The Wrong Patient

by Rachel Hargrove

Prominent Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Selene Marks makes people beautiful for a living—until the day she doesn’t.After a botched procedure leaves a young female patient permanently disfigured, Dr. Marks’s pristine facade begins to crack. With a malpractice suit pending and her personal life in ruins, it makes sense that Selene is desperate for a reprieve. Only when she doesn’t show for work one day—no call, no note—colleagues quickly realize she’s not taking time off … she’s missing.

With the case making national headlines, internet sleuths zero in on former patient, Ava. They’re certain she knows more than she lets on. But does she? Ava’s obsessive history isn’t doing her any favors, and those close to her know she has a tendency to blur the line between reality and illusion.

But so does Dr. Marks. In fact, it’s what she does best—what she’s always done best.

In the shadows of beauty, a darker truth awaits.

The Wrong Patient is an unputdownable psychological thriller that'll enthrall fans of Gone Girl and The Silent Patient. Get ready for a twist-filled journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2023

About the author

Rachel Hargrove is from Montreal, Canada. She earned a BA in English and Comparative Literature at San Jose State University and worked as a data analyst in a biotechnology company. When she turned 26, she left her career in tech to write fiction full-time. Rachel now lives in Seattle.

Rachel’s debut psychological thriller Sick Girl is available now in eBook, Paperback and Audiobook!

You can drop her a line at admin@rachelhargrove.com

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book showcases a wolf in sheep‘s clothing. Sometimes the people closest to you can be the most dangerous. “After all, only the mediocre are always at their best.” This thriller demonstrates the dangers of trying to achieve perfection. Believing that beauty is only in the eye of the beholder is emotionally crippling and tragic. Both doctor and patient learn the consequences of focusing too much on the outside and not enough on the inside. Compelling, intense and thought-provoking describe this addictive psychological thriller. It kept me hooked from start to finish. Thank you BookSirens for my copy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Barbara Behring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book from this author. The Wrong Patient is a story about Ava, a patient and Selene, her doctor. What transpires between them makes for a fascinating read.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Wrong Patient by Rachel Hargrove. This book was quite intense and it kept me reading. It is a story that is told from two different points of view. The doctor and the patient. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I gave it a 5 star rating. I will definitely read another book by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wrong Patient by Rachel Hargrove is a great Mystery Thriller. It’s told in 2 POVs, Ava and Dr. Selene.
Ava gets a phenol peel from Dr. Selene Marks and it goes terribly wrong. Ava wants answers, but then Dr. Selene goes missing and an online forum blames Ava.
This book was fun trying to figure out who’s lying and who’s not. It kept me interested to see how everything played out.
I would definitely recommend.
Thank you Rachel Hargrove for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

A top plastic surgeon ruins a patient's face and then goes missing. I couldn't wait to delve into this enticing mystery. It was intriguing at first but the more I read the less I liked it. There was quite a bit of filler that slowed the story and could have been condensed or omitted all together. There were also a significant amount of editing errors that pulled me right out of the story. A decent read if you have the time to devote to it.

[Tina Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆4.5 stars☆

Thank you for the Advanced Reader Copy! This book is easily a favorite, fast paced read from the start and had me hooked for the 2 days it took to read!

💄🪞In a world where society is flooded with ideas of the perfect appearance or an acceptable body

...reinforced by the interactions in person and online! This book screams out warnings on who to trust, who to confide in, when to trust your gut instinct, and the need to believe in yourself despite any mental shortcomings!

This story highlights how even the best of intentions can go astray and the ways that love can turn toxic! As women, it is "easy" to be brushed off as delusional or dramatic or overreacting! Sometimes your safety and sanity depend on such a response!

I loved (and dreaded) the psychological unease of this book! The feeling all the way to the end of not wanting to trust anyone that was left in murky lighting. I still feel some are not to be trusted and I'd never want to work with people again if this were my life experience! How far will one go to seek revenge? What will a person do to obtain perfection? Who can one trust when a web of betrayal is spun around you? Where can you hide when mob mentality and trackers invade your intimate space?

Give this book a chance! It will leave you guessing and even when the twists are revealed... can you really trust that you have it All figured out? 🔍

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I’m a harsh critic and this book really wasn’t bad.. However, I did consider DNF’ing in the first chapter when the main character said she was meeting with two clients, one named Mr. White and the other family, the Blacks.’ From reading other reviews, I’m thinking others didn’t notice this or didn’t assume it could be indicative of uncreative or rushed writing (I mean is it that hard to come up with last names that aren’t colors?? Or am I missing something?? I honestly gave it a chance and thought maybe this was foreshadowing into a bigger plot or something but it just WASN’T). My only other annoyance with this book was that “blanching” was used to describe people literally almost every other page. Aside from those minor things that just bothered me (again, I know I’m a harsh critic) I did get through this book pretty fast and was mostly engaged. However, I just think the style of writing wasn’t for me and I didn’t feel surprised by any of the twists that everyone else enjoyed.

[Susan Belman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast-paced mystery thriller is told in 2 POVs, patient Ava and dermatologist Dr. Selene Marks.
Ava gets a phenol peel from Dr. Marks and things go terribly wrong, leaving her scarred (physically and mentally) needing a skin graft. Ava wants answers as to what happened during her procedure, and wants Dr. Marks to take responsibility. Only problem, Dr. Selene goes missing and an online forum blames Ava, saying she had motive and opportunity. Ava continues to claim her innocence and is desperate to clear her name. As we follow her steps in trying to find Dr. Selene, Ava starts to find out there are several people with motives to want Dr. Selene gone. Who took the Dr? Is she alive? Is she okay?

[shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beverly Hills's Dr. Marks, queen of perfect faces, makes one big mistake. A botched procedure leaves a patient scarred, and Dr. Marks's life unravels. She vanishes without a word, leaving a trail of speculation and whispers.

Internet sleuths point fingers at Ava, a former patient with a tangled history. But is Ava hiding something, or is her past clouding judgment? Dr. Marks herself was a master of crafting illusions, so who can say where the truth lies?

As secrets spill and the investigation deepens, one thing becomes clear: in this world of masks, beauty can be as deceptive as it is alluring. Can anyone untangle the web of deceit before it's too late?

The narrative unfolds through two perspectives: Ava's present-day viewpoint and Dr. Marks' leading up to her disappearance. Despite the fast-paced and enjoyable nature of the read, I found the twists somewhat predictable. I liked the overall story; it kept me interested. The plot was enjoyable, making it a good read.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

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[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wrong Patient by Rachel Hargrove is a nail-biter. The story shows how even the best falter at one time or another and explores the dangers of social media as well as bullying. It also shows how easily some can be lead to believe whatever they read or what someone else states as fact. This was truly a compelling and intriguing storyline that kept me guessing for most of the book. I enjoyed the twists and turns. Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wrong Patient

A decent read. I knew who Truthseeker was really early on, but was wrong about the circumstances!
I was a bit surprised by some events at the end, but I felt annoyed a lot of the book.
I definitely wouldn’t classify this as a psych thriller, but it was ok for a standard thriller.

[melanie yang 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not going to say much on this other than AVA annoyed the absolute shit out of me and I was convinced she was a nut job so I’m happy to see she’s ONLY SOMEWHAT a nut job and not a complete basket case and I did enjoy this.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me entertained and wanting to know the truth of what happened. The two different POVs worked well. It also made me think.

I will definitely by looking for more books by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[La Femme Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the glittering heart of Beverly Hills, every face hides secrets…especially Ava’s. Once a patient at Dr. Selene Marks’s upscale clinic, Ava now bears both the scars of a botched procedure and a restraining order barring her from seeking answers from Dr. Selene. But when the celebrity dermatologist goes missing, Ava becomes the scapegoat of an online community determined to find justice. Ava must prove her own innocence before the mob destroys her reputation and takes her life.

THE WRONG PATIENT is an addictive story of Ava’s journey to clear her name, even if that meant playing detective. Written in a dual POV, Hargrove effortlessly weaved between Ava and Dr. Selene’s perspectives. As much as the public labeled Ava a villain, I instantly connected with her tenacious spirit and sympathized with her unfair treatment. Meanwhile, Dr. Selene’s movements leading up to her kidnapping kept me suspensefully hooked until I discovered who was behind this master plan.

Mostly, all of the characters were unreliable. I didn't entirely trust any of them because they all seemed a bit guilty. I had a great time unraveling the truth, even if I wasn't necessarily shocked by the turn of events. I figured the twist early on, but it didn't detract from the exciting buildup. Ultimately, I couldn't stop reading THE WRONG PATIENT. Hargrove‘s lively storytelling strengthened the narrative and captured a believable premise that wasn’t too far-fetched. If you're looking for a medical thriller with non-stop anticipation and fast-paced chapters, I highly recommend picking this up!

[S Huizenga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a plastic surgery procedure gone wrong leaving a woman disfigured and seeing revenge. When the surgeon goes missing the wronged patient is the first suspect.

This is a tough story to discuss without spoilers and I won't do that here. There are quite a few characters in this story and it takes the telling of events in both past and present to understand their motivations. Not all are good intentioned.

This story also explores the dangers of social media and allowing the faceless masses to condemn other people without the benefits of facts. This is true in real life and honestly the online story depicted here could easily happen outside of fiction.

I enjoyed this book and while I figured out the villain before the big reveal, it was fun to go on the journey.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read if you are trying to talk yourself out of any kind of cosmetic procedure, lol! The story of a botched job, the harassment of both the doctor and the patient, and the social media campaign against a presumed kidnapper, are all enough to make you want to just turn your mirror toward the wall and forget about it!

Although you might guess the killer pretty early on, this fast-paced novel will hook you and keep you intrigued as the story of a kidnapping and "who done it" progresses.

Thanks to Hidden Gems Books for an advance readers copy. Rachel Hargrove is fast becoming one of my new favorite authors.

[Sharon Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this 4 stars rated down to 3.5.

I enjoyed the format and I thought the premise was quite interesting. I was pretty sure who was "bad" and who was not and I was proven right, but that wasn't really the issue. I've just found that, like a lot of books I've read lately, this one had a little extra information thrown in at the end to make the reader unsure of what the future would be, and I HATE that! Just my opinion, obviously, as I'm sure there are people who love the uncertainty.

[Candie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wrong Patient

I did not see this ending coming. Not at all. It’s a book that really held my attention and I couldn’t read it fast enough to see what was coming next! There were a lot of twists and turns in it.
I really enjoyed it and enjoyed trying to figure things out for myself. I did figure it out before I finished it but I don’t want to say at what point I did and ruin it for everybody else.

[Tammy Wilmarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention from the very beginning. I started it, and received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. put it down.

I loved the writing, going back and forth between each character. It kept me interested, and wanting to know what was going to happen.

I will definitely read another book by this author again.

I highly recommend this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[M Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story kept me on my toes with an engaging concept and some deeper moments for the MC that I didn’t see coming. I think some plot points could have been expanded upon while others didn’t need quite as much focus, but overall I appreciate where the author took us and how the story came together. I’d give this a read but if you’re not able to get into the story, I don’t think it’s worth continuing as it’s not for everyone and takes some patience.

[Emme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another twisted tale by Rachel Hargrove. I like how she writes in two person storylines. The book was full of twists and suspenseful. I suspected the bad person but not the reason, and the very end was a total surprise.

It's definitely a must-read if you like psychological suspense books.

Cannot wait for her next book.

[Dorothy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good ! I really didn’t want to stop reading it … but work , household stuff etc kept me from doing that. I will say that I thought about what might happen next in the story when I was going through my daily activities.. it definitely kept me interested and I will be reading other books by this author !

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Ending

This is my first Rachel Hargrove novel and it won’t be my last. She brings her characters to life. Halfway through I was pretty sure I knew who was guilty. Then the last chapter came and bang, I was wrong.

[Carmen Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Plot

This story kept me reading and kept me surprised. I read so many somewhat similar books that I usually follow a similar pattern. This one kept me guessing throughout then even had a surprise ending.

[Lori Trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bona Fide page turner

I usually only read for an hour before I go to sleep
This book found me reading in my spare time during the day
I read a lot of these kinds of books. This is the first one that kept me captivated

[Brenda Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

The Wrong Patient: a psychological thriller by Rachel Hargrove was a good story. It seemed a bit drawn out in the beginning but finally started clicking...of course, in real life, things would probably take longer to start clicking. Great explanations at the end.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pend almost made up for the rest of the book. I just need to stop reading books by this author because every book has characters that are terrible people that I couldn’t care less about andnever root for.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fast paced and I nearly finished it in one sitting! Lots of twists and turns and leaves you guessing until the end! Excellent psychological thriller!

[Angela Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast Paced Read

This was a fast paced read that kept me guessing. First book I’ve read by this author, and I will check out her others as well!

[Courtney McAninch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I stayed up to finish it in one sitting . Highly recommend it. Happy reading.