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On Call
St. Edith's has served the local community for 150 years, but is under threat of being swallowed up by the more glamorous and modern Thorpedale General. How will this affect the people who work and are cared for there? Thirty-four year old Chrissy Galloway decides to return to the nursing profession, her home town, and St. Edith's, but her return is full of complications she had not foreseen. Chronicling the lives and loves of a group of doctors, nurses, and patients, Anita Burgh weaves a rich and wonderful tapestry of characters.
- GenresFiction
416 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 1998
39 people want to read
About the author
Anita Burgh
54 books27 followersAnita Burgh was born in Kent. She began to write in her late forties and was first published at the age of 50. She has subsequently had 23 novels published, numerous articles and short stories. Her themes are those of class, rejection and wealth. She writes books set in the modern world but also historical novels set in Victorian and Edwardian times – her latest being The Cresswell Inheritance trilogy. She has been a member of the RNA for many years, was a committee member and has been short-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year award. Now in her 70s, she enjoys teaching and mentoring others who are, as yet, unpublished. She continues to write novels, proving that authors never retire.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 20, 2017
Oh dear! No Margaret Atwood is Anita. Very readable,summer read. Short sentences, not poetic at all. Glad it is off my shelf and now at the op shop.
January 25, 2008
This is a modern medical mild thriller and light romance - not the sort of thing I'd normally read.
It focuses on St Edith's, a community hospital which is in danger of closing. It features Chrissy, a nurse who recently lost her husband and has moved back to her home-town to take a senior post at St Edith's. Unfortunately not everybody is happy for her to have this post, and she finds herself in the midst of conflict almost immediately.
At the same time there are clearly some underhand discussions going on, and a few unscrupulous people who care nothing for the patients.
I thought it was very well-written, and also felt the characters were fairly well-drawn and rounded; there were a couple of particularly delightful redoubtable elderly ladies featured, and I could easily get a feel for several of the other characters.
My main problem with this book was the sheer number of people involved, most of whom were introduced within the first few chapters, switching scenes rapidly and leaving me bewildered about who was who. Perhaps this would have worked in a film - a snapshot of different places, following a few significant people going about their everyday lives or having a secret conversation. But in a book, with name after name and little to go on visually, I lost track very quickly; I was about half-way through the book before I had sorted out the major characters, because in the early chapters it wasn't really obvious who the most important people were.
I found the plot a little melodramatic too, and rather too easily resolved in the end with an intense and rather quick conclusion. There were one or two surprises, which were unexpected but almost too much so - I found them not entirely believable. I also found it hard to believe that the few unscrupulous people could really be as bad as they were made out to be!
I doubt if I'll read it again, although who knows? I might come across it in a few years and try it again. I liked the style - it was eminently readable, and I mostly kept interested although I have to admit to skipping a few chapters in the middle which didn't seem to be moving anywhere.
It focuses on St Edith's, a community hospital which is in danger of closing. It features Chrissy, a nurse who recently lost her husband and has moved back to her home-town to take a senior post at St Edith's. Unfortunately not everybody is happy for her to have this post, and she finds herself in the midst of conflict almost immediately.
At the same time there are clearly some underhand discussions going on, and a few unscrupulous people who care nothing for the patients.
I thought it was very well-written, and also felt the characters were fairly well-drawn and rounded; there were a couple of particularly delightful redoubtable elderly ladies featured, and I could easily get a feel for several of the other characters.
My main problem with this book was the sheer number of people involved, most of whom were introduced within the first few chapters, switching scenes rapidly and leaving me bewildered about who was who. Perhaps this would have worked in a film - a snapshot of different places, following a few significant people going about their everyday lives or having a secret conversation. But in a book, with name after name and little to go on visually, I lost track very quickly; I was about half-way through the book before I had sorted out the major characters, because in the early chapters it wasn't really obvious who the most important people were.
I found the plot a little melodramatic too, and rather too easily resolved in the end with an intense and rather quick conclusion. There were one or two surprises, which were unexpected but almost too much so - I found them not entirely believable. I also found it hard to believe that the few unscrupulous people could really be as bad as they were made out to be!
I doubt if I'll read it again, although who knows? I might come across it in a few years and try it again. I liked the style - it was eminently readable, and I mostly kept interested although I have to admit to skipping a few chapters in the middle which didn't seem to be moving anywhere.
April 8, 2018
I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. It's definitely light hearted reading, ideal for someone who enjoys a murder mystery but doesn't want anything gruesome. I read it very quickly and it was easy to get into. There was some really relatable characters. I would definitely read another of Anita Burgh's books but I think I'll probably stick to my more gruesome novels for now.
June 22, 2024
Quite a fast paced medical crime thriller, this “On Call” by Anita Burgh.
More at
https://vramonline.wordpress.com/2024...
More at
https://vramonline.wordpress.com/2024...
January 10, 2015
A thoroughly fun romp around a small town hospital with all the dramas, romance and murder that go with it. Lovely holiday reading, wouldn't recommend if you are looking for any depth. A bit of a Jilly Cooper type style.
March 19, 2012
Good. A dark twist. I liked reading about the hospital as it was set in '90's when I was first in hospital, so lots was familiar.
July 29, 2016
Good story, nicely written - bit predictable but I would recommend this book.
December 23, 2012
Gave up reading
September 10, 2016
Transferred from spreadsheet
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews