Tag: Serial Killer Thrillers

Jack and Laurie Return: Why ‘Night Shift’ Is a Must-Read for Medical Thriller Fans

‘Night Shift’ is the thrilling medical thriller by the master of the genre Robin Cook. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Doctor and author Robin Cook is widely credited with introducing the word ‘medical’ to the thriller genre, and decades after the publication of his 1977 breakthrough novel, “Coma,” he continues to dominate the category he created. Cook has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce thirty-nine international bestsellers, including “Outbreak,” “Terminal,” “Contagion,” and “Chromosome 6.” “Night Shift” is the 13th book in the Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery series. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

“Night Shift” – In this exhilarating new medical thriller, fan favorites Jack and Laurie are lured into the dark underbelly of hospital dangers when an internist dies mysteriously.

Colleagues-turned-spouses Dr. Laurie Montgomery and Dr. Jack Stapleton already have their hands full due to demanding forensic pathology work and family pressures. The last thing they need is the sudden death of a colleague. When Laurie’s apparently vital and healthy longtime friend Dr. Sue Passero dies mysteriously in the hospital parking garage, an autopsy is required. It falls uncomfortably under Laurie’s purview as the chief medical examiner and when Laurie asks Jack to take special care with the case, he can hardly refuse.

With his curiosity sparked by an inconclusive autopsy, Jack is compelled to resolve the case at hand, and sets out to investigate on-site at Manhattan Memorial Hospital, even though it means defying the Office of Chief Medical Examiner’s rules. What started out as an inquiry into Sue’s tragic passing soon turns into a deadly and dangerous chess game between Jack and the clever and deranged killer, who might just administer another lethal blow if Jack isn’t careful.

Review:

Robin Cook’s “Night Shift” is a gripping return to the adrenaline-charged world of medical suspense, where danger is around every corner. In this latest installment, Cook reunites readers with beloved characters Dr. Jack Stapleton and Dr. Laurie Montgomery, a dynamic duo whose chemistry and sharp instincts have made them staples of the genre.

When Dr. Sue Passero dies of an apparent heart attack in her car after a late-night shift, Jack and Laurie are drawn into a murky investigation that reveals alarming vulnerabilities surrounding the the people entrusted to save lives. As Jack digs deeper, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy that blurs the lines between healthcare and crime.

Cook masterfully blends cutting-edge medical details with the fast-paced narrative of a crime thriller, delivering a story that feels urgent and unsettlingly plausible because these cases have occurred in real life. “Night Shift” pulses with tension, balancing scenes of clinical precision with emotional stakes that hit close to home. Longtime fans will appreciate the return of familiar characters, while new readers will find an accessible entry point into Cook’s world.

One way to get readers inside the killer’s mind is by revealing his/her identity halfway through the book. Some readers are put off by this, but I find it fascinating because we get a peek into the killer’s reasonings and plannings and in this case, when the killer goes after Jack, it adds layers to the suspense.For this book, I checked out the audiobook on the Libby app, so that made the action even more exciting.

Overall, “Night Shift” is a gripping page-turner and confirms Robin Cook’s place as a master of the medical thriller. It explores the themes of good vs evil, human nature, death, and justice. Recommended for fans of medical thrillers, it’s a compelling reminder that in medicine, not all dangers are biological.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

New book release: ‘The Ed Gein Chronicles’ by Scott Bowser

‘The Ed Gein Chronicles’ is the new book by Scott Bowser. Photo: Scott Bowser, used with permission.

Even though I have read my fair share of true crime books, I admit the topic can be unsettling because the events really happened. These books are about real events and people, some of them dealing with serial killers. One of the best known is Ed Gein, who was a murderer, suspected serial killer, and body snatcher who committed the crimes around his hometown in Plainfield, Wisconsin. (Wikipedia) If you like true crime books and want to know more about Ed Gein, consider today’s new book release “The Ed Gein Chronicles” by Scott E Bower. It is available on Amazon and Goodreads.

Scott E. Bowser is the author of three non-fiction books, “Gein,” “The Travelers Guide to Ed Gein,” and “The Ed Gein Chronicles.” Scott was also on MGM Plus tv show “Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein.” Born in 1964 in Kingsford, Michigan, he lived his young years in Neenah, Wisconsin. He always had an interest in true crime whether it be reading about it or watching it on tv. Now living in Wisconsin Rapids, he gives Ed Gein tours in his spare time in Plainfield. He keeps on studying about Ed Gein and serves on the Board of Directors for the Waushara County Historical Society & Museum. He is currently writing a screenplay for his first book “Gein.” (Scott E. Bowser, 2023)

“The Ed Gein Chronicles” – Edward Theodore Gein was one of the most notorious murderers in U.S. history. The particularly bizarre and morbid nature of his crimes shocked the world, even though it may never be known if he committed more than two murders. Besides the death of his brother in 1944 under mysterious circumstances, six people disappeared from Wisconsin towns of La Crosse and Plainfield between 1947 and 1957. Gein was conclusively linked to only two, though it is suspected there were more.

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Book review: ‘The Family Bones’ by Elle Marr

‘The Family Bones’ is the new psychological thriller by Elle Marr. Photo: Amazon

Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of “Strangers We Know,” “Lies We Bury,” and “The Missing Sister.” Originally from Sacramento, Elle graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She now writes and lives in Oregon with her family. In her new book “The Family Bones,” a young woman digs into her family’s shadowy legacy. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Family Bones” – Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture? The story begins with a brief news article about the chaotic events that took place at her family reunion. From there, it goes back two weeks with Olivia going through the 1945 trial recordings of her great uncle Calder Saffron Eriksen, who was charged with patricide, for her psychology dissertation. When she gets home she discovers the invitation to the Eriksen Family Reunion. Although she has kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits, but nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. First, Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river and an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation—and she is following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. No one, not even Olivia, will see the inevitable deadly twist coming.

Nature vs nurture is a frequent topic in stories that deal with psychology and in this case, Olivia is obsessed with her family history because she is nearing the age when most of her family members were diagnosed as “psychopaths” and she fears she may be next. It is fascinating to uncover the family secrets along with her. Halfway through, one begins to wonder if Olivia is the one responsible for the mayhem taking place at the reunion (she is not) and she just does not remember because she is experiencing disassociation from reality. When a book begins with a crowded family tree, you know the character list will be extensive and this one is no exception; it comes in handy as the story develops. It is narrated alternatively though the eyes of Olivia and the true crime podcaster Birdie Tan with newspaper articles filling in the details of the disturbing Eriksen family history. The references to the instances of animal cruelty perpetrated by family members in the past, though only hinted at, are rather cliché and add little substance to the story. Regardless, the language is easy to understand and beautifully descriptive: “moonlight washes the meadow in a white glow.” With relatable characters and a thrilling dialogue driven story that keeps readers guessing until the shocking ending, “The Family Bones” is a must read and recommended for fans of psychological thrillers with smart and multi layered female leads.

“A scream builds in my throat. It scratches at my shoulders, picking my collar. I should be wrestling with some deep-belly grief – the kind worthy of losing a loved one – but I stare at the wool material of the blanket until the urge to fall apart recedes. The precursors of hysteria slink back into the darkness.”

* The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘The Family Bones’ by Elle Marr

‘The Family Bones’ is the new suspense thriller from Elle Marr. Photo: Amazon

Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of “Strangers We Know,” “Lies We Bury,” and “The Missing Sister.” Originally from Sacramento, she graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. In her terrifying new novel “The Family Bones,” a young woman plunges into her family’s shadowy legacy. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Family Bones” – What makes a psychopath? Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture? Although she has kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.

But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river and an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation—and she is following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There is a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia does not see coming.