The Surgeon- An Utterly Unputdownable and Pulse-Pounding Packed With Twists and Turns.
The book details on the Kindle Edition reads as follows:
Trusted surgeon. Loving wife. Murderer?
Before my world came crashing down, I had it all. The Successful career I dreamed of. The beautiful red-brick home where I could relax in front of the fire. The handsome, devoted husband whose blue eyes and charming smile always made me feel safe.
As I call time of death, my voice is steady. My colleagues stand hushed around me, their eyes on me, confused, concerned.
I have never lost a patient until today.
My hands tremble inside their gloves. I slide down the cold tiled walls, my heart racing in my chest.
I have never hated a patient until today.
But what choice did I have, once I recognised him?
And what will I do to protect myself, if someone learns the truth?
My Review of The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe
The book's title and subtitle are captivating, intriguing and inviting the readers for an immediate takeaway.
A psychological thriller, Surgeon, is the story of Dr. Anne Wiley, a forty-one-year-old surgeon with an impeccable record in cardiothoracic surgery. She is a beautiful blonde with wavy hair, blue eyes, and prominent cheekbones. Year after year, she is chosen to be the face of the prestigious hospital on billboard advertisements.
She has everything in her life: money and a supportive husband whose blue eyes and charming personality imbue her with trust, confidence, and safety. She also has an impeccable professional track record. As a little girl, she had her first operation on a Christmas turkey on their kitchen table under the tutelage of her father, Dr. Wiley; her mother is a retired medical nurse.
She has 12 years of experience in her field. Then it happened; Caleb Donaghy, a patient on whom she was performing the cardiothoracic surgery, did not survive. Until then, she never had lost a patient on the operation table.
She did everything by the book to refunction his heart. While she got busy with all such stuff, she just looked beyond the drape when she saw her patient's face for the first time—she never got a chance to see his face during her operation discussion with him when he wore a ball cap.
She couldn't establish the reason why his heart wouldn't reboot. She did everything right, as per the book. She called the time of death a bit early only after knowing very well that the 'heart compressions' she was delivering wouldn't work.
The book's first chapter opens with the scene of this fatal operation and the doctor calling the time of death of Celeb Donaghy. It ends with her cry,'' Have I just killed a man?"
There are two subplots to the story. No.1: The man who imbues trust in her, her husband, Derreck Bourke, keeps a clandestine, steamy affair with Paula Fuslier. They both take every chance to meet each other in hotel rooms. They have made a pact to support each other to materialise their public life ambition; Derreck to be the mayor of the city and Paula, the public prosecutor.
No.2: Anne's family is still in shock about the circumstances that led to the death of Melanie, Anne's little adopted sister. Caleb Donaghy is connected with her death. The surgeon's family managed very little information about Mealnie's family.
Wait till the end of the story for the twists to bang into your face like a bullet train.
What I like about the book.
👍Surgeon is a fast-paced book, and the narration flows in front of your eyes like a warm spring. You do not go back, creasing your brow to gain some clarity at any point.
👆There is no telling at any point. The opening chapter starts with a fantastic reading experience, giving the readers a step-by-step narration of how cardiothoracic surgery is performed. (I got goosebumps.) The author might have done intense research into the procedures, and she presented them in such a manner without making them mechanical and without losing the drama.
👍The twists in the end are convincing and thought-provoking.
The points I have concerns about the book.
👇I found the story's theme interesting, but not the main character arc convincing. The surgeon gets introduced to you with an impeccable record, the face of the prestigious hospital, on the billboard advertisement. She did everything by the books on the operation table and called the time of death when she was sure his heart wouldn't restart. But then she cries, "Have I just killed a man?"
👇She is also human; her doubt is justified. However, the author makes her continue with her lamentations for over one-third of the book. That strategy might keep the reader stuck with her and their sympathy juice flowing. But will they? I was baffled at the contradiction—a surgeon with impeccable credentials, fame, and a track record crying on and on about something that happened as she assured herself she did everything right. I didn't DNF the book.
👇How the surgeon's family failed to get Melani's family details all those years from the adoption system in a country known for keeping the records for everything remains an incongruity to me.
Conclusion
Have you read the book? Please share here your opinions. I recommend it for the positive reasons I mentioned.
My rating for The Surgeon is 3.8/5
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
24 comments
I am intrigued by the plot. It sounds very emotional and dramatic. A doctor in trouble makes for a good read. Keeping it for my new year list!
ReplyDeleteYes, it has intrigue and emotional drama. The reason I proceeded to read it despite I got dragged by the initial cloud of sympathy that misted the novel in the beginning.
DeleteThe plot is captivating; a doctor, a woman, is going through a lot of drama and emotional upheavals. You will like it.
ReplyDeleteThis book is in my TBR for long mentally but not physically and today your review gave me the kick again so that I finally end up buying a copy for me.
ReplyDeleteMy review inspired you to get a copy of the book. It has made my day. 😊
Delete'The author makes her continue with her lamentations for over one-third of the book.' That right there is what makes a or breaks a book for me in terms of characterization. Despite the many +ves you have mentioned and which had me curious, once I read this -ve I became instantly skeptical because such writing and characters frustrate and trigger me
ReplyDeleteI don't have an iota of doubt about your judgment, dear :)
DeleteWhat a detailed review Prasanna! It has been far too long since I read something in the medical genre.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your good apprecaition, Harshita. I also do not deny the genre's influence in choosing it for reading.
DeleteQuick read thrillers are my fixes, so I might pick this one up based on your review.Somehow the way you described the plot sounded more fascinating than the book itself.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for that fascinating statement about my review :)
DeleteHeard that "Thrillers and mysteries provide puzzles to work through, like an obstacle course for the brain." It seems that this book will do justice to the statement.
ReplyDeleteHi, Anuradha. I love the statement you made about the brain.
DeleteThere seems to be too many sub plots doing the rounds so perhaps a maybe pick from my end. But really enjoyed reading your detailed review.
ReplyDeleteSubplots are not lazy. It takes the story forward. I'm excited to read your good words about my review. Thank you.:)
DeleteYou’ve captured the tension and complexities of Dr. Anne Wiley’s life so well. The intertwining subplots add depth, making the story even more compelling. Your insight into the characters’ motivations and the unfolding drama really draws readers in. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve captured the tension and complexities of Dr. Anne Wiley’s life so well. The intertwining subplots add depth, making the story even more compelling. Your insight into the characters’ motivations and the unfolding drama really draws readers in. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThat was an inspiring comment from you, touching every aspect of my review. Thank you, and looking forward to reading more support from you.
DeleteI appreciate how you detailed the book's compelling opening and the intricate details of the medical procedures, as well as your honest critique about the main character's arc and the unresolved subplot. This provides a clear and fair picture for potential readers. Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive review!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comprehensive and diagnostic comment; it inspires me constantly.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your reviews, Prasanna. An author's take and the nuances that we as regular readers usually miss. The book sounds interesting. One that shows and does not tell.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ritu, I am excited to read about your positive highlights in my reviews. It motivates me to do it better every time.
DeleteI am completely taken away by the way you depict the plot and the reason of reading this book. I am intrigued by the subplots and want to know what was the secret lurking throughout.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shifali for your kind appreciation of my review, which inspires and motivates me to do better each time.
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