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Bellevue
From the bestselling author Robin Cook comes a new tale of suspense-horror about a first-year resident who experiences life-shattering visions that reveal the truth behind some of the greatest medical advances in the history of medicine.
Twenty-four-year-old Michael “Mitt” Fuller starts his surgical residency with great anticipation at the nearly three-hundred-year-old, iconic Bellevue Hospital, following in the footsteps of four previous, celebrated Fuller generations. The pressure is on for this newly minted doctor, and to his advantage he’s always had a secret sixth sense, a sensitivity to the nonphysical, which gradually plays a progressive role, especially as one patient after another assigned to his care begin to die from mysterious causes. At first he thinks it is just the "luck of the draw," but as the numbers mount, he’s forced to think otherwise. As he struggles to find out why these people are dying while simultaneously having to deal with the unreasonable demands of being first-year resident, things rapidly spiral out of control.
Between fatigue, stress, and nerves, it’s no wonder that these first few days and nights of his surgical residency are tough ones. What is surprising, though, are the visions that begin to plague Mitt—visions of a little girl in a bloodstained dress, hearing bloodcurdling screams in the distance, and worse. As bodies mount and Mitt’s stress level rises, he finds himself drawn into the secrets of the abandoned Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital building, which to his astonishment still exists, defying demolition a few doors north of the modern Bellevue Hospital high-rise. Forcing an unauthorized entry into this storied but scary structure, Mitt discovers he’s more closely tied to the sins of the past than he ever thought possible.
Twenty-four-year-old Michael “Mitt” Fuller starts his surgical residency with great anticipation at the nearly three-hundred-year-old, iconic Bellevue Hospital, following in the footsteps of four previous, celebrated Fuller generations. The pressure is on for this newly minted doctor, and to his advantage he’s always had a secret sixth sense, a sensitivity to the nonphysical, which gradually plays a progressive role, especially as one patient after another assigned to his care begin to die from mysterious causes. At first he thinks it is just the "luck of the draw," but as the numbers mount, he’s forced to think otherwise. As he struggles to find out why these people are dying while simultaneously having to deal with the unreasonable demands of being first-year resident, things rapidly spiral out of control.
Between fatigue, stress, and nerves, it’s no wonder that these first few days and nights of his surgical residency are tough ones. What is surprising, though, are the visions that begin to plague Mitt—visions of a little girl in a bloodstained dress, hearing bloodcurdling screams in the distance, and worse. As bodies mount and Mitt’s stress level rises, he finds himself drawn into the secrets of the abandoned Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital building, which to his astonishment still exists, defying demolition a few doors north of the modern Bellevue Hospital high-rise. Forcing an unauthorized entry into this storied but scary structure, Mitt discovers he’s more closely tied to the sins of the past than he ever thought possible.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2024
818 people are currently reading
6368 people want to read
About the author
Robin Cook
190 books5,056 followersLibrarian Note: Not to be confused with British novelist Robin Cook a pseudonym of Robert William Arthur Cook.
Dr. Robin Cook (born May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York) is an American doctor / novelist who writes about medicine, biotechnology, and topics affecting public health.
He is best known for being the author who created the medical-thriller genre by combining medical writing with the thriller genre of writing. His books have been bestsellers on the "New York Times" Bestseller List with several at #1. A number of his books have also been featured in Reader's Digest. Many were also featured in the Literary Guild. Many have been made into motion pictures.
Cook is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia University School of Medicine. He finished his postgraduate medical training at Harvard that included general surgery and ophthalmology. He divides his time between homes in Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts where he lives with his wife Jean. He is currently on leave from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce a succession of bestselling books. Cook's medical thrillers are designed, in part, to make the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the ensuing ethical conundrums.
Cook got a taste of the larger world when the Cousteau Society recruited him to run its blood - gas lab in the South of France while he was in medical school. Intrigued by diving, he later called on a connection he made through Jacques Cousteau to become an aquanaut with the US Navy Sealab when he was drafted in the 60's. During his navy career he served on a nuclear submarine for a seventy-five day stay underwater where he wrote his first book! [1]
Cook was a private member of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Board of Trustees, appointed to a six-year term by the President George W. Bush.[2]
[edit] Doctor / Novelist
Dr. Cook's profession as a doctor has provided him with ideas and background for many of his novels. In each of his novels, he strives to write about the issues at the forefront of current medical practice.
To date, he has explored issues such as organ donation, genetic engineering,fertility treatment, medical research funding, managed care, medical malpractice, drug research, drug pricing, specialty hospitals, stem cells, and organ transplantation.[3]
Dr. Cook has been remarked to have an uncanny ability to anticipate national controversy. In an interview with Dr.Cook, Stephen McDonald talked to him about his novel Shock; Cook admits the timing of Shock was fortuitous. "I suppose that you could say that it's the most like Coma in that it deals with an issue that everybody seems to be concerned about," he says, "I wrote this book to address the stem cell issue, which the public really doesn't know much about. Besides entertaining readers, my main goal is to get people interested in some of these issues, because it's the public that ultimately really should decide which way we ought to go in something as that has enormous potential for treating disease and disability but touches up against the ethically problematic abortion issue."[4]
Keeping his lab coat handy helps him turn our fear of doctors into bestsellers. "I joke that if my books stop selling, I can always fall back on brain surgery," he says. "But I am still very interested in being a doctor. If I had to do it over again, I would still study medicine. I think of myself more as a doctor who writes, rather than a writer who happens to be a doctor." After 35 books,he has come up with a diagnosis to explain why his medical thrillers remain so popular. "The main reason is, we all realize we are at risk. We're all going to be patients sometime," he says. "You can write about great white sharks or haunted houses, and you can say I'm not going into the ocean or I'm not going in haunted houses, but you can't say you're n
Dr. Robin Cook (born May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York) is an American doctor / novelist who writes about medicine, biotechnology, and topics affecting public health.
He is best known for being the author who created the medical-thriller genre by combining medical writing with the thriller genre of writing. His books have been bestsellers on the "New York Times" Bestseller List with several at #1. A number of his books have also been featured in Reader's Digest. Many were also featured in the Literary Guild. Many have been made into motion pictures.
Cook is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia University School of Medicine. He finished his postgraduate medical training at Harvard that included general surgery and ophthalmology. He divides his time between homes in Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts where he lives with his wife Jean. He is currently on leave from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce a succession of bestselling books. Cook's medical thrillers are designed, in part, to make the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the ensuing ethical conundrums.
Cook got a taste of the larger world when the Cousteau Society recruited him to run its blood - gas lab in the South of France while he was in medical school. Intrigued by diving, he later called on a connection he made through Jacques Cousteau to become an aquanaut with the US Navy Sealab when he was drafted in the 60's. During his navy career he served on a nuclear submarine for a seventy-five day stay underwater where he wrote his first book! [1]
Cook was a private member of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Board of Trustees, appointed to a six-year term by the President George W. Bush.[2]
[edit] Doctor / Novelist
Dr. Cook's profession as a doctor has provided him with ideas and background for many of his novels. In each of his novels, he strives to write about the issues at the forefront of current medical practice.
To date, he has explored issues such as organ donation, genetic engineering,fertility treatment, medical research funding, managed care, medical malpractice, drug research, drug pricing, specialty hospitals, stem cells, and organ transplantation.[3]
Dr. Cook has been remarked to have an uncanny ability to anticipate national controversy. In an interview with Dr.Cook, Stephen McDonald talked to him about his novel Shock; Cook admits the timing of Shock was fortuitous. "I suppose that you could say that it's the most like Coma in that it deals with an issue that everybody seems to be concerned about," he says, "I wrote this book to address the stem cell issue, which the public really doesn't know much about. Besides entertaining readers, my main goal is to get people interested in some of these issues, because it's the public that ultimately really should decide which way we ought to go in something as that has enormous potential for treating disease and disability but touches up against the ethically problematic abortion issue."[4]
Keeping his lab coat handy helps him turn our fear of doctors into bestsellers. "I joke that if my books stop selling, I can always fall back on brain surgery," he says. "But I am still very interested in being a doctor. If I had to do it over again, I would still study medicine. I think of myself more as a doctor who writes, rather than a writer who happens to be a doctor." After 35 books,he has come up with a diagnosis to explain why his medical thrillers remain so popular. "The main reason is, we all realize we are at risk. We're all going to be patients sometime," he says. "You can write about great white sharks or haunted houses, and you can say I'm not going into the ocean or I'm not going in haunted houses, but you can't say you're n
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November 24, 2024
If you enjoy medical thrillers with a supernatural twist, then look no further than
Bellevue
by Robin Cook. It’s a little different from other books I’ve read by this author, but it was another great thriller filled with suspense, horror, and visions related to historic medical practices.
While the prologue starts with a chilling medical scene from 1949, most of the novel takes place in current times and features twenty-three-year-old Michael (Mitt) Fuller as he starts his surgical residency at the well-known Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He’s following in his ancestors’ steps. Three previous Fullers were surgeons and one was a psychiatrist at the famed hospital.
He is anxious, but excited to start his residency. One advantage is that he’s always had a secret sixth sense. However, when his patients start to die from various mysterious causes, he tries to understand what’s happening while experiencing the demands and lack of sleep of being a first-year resident. Along with this, Mitt begins to have visions and finds himself drawn to an abandoned Bellevue building.
Mitt is intelligent, has a precognitive ability that is not constant or controllable, and feels uncertain that medical school adequately prepared him for this job. He tends to be more cerebral than physical, and is feeling anxious and stressed.
Cook’s writing is vivid and enabled me to easily visualize Bellevue as well as the people and the medical procedures and operations. Dynamic characters and fantastic world-building, along with a great plot, intense scenes, and excellent pacing kept me glued to the book. It was also fascinating to see how different the various attending surgeons were in the operating room as well as the high expectations of a first-year surgical resident.
Reading Cook’s novels are always a learning experience. In this case, readers are shown current surgeries for a variety of problems, but also learn about historic medical practices and how those affected the public health.
The author’s writing style hooked me immediately. The prose is well-written and engaging, but the subject matter was sometimes close to horror. Readers can tell the author’s surgical experience and research served to make the surgery details feel realistic. The atmosphere is tense and serious throughout the novel and it has substantial technical details. My only quibble is with the ending. I was hoping for something different. However, I understand why it ended the way it did.
Overall, this suspenseful, engaging, thought-provoking, and tragic medical thriller gripped me from the beginning. It was difficult to put down. I’m a fan of the author and am looking forward to reading his next novel.
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Robin Cook provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 03, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
While the prologue starts with a chilling medical scene from 1949, most of the novel takes place in current times and features twenty-three-year-old Michael (Mitt) Fuller as he starts his surgical residency at the well-known Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He’s following in his ancestors’ steps. Three previous Fullers were surgeons and one was a psychiatrist at the famed hospital.
He is anxious, but excited to start his residency. One advantage is that he’s always had a secret sixth sense. However, when his patients start to die from various mysterious causes, he tries to understand what’s happening while experiencing the demands and lack of sleep of being a first-year resident. Along with this, Mitt begins to have visions and finds himself drawn to an abandoned Bellevue building.
Mitt is intelligent, has a precognitive ability that is not constant or controllable, and feels uncertain that medical school adequately prepared him for this job. He tends to be more cerebral than physical, and is feeling anxious and stressed.
Cook’s writing is vivid and enabled me to easily visualize Bellevue as well as the people and the medical procedures and operations. Dynamic characters and fantastic world-building, along with a great plot, intense scenes, and excellent pacing kept me glued to the book. It was also fascinating to see how different the various attending surgeons were in the operating room as well as the high expectations of a first-year surgical resident.
Reading Cook’s novels are always a learning experience. In this case, readers are shown current surgeries for a variety of problems, but also learn about historic medical practices and how those affected the public health.
The author’s writing style hooked me immediately. The prose is well-written and engaging, but the subject matter was sometimes close to horror. Readers can tell the author’s surgical experience and research served to make the surgery details feel realistic. The atmosphere is tense and serious throughout the novel and it has substantial technical details. My only quibble is with the ending. I was hoping for something different. However, I understand why it ended the way it did.
Overall, this suspenseful, engaging, thought-provoking, and tragic medical thriller gripped me from the beginning. It was difficult to put down. I’m a fan of the author and am looking forward to reading his next novel.
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Robin Cook provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 03, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
October 1, 2024
Very Monotone and singular read. For the medical nerds in the house; I'm one of them, you are going to love the intellectual angle of this. Still it just didn't hit the mark, and it had so much potential to do so. I wish we learned more about the other ancestors in the main character's story; only the surface was scratched.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC! Beyond humbled
Solid 2.5 STARS!!
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC! Beyond humbled
Solid 2.5 STARS!!
October 24, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Unfortunately it was a dud. The story had promise, but fell flat.
First, the jargon. Sure, I expect medical jargon in a Robin Cook novel. However, the HUGE amount of architectural jargon and what my dad would call "50 cent words" was unwarranted, out of place, and way over done. Yes, give us some nice description so we can grasp the majesty and creepiness of the building. But don't beat us over the head with it! Nobody reading a medical/supernatural thriller wants paragraph upon paragraph of architecture words that mean nothing to them and make their eyes glaze over in the middle of what should be a riveting scene.
Second, the characters. Twenty-somethings, whether they are doctors or not, do not talk like that. They do not say "My word" and "Good gracious". His characters talk like 70 year olds. Or maybe young adults from the 50's. I spend a lot of time with that age bracket and the author clearly needs to at least have a couple conversations with a modern twenty-something.
Third, story. The story has so much great potential. Being a reader of both medical thrillers and supernatural ones I was excited for this combo from a well-respected author. The first half of the story is pretty good...giving you backstory, strange happens, and drawing you in. A little over halfway through the book it goes downhill. The main character, Mitt, starts making absolutely nonsensical choices and even his explained thinking process makes you say "what?". And then it abruptly ends. Not even in an good unexplained mystery type of way which is often done in supernatural books, but instead feels very abrupt and jarring like the author hit a word count and was like, okay here's the ending!
All in all, I don't recommend even if you are a fan of Robin Cook. I did receive this early reading copy in exchange for a review and as you can see, I do not shill 4-5 star reviews in hopes of getting more books. I give my honest opinion, whatever it is.
First, the jargon. Sure, I expect medical jargon in a Robin Cook novel. However, the HUGE amount of architectural jargon and what my dad would call "50 cent words" was unwarranted, out of place, and way over done. Yes, give us some nice description so we can grasp the majesty and creepiness of the building. But don't beat us over the head with it! Nobody reading a medical/supernatural thriller wants paragraph upon paragraph of architecture words that mean nothing to them and make their eyes glaze over in the middle of what should be a riveting scene.
Second, the characters. Twenty-somethings, whether they are doctors or not, do not talk like that. They do not say "My word" and "Good gracious". His characters talk like 70 year olds. Or maybe young adults from the 50's. I spend a lot of time with that age bracket and the author clearly needs to at least have a couple conversations with a modern twenty-something.
Third, story. The story has so much great potential. Being a reader of both medical thrillers and supernatural ones I was excited for this combo from a well-respected author. The first half of the story is pretty good...giving you backstory, strange happens, and drawing you in. A little over halfway through the book it goes downhill. The main character, Mitt, starts making absolutely nonsensical choices and even his explained thinking process makes you say "what?". And then it abruptly ends. Not even in an good unexplained mystery type of way which is often done in supernatural books, but instead feels very abrupt and jarring like the author hit a word count and was like, okay here's the ending!
All in all, I don't recommend even if you are a fan of Robin Cook. I did receive this early reading copy in exchange for a review and as you can see, I do not shill 4-5 star reviews in hopes of getting more books. I give my honest opinion, whatever it is.
December 18, 2024
Someone give me back the wasted hours reading this book. As a surgeon with over 30 years under my belt I should be able to give an unbiased review.
For non-medicos, the book would be a PITA with so many detailed descriptions of operative procedures that do not contribute in any way to the story. For medicos it's like revising a operative manual. And with one death after the other, it's like the editor says, hey we need 40 more pages, just add one more death. And the less said about the end the better. Seems like the editor to blame again when he yelled back saying, hey we've had enough. Just end the damn book. So it ended. Couldn't have been more abrupt or meaningless.
For non-medicos, the book would be a PITA with so many detailed descriptions of operative procedures that do not contribute in any way to the story. For medicos it's like revising a operative manual. And with one death after the other, it's like the editor says, hey we need 40 more pages, just add one more death. And the less said about the end the better. Seems like the editor to blame again when he yelled back saying, hey we've had enough. Just end the damn book. So it ended. Couldn't have been more abrupt or meaningless.
December 5, 2024
Cook’s worst most unbelievable book.
The only words that kept my attention were the ones describing Bellevue’s architecture prior to the new building as well as the wonderful nurses, etc Perhaps the only reason I enjoyed the hospitals description is because it is accurately described as the way I experienced it as a student/graduate nurse in the 60’s. Especially the basement corridors which connected to all of the buildings. We likened the floor cobbling as resembling brain convolutions. I’ve even heard the ghost stories from the long employed aides ( who, by the way’ were reluctant to go into the base,ent where the morgue had been.
The story line is ludicrous, undeveloped and unbelievably poorly written. I’ve met new July residents but a graduate from Columbia admitted for a Bellevue residency in surgery is no dummy, nor would he be so gullible to follow ghosts unless he was suffering from schizophrenia which was never hinted at.
I am so disappointed. If there was a synopsis of the book as written I would not have purchased it.
The only words that kept my attention were the ones describing Bellevue’s architecture prior to the new building as well as the wonderful nurses, etc Perhaps the only reason I enjoyed the hospitals description is because it is accurately described as the way I experienced it as a student/graduate nurse in the 60’s. Especially the basement corridors which connected to all of the buildings. We likened the floor cobbling as resembling brain convolutions. I’ve even heard the ghost stories from the long employed aides ( who, by the way’ were reluctant to go into the base,ent where the morgue had been.
The story line is ludicrous, undeveloped and unbelievably poorly written. I’ve met new July residents but a graduate from Columbia admitted for a Bellevue residency in surgery is no dummy, nor would he be so gullible to follow ghosts unless he was suffering from schizophrenia which was never hinted at.
I am so disappointed. If there was a synopsis of the book as written I would not have purchased it.
December 7, 2024
In his latest medical thriller, Bellevue, bestselling author Robin Cook takes readers on a chilling journey through the halls of New York's legendary Bellevue Hospital, weaving together medical drama, supernatural horror, and historical fiction. The novel marks Cook's return to form while venturing into new territory by incorporating elements of supernatural horror into his trademark medical suspense formula.
The Plot
Twenty-three-year-old Michael "Mitt" Fuller begins his surgical residency at Bellevue Hospital with high hopes of following in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestors - four generations of Fuller doctors who helped shape the institution's rich history. However, his experience quickly turns nightmarish when his patients begin dying under mysterious circumstances. As Mitt struggles with the crushing demands of being a first-year resident, he's plagued by increasingly disturbing visions of a young blonde girl in a bloodstained dress and hordes of mutilated spirits from Bellevue's past.
The story takes a darker turn when Mitt discovers hidden patient records in the abandoned Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital building, revealing shocking truths about his ancestors' controversial medical practices. As he delves deeper into these historical records, the line between past and present begins to blur, leading to a terrifying climax that forever changes his life.
Writing Style and Narrative
Cook's prose is crisp and clinical when describing medical procedures, yet becomes appropriately atmospheric during the supernatural sequences. The author skillfully balances technical medical terminology with accessible narrative, making complex procedures understandable without losing authenticity. The pacing is relentless, with tension building steadily as Mitt's situation becomes increasingly desperate.
Strengths
- Historical Integration: Cook masterfully weaves actual historical events and practices from Bellevue's 300-year history into the narrative, creating a rich backdrop that enhances the story's impact.
- Character Development: Mitt Fuller's transformation from confident young doctor to haunted victim is convincingly portrayed, with his psychological deterioration feeling organic and believable.
- Medical Authenticity: The author's medical background shines through in detailed descriptions of surgical procedures and hospital protocols.
- Atmospheric Setting: The abandoned psychiatric hospital serves as a perfect gothic backdrop, with Cook bringing its creepy corridors and dark history vividly to life.
Areas for Improvement
- The supernatural elements occasionally feel abrupt in what begins as a traditional medical thriller
- Some secondary characters could have been more fully developed
- The ending might feel too extreme for readers expecting a more conventional medical mystery
- A few plot points rely heavily on coincidence
The Historical Element
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of medical history's darker chapters. Through Mitt's discoveries about his ancestors, Cook examines controversial practices like pre-anesthesia surgery, non-consensual experimentation, and lobotomies. The author doesn't shy away from depicting the brutal reality of 19th and early 20th-century medicine, making readers question the ethical implications of medical progress.
Thematic Depth
Cook explores several compelling themes throughout the novel:
- The weight of familial legacy and expectations
- The ethical evolution of medical practice
- The psychological toll of medical training
- The tension between scientific progress and human dignity
- The haunting effects of institutional memory
Final Verdict
"Bellevue" represents both a successful evolution of Cook's style and a compelling examination of medical history's darker aspects. While the supernatural elements might surprise longtime fans, they serve the story's themes effectively. The novel succeeds as both a medical thriller and a gothic horror tale, offering readers a unique blend of genres while maintaining Cook's trademark medical authenticity.
The Plot
Twenty-three-year-old Michael "Mitt" Fuller begins his surgical residency at Bellevue Hospital with high hopes of following in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestors - four generations of Fuller doctors who helped shape the institution's rich history. However, his experience quickly turns nightmarish when his patients begin dying under mysterious circumstances. As Mitt struggles with the crushing demands of being a first-year resident, he's plagued by increasingly disturbing visions of a young blonde girl in a bloodstained dress and hordes of mutilated spirits from Bellevue's past.
The story takes a darker turn when Mitt discovers hidden patient records in the abandoned Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital building, revealing shocking truths about his ancestors' controversial medical practices. As he delves deeper into these historical records, the line between past and present begins to blur, leading to a terrifying climax that forever changes his life.
Writing Style and Narrative
Cook's prose is crisp and clinical when describing medical procedures, yet becomes appropriately atmospheric during the supernatural sequences. The author skillfully balances technical medical terminology with accessible narrative, making complex procedures understandable without losing authenticity. The pacing is relentless, with tension building steadily as Mitt's situation becomes increasingly desperate.
Strengths
- Historical Integration: Cook masterfully weaves actual historical events and practices from Bellevue's 300-year history into the narrative, creating a rich backdrop that enhances the story's impact.
- Character Development: Mitt Fuller's transformation from confident young doctor to haunted victim is convincingly portrayed, with his psychological deterioration feeling organic and believable.
- Medical Authenticity: The author's medical background shines through in detailed descriptions of surgical procedures and hospital protocols.
- Atmospheric Setting: The abandoned psychiatric hospital serves as a perfect gothic backdrop, with Cook bringing its creepy corridors and dark history vividly to life.
Areas for Improvement
- The supernatural elements occasionally feel abrupt in what begins as a traditional medical thriller
- Some secondary characters could have been more fully developed
- The ending might feel too extreme for readers expecting a more conventional medical mystery
- A few plot points rely heavily on coincidence
The Historical Element
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of medical history's darker chapters. Through Mitt's discoveries about his ancestors, Cook examines controversial practices like pre-anesthesia surgery, non-consensual experimentation, and lobotomies. The author doesn't shy away from depicting the brutal reality of 19th and early 20th-century medicine, making readers question the ethical implications of medical progress.
Thematic Depth
Cook explores several compelling themes throughout the novel:
- The weight of familial legacy and expectations
- The ethical evolution of medical practice
- The psychological toll of medical training
- The tension between scientific progress and human dignity
- The haunting effects of institutional memory
Final Verdict
"Bellevue" represents both a successful evolution of Cook's style and a compelling examination of medical history's darker aspects. While the supernatural elements might surprise longtime fans, they serve the story's themes effectively. The novel succeeds as both a medical thriller and a gothic horror tale, offering readers a unique blend of genres while maintaining Cook's trademark medical authenticity.
February 15, 2025
I started reading Robin Cook close to 50 years ago, as a child. I pilfered his early novels from my mother's bedside table. The seventies were a great decade for thrillers, and he was among the best. Were medical thrillers even a thing before Robin Cook?
For the next several decades, I read just about everything he wrote. Robin Cook was an "Author I Read." But a few years ago I had to acknowledge he'd had a notable streak of not just meh titles, but of aggressively bad books. I stopped reading him, which was hard. I am nothing if not a loyal reader.
So, here I am at the library a couple weeks ago, and Dr. Cook's latest, Bellevue is just sitting there waiting to be checked out. It's been a few years since the string of sucky books. The description sounds kind of interesting. Let's give it a try for old time's sake.
Yeah, no. Firstly, this isn't a medical thriller at all. It's a super cliched, highly derivative horror novel with nothing to recommend it. I fear that I may have said something about Dr. Cook jumping the shark the last time I reviewed one of his novels. (If I didn't say it, I was thinking it.). When will I listen to myself? I'm done. If I get a hankering for a great medical thriller, I'll reread Coma.
For the next several decades, I read just about everything he wrote. Robin Cook was an "Author I Read." But a few years ago I had to acknowledge he'd had a notable streak of not just meh titles, but of aggressively bad books. I stopped reading him, which was hard. I am nothing if not a loyal reader.
So, here I am at the library a couple weeks ago, and Dr. Cook's latest, Bellevue is just sitting there waiting to be checked out. It's been a few years since the string of sucky books. The description sounds kind of interesting. Let's give it a try for old time's sake.
Yeah, no. Firstly, this isn't a medical thriller at all. It's a super cliched, highly derivative horror novel with nothing to recommend it. I fear that I may have said something about Dr. Cook jumping the shark the last time I reviewed one of his novels. (If I didn't say it, I was thinking it.). When will I listen to myself? I'm done. If I get a hankering for a great medical thriller, I'll reread Coma.
September 12, 2024
I’ve read a couple books by Cook in the past and loved them, so I was super excited to read this one. Unfortunately, this wasn’t what I was hoping for. Chapter one was gruesome but interesting while also having innumerable details about things that had no bearing on the story. Once we reached present day, the foreshadowing was heavy handed. Mick’s “sixth sense” and his mind reading abilities (but only when they lock eyes) were described in great detail, only for Mick to feel the same sensations (that were described previously) multiple times before he thought all about them minutes later while talking with his friend. There was so much repetition throughout the story; thoughts were thought then discussed, events happened and then had to be recounted to multiple people in multiple different conversations. The dialogue felt stilted and unreal, like the characters were caricatures of people.
While I love the concept, I feel like the author was trying too hard to sell the paranormal aspects of the story and didn’t spend enough attention on making the non-paranormal pieces work.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While I love the concept, I feel like the author was trying too hard to sell the paranormal aspects of the story and didn’t spend enough attention on making the non-paranormal pieces work.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 25, 2024
Maybe it’s just me, but as a medical professional this book was absolutely the longest most drawn out book ever.
It doesn’t read as a horror or thriller or even a mystery. It was a whole lot of telling and internal monologue. I struggled to finish it. I finally did but this was definitely not the book for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
It doesn’t read as a horror or thriller or even a mystery. It was a whole lot of telling and internal monologue. I struggled to finish it. I finally did but this was definitely not the book for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
April 28, 2024
This is my first Robin Cook in years, and while I always enjoyed the author's medical thrillers. this one has too much of a focus on the supernatural and the occult for me. Other loyal Cook fans, however, will surely love it.
December 28, 2024
Sadly yet another disappointment book wise!
December 6, 2024
Mitt Fuller has become a first year surgical resident in a famous hospital, Bellevue, in New York. His lineage has played an important part of history there. With this, he is a little nervous. Ahead of the game at an early age, he should be fine. Or will he?
The psych ward has been closed down and it begins to pique his interest. Why have they never opened it back up and why does he keep seeing this little girl?
Robin Cook is a big name in medical thrillers and has been around a very long time. I learned so much about what happens in the surgical room. This stuff is fascinating to me!
This does have a supernatural element to it mixed with medical suspense. If you’ve read his work before and can appreciate his work, give this a read!
Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s, Robin Cook and NetGalley for the opportunity.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The psych ward has been closed down and it begins to pique his interest. Why have they never opened it back up and why does he keep seeing this little girl?
Robin Cook is a big name in medical thrillers and has been around a very long time. I learned so much about what happens in the surgical room. This stuff is fascinating to me!
This does have a supernatural element to it mixed with medical suspense. If you’ve read his work before and can appreciate his work, give this a read!
Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s, Robin Cook and NetGalley for the opportunity.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 13, 2024
Wow! Unlike many other authors Robin Cook just gets better with age and doesn't rely on co-authors to trade on his name. This book was a stunner and tells the tale of "Mitt" Fuller a first year resident doctor and relays what could be interpreted as his decent into madness OR his being a person sensitive to the spirits of the deceased--you have to read the book to decide for yourself. But woven into that story is a ton of history about Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital in NYC.
This is a must read for Robin Cook fans. You don't need to have a medical background to grasp the story...it is all explained. However, you have to be able to deal with all the details that are involved in an intense dark medical thriller.
This is a must read for Robin Cook fans. You don't need to have a medical background to grasp the story...it is all explained. However, you have to be able to deal with all the details that are involved in an intense dark medical thriller.
December 25, 2024
Gosh, this was such a big disappointment. I was so looking forward to this and the book had so much potential. The characters were flat. The storyline was flat and it was really unbelievable even for the occult genre or the supernatural. The ending was just terrible. It was abrupt. It was not believable and it was just downright stupid. I was so disappointed.
April 16, 2025
Good characters and story, but kind of tangled up in itself.
June 6, 2024
I have fond memories of stumbling upon Robin Cook in my local library when I was a kid and first able to navigate the upstairs (the adult section) alone. I delighted in titles like Coma and Mindbend and Fever. The mix of medicine, science, and horror was heady stuff to a kid, and I loved the pacing and high creepy factor. I kept periodically coming back to his books as I got older, but haven't actually read one in some time so when I saw the newest title and that it encompassed not only one of the most famous psychiatric hospitals of all time, but promised paranormal elements as well, I was highly intrigued. I wasn't used to him finding his chills in anything other than straight-up (or even a-bit-out-there) science, so was curious to see how this would play out, and eagerly requested the book.
I found the opening chapters every bit as enjoyable as I remembered his writing to be, full of detail and gore and medicine-gone-wrong. Unfortunately, as the story progressed and things got ever weirder, I started to lose interest a little - only to find myself pulled back in as the deaths started piling up. Up and down, up and down - the story kept fluctuating between what I expected (and enjoy) from Cook, and this new paranormal ground he seemed intent on traversing, which I found less compelling as it didn't feel quite organic. But the resolution here is where things really jumped the shark for me. It felt altogether rushed, like things stopped rather than ended in a satisfying conclusive way. I'm not necessarily averse to the *actual* end, but to the exceptionally abrupt way we got there. After all the detail and build up, it felt hurried and awkward, like someone yelled "pencils down!" and all he could do was furiously type out the last 12 words...
All in all this was a lot less satisfying than I expected. Not enough to alter my opinion or the likelihood of picking up the next new Robin Cook, but enough that it has me hoping he'll stick to more solid medical/scientific ground and pass on the paranormal...
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
I found the opening chapters every bit as enjoyable as I remembered his writing to be, full of detail and gore and medicine-gone-wrong. Unfortunately, as the story progressed and things got ever weirder, I started to lose interest a little - only to find myself pulled back in as the deaths started piling up. Up and down, up and down - the story kept fluctuating between what I expected (and enjoy) from Cook, and this new paranormal ground he seemed intent on traversing, which I found less compelling as it didn't feel quite organic. But the resolution here is where things really jumped the shark for me. It felt altogether rushed, like things stopped rather than ended in a satisfying conclusive way. I'm not necessarily averse to the *actual* end, but to the exceptionally abrupt way we got there. After all the detail and build up, it felt hurried and awkward, like someone yelled "pencils down!" and all he could do was furiously type out the last 12 words...
All in all this was a lot less satisfying than I expected. Not enough to alter my opinion or the likelihood of picking up the next new Robin Cook, but enough that it has me hoping he'll stick to more solid medical/scientific ground and pass on the paranormal...
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
May 15, 2024
ARC for review. To be published December 3, 2024.
Michael “Mitt” Fuller is a first year surgical resident (what they used to call an intern, but I learned from this book that everyone is a resident now) at NYU med school’s program and is assigned to Bellevue, the three hundred year old, famed hospital in New York City. He is following in the footsteps of four earlier generations of Fullers at the historic hospital, three other surgeons and one psychiatrist. He also has a secret, a sort of “sixth sense” which he uses to his advantage is his practice.
He finds that sense working when he starts at Bellevue when his patients begin to die, at a rate too high to be merely coincidental. He struggles to determine what is happening while also exploring his ancestors roots at the hospital and dealing with the stressors of being a first-year resident. Then he begins to have visions and he finds himself drawn to the long-closed Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital. What secrets lie within.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Cook does a great job describing the tough life of a first year resident and I was quite interested in the history of Bellevue, which is so famous, it’s really shorthand for any mental institution (or it used to be…I guess I’m old.). I thought the book fell off a bit when it came to the supernatural elements, though I appreciated the ending. I definitely kept turning the pages.
Michael “Mitt” Fuller is a first year surgical resident (what they used to call an intern, but I learned from this book that everyone is a resident now) at NYU med school’s program and is assigned to Bellevue, the three hundred year old, famed hospital in New York City. He is following in the footsteps of four earlier generations of Fullers at the historic hospital, three other surgeons and one psychiatrist. He also has a secret, a sort of “sixth sense” which he uses to his advantage is his practice.
He finds that sense working when he starts at Bellevue when his patients begin to die, at a rate too high to be merely coincidental. He struggles to determine what is happening while also exploring his ancestors roots at the hospital and dealing with the stressors of being a first-year resident. Then he begins to have visions and he finds himself drawn to the long-closed Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital. What secrets lie within.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Cook does a great job describing the tough life of a first year resident and I was quite interested in the history of Bellevue, which is so famous, it’s really shorthand for any mental institution (or it used to be…I guess I’m old.). I thought the book fell off a bit when it came to the supernatural elements, though I appreciated the ending. I definitely kept turning the pages.
October 29, 2024
This author's books always have a medical connection, and this book is no different. But most of the ones I read center on a contagion of some sort. This book (which should probably have been released in October instead of November) features paranormal activity. As the reader, I think it is pretty clear early on what is going on. But for the main character, Michael "Mitt" Fuller, it takes a while for him to understand/accept what is going on.
Backtracking, Mitt is a first year surgical resident at the famous Bellevue hospital in New York. He is following a family legacy, with family members well known within the hospital wings. But as we learn in the first chapter, a part of their history isn't good. In fact it should be criminal. And Mitt may pay the price for it.
I honestly felt bad for Mitt in this book. He's a good guy who sees his dreams shatter as his first cases at the hospital go very very wrong. On top of that, he begins to see things no one else can. Again, it is obvious who these people are and why. Question is, how is Mitt going to get past their need for revenge?
I believe with time, Mitt would have tried to make up for the wrongs of his family's past. Or at the very least, not put anyone else at jeopardy. But these paranormal entities aren't ones you can reason with.
Overall, this was an intense read as Mitt's world slowly spirals out of his control. If you enjoy medical thrillers, check this one out.
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more reviews, visit
Backtracking, Mitt is a first year surgical resident at the famous Bellevue hospital in New York. He is following a family legacy, with family members well known within the hospital wings. But as we learn in the first chapter, a part of their history isn't good. In fact it should be criminal. And Mitt may pay the price for it.
I honestly felt bad for Mitt in this book. He's a good guy who sees his dreams shatter as his first cases at the hospital go very very wrong. On top of that, he begins to see things no one else can. Again, it is obvious who these people are and why. Question is, how is Mitt going to get past their need for revenge?
I believe with time, Mitt would have tried to make up for the wrongs of his family's past. Or at the very least, not put anyone else at jeopardy. But these paranormal entities aren't ones you can reason with.
Overall, this was an intense read as Mitt's world slowly spirals out of his control. If you enjoy medical thrillers, check this one out.
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more reviews, visit
December 6, 2024
The title of this book is what drew me in. If you've lived in or near New York City, most likely you've heard of Bellevue Hospital and have heard stories about their psychiatric ward. I was definitely excited to read a book that takes place there.
Michael "Mitt" Fuller is 24 and starting his surgical residency at the almost 300 year old renowned Bellevue Hospital. He's following in the footsteps of four generations before him. They all had a hand in the hospital's history, and he's hoping he will too. But the patients of the surgeries he's been in on seem to be dying, even when there were no previous health issues. This, along with the lack of sleep and stress of being a 1st year resident, start to add up. He starts having visions of a little girl in a blood-stained dress carrying an odd medical instrument and hears blood curdling screams. He always thought his ancestors did good for the hospital, but as he digs deeper into the past, he begins to realize they were on the wrong side, a much darker side.
This book was quite fascinating. It was definitely a slow burn, but the surgical procedures were very detailed and kept my interest. The paranormal aspect was enthralling, and I loved the setting. The history of medical procedures and the hospital itself kept me engaged. If you're looking for a medical thriller with a paranormal twist, this one is for you!
Michael "Mitt" Fuller is 24 and starting his surgical residency at the almost 300 year old renowned Bellevue Hospital. He's following in the footsteps of four generations before him. They all had a hand in the hospital's history, and he's hoping he will too. But the patients of the surgeries he's been in on seem to be dying, even when there were no previous health issues. This, along with the lack of sleep and stress of being a 1st year resident, start to add up. He starts having visions of a little girl in a blood-stained dress carrying an odd medical instrument and hears blood curdling screams. He always thought his ancestors did good for the hospital, but as he digs deeper into the past, he begins to realize they were on the wrong side, a much darker side.
This book was quite fascinating. It was definitely a slow burn, but the surgical procedures were very detailed and kept my interest. The paranormal aspect was enthralling, and I loved the setting. The history of medical procedures and the hospital itself kept me engaged. If you're looking for a medical thriller with a paranormal twist, this one is for you!
September 29, 2025
I don't know about others, but I LOVED this book!! An abandoned and haunted psych hospital story will always thrill me!! Robin Cook did a great job writing this. Mitt Fuller really went through it, trying to handle all of the stress and fatigue of his surgical residency position, dealing with the haunting, and solving the mystery of all the patients dying. Fun, entertaining, and I enjoyed the horror aspects! Definitely recommend!!
May 27, 2024
Robin Cook is the master of medical thrillers and he departs a bit from the standard genre by making this also a supernatural ghost story. “Bellevue,” the hospital, has its own real history of three centuries of medical advances as well as medical horrors, most of the notoriety coming from the old mental hospital (the Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital — shuttered since 1984), America’s version of the UK’s Bedlam Hospital.
Our protagonist is likable Dr. Mitt Fuller, a first year surgical resident whose direct ancestors were once famous Bellevue physicians. Just being a first year intern carries its own sleep-deprived, overworked dangers — now add a supernatural element that is killing every one of Dr. Fuller’s patients. In addition, Mitt knows he has a sixth sense of sorts (prognostication), but now he’s having hallucinations of past maimed patients as he does his rounds. Terrified of his associated 100% mortality rate and unable to share his visions, Mitt is one confused puppy. We know he’s totally innocent, but it won’t be long before he’s either a suspect in the unexplained fatalities or nicknamed and shunned as “Dr. Death”.
As in his usual thrillers, Cook ratchets up the tension steadily. If you’re a long time Cook fan (as I am), the ending is somewhat a surprise, not a nearly wrapped up mystery as you might expect. Yet, still a great book from a writer you can count on. 4 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Dark and bloodshot eyes, but no eye colors are mentioned.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO
Thank you to Penguin/Putnam and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Our protagonist is likable Dr. Mitt Fuller, a first year surgical resident whose direct ancestors were once famous Bellevue physicians. Just being a first year intern carries its own sleep-deprived, overworked dangers — now add a supernatural element that is killing every one of Dr. Fuller’s patients. In addition, Mitt knows he has a sixth sense of sorts (prognostication), but now he’s having hallucinations of past maimed patients as he does his rounds. Terrified of his associated 100% mortality rate and unable to share his visions, Mitt is one confused puppy. We know he’s totally innocent, but it won’t be long before he’s either a suspect in the unexplained fatalities or nicknamed and shunned as “Dr. Death”.
As in his usual thrillers, Cook ratchets up the tension steadily. If you’re a long time Cook fan (as I am), the ending is somewhat a surprise, not a nearly wrapped up mystery as you might expect. Yet, still a great book from a writer you can count on. 4 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Dark and bloodshot eyes, but no eye colors are mentioned.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO
Thank you to Penguin/Putnam and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
March 21, 2025
There is semi-redemption for Dr Cook with this book. I had stopped reading him for years after I was an original fan... You know...back in the "Coma" days. But then he started writing the same book over and over through the years so I was done with him. Periodically I'd read a book of his, but nope-- same plot, characters and outcome.
With "Bellevue" he's had to do some research, expand his characters (still need work) and create a real story. Bravo. It's good. Not great literature, but fast paced and interesting. It held my attention, but I love old psychiatric hospital stories so I was invested. Total redemption is reserved for his next book.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
With "Bellevue" he's had to do some research, expand his characters (still need work) and create a real story. Bravo. It's good. Not great literature, but fast paced and interesting. It held my attention, but I love old psychiatric hospital stories so I was invested. Total redemption is reserved for his next book.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
January 27, 2025
Medical thriller? Not even close. Except for the fact that the main character is a surgical resident and there are ghosts. I feel like it had so much potential - I mean a story set in Bellevue? Heck, yes! The prologue hooked me and I thought for sure the storyline would flip back and forth between present day and the past. But it never really went back to those original characters. The epilogue had a good twist but it was pretty dull throughout the rest of the book.
October 5, 2024
I am so disappointed with this book. It just seemed long and drawn out. Almost like too much detail. I am honestly disappointed with the ending. I was really hoping the main character was imaging everything and was actually part of the psychiatry ward thinking he was a lawyer. This was my First Robin Cook book and if the other books are like this, I guess maybe not my kind of author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
If seven patients all assigned to a new resident die within the first 3 days of residency, multiple people would be asking questions. No, it isn't "bad" luck. It's cause for suspicion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2024
3.5 stars, actually.
Overall, I enjoyed this book - at least the premise of it. Abandoned former hospitals are not uncommon in many communities these days - there's one not far from my house - and there's nothing gets the old heart rate skyrocketing than the thought of a few unhinged ghosts wandering around in them.
In this instance, it's the old Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital in New York City - long since closed but not torn down - still standing next to the current Bellevue Hospital. As a teaching facility, new classes of residents are admitted each year, and this season's group includes twenty-something Michael Fuller - known as Mitt. He's a bit surprised to have been selected for the residency, although he's aware that family ties might have played a role; several of his ancestors were noted physicians who practiced at the old Bellevue over the years dating back to its beginnings.
In addition to his medical skills, Mitt has another one that he doesn't acknowledge publicly: precognitive ability (a.k.a., sixth sense). As he begins to work with patients under the supervision of seasoned physicians, it starts to kick in - but not in a good way. To begin with, he "sees" a young girl wearing a bloody dress and hears screams from people who aren't there. Then, during the surgery he's assisting with for his first "assignment," a couple of strange things happen. But that's not the worst part; inexplicably, the patient dies.
Although what happened creeps Mitt out a bit, he chalks it up to happenstance. When the second of Mitt's assigned patients dies under unusual circumstances, though, it's a bit harder to shove under his mental rug. After the third, well, he starts to wonder if he's somehow responsible. That, in turn, makes him wonder what awful things really happened at that long-closed psych hospital - and what part his ancestors played in the horrific goings-on.
All that leads to an ending that, all things considered, wasn't too surprising. And while it held my attention throughout, in the end, it was repetition - and to a certain extent, predictability - that kept me from loving this book (as is my custom for books by this author). Still, I enjoyed it very much and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
Overall, I enjoyed this book - at least the premise of it. Abandoned former hospitals are not uncommon in many communities these days - there's one not far from my house - and there's nothing gets the old heart rate skyrocketing than the thought of a few unhinged ghosts wandering around in them.
In this instance, it's the old Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital in New York City - long since closed but not torn down - still standing next to the current Bellevue Hospital. As a teaching facility, new classes of residents are admitted each year, and this season's group includes twenty-something Michael Fuller - known as Mitt. He's a bit surprised to have been selected for the residency, although he's aware that family ties might have played a role; several of his ancestors were noted physicians who practiced at the old Bellevue over the years dating back to its beginnings.
In addition to his medical skills, Mitt has another one that he doesn't acknowledge publicly: precognitive ability (a.k.a., sixth sense). As he begins to work with patients under the supervision of seasoned physicians, it starts to kick in - but not in a good way. To begin with, he "sees" a young girl wearing a bloody dress and hears screams from people who aren't there. Then, during the surgery he's assisting with for his first "assignment," a couple of strange things happen. But that's not the worst part; inexplicably, the patient dies.
Although what happened creeps Mitt out a bit, he chalks it up to happenstance. When the second of Mitt's assigned patients dies under unusual circumstances, though, it's a bit harder to shove under his mental rug. After the third, well, he starts to wonder if he's somehow responsible. That, in turn, makes him wonder what awful things really happened at that long-closed psych hospital - and what part his ancestors played in the horrific goings-on.
All that leads to an ending that, all things considered, wasn't too surprising. And while it held my attention throughout, in the end, it was repetition - and to a certain extent, predictability - that kept me from loving this book (as is my custom for books by this author). Still, I enjoyed it very much and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
December 3, 2024
If you aren't familiar with Robin Cook's novels, you need to be prepared for a lot of scientific and medical terminology and details. If you're a fan of this like I am you will enjoy his books as he is a surgeon himself and draws upon research and personal experience.
If you're a current reader of Robin Cook's novels you know he typically writes medically themed thrillers. This one is a little different as there are also paranormal aspects at play.
I enjoyed this as it veered slightly off course from his existing books. I also saw this ending much differently than it did so you do receive a little twist at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you're a current reader of Robin Cook's novels you know he typically writes medically themed thrillers. This one is a little different as there are also paranormal aspects at play.
I enjoyed this as it veered slightly off course from his existing books. I also saw this ending much differently than it did so you do receive a little twist at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2025
I would have given this book 5 stars, but I was a little disappointed in the abrupt ending. It started out really good but tended to drag somewhat as it went on. However, I loved the premise, and if you are in the medical field in any capacity, you will appreciate reading about the life of a medical resident and the workings in the operating room. I also wished we could have gotten a little more background on the apparitions.
January 21, 2025
((Audio))
Disappointing overall. I chose this one because I've read a few nonfiction books from people who have worked in Bellevue and I've been a bit fascinated with it. The beginning of the book started off so well! I was very into the ancestors and their medical work. Loved the depiction of first year resident doctors and how tough it is. The plot line was interesting, but Cook lost me in the paranormal. I have read loads of books with paranormal events, but this did not do the genre justice at all. I surely hope this book will not be someone's first fiction with paranormal because there is much better out there.
The narrator was excellent, cannot fault him one bit.
Disappointing overall. I chose this one because I've read a few nonfiction books from people who have worked in Bellevue and I've been a bit fascinated with it. The beginning of the book started off so well! I was very into the ancestors and their medical work. Loved the depiction of first year resident doctors and how tough it is. The plot line was interesting, but Cook lost me in the paranormal. I have read loads of books with paranormal events, but this did not do the genre justice at all. I surely hope this book will not be someone's first fiction with paranormal because there is much better out there.
The narrator was excellent, cannot fault him one bit.
October 13, 2025
I have read a handful of Cook’s books over the years and have always enjoyed them. This book had such a great premise. I found it flat and it was slow at some points. It didn’t feel like a slow, creepy, oppressive lead up, I started skimming. The last 25% of the book was the most entertaining. He’s talented and brilliant, but this one could have easily been great.
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