High Acuity

by Harry Colfer

It’s hard to restart your life, when the past keeps cutting like a knife…

On returning to his home town of Brisbane, intensive care paramedic, Jonothan Byrne, wants to put his past behind him and forge ahead to a brighter future. But fate conspires against him. A juggernaut of a reunion heads his way, and only he can recognise a chance meeting for what it a terrorist plot. Will he be able to thwart their plans, or is he destined to become another victim? The clock is ticking…

Written by an award-winning author, who is also a critical care paramedic, this gripping story is told in real time over thirteen hours from the viewpoint of various characters. On a day that starts with Jono just wanting to fly under the radar, it soon soars out of control, trapping him on a flight towards the unthinkable. So, strap yourself in and stow away your tray tables, you’re in for one hell of a heart-stopping ride!

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2023

About the author

Harry Colfer is the pseudonym of a critical care paramedic who lives and works in Brisbane, Australia. Although his stories are totally fictional, his writing style is very realistic and he maintains a healthy level of paranoia with respect to his anonymity.

Other than the Ambo Tales From The Frontline series, he has written two full length novels featuring the same characters, a murder mystery, Dead Regular, and the thriller sequel, Beneath Contempt. He is currently writing the third novel in the Jono series, High Acuity, with the fourth and final book existing only as ideas, notes, and a title, Show Cause.

Reviews

[Glenys Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Love reading a book based in my home town. Edge of your seat excitement.

[Jacki Shapland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read once again from “Harry”. Jono sure lives life in the fast lane 😊 can’t wait for the next adventure 😊

[JordanH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shrewdly titled, 'High Acuity', this book takes the nefarious events of Jono's day to new heights. The story delivered from the perspective of various protagonists is highly enjoyable.

[Ian Coombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi acuity is high octane anxiety. Difficult to put down because there's so much to need to know about what's going to happen next. Full of details that only a paramedic would know. Another exciting story about Jono and his unorthodox approach to the paramedic world. Loved reading it. If you've read the others, you won't be disappointed.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!

[Jenelle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again Colfer delivers the nail-biting, page-turning drama I've come to expect, with Jono remaining the reliably real, 'warts and all' hero. Keep 'em coming, Colfer.

[Ian Coombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having devoured Harry's other two scintillating novels (and his collected short stories), I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Hence, when I was asked to be a beta-reader, I was flying high to be one of the first to read it. The structure of this novel, by timeline and character Points of View, sates a ravenous hunger to get to each new chapter. Normally, I enjoy short chapters because I can put a book down and get back to it later, but I simply found it near impossible to put this book down - "just one more chapter" keeping me up too late at night. Besides, the timeline is only 13 hours - if I put it down it would've been over by the time I got back - how could I have gone to bed without finishing it - damn you, Harry! Often, I can find glitches in a novel that jar the reading experience and are difficult to attribute to poetic license, but Harry has gone to extraordinary lengths for easy to read, yet accurate technical detail in High Acuity (evidenced in his acknowledgements), adding to the high-octane pace and credibility. I have again bought copies of High Acuity for my picky book club friends to enjoy.

[Matt Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great third instalment and another gripping read. Book 3 takes Jono’s journey to great heights and brings his old partners in crime into the picture. Great expressive language which easily paints a realistic and impressive picture.

[STEVEN HILL · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute favourite of Harry's for me! Excellent read utter suspension throughout!!
Have passed on to friends and can't wait for the last in this cunning series.

[Geoffery Busiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book, written in the style it was read in, fast and furious. I almost couldn't put it down till the end, but I forced myself to eat and sleep somewhere in the middle.

[Lesley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy now I have found out where the second book was taking me. Nail-biting story. Looking forward to reading more of your books Harry.