The Surgeon's Blade

Diana Rivers #3

by Faith Mortimer

Mystery-suspense-thriller writer, Faith Mortimer is delighted to add book three to the best-selling Diana Rivers mystery thriller series. This latest novel, "The Surgeon's Blade" is chilling, tense and is described as a 'real corker of a read'. Nursing sister, Libby Hunter wakes up in hospital with amnesia after a traumatic sailing accident. The stranger she finds sitting by her bedside claims to be her fiancé. As she cannot remember ever being engaged, she finds excuses to put him off until she is completely sure of her true feelings. Returning home, Libby finds herself in great danger when her house is broken into. Who is the intruder and what does he want? Is this connected in any way to a series of attacks on nurses in London and Southampton? Will Libby be the latest targeted victim? Distressed Libby turns to helicopter pilot, Robert for help and understanding, but is he as respectable and kind as he appears to be? Is her so-called fiancé, Nigel trustworthy? The night time intrusion into Libby's house sets in motion a downwards spiral of cataclysmic and terrifying events, culminating in our favourite sleuth, Diana Rivers stepping in to help solve the case in this chilling mystery

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Faith Mortimer was born in Manchester and educated in Singapore, Malaya and Hampshire, England. A Registered nurse,then changed careers to oversee a number of travel and sport related companies. Faith is happily married and has two children. She lives in the south of England and so far, has written three series of books which are also, all standalone novels.

ALL BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK & EBOOK FORM:

NEW! PARADISE PRISON published 7th Jan 2017 #4th book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series http://amzn.to/2gD2u8G

A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR #5 book in the Very Affair series (all standalone). Set in England and Australia. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Distant...

THE GREEN ROOM #3rd book in The Dark Mind Psychological Thriller Series. Is NOW published!! Set in England http://amzn.to/1N1t7rO

THE ASSASSINS' VILLAGE,#1 Diana Rivers Series Murder mystery set in Cyprus. This novel was chosen by Harper Collins/Authonomy to be the Number 1 book. ttp://amzn.to/1DJ0s8r

CHILDREN OF THE PLANTATION,#2 Diana Rivers Series, murder mystery, set in Malaysia during the 1950s & the present. http://amzn.to/1AX0NVA

THE SURGEON'S BLADE,#3 Diana Rivers Series A tense psychological thriller set in England. http://amzn.to/1IAgrX8

THE BAMBOO MIRROR. An eclectic collection of short stories, covering ghosts, murder, mystery, romance and greed. http://amzn.to/1xOEeB1

THE SEEDS OF TIME BOOK 1 THE CROSSING. Set in Europe. Romance/Drama/Action. http://amzn.to/1AFLC43

HARVEST BOOK 2 THE CROSSING. Set in Europe. Romance/Drama/Action http://amzn.to/1shmqhs

CAMERA ACTION...MURDER! #4 Diana Rivers Series Mystery/suspense. Set in England. http://amzn.to/1tVdq2y

A VERY FRENCH AFFAIR,Edgy romantic drama.Set on the south coast of France. http://amzn.to/17taQH1

CHILDHUNT #5 Diana Rivers Series. Psychological Suspense Thriller, set in Cyprus. http://amzn.to/1AX02Mg

ON DEVIL'S BRAE #1 in the Dark Minds Series, set in Scotland: Psychological Suspense Thriller http://amzn.to/14FJqMY

ON CHRISTMAS HILL A Seasonal Romance in The Very Affair Series, set in England. http://amzn.to/1y2LJn0

A DEADLY LEARNING,The 6th #Diana Rivers Mystery suspense, set in Portugal. http://amzn.to/1y0q6GU

A VERY ENGLISH AFFAIR - Edgy romantic drama, set in England. http://amzn.to/14FJfRQ

BEHIND A TWISTED SMILE - #2 Dark Minds Psychological Thriller, set in England. http://amzn.to/1AWYEcy

NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS - Edgy romantic drama in The Very Affair Series, set in England. http://amzn.to/1y2Lpog

THE GREEN ROOM #3rd book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series. Set in England http://amzn.to/1N1t7rO

A VERY DISTANT AFFAIR Taut romantic drama, set in England and Australia. http://amzn.to/2hqySYN

NEW! PARADISE PRISON published 7th Jan 2017 #4th book in The Dark Minds Psychological Thriller Series http://amzn.to/2gD2u8G

I'm always glad to talk to readers & answer questions...contact me:

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Website,
http://www.faithmortimerauthor.com

Happy reading and thanks for dropping by!x

Reviews

[Kathy Manns055 · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you know when you’ve got a good book on your hands? Answer: you can’t put it down!

That was my experience while reading “The Surgeon’s Blade,” a psychological mystery/thriller by author Faith Mortimer.

It didn’t take long for me to become caught up in Ms. Mortimer’s book. From the start, the story’s quick pacing grabbed my attention and then refused to relinquish it. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning, unwilling to put the book aside. I had to know the answer to the question that every engaging author teases us with: what happens next?

Indeed. Bleary-eyed and tired, I kept promising myself I would close the book after just one more chapter… and, then, just one more. Finally, better judgment prevailed (and the knowledge that a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call comes mighty early), and I forced myself to lay the book aside until the next day. That was no easy feat – Ms. Mortimer accomplished the aim of all good authors: she had the reader hooked.

“The Surgeon’s Blade” concerns the plight of Libby, a young nurse working at a hospital in Southampton, England. We soon learn that someone with deadly intentions is preying upon nurses at Libby’s hospital and that Libby may be next on the stalker’s list of victims.

Also employed at the hospital is Nigel, the brilliant, enigmatic surgeon Libby is dating. Something is not quite right with Nigel. He is secretive and controlling, and we see these qualities come especially into play after Libby is injured during a yachting race. With casual disregard, Nigel continues on with the race while the unconscious Libby is airlifted for treatment at the hospital in which she is employed. During the short flight, she momentarily awakens and attracts the attention of the handsome helicopter pilot, Robert, and soon we have a love triangle between Robert, Libby and Nigel.

When Libby regains consciousness, she has partial memory loss and this allows Nigel to manipulate her into believing the two of them are engaged. Deftly, Ms. Mortimer then weaves a tale of intrigue and mystery. She provides us with just enough knowledge of the characters surrounding Libby to make us suspicious of the motivations of each. A master of misdirection, Ms. Mortimer had me guessing to the end of the book who the stalker might be; I was constantly revising my notions regarding the identity of the madman.

Laying the pieces of the puzzle out for us, Ms. Mortimer encourages us throughout the story to try to fit them together. Just when I thought I’d figured out who the perpetrator was, she surprised me. The story has careful plotting and by the book’s end I saw how well the puzzle had indeed come together. Best of all, the story moves with confident assurance; never does it drag or get weighed down by needless description.

Kudos to Ms. Mortimer for an engaging mystery, and one so neatly tied together. This is a story that will keep you guessing and surprise you. Is there anything more a reader can ask of a good mystery? I don’t think so.

I’d like to thank Ms. Mortimer for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Ciclochick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have said this twice before when reviewing Faith’s books, and I will say it again, because the compliment is warranted all the more. There is no doubt that Faith is well on the way to becoming the 21st century Agatha Christie. Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple will live on for many years; look out for Diana Rivers who will be making her name as a modern-day, fictional amateur sleuth. She appears in two of Faith’s books as well as this one and this is one more mystery for her to solve.

Pretty blonde nurses are going missing and being stalked in two hospitals – in London and in Southampton…..

Libby Hunter is a pretty blonde nursing sister working in a Southampton hospital – a perfect employment location to pursue her love of sailing. Not only does she get to sail in prestigious yacht races, but she can indulge her passion in the sport with her new yacht-owner boyfriend, Nigel, a prominent, successful, wealthy, good-looking and eligible surgeon. However, a head injury sustained during a race on Nigel’s boat gives Libby two dilemmas – temporary amnesia and an attraction to the helicopter rescue pilot who transports her to hospital for treatment.

As Libby’s memory gradually recovers, she becomes confused by Nigel’s behaviour and actions and by her feelings towards her hero pilot whose support is becoming invaluable. If that wasn’t enough, she is further unsettled by an intruder into her home one evening – worrying because nothing was stolen or disturbed…….in the meantime, the hospital stalker is stepping up a gear….or two….

This is a page-turner that keeps you on your toes. Why does Nigel keep disappearing to his London flat? Why is his ex-wife there? Why is Robert so supportive, yet mysterious, especially about the attractive woman and baby Libby sees him with? Why is the gentle, amateur dramatics aficionado, but uncommunicative hospital porter, Peter, so worried about Libby? What is troubling him about his sighting of the stalker? Each time you are led down a path of suspicion, you are diverted down another. If you think you are going to outwit this author, think again.

Faith is a very methodical and organised author. Her attention to detail is impeccable. Her knowledge and/or research of the sailing fraternity and amateur dramatics is detailed and faultless. Faith sets an immaculate scene and no stone is left unturned. She carefully makes each character believable and imaginable and the dialogue is natural and uncontrived. The result is a perfectly flowing, effortlessly readable and thoroughly enjoyable book.

This is the third of Faith’s books I have read and all I can say is, well done, very well done once again, Faith. Next please!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby is working as a nurse in Southampton, outside of London. She felt that it was the perfect place to work because she would be by the water and could participate in her favorite hobby sailing. She has recently begun to date a doctor on the staff but per his request they are keeping their relationship a secret. One nasty, rainy day Libby and one of her best friends, Jem, a male nurse are set to be part of the crew for the doctor that she is secretly dating in a race. During the race, Libby is knocked overboard when their boat is hit and she suffers a head injury that leaves her with memory loss. When she wakes up, she finds that the doctor she is dating is sitting by her bedside saying that she is his fiance and that she should move in with him..... but it just doesn't ring true with Libby so she is trying to hold things off and take things slowly. As Libby is recovering she discovers that nurses are being attacked and one day it happens at her hospital. Libby is beginning to feel as though she is being watched and becomes very frightened. Just who are the people in her life that she can trust???

This was a good mystery that really kept you guessing right up to the end. I am perplexed that it is called a "Diana" mystery because I don't feel as though she figured into solving the case all that much. I felt that her part in this was poorly portrayed if she was supposed to have been the "sleuth". Other than that the book was a good one and I would read other books written by this author.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5
Nursing sister, Libby Hunter wakes up in hospital with amnesia after a traumatic sailing accident. The stranger she finds sitting by her bedside claims to be her fiancé. The trouble is... she cannot remember him... Returning home, Libby finds herself in great danger when her house is broken into. Who is the intruder and what does he want? Is this connected to a series of attacks on nurses in London and Southampton? Is Libby the latest targeted victim?

This is definitely a suspense thriller and will keep you glued to your seat. What is quite different about this one is that usually if the "who done it" is obvious you probably have the wrong person. But this time the clues to the stalker/killer so obviously point in one direction yet the author throws in so many red herrings that I kept changing my mind yet telling myself it had to be the obvious person. You'll have to read this one to find out for yourself. I would have given it a higher score, but the two date rape scenes though not graphic in any way bothered me. I also would have liked Libby to have a better sense of herself and more confidence in deciding about whether a relationship with a particular man was good for her. She seemed to often ignore her instincts. Nigel absolutely drove me nuts and was so self-absorbed and controlling.

A good suspense thriller if you like those that keep you on the edge of your chair.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Diana Rivers series but can easily be read as a stand alone though I think you will be intrigued and want to read them all.

I really am becoming a big fan of Faith Mortimer's book's. I love her style of writing, I know i've mentioned it in reviews on her other books but she really is the modern day Agatha Christie. I know without a doubt that when I pick up one of her book's I won't be disappointed.

This book had me gripped from the start, Diana herself is very much in the background of this story and only really comes into it near the end. The story focuses on Libby a nurse who is experiencing some weird going on's and doesn't feel like everything is as it seems in her current relationship. Due to circumstances she becomes friendly with Robert a helicopter pilot who is Diana's cousin. She turns to Robert to try and make sense of what is happening in her life. Not only are things not right in Libby's life but she is also having to be careful as someone is going around killing and attacking nurses.

Like the other two books before this one, I could not put it down and ended up staying up well past my usual bedtime so I could finish it.

Looking forward to seeing where Faith will take us with the next book. Cannot recommend highly enough.

[Vered · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone is stalking nurses, and Libby’s worried. She has every right to be. After waking up from a bad head injury, Libby can’t remember anything apart from her name. And she definitely can’t remember the man sitting by her bed who claims to be her fiancé. As she struggles to pull her life back together, other nurses are losing theirs to a serial killer and she may be next on that list.

What I liked about The Surgeon’s Blade: I never knew ‘who did it’ until the very end. Faith Mortimer keeps you guessing.

What I didn’t like: Needs more editing. Too much ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’. Some of the dialogue is not natural, like the characters are spelling everything out rather than revealing things as in a normal conversation. If this book were tightened up, it could be a 3.5, if not 4, star.

[Joey Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SURGEON'S BLADE is the third in a series with Diana Rivers solving cases. This book does not focus completely on Diana who comes in at a later date, but with nurse Libby who first suffers an accident that causes her some amnesia. Things only get worse for Libby from there. Mixed in with a love story and never really knowing who the bad guy is you will follow the story and not want to put it down until it's finished. Then you'll sit back and think "wow!"

Faith Mortimer writes a good psychological thriller with sub plots, twists and turns that you'll never see coming. She knows how to keep you reading and interested and had great characterisation. I loved this book and although I have not yet read the first two, or the ones that come after, they will be added to my wishlist and to be read pile immediately. Awesome book, highly recommended!

[Jana Petken · Rating 5 out of 5]

When nursing sister, Libby, wakes up after an accident she finds herself without memory. Something just doesn't ring true in her mind but guided by her fiancé she rebuilds her life. Her attraction for another man irritates her, She is working in a hospital where horrific attacks on nurses have taken place, and begins to suspect that she too, could be in danger.

This was a very good read, which gripped me because of the way the author keeps you guessing. I wanted to know who the villain was but it could have been one of a few characters. It was well written and descriptive. It had all the ingredients that good mystery murder books should have and was told in such a way that only towards the final chapters did I learn the truth. Good writing, well crafted dialogue and constant guessing games all contributed to a very good, highly recommendable novel.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a murder mystery with psychological under tones and lots of suspense that you really won't be able to guess until the very end! There are about 3 or 4 of the character's who for one reason or another could be the stalker who is murdering blond nurses!! I read this one from cover to cover non stop and throughout kept thinking to myself--is it him--no--maybe him--wow-it must be him-only to be ultimately wrong!

There are lots of other books in this series all of which I plan on reading at some point--luckily they are all stand alone!! Faith Mortimer is definitely going on my list of favorite author's for this genre!!
The Surgeon's Blade

[Hilary Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting, gripping, well written book that is a must read to any discerning reader.

I was kept guessing all the way through this book and therefore was compelled to read and read. I expected a twist which didn't happen, but far from being disappointed, this kept me hanging in there waiting to see what transpired. I did not guess 'who dun it' until the end as it could have been any number of people which is part of the beauty of the way the book is written.

I believe Behind a Twisted Smile was slightly better than The Surgeon's Blade, but nevertheless I would recommend it to all as a must read as I thoroughly enjoyed the very life like story which could actually happen to anyone. I will definitely be reading more of Faith Mortimer's books in the very near future.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Faith Mortimer, a new writer to me, is the third in a series but stands well alone. It's a thriller/mystery and I didn't have a clue until 92% who was the perpetrator. The book is nicely paced, there are enough potential perps to keep you guessing and the end turns out well for Libby, the heroine.
If I had a quibble it is that she was a bit wet. Things happened to her that would not happen to me twice! Very few typos and a good standard of writing added to the enjoyment of this story. Well worth a read.

[Desley (Cat fosterer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An attacker targeting nurses, and a nurse with 2 mysterious men in her life - how will it end?

I really enjoyed this book, I didn't guess who had done it, and my only problem with it was that I had to go to work and do errands which stopped me being able to read it as quickly as I liked!! A nicely paced book, with plenty of short chapters that kept you wanting to read more, and also plenty of twists that kept you thinking. Can't wait to read more by this author.

[Aunty Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This chilling mystery has twists and turns galore! The plot is believable and the characters were interesting enough to hold my attention.
Libby, a nurse, wakes up from a coma with amnesia, following a sailing accident. Her handsome fiance is by her side, but she has no memory of him or anything else. Then accidents start to happen.....
You don't need to read the other books in this series to enjoy it, but they are good too!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has languished too long on my Kindle! I decided as I had a lull between things that needed reviewed it was this one's turn.

This was a a nice quick read with some interesting characters. I hadn't read any of the earlier Diana River's books but that really didn't matter as she seemed to be more of a background character.

I was kept guessing as to the identity of the villain & at some point I think I'd suspected everyone except the culprit!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't yet found a book by Faith Mortimer that I have not loved. This one was no exception. I was hooked from the first page. The story moved quickly and decisively with the author throwing in red-herrings along the way so that the reader suspected everyone. And the real villain came as a complete surprise. Wonderful story, Faith, must get round to the others on my Kindle!

[Ed Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good suspenseful book. Had a little trouble with the "English" since the book was written in London, but other than that, it was a book I could not put down. Read in 2 days, and the book is over 300 pages.

[Awesome Indies Book Awards · Rating 4 out of 5]

AIBA Book of the Day: 7 October, 2021: 399/41454

Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include THE SURGEON'S BLADE (The Diana Rivers Mysteries #3) by FAITH MORTIMER in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.

[TeriC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting with a surprise ending.

[Shirley McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. Very quick read with lots of suspense and likeable characters.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my first book of faiths and wont be my last i was hookedfrom beginning to end

[JACQUELINE WATSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice , gradual build-up !

This was an easy to follow , entertaining suspense novel . It also kept me guessing about Who did it , until
The very end . Very well written .

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Diana Rivers Mystery thriller. When Libby has an accident on the sailing boat skippered by her partner, a man who does not want their relationship made public, she ends up in hospital suffering from a head injury and amnesia.

But as her memory returns, there are parts, including her “engagement” she fails to remember. During her recovery, she is visited by Robert, the pilot who airlifted her to safety from the sea. The pair fall into a friendship. But is this friendship, or her engagement all they appear on the surface.

[Elusive · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 'The Surgeon's Blade', young nurse Libby wakes up in the hospital with no memories of what had happened. She is greeted by the sight of a handsome man Nigel who claims to be her fiance. As time goes by, she gradually regains her memory but nothing is the same anymore. She feels like someone is stalking her and knows that someone has broken into her home. In the meantime, she can't decide whether she wants to be with Nigel or the nice pilot Robert. Is Libby safe and more importantly, can she trust anyone around her?

Initially, this story was engaging and promising. I've always liked the idea of an amnesiac character who realizes that something is wrong yet not knowing what, who or why. It brings up the question of whether the character is a reliable narrator too. However, here the story got pretty annoying quickly thanks to the unlikeable main character, Libby. She was dumb, naive and too trusting. Her colleague summed up my thoughts perfectly: You say you've been experiencing some odd feelings about being watched and yet you're so silly, letting strange men into your house.

Libby was simply too careless for my liking. Even though she knew there was an intruder / stalker lurking around, she took forever to call the police. She couldn't even change the locks or take preventive measures without Robert's help! Besides that, her actions contradicted her feelings most of the time. She was scared yet she had no problem trusting Robert. She kept procrastinating when it came to breaking up with Nigel even after he raped her. Oh and she also couldn't say NO when she was being plied with wine! Seriously, calling her an idiot would be a major understatement.

As for the mystery, it was disappointingly predictable. In the first place, the pool of suspects was a pretty small one so I was hoping that the perpetrator would be someone less obvious. It'd be far more shocking that way. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the most obvious suspects. The motive was believable but the police's incompetency was hilarious as hell. It didn't help that Libby had all the clues staring at her right in the face but she was too distracted by hunky Robert to put two and two together. Have I mentioned that she's dim-witted?

The worst thing about this book was hands down the dialogues. Every single conversation sounded stilted and unnatural. Plus, the characters (especially Robert) at times spoke many long sentences without taking a breath! How realistic is that? It was so bad that I couldn't focus on the story. The dialogues didn't sound like the way actual people would talk. To make things worse, none of the characters had their own unique voice. You could flip to any page, read a random sentence and it'd sound like something any one of them could have said.

Overall, 'The Surgeon's Blade' was painfully dull and long-winded due to the repetition, unconvincing romance, moronic main character and awful dialogues.

[Bette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sailing accident results in Libby being knocked overboard and knocked unconscious. When she awakens she can’t remember her name.
The doctors tell her it is traumatic stress amnesia and that she will get her memory back.

Slowly, Libby is putting the pieces of her memory together but the one thing she can’t remember is being engaged to Nigel or the ring he claims he was having resized for her.

This is a different take on waking from an accident scenarios that I have read in the past. A relaxing, well-written story.
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[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libby is a nurse with a difficult love life, further complicated by anxiety about an attacker targeting hospital staff.

[Judi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Melanie-ann Diesel]

An undemanding fast read. Target audience probably much older women who like a happy ending. It just irritated me. The main character is a pain in the butt and the three 'suspects' are all one dimensional characters that it was hard to care at the end who the villain actually was.