Bedside Manner

by David J. Winters

Nurse-and-union-leader turned homicide-detective, Eminence Gray, uses her gifts of empathy and emotional labor to catch the most vicious of West Brandon's killers. Em's ability to maintain this skillset will be put to the ultimate test when the highest-profile murder case her department has ever faced falls right into her lap. Add to Em's troubles a corrupt executive from her union days, back and up to old tricks, and it might just be Eminence Gray requiring a little bedside manner... or a lot.

162 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

I'm a fiction writer with an interest in straightforward genre fiction, upmarket genre fiction, and fiction that fits a definite subgenre, but that also possesses food-for-thought speculative elements. In addition to fiction writing, I'm a mathematical Logician and high school math teacher.

I grew up in rural Manitoba, Canada, in a town called Dauphin. My primary (though unpaid) occupation has always been writing, so I thought it a good idea to embrace independent publishing - as both the published and the publisher. I say, 'publisher', because I'm also the founder (and only-guy-there-right-now) of SubGenre Publishers.

SubGenre Publishers specializes in ‘At-Least’ genre fiction novels: literary works that fit a definite Subgenre at least, but may constitute a variety of types of fiction novels beyond that. Want a balls-to-the-wall pirates-in-space melodrama? We can do that. Want a philosophical meditation on institutional ethics pseudo-embodied in a virtual reality AI vigilante run amok? We can do that too. Sky's the limit beyond genre.

At present, SubGenre is making a name for itself as a publisher of quality genre fiction by releasing a few publications a year from a small group of authors. Soon, we will expand our business to provide publication services like editing, formatting, and graphic design. Last, we expand to accepting manuscripts from self-publishing writers interested in working with us.

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's writing style speaks to the readers, introducing them to the important characters – such as Em and Bomn – as well as informing readers of the context, whether it be the location or character justification. There is also satire and humour throughout the story despite the characters' serious mannerisms. The book is written in the present tense so readers read the narrative in real-time. This is a personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the characters. Ultimately, this is a busy book and, while short, requires in-depth reading, particularly as there are two cases to follow.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Flavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Bedside Manner is a sharp, emotionally intelligent, and refreshingly original crime novel that combines homicide investigation, labor politics, and psychological tension into a gripping and character-driven mystery. David J. Winters creates a compelling protagonist in Eminence Gray, whose background as both a nurse and union leader gives the story a distinctive emotional and ethical depth rarely explored in traditional detective fiction. The novel skillfully examines how empathy, emotional labor, and personal resilience function not only as strengths, but also as vulnerabilities within systems built around violence, corruption, and institutional pressure.”

“What stood out most was the complexity surrounding Eminence Gray herself. Her ability to connect emotionally with others becomes one of the story’s most fascinating investigative tools, allowing the narrative to move beyond procedural mystery into something much more psychologically layered and human. The tension between her compassion and the brutality of the crimes she investigates creates a powerful emotional undercurrent throughout the novel. Equally compelling is the return of corruption tied to her union past, which adds personal stakes and social commentary to the investigation without overwhelming the central mystery. Winters balances suspense, emotional realism, and sharp dialogue exceptionally well, creating a story that feels gritty yet emotionally grounded. The result is a crime novel that feels both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant, with a protagonist whose humanity becomes the story’s greatest strength.”