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Adrenaline #2
The Edge of Death
THE EDGE OF DEATHPowerful creatures have long been rumored to roam the Earth— demons, wraiths, the undead, vampires. What if they are not just the stuff of legend? What if there is a scientific basis for their existence? There’s a secret lab in the basement of the prestigious Buchanan Medical Center, where the newly declared dead become subjects in pathologist Gunter Mueller’s research in cutting-edge resuscitation medicine. None of his subjects have survived—until now. Not only is he alive, Nick Chandler has undergone a chilling metamorphosis into a man of supernatural prescience, superhuman strength, and absolutely no remorse—as Chip Allison and his friend Kristin Duffy quickly discover. Chip is on duty as monitor watcher in the ICU when Chandler is wheeled in; mere minutes later, Chandler has fled into the night, leaving behind a violently murdered nurse, the first of many victims. Besides being an avid dog lover, Kristin has an interesting she takes Kirlian photographs—images of the auras all living creatures give off. When she applies the technique to a photo of Chandler inadvertently captured on the night of his escape, Chandler has no aura. And somehow, Chandler knows she has that damning photograph... Still suffering flashbacks after being attacked by his former boss wielding a bone saw three years ago, anesthesiologist Doug Landry is teaching residents at the Buchanan Med Center during a six-month sabbatical when his wife Laura is seriously injured in a biking accident. When things go terribly wrong on the operating table, Laura is delivered to Dr. Mueller for resuscitation...
332 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2013
311 people are currently reading
2862 people want to read
About the author
John Benedict
5 books240 followersI work as an anesthesiologist and spend a good part of my life putting other people to sleep for all kinds of surgery. It's very interesting and exciting--I get to interact with and help a lot of people in many different situations. However, the hours are tough (24 hour call shifts) and it can be a bit stressful!
One day it struck me-- people place an extraordinary amount of trust in their anesthesiologist (someone they have often just met minutes beforehand) as they are being wheeled in the OR for surgery. Since I read a lot of thrillers, I couldn't help but wonder--what if that trust is misplaced and their doctor is evil? I decided to write a book exploring this chilling concept. 12 years later, Adrenaline was published. The writing/publishing process was a real eye-opener! I learned the value of perseverance and belief in oneself to overcome obstacles.
I am also a husband and father of 3 sons.
Remember--any fool can put you to sleep--it's the one who wakes you up that's important!
One day it struck me-- people place an extraordinary amount of trust in their anesthesiologist (someone they have often just met minutes beforehand) as they are being wheeled in the OR for surgery. Since I read a lot of thrillers, I couldn't help but wonder--what if that trust is misplaced and their doctor is evil? I decided to write a book exploring this chilling concept. 12 years later, Adrenaline was published. The writing/publishing process was a real eye-opener! I learned the value of perseverance and belief in oneself to overcome obstacles.
I am also a husband and father of 3 sons.
Remember--any fool can put you to sleep--it's the one who wakes you up that's important!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 20, 2019
Suppose the legends of vampires and other paranormal creatures were based on more than just fear and superstition. That is the basis of this great book. A doctor discovers a method of resuscitating people from death. He believes it to be a way to save lives that would otherwise be lost. The problem is, as it turns out, that there is a dark side to this supposed miracle. Those who undergo the procedure come back - a little different.
The author, being an anesthesiologist, knows the science behind the story and this adds a whole level of interest to the story. I liked the fast pace of the action and the interaction between the characters. I will definitely read more from this author.
The author, being an anesthesiologist, knows the science behind the story and this adds a whole level of interest to the story. I liked the fast pace of the action and the interaction between the characters. I will definitely read more from this author.
February 24, 2019
Wish I could give it more stars
A truly amazing book, the second one to feature Dr Doug Landry. This one has a supernatural twist which is perfect for me. Dr Mueller is in charge of a special unit dealing with post mortem resuscitation. One of his patients wakes up but is definitely not the person he was, murdering his nurse and fleeing the hospital. The book also features krilian photography. The ending is very satisfying and you want to carry on reading.
Dr John Benedict has done it again. He is now my favourite author, and so deserves that accolade.
A truly amazing book, the second one to feature Dr Doug Landry. This one has a supernatural twist which is perfect for me. Dr Mueller is in charge of a special unit dealing with post mortem resuscitation. One of his patients wakes up but is definitely not the person he was, murdering his nurse and fleeing the hospital. The book also features krilian photography. The ending is very satisfying and you want to carry on reading.
Dr John Benedict has done it again. He is now my favourite author, and so deserves that accolade.
September 9, 2019
Suspenseful
I am not a fast reader and finally finished this book. I didn't realize it was book 2 of s series. That being said, I enjoyed reading this. It was intense and held my interest to the end.
I will definitely look for book 1 and even look forward to his next series. From the 'sneak peek' it sounds just as compelling.
I am not a fast reader and finally finished this book. I didn't realize it was book 2 of s series. That being said, I enjoyed reading this. It was intense and held my interest to the end.
I will definitely look for book 1 and even look forward to his next series. From the 'sneak peek' it sounds just as compelling.
June 19, 2024
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A doctor/scientist experiments with bringing people back to life. When he succeeds, he soon finds there are complications, as his subjects start killing people.
A good update to an old fashioned tale.
A doctor/scientist experiments with bringing people back to life. When he succeeds, he soon finds there are complications, as his subjects start killing people.
A good update to an old fashioned tale.
September 20, 2018
This was a scary, dark medical thriller. There was a bit of paranormal thrown in also. There’s a tiny bit of romance too. If you like a dark, scary thriller then you want to read this. I personally do like this kind of book!
December 28, 2018
Another medical thriller that won't let you sleep.
Dr Landry is back. It's been three years since the incident at Mercy Hospital. He and Laura are doing much better.
Dr Landry is back. It's been three years since the incident at Mercy Hospital. He and Laura are doing much better.
October 21, 2019
I read this book before I read Adrenaline. This was a great medical thriller. Makes you double think about your beliefs and things that are possible. I will look for more books from John Benedict. Enjoyed reading this!!
March 3, 2021
I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.
We find Dr. Doug Landry on a six-month leave from Mercy. He is now giving lectures to students about anesthesia. In one of the lectures that Dr. Landry attended, he listened to a lecture by Dr. Mueller, a pathologist. Some of the medical profession in this story think of pathology as the “basement profession,” if you will, considering Dr. Mueller worked with tissue on slides and corpses and not live beings. Dr. Mueller was studying how to bring someone back from the dead … is a person really dead when they are declared or is there still enough cell activity to bring them back? He did an experiment on one such case, Nick Chandler. The results were not exactly what he was expecting. Chip and Kristin are two instrumental characters in this tale.
I have to say Dr. Benedict has a very creative imagination. He has created somewhat of a Frankenstein-type story in “The Edge of Death.” While it is the book that follows “Adrenaline,” you could certainly read it as a standalone. This book is full of some creepiness that calls into question – is Kirlian photography a real thing? Could this really happen if someone was so inclined to study it further? Creepy good read.
We find Dr. Doug Landry on a six-month leave from Mercy. He is now giving lectures to students about anesthesia. In one of the lectures that Dr. Landry attended, he listened to a lecture by Dr. Mueller, a pathologist. Some of the medical profession in this story think of pathology as the “basement profession,” if you will, considering Dr. Mueller worked with tissue on slides and corpses and not live beings. Dr. Mueller was studying how to bring someone back from the dead … is a person really dead when they are declared or is there still enough cell activity to bring them back? He did an experiment on one such case, Nick Chandler. The results were not exactly what he was expecting. Chip and Kristin are two instrumental characters in this tale.
I have to say Dr. Benedict has a very creative imagination. He has created somewhat of a Frankenstein-type story in “The Edge of Death.” While it is the book that follows “Adrenaline,” you could certainly read it as a standalone. This book is full of some creepiness that calls into question – is Kirlian photography a real thing? Could this really happen if someone was so inclined to study it further? Creepy good read.
March 25, 2014
This sequel to Adrenaline, surpassed my expectations. I really enjoyed the first book but was wary when I picked up the sequel because it spoke of demons and the supernatural, not my preference for reading material. I was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Benedict continued to build suspense and fold in interesting pieces of medical procedure. Again, the characters were well developed and made me really care about what was happening. Dr. Landry, from the first book, continued to hold my interest to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel, though it would read just as well on it’s own.
February 13, 2014
Absolutely brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!
We do put a lot of trust in our medical care providers. How far will technology go in the future to sustain life? This book kept me on the edge.
Absolutely brilliant!
We do put a lot of trust in our medical care providers. How far will technology go in the future to sustain life? This book kept me on the edge.
December 26, 2019
The Edge of Death by John Benedict is the sequel to his first novel, Adrenaline, but it can be read as a standalone. This is the first book I've read by this author and I found it difficult to put down. The story is excellently written, with lots of action and a moments of edge of your seat suspense. The character development is excellent letting you get to know all the characters from the main ones all the way to the evil and souless bad guy. And then there is the ending you won't see coming.
A pathologist is determined to find a method of resuscitating people from death, and he just might have found it. The big question -- will the person brought back from death still be the same person?
The suspense didn't drop off, keeping me interested in the story staring with the first page. I'm looking forward to the next story.
The author is a board-certified anesthesiologist with over 25 years of experience in the field. Knowing the medical science behind the story definitely adds a whole new level of interest and reality to the story.
Once I started, I didn't want to put this five-star thriller down. If you are a fan of Robin Cook, I highly recommend John Benedict for your reading thrills and shivers.
I received a copy of this ebook from the author and the above is my honest review.
A pathologist is determined to find a method of resuscitating people from death, and he just might have found it. The big question -- will the person brought back from death still be the same person?
The suspense didn't drop off, keeping me interested in the story staring with the first page. I'm looking forward to the next story.
The author is a board-certified anesthesiologist with over 25 years of experience in the field. Knowing the medical science behind the story definitely adds a whole new level of interest and reality to the story.
Once I started, I didn't want to put this five-star thriller down. If you are a fan of Robin Cook, I highly recommend John Benedict for your reading thrills and shivers.
I received a copy of this ebook from the author and the above is my honest review.
February 3, 2024
This book was so full of suspenseful action that it was hard to set aside for any reason. Story is about how living people each have an aura above their head, invisible to the naked eye. In the story it's only visible on a photo using an old-school special film development technique, not normally used by those who use regular film development. Supposedly when a person has a near-death experience it's possible for them to lose this aura. The aura disappears upon death. In this story it goes into detail about a person's soul being attached to this aura, leaving a near-death survivor with no aura but extraordinary physical and mental powers.
Most of the intense action takes place near the latter part of the story in the MRI room of a hospital, offering details as to magnetic equipment used within the room.
Most of the intense action takes place near the latter part of the story in the MRI room of a hospital, offering details as to magnetic equipment used within the room.
October 11, 2025
This is a Not-So-Well Written Horror Story, Disguised as a Murder Mystery
Surprise!
I got this book, expecting a Medical Thriller. Unfortunately, The Author had other ideas, and instead threw the story into a SciFi/Horror Medical Thriller category!
I don’t understand this change, yet, but this Sequel to ‘Adrenaline’ pretty much follows the same path as the first book — a good beginning, then it seems to tumble head-over-heels as The Author stretches The Reader’s credibility factor. Even worse, the SciFi/Horror aspects are NOT improvements to whatever this tale was about, and truthfully — it just made it harder and harder to want to read this book ‘til its ending.
You should consider this book as a poor substitute for a modern day Frankenstein-tale — but, overall, I’d avoid the book entirely, if I were you.
Surprise!
I got this book, expecting a Medical Thriller. Unfortunately, The Author had other ideas, and instead threw the story into a SciFi/Horror Medical Thriller category!
I don’t understand this change, yet, but this Sequel to ‘Adrenaline’ pretty much follows the same path as the first book — a good beginning, then it seems to tumble head-over-heels as The Author stretches The Reader’s credibility factor. Even worse, the SciFi/Horror aspects are NOT improvements to whatever this tale was about, and truthfully — it just made it harder and harder to want to read this book ‘til its ending.
You should consider this book as a poor substitute for a modern day Frankenstein-tale — but, overall, I’d avoid the book entirely, if I were you.
June 30, 2020
Wow!
I've been a fan of Dr. Benedict's for many years. I recently re-read The Edge of Death and it's just as good, if not better, the second time around! Dr Benedict takes the reader from the doctor POV in ADRENALINE to the patient/family POV with skillful surgeon precision. If you didn't read ADRENALINE, stop and go back because 1)it's we'll written and 2) you'll have a better appreciation for Doug Landry's character and what Dr Benedict has done with his second book.
I rarely read multiple books by one author and it's incredibly rare that I reread a book but Dr Benedict is a gem of am author that deserves both these accolades!
I've been a fan of Dr. Benedict's for many years. I recently re-read The Edge of Death and it's just as good, if not better, the second time around! Dr Benedict takes the reader from the doctor POV in ADRENALINE to the patient/family POV with skillful surgeon precision. If you didn't read ADRENALINE, stop and go back because 1)it's we'll written and 2) you'll have a better appreciation for Doug Landry's character and what Dr Benedict has done with his second book.
I rarely read multiple books by one author and it's incredibly rare that I reread a book but Dr Benedict is a gem of am author that deserves both these accolades!
December 31, 2019
The perfect sequel to Adrenaline, which I loved! Doug Landry is back in this story and you'll be intrigued again by this carefully drawn plot. It's somewhat of a departure from Dr. Benedict's other books but still set in a hospital and offers the reader insights into his vast medical experience. Think of Robin Cook, Dean Koontz, and Steven King, mixed with John Benedict and his incredible writing style and you have The Edge of Death. His writing is brilliant and his plots are masterful. Don't miss this book and, for that matter, don't miss anything this author creates!
February 20, 2019
I was looking forward to reading this book as I really enjoyed Adrenaline. Sadly, I was a bit disappointed. The book is ok & has excitement throughout ... it also has, or aludes to anyway, paranormal type stuff & that just didn't do anything for me. If you're into "dark" mysteries, you may like this better than I did. I enjoyed Adrenaline & Bad Robot far more than The Edge of Death.
August 16, 2019
Excellent use of medical terminology
The story was great too, lol. The characters were well developed and believable, but as a nurse, if I read a book that misuses medical terminology even in a far out fictional plot like this one, I'll never read another book by that author. It didn't surprise me at all to learn that he is a physician. Kudos! Great book!
The story was great too, lol. The characters were well developed and believable, but as a nurse, if I read a book that misuses medical terminology even in a far out fictional plot like this one, I'll never read another book by that author. It didn't surprise me at all to learn that he is a physician. Kudos! Great book!
October 17, 2019
I would've given this book 5 stars but there were a few animal deaths, and I hate reading about that. I normally stop reading any book when animals are killed. However, this book was so intriguing, that I wanted to keep going. I'm glad I did. I just wish authors would leave the character's poor pets alone 😔.
November 18, 2019
I was given an ebook by the author I exchange for an honest review. I do not usually read make authors but I took the chance on Mr. Benedict and I am so glad I did! This book is out of this world and then some. You will be holding onto your seat with every page you turn. I highly recommend this book! Enjoy! 📚
May 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this book- received it as a Goodreads win and wished I had had more time to read it all at once. Also would have preferred to read the first book before this one, but any references made to the first weren't too horrible to not understand. Biggest flaw with my book was the improper use of "their" on page 143. Typos make my brain freeze when I'm reading, unfortunately.
February 28, 2019
The Edge of Death
I love John Benedict's style of writing. I have now read 3 of his books and will start my 4th one next.
This book was a fast pace read. A little far fetched but none the less a great read. I literally read it in 2 days.
I love John Benedict's style of writing. I have now read 3 of his books and will start my 4th one next.
This book was a fast pace read. A little far fetched but none the less a great read. I literally read it in 2 days.
October 15, 2019
Exciting tale
A barely plausible scientific explanation for a soulless murderer with superhuman strength let loose to create havoc with only a disgraced former med student and an emotionally fragile X-ray tech to stop them.
A barely plausible scientific explanation for a soulless murderer with superhuman strength let loose to create havoc with only a disgraced former med student and an emotionally fragile X-ray tech to stop them.
December 16, 2021
Terrific! Another superb story from John Benedict. Gripping, creepy and very absorbing. Horrific in the best way possible. What is more important to life than oxygen? Blood of course.....lots and lots of it! Recommended.
April 30, 2022
Fiction portraying an after-death experience is unique. The author's scenario makes one think we shouldn't go there, but given the circumstances of the situation, most would do the same as the characters. I was captivated by the story. John Benedict's version of after-death experiences in not a Zombie story, but a real question. Can you experience death and completely recover? You decide after reading the novel
The only reason, I didn't give the book Five stars was its writing. I feel that some better editing would improve the book. This did not affect the excellent storyline though.
Also, I read book #1 Adrenaline. Either title could be a stand alone novel.
I definitely read another John Benedict book.
The only reason, I didn't give the book Five stars was its writing. I feel that some better editing would improve the book. This did not affect the excellent storyline though.
Also, I read book #1 Adrenaline. Either title could be a stand alone novel.
I definitely read another John Benedict book.
March 25, 2023
Worth it!
Chip, Doug, and Kristin are trying desperately to save Doug’s wife after a horrific accident. Time is running out. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This book took an interesting twist and the outcome was unexpected.
Chip, Doug, and Kristin are trying desperately to save Doug’s wife after a horrific accident. Time is running out. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This book took an interesting twist and the outcome was unexpected.
April 6, 2024
Not Believable
I like Benedict’s writing, but didn’t like this book as much as some of his others because I didn’t care for the science fiction aspects. Keeping dead people alive seemed too far fetched to me even when backed up with medical jargon.
I like Benedict’s writing, but didn’t like this book as much as some of his others because I didn’t care for the science fiction aspects. Keeping dead people alive seemed too far fetched to me even when backed up with medical jargon.
January 20, 2025
It is just ok. Premise is very "out there" and the story jumps all over the place. Will not be reading more from this author.
I usually love medical thrillers, but they need to be based in reality!!
I usually love medical thrillers, but they need to be based in reality!!
August 12, 2018
Excellent Dr. Benedict! Great twists.
I really enjoyed this series so far. All of the different, surprising and clever angles kept me reading all day.
I really enjoyed this series so far. All of the different, surprising and clever angles kept me reading all day.
December 20, 2019
This was an excellent read. I couldn’t wait to find time to sit and read it. I would get so engrossed in the book and loose track of time. Can’t wait to read the next book!!!
May 24, 2020
Great sequel!!
I really enjoyed this book. A medical thriller about what could happen if the soul leaves a body. Five stars.
I really enjoyed this book. A medical thriller about what could happen if the soul leaves a body. Five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews