Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In Tangled Darkness by M.M. Desch, Dr. Leslie Schoen has just learned that her wife, Izzy, is pregnant. As Leslie was leaving her office, she opened a letter that informed her of an investigation initiated by the Oregon Medical Board regarding her possible misuse of medication samples for patients. Leslie was unaware of who had filed the complaint or how she would convey this information to Izzy. Damon, Leslie’s medical assistant, was absent from work, so she asked the police to perform a welfare check at his residence when she received no response. Detectives Aaron Davis and Adrienne Levy from the Portland Police Bureau came to the office to inform Leslie and the staff of Damon’s death. People will go to great lengths to safeguard their secrets, and Leslie and Izzy find themselves in a dangerous situation. Will Leslie be able to keep Izzy and their unborn baby safe?

Tangled Darkness by M.M. Desch was an exceptional medical thriller. The storyline moved quickly and was packed with so much action that I hardly had a moment to sit back and unwind. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat, flipping pages as quickly as possible. With all the twists and turns, predicting what would happen next was quite a challenge. I made a few attempts, but each time I was proven wrong. The writing style was captivating, allowing me to become immersed in the story. It felt effortless to connect with Leslie's and Izzy's lives and their challenges. The characters came across as genuine and relatable. Each character had a distinctive role in the story, and I appreciated discovering more about them. The story was remarkably crafted and kept my interest from start to finish.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Deadly Vision by T. D. Severin is a high-concept medical thriller that fuses cutting-edge science with heart-pounding suspense. Set in the volatile intersection of healthcare, politics, and personal ambition, this expertly crafted novel follows Dr. Taylor Abrahms, a pioneer in virtual reality surgery, as he races to defend his revolutionary Virtual Heart Project. With the political stakes of national healthcare reform looming and a presidential election in the background, Deadly Vision delivers a timely, tightly plotted story that’s both cerebral and emotionally resonant. Severin’s inside knowledge of medicine lends authenticity and depth, while his storytelling keeps readers gripped from the very first page.

Author T. D. Severin really knows how to amp up the tension, and this makes for a thriller that delivers on every promise and will keep fans enthralled from cover to cover. I enjoyed the medical elements of the story, and it’s clear that the author has done the research for a fully-formed, interesting picture of VR surgery that mixes techno-thriller elements with the more traditional life-and-death stakes. Taylor is a great central figure in the storm of events, and the political complexities bubbling in the background of the plot come to the fore naturally as the tension builds. Great dialogue moments give plenty of information and context without ever sacrificing the pace. Overall, Deadly Vision is a brilliant work of thriller fiction with twists aplenty, and I highly recommend it to fans of medical thrillers seeking something fresh and complex in the genre.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Doctor Witch by Frank J. Edwards is a gripping medical thriller that blends psychological suspense with real-world urgency. Dr. Jack Forester, once a frontline emergency physician and now a medical school dean, finds his life upended when an old nemesis resurfaces in the form of an unhinged former colleague turned serial killer. As cyber threats loom and hospital walls close in, Jack is thrust into a high-stakes battle for survival, both professionally and personally. Alongside this chaos, he takes on the guardianship of his niece Kaitlyn, a brave teen trapped in a toxic home life who unwittingly stumbles into the villain’s sinister plot. Tautly written and emotionally resonant, the novel explores trauma, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of justice in a world where medicine and morality collide.

Author Frank J. Edwards has a keen sense of pacing and knows just how much of the next twist to reveal in this pulse-pounding thriller that never needs to sacrifice its heart. There’s a deeply considered commitment to character development from cover to cover that makes the characters seem chillingly real, and their psychological complexity keeps readers guessing about who to trust and how much. I loved Jack as a central figure and perfectly capable hero with authentic experience on the battlefield. He is developed with sensitive dialogue that keeps him vulnerable and capable of flaws, and that certainly adds to the stakes of the drama. The medical details of the work are also described well, bringing authenticity and grit from the ER to every page for maximum life-or-death threat. Overall, Doctor Witch is a highly recommend read for anyone seeking a unique blend of medical drama and cyber-noir suspense to keep you immersed from start to finish.

Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Security personnel initially assumed that a terrorist group was responsible for the explosion that occurred in the hospital parking garage, wounding one of AJ Docker's colleagues. A closer look reveals fresh evidence that suggests a darker scheme is at play. Motivated by his relationship with the victim, Docker attempts to solve the crime. He teams up with his dependable canine companion Banshee and good friend Lana Hearn and, together, they take on the criminal underworld. They have no idea that their activities will attract the attention of unscrupulous individuals who are prepared to twist the laws of the land to suit their nefarious purposes in Gary Gerlacher's Sin City Treachery.

Gary Gerlacher adopts a darker undertone in Sin City Treachery, a slight departure from his typical lighthearted approach in the AJ Docker Medical Thriller series. The character development is concise, and readers will find their motivations easy to understand, thanks to the well-developed origin stories. The humor is subtle, particularly when Rick and Lana team up to help Docker, which creates thrilling, suspenseful scenarios that will excite even the most jaded reader. Gerlacher's distinct storytelling approach uses much detail to describe the antagonists' actions, from the robberies to the murders, which gives a layer of realism while creating the impression that the antagonist and hero are on an intellectual equal footing. His masterful use of graduated pacing to combine all these elements will have readers on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out who will emerge victorious. Sin City Treachery is crime storytelling at its finest.

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 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 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 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 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 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.