven drama to shine. The character of Dr. Mark Lin, with his cynicism and determination to protect his patients, captivated me from the start, and he was well-drawn with close narration and excellent speech and thought presentation. Lee's depiction of cyberattacks and their real-world consequences added a chilling layer of realism to the story, and the pacing was superb as Mark raced against time to stop Doctor Lucifer at all costs. There are plenty of those heart-in-your-throat moments to captivate suspense and mystery fans alike, and the novel's deft exploration of ethical dilemmas and the dark side of humanity was both compelling and thought-provoking. Overall, I would highly recommend Doctor Lucifer to medical thriller readers everywhere, and I eagerly anticipate future work from this accomplished author.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Awakening: What Lies Inside by Davina Reddic is a psychological thriller. When Em James wakes up, she feels like she has the worst hangover ever. She shivers, she aches, and her head is pounding. Em can’t keep her eyes open, but as she drifts, she begins to describe her tortured life of loss and love. But there’s more to this than a hangover. Could it be that someone is trying to bring Em to her knees? As her memories go deeper, they get darker and more tortured, but it soon comes to light that she may not be telling the truth. She’s hiding something, something huge that haunts her, and she has to face her demons. When Em finally wakes up, she shows us her true self and reveals who is trying to bring her down – and why.

The Awakening: What Lies Inside by Davina Reddic is a stunning psychological thriller, totally different from any other I have ever read. This is a debut novel but it’s a pretty explosive one, a fantastic start to what I believe will be a fulfilling career. This book is for adult eyes only as it covers some sensitive subjects that could be triggers for some readers. This is one of the twistiest thrillers I’ve ever read, and just when you think you have it all worked out, you’ll be sent off on another tangent that takes you in a different direction. This is one wild ride that you will not forget for a long time. The writing is wholly gripping, suspenseful, and full of surprises – you’ll never guess the ending, not in a million years! This is a very brave debut. Davina has all the hallmarks of an excellent writer, and I hope there is plenty more to come.

Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

Jenna Podjasek pens a hold-your-breath, action-packed medical thriller in her debut Particles in the Air. Dr. Mallory Hayes works at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. She enjoys her work and has a boyfriend and a close relationship with her family. Other than being claustrophobic, Mallory’s life is good. Dr. Erik Lindgreen, a genius-level research scientist in the field of gene therapy, works at Paragon Genomics in Sweden. Erik is meticulous, arrogant, and prone to acts of violence. When Erik’s manipulative dark side takes a diabolical turn for the worse, he is called into a meeting and fired! Driven by revenge, Erik partners with a local radical Islamic cell group to engineer a deadly virus. He will have his fame in one way or the other. During the development of this despicable plan, a record-breaking tsunami hits the coast of southern California. Thousands are killed, and tens of thousands are missing. This disaster is perfect for an act of bioterrorism. Dr. Mallory Hayes finds herself in the middle of this horrendous outbreak, fighting against a biological evil never seen or imagined before.

Particles in the Air by Jenna Podjasek is a thrilling read. Time is counting down, pages must turn quickly to keep up with the fast pace of the plot. Podjasek pens short chapters, changing locations often, interconnecting the characters in the timeline of events. The narrative reveals what happens when a sociopathic scientist and ISIS pair up with the disastrous force of mother nature. As she states: “Nature isn’t always predictable,” and neither are Podjasek’s characters. The heroine’s supporting characters shape, sharpen, and prove her dynamic growth throughout the narrative. Likewise, the evil cohorts entangling the villain and his malevolent scheme fuel the fire of good versus evil at an accelerated rate. The surprising twists and unexpected turns propel the action and create an oh-my-goodness shock and awe factor. Podjasek being an immunologist pens authentic science, making bioterrorism real and threatening, which subsequently makes the virus the ultimate antagonist. This is an extraordinary and equally exhilarating read. I am looking forward to what happens next in the life of Dr. Mallory Hayes.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Burned Out is a medical thriller by Dean Mafako. Eric Philson’s life is perfect on the surface. However, he feels too comfortable in his profession and unchallenged. Eric is offered a job at the Children’s Hospital of Biloxi; he has to build the cardiac intensive care unit. Eric will be provided with any financial support he needs to hire the necessary staff and purchase equipment to construct the cardiac unit from scratch. When Eric arrives at the hospital, he realizes many things have been withheld. There is a shortage of nurses, and he disagrees with the procedures being followed. However, Eric will do everything he can to provide the best medical treatment for his patients.

Burned Out by Dean Mafako is complicated and intriguing. I was hooked from the start until the end. I could not put it down and kept turning pages, afraid I would miss something. A surprise was always waiting around the corner, and I never knew what to expect next. I was drawn into the life of a doctor willing to sacrifice everything to achieve his goal. The medical terms and practices are never overwhelming. I was drawn into the medical world, and the story was easy to read and follow. It opened my eyes to the sacrifice medical staff make to do their best for patients. The characters were brilliantly developed. They were authentic and relatable. This story is excellently written and exceeded all my expectations.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

The Algorithm Will See You Now by JL Lycette is a prophetic medical thriller set in the year 2035, where artificial intelligence serves as a medical diagnostician. One doctor questions its efficacy and ramifications, and it doesn’t stand well with her superiors. Doctor Hope Kestrel is a High Resident at Prognostic Intelligent Medical Algorithms, a Seattle-based hospital taking a quantum leap in diagnostic services, and which is about to merge with Seattle Healthcare Associates. PRIMA is everything that Hope has ever wanted in a healthcare system, the one she wished had existed for her ailing mother. But despite PRIMA’S optimization to help patients flourish, it still makes an error. One patron or patient that is admitted into the service triggers Hope and her intern, Jacie Stone, to scrutinize and investigate. Hope begins to doubt the infallibility of the algorithm. She will come face to face with Marah Maddox, an imposing figure in the business, where Hope will discover a dark secret in the creation of the algorithm.

The Algorithm Will See You Now brings you a theme that is sublime and alternately shocking. The story touches on a subject that we have all experienced. If you have ever gone to the hospital for treatment, this tale is enough to reverberate in your heart and soul. JL Lycette takes inspiration from the medical field and with visionary panache gives you a jaw-dropping what-if scenario in the future of medical diagnostics. The pace has the right balance between building up the tension and giving revelations. Details are evocative and the medical jargon is easy to understand. The fascinating subject matter and the bravura of its protagonist make the medical innovations mesmerizing to read about. This story has an intense emotional structure that will appeal to fans of medical thrillers.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Is it too early for me to say that The First Harm by Steven Piskula is the best medical thriller I’ve read this year? Perhaps…but it’s going to take a far more chilling and better-written novel than this one to supplant it. Firstly, too many medically-based thrillers are so heavy on medical jargon I end up skipping pages. Secondly, I rarely, if ever, read a 300-plus page in 2 days, but this one kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Now that’s my kind of novel, regardless of genre.

Picture if you will, a brilliant, but smug scientist hell-bent on saving mankind from succumbing to crippling old age by modifying weaknesses in our basic DNA. A noble mission, but getting the formula perfect is a challenge without being able to use humans. It’s also expensive and ultimately requires the use of nefarious methods. When Tanna, a first-year med student, spots an anomaly during a dissection and shares her discovery with her roommate, her world is turned upside down. Suddenly Tanna is on the run from a hired assassin out to silence her. Who wants her and Jason, her unexpected protector, dead?

With the skilled eye of an award-winning screenwriter, Steven Piskula takes Tanna, Jason, and readers on a thrilling motorcycle ride through traffic-clogged streets as the pair, now suspected of murder, race to get proof of their innocence into the hands of those who can exonerate them. Piskula makes it so easy to experience all the exciting action as if it were on the big screen. What a fabulous movie this would make! Marvelous visuals, snappy dialogue, and nasty characters contrast sharply with Tanna’s innocence and the burgeoning romance between Jason and Tanna. And then there is that clever twist at the end that lets you close The First Harm with a satisfied sigh. This is superb writing from a skilled author whom I am delighted to have discovered. So, as I asked at the beginning of this review, is it too soon to consider this the best medical thriller I’ve read this year? Don’t think so!

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Barren is a mystery novel by J.J. Savaunt about women who have fertility issues. When Dr. Jacqui Stevenson receives a promotion, she believes it to be the opportunity of a lifetime. Jacqui is expecting to help women with fertility issues conceive. Instead, she discovers that after they sign the paperwork, their most precious organs are harvested and transplanted into someone else. When Jacqui realizes the truth, she cannot walk away. Her daughter Ashley’s life is on the line. Elsewhere, Officer Justice Reeves has a new colleague, as his previous partner, Mason, was shot while on the job and is in a wheelchair. Officer Reeves misses working with him. He notices that females are disappearing. Justice has a mother and a sister, Grace, and he wants to solve the mystery of these missing women.

Barren by J.J. Savaunt is intriguing, compelling, and thrilling. I was hooked from the beginning and could not stop turning the pages. It was a suspenseful story and at times scary. The doctor was supposed to help women, but by helping them, many other women were hurt. The events were vivid and descriptive. I could not imagine what the women were forced to go through. The themes of abortion, human trafficking, and race are handled with great sensitivity. The characters were well-developed and authentic. They grow throughout the story and are relatable. I was pulled into this world of wealth, inhumanity, and crime. The story was well-written, and the ending was captivating.