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Michael J. McLaughlin

Goodreads Author

Born

in Brooklyn, NY, The United States

Website

https://mclaughlinbooks.com/

Genre

Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

Influences

Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, Stephen King, John Grish ...more

Member Since

September 2021

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Michael J. McLaughlin, MD, is the award-winning author of thriller novels, including NO HARM INTENDED, EXTINCTION, FUGUE, and WOODS. Following earlier careers as a surgeon and the owner of a medical writing business, he now writes full-time in New Jersey, where he lives with his family. Learn more at mclaughlinbooks.com. Follow on social media @mclaughlinbooks.

FROM THE AUTHOR:

Dear Readers,

I'm sincerely grateful to you for reading my books.

I’ve always loved to read and write. Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is still one of my all-time favorite books. I read all the Hardy Boys stories before graduating to Agatha Christie’s mysteries. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and her other classics are among my most cherished books. At age ten, I Michael J. McLaughlin, MD, is the award-winning author of thriller novels, including NO HARM INTENDED, EXTINCTION, FUGUE, and WOODS. Following earlier careers as a surgeon and the owner of a medical writing business, he now writes full-time in New Jersey, where he lives with his family. Learn more at mclaughlinbooks.com. Follow on social media @mclaughlinbooks.

FROM THE AUTHOR:

Dear Readers,

I'm sincerely grateful to you for reading my books.

I’ve always loved to read and write. Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is still one of my all-time favorite books. I read all the Hardy Boys stories before graduating to Agatha Christie’s mysteries. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and her other classics are among my most cherished books. At age ten, I wrote/illustrated a Hardy Boy-esque short story collection, THE MYSTERY LIVES OF KEN, BOB, AND COMPANY.

Though a biology major and pre-med in college, my favorite two courses were small workshops on poetry and short story writing. It didn’t take long to figure out that my poetry sucked. Really bad. Seamus Heaney even told me the poem that got me rejected (twice) from the poet laureate’s course was “disgusting.” That ended what could have been an unsuccessful career in poetry and perhaps turned my attention to thrillers, where I’m encouraged to disgust readers.

Medicine was my first career. My interest in anatomy and an affinity for blood (other people’s) left me with three possible career paths – becoming a surgeon, writing about killers, or becoming a killer. I started with surgery, nudging to the side creative writing and murder most foul. I continued to write short stories, usually at odd hours in bizarre places, while earning a living through other means. Ideas for novels piled up while I awaited my chance to write them.

When I decided to change careers, medical writing was the obvious choice – an option that combined my two life-long passions. I worked for two medical communications companies before starting my own with a partner. At Peloton Advantage, I became proficient in writing, meeting deadlines, and withstanding critics.

My first novel, EXTINCTION, was part medical thriller. Once a doctor, always a doctor, I suppose. I’ve incorporated some aspect of my medical career into my novels, often including an ailment as an obstacle or a doctor trying to save the day. My favorite example of this is in WOODS, where Tempest battles severe headaches, a medical problem my family knows all too well. I can’t wait for you to meet the doctor in my upcoming thriller, NO HARM INTENDED.

My wife and I have three wonderful daughters. They inspire my characters, who talk in my head until I share their voices with readers. The strength of my female protagonists comes from the four of them. I hope that, in return, my novels inspire my kids to rise above adversity and persevere. I also hope my stories scare the crap out of their boyfriends (and now a fiancé, and eventually husbands). Why such a sadistic desire? Someday remind me to tell you the story about my father-in-law showing me how well he shot a gun.

Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Michael Palmer, Neil Shulman, and others taught me physicians could become successful writers. I enjoy reading Stephen King, John Grisham, James Patterson, Billy Shakespeare, Dean Koontz, Gillian Flynn, Lucy Foley, and many other thriller writers. Through the International Thriller Writers, American Mystery Writers, Liberty States Fiction Writers, and other writing organizations, conferences, and events, I’ve met many authors and publishing professionals who are now friends and inspire me. I’m grateful to be part of this community. Please continue to support these authors’ work by reading their books and leaving reviews.

Thanks again to you and everyone else who supports my writing career. I hope you enjoy my books.

- Michael J. McLaughlin ...more

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Combine Editions
Michael J. McLaughlin’s books

Average rating: 4.51 · 200 ratings · 84 reviews · 6 distinct works • Similar authors

	No Harm Intended 4.64 avg rating — 44 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Do You Feel Like You Wasted All That Training? Answers About Transitioning to Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians 4.09 avg rating — 43 ratings — published 2013 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Extinction 4.50 avg rating — 36 ratings — published 2013 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Woods 4.65 avg rating — 34 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fugue 4.57 avg rating — 28 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Satin Strangler Blogs by N. Michael Caputo, Michael J. McLaughlin (Goodreads Author) 4.94 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Michael J. McLaughlin…

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Michael J. McLaughlin's Blog

Author’s Choice Interview

Fellow thriller author, James M. Jackson, recently interviewed Micheal J. McLaughlin for the Author’s Choice blog. They discussed No Harm Intended, two truths, one lie, and a wide variety of writing topics, everything from character names to creativity-enhancing snacks. Here’s a brief excerpt:

Q: If your main character in this novel showed up at your door right now, what would be the first thing

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Michael’s Recent Updates

Michael McLaughlin wants to read The Strangers by Naomi Alderman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 27, 2026 06:30AM · like
Michael McLaughlin wants to read Building 903 by Lois Lowry (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 27, 2026 06:30AM · like
Michael McLaughlin liked Kristin McLaughlin's review of Red Rising (Red Rising Saga, #1): "great start to a series! The pov character has everything I look for in a long series. A fiery sense of justice, a heart, and some complications. I'm looking forward to the next one. "
Aug 26, 2026 08:31AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Red Rising by Pierce Brown <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael McLaughlin wants to read Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 22, 2026 12:13PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Michael McLaughlin entered a giveaway One Split Second (Tracy Crosswhite, #12) by Robert Dugoni (Goodreads Author) 100 copies available, ends on September 14, 2026 Enter to win »
Aug 22, 2026 12:09PM · like · see giveaway
Michael McLaughlin wants to read The Witch by Freida McFadden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 20, 2026 06:33AM · like
Michael McLaughlin wants to read The French Illusion by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 20, 2026 06:33AM · like
Michael McLaughlin wants to read Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Michael McLaughlin wants to read Big Little Truths (Big Little Lies, #2) by Liane Moriarty (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Quotes by Michael J. McLaughlin (?)

“It was almost winter solstice when I arrived. That’s when the earth is furthest from the sun. Machaj Mara, the New Year. The locals believe that on that morning, the first rays of sunlight are a rebirth, connecting the universe to their hearts. That day I went to the ancient city of Tiwanaku, stood in the cold with a crowd of strangers, holding my hands in the air. And I could feel it. I tell you I could feel it come through me.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Fugue

7 likes

“It’s like all those kids at your concerts, holding their hands over their heads. I think that’s what they feel. The energy. The connection. A rebirth.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Fugue

7 likes

“Survival in the woods relied on completely different skills, some we might have to discover in ourselves along the way, and others we might never possess.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Woods

7 likes

See all Michael J. McLaughlin's quotes »

Michael’s Quotes

“You’re in search of your past. But think about that. Are you sure you want to find everything that was once swirling around in your head and cram it back in?”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Fugue

7 likes

“I’m not allowed to have regrets . . . Most people spend their days thinking about the past, and the rest worrying about the future. They’re rarely living in the moment.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Fugue

7 likes

“Every sound is death around the corner. Every breeze through the trees is a ghost from your past.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Woods

7 likes

“We were prey trapped in the woods. He was the predator, stalking and plotting. From that moment on, escaping seemed impossible.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Woods

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“I want you to suffer as much as possible, and you have to stay alive to do that. But I want you to spend every day being reminded of how big of a mistake it was to underestimate me, to double cross me.”
― Michael J. McLaughlin, Extinction

7 likes

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