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Dr. Zack Winston #1

Dead Already: A medical conspiracy thriller

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A drug-laced conspiracy. A former Navy surgeon with a harrowing history. Will a covert frame job end his career... and his life?

Dr. Zack Winston can't outrun his mistakes. Working in the high-pressure environment of the ER, the widowed doctor is haunted by lives he should have saved. But when he fails to resuscitate his coworker's husband from a fatal cardiac arrest, he's blindsided by the livid ICU nurse launching a career-threatening malpractice suit.

Falling under harsh criticism when he tries to investigate a strange poisoning in the hospital, Zack comes face to face with his traumatic past during courtroom depositions. And as he and his alluring lawyer look closer into the suspicious body count on the rise, uncovering the source could land them both in the kill zone.

With shadowy accusers eager to get him fired, will his fight for answers see him flatline?

Dead Already is the award-winning, nail-biting first book in the Dr. Zack Winston series of medical thrillers. If you like nuanced characters, endless adrenaline rushes, and vividly realistic settings, then you'll love emergency physician Mike Krentz's suspenseful drama.

Buy Dead Already to revive the truth today!

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2020

1065 people are currently reading
628 people want to read

About the author

Mike Krentz

24 books111 followers
Mike Krentz writes medical suspense, psychological thrillers, and military fiction featuring complex characters and relationships.

Born and raised in Arizona, Mike earned a classical degree in English from the University of San Francisco, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Following a civilian career as an emergency physician, Mike rededicated his professional life to serve America's Navy and Marine Corps heroes and their families, and to honor their sacrifices in defending our freedom and way of life. His last active duty assignment was as 7th Fleet Surgeon on board the flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE.

After retiring from the US Navy, Dr. Krentz continued his service as a consultant supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Upon completion of that mission, he returned to his earliest life passion as a full-time writer.

Dr. Krentz sits on the Board of Directors of The Muse Writers' Center where he teaches fiction writing and participates in advanced studios.

Mike's fiction works include the DR. ZACK WINSTON SERIES of medical conspiracy thrillers, the MAHONEY & SQUIRE SERIES of military fiction, and a standalone psychological thriller, ANGELS FALLING.

www.mikejkrentz.com
www.facebook.com/MikeJKrentzAuthor
https://twitter.com/MikeJKrentz
https://www.instagram.com/mjkrentz/

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5 stars
981 (57%)
4 stars
530 (31%)
3 stars
161 (9%)
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23 (1%)
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14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Profile Image for Maxi's Twin.
73 reviews
August 29, 2022
Fast-paced novel featuring an E. R. Doc who is forced to become introspective. This who and how “done it” kept me on the edge of my seat. Difficult to put down, Zack became my friend. I’m so glad a sequel will be out soon because I want to follow him in his journey. Exciting and believable, this well researched novel sparked my interest from the first page, and the spark quickly became an undeniable fire.
Profile Image for Chantelle.
89 reviews13 followers
February 12, 2025
ARC Review: Dead Already by Mike Krentz

Wow—this book had me hooked from the very first page! Dead Already is a pulse-pounding medical thriller that perfectly blends suspense, intrigue, and high-stakes drama.

The Main character, Dr. Zack Winston is a deeply compelling protagonist—flawed, haunted by his past, yet determined to uncover the truth, even when the odds are stacked against him.

Krentz’s background in emergency medicine shines through in the realistic and intense hospital scenes, making the tension feel all too real. The courtroom battles, shadowy conspiracies, and relentless pacing kept me flipping pages late into the night. I loved how the story balanced medical realism as I use to work in an Emergency Room and with such a gripping mystery, and the chemistry between Zack and his lawyer added an extra layer of depth.

If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a race against time, Dead Already is a must-read. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Dr. Zack Winston! Fantastic Read!
Profile Image for Jacob Peled.
526 reviews11 followers
February 5, 2022
An excellent book for those who like the genre of medical thrillers. To me this is a 4.5 star book. The main reason is that the writer who is a physician by profession, and an ER doctor, utilizes the school stage for overly detailed and lengthy descriptions of medical procedures. Those of you who love descriptions of medical treatments, will find here a wide scope of interest. I, unfortunately, just skipped descriptions of various resuscitations.
Profile Image for Melissa Ammons.
461 reviews28 followers
January 14, 2021
I received a gifted copy from Touchpoint Media and am providing a review.

This is the type of book that I truly enjoy reading. It combines two of my favorite genres, those being in the realm of medical and legal thrillers.

Zack Winston is an ER physician at Bethesda Metro. Dr. Winston is the sort of man who appears confident on the outside, especially in his abilities as an ER physician, but has some of his own personal struggles going on, on the inside. Patients started showing up in the ER with symptoms that were unexplainable and the outcomes were not positive. Dr. Winston finally figures out the cause and goes on a quest to find the answer as to the why of the problem and the how … not to mention the who. In so doing, he encounters Bridget Larsen who becomes his attorney, never giving up on him though she wanted to. Ange, Zack’s ex-girlfriend, disbands her own law practice and joins Ms. Larsen’s team. The question is – do they find the answer in time?

There is quite a lot going on throughout this book. Zack is battling his own inner demons, not to mention the relationship he has with Ange, the relationship he has with Noelle, and the relationship he wishes he could have with Bridget. There are a couple of background characters in Dr. Paula Cho (another ER physician) and Monica Harris (an ER nurse) who I found to be vital to this story. Then, of course, there is Zack’s boss, Dr. Dennis King, not to mention the cardiology specialist in this tale, Dr. Jerry Hartman. Janice and Carl Barnett are also integral to this tale. Keisha is also an important player. Roger Meadows, the “ferret” lawyer because there has to be one. Just as soon as I thought I had figured out who was to blame, I was led to believe it was someone else altogether.

To me, there are just enough characters in this tale to make it a compelling read. If you like the medical and legal genre, I would recommend you give “Dead Already” a read … it combines the two but without the courtroom drama. Dr. Krentz is a retired physician and also served in the US Navy, which adds credence and realism to this tale.
Profile Image for Hijabi_booklover.
601 reviews12 followers
June 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Gripping Medical Thriller with Emotional Depth

Dead Already by Mike Krentz is a fast-paced and emotionally charged medical thriller that skillfully blends suspense, hospital drama, and psychological tension. Krentz, with his background in emergency medicine, brings a level of realism to the clinical setting that feels both authentic and immersive.

The protagonist, Dr. Zack Winston, is a complex and compelling character—haunted by personal loss, yet driven by a strong moral compass. As he delves into the mysterious death of a patient who seemed "dead already," the story unfolds with escalating tension and unexpected twists. The interplay between medical ethics and personal trauma adds an extra layer of depth to what could otherwise be a straightforward mystery.

Krentz excels in pacing, and the dialogue feels natural, though at times some supporting characters could have used a bit more development. The plot is strong, though a few twists might stretch believability for some readers.

Overall, Dead Already is a satisfying read that keeps you engaged from start to finish. It’s a standout for fans of medical thrillers who also appreciate a protagonist with emotional complexity and heart. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a smart, suspenseful story with real-world stakes.
Profile Image for Susan Thumm.
Author 1 book2 followers
October 22, 2020
DEAD ALREADY is a rare breed of novel. Twists and turns of hospital drama and legal intrigue intertwine when Dr. Zack Winston, who faces a career-ending malpractice suit, and his top-of-her game lawyer, Bridget Larsen, who goes against her pledge to not represent ER docs when she takes Zack’s case, find themselves pulled into a dangerous drug and murder conspiracy as they attempt to prove Zack’s innocence.
Zack begins to doubt his skills when a series of ER deaths prompt memories of a tragedy that has haunted him for years. In need of the counsel of a medical malpractice lawyer, he hires Bridget Larsen, who turns out to be a woman as competitive and sure of herself as Zack has always been. Together they uncover forged documents, a financial incentive for the suit against Zack, and a link between several recent ER deaths all of which plunge them into a heart-stopping series of events leading to a shocking climax.
Profile Image for Shanessa.
Author 3 books304 followers
February 5, 2021
I'm not normally a reader of medical or legal thrillers so I wasn't sure if this would be a book I'd enjoy, but I was hooked right from the start.

For some reason, I've had the hardest time getting into books lately, even really great ones, but I burned through this one. The writing was stellar, well above par with most books in the thriller genre. The characters were complex and the plot perfectly paced.

I love books full of secrets and twists and Dead Already does not disappoint in that department. I found myself consistently surprised, even at the end. I want to go back and read again to see what clues I missed.

Dead Already is a highly entertaining book from start to finish. I can't recommend it enough!
Profile Image for Sylvia.
Author 8 books150 followers
October 1, 2020
In this suspenseful, fast-paced medical malpractice mystery, haunted-by-the-past ER-doctor Zach Winston runs into a spate of bad luck with his ER patients. Faced with medical malpractice suits, Zach digs into the cases to exonerate himself. With the help of his hard-charging attorney, Bridget Larsen, he stumbles into a wide-ranging conspiracy involving coverups, murder, and drugs, and soon finds himself in the cross hairs. A fun read grounded in the author's expert knowledge as a former ER doctor.
Profile Image for Kelly Sokol.
Author 2 books104 followers
November 25, 2020
Read this book!

Zack Winston is a relatable Emergency Department physician, haunted by his past, and caught in a thrilling web of lies and murder. The book is written with an insider's knowledge and expertise in emergency medicine, and it will keep you hooked, turning pages until the wee hours of the morning.

Krentz is a talented writer. His characters and settings come alive on the page. Every character has secrets they would fight to keep buried.
Profile Image for Alexander Blevens.
Author 2 books64 followers
December 7, 2021
Dead Already has it all: medical drama, legal thrills, romance, redemption, and action. Mike Krentz weaves a believable story with spot-on medical accuracy and engaging emotional touchstones. You will root for the winners, ball your fists at the villains, tear up with the oppressed, and laugh with the losers. In the end, you will mourn death and celebrate life. A must-read!
Profile Image for Laura  Felty.
177 reviews25 followers
March 5, 2025
This is a good one

A new author for me. This book is fast paced and really full of everything. There were a few typos which are a bit annoying when you enjoy a book. But what twists and betrayal. Very good
Profile Image for Lj.
215 reviews6 followers
November 30, 2020
While I don’t usually read suspense or mystery novels, this one was fast paced and interesting with some twists. It took me few chapters to get hooked but then I couldn’t put it down. Well done!
430 reviews
December 18, 2020
This is as good as it gets for doctor/lawyer/thriller/mystery. And, I'm guessing there is a sequel on the way.
Profile Image for Jill.
366 reviews
January 8, 2021
Fast paced and engaging. Great mystery with a medical twist. Worth the read.
Profile Image for John Cameron.
Author 2 books16 followers
November 30, 2020
Dr. Zack Winston cannot catch a break. He cleared a patient, who was a friend, as healthy. The man returned the following day on a gurney. A colleague dies in the ER under Zach’s care. He’s sued for malpractice. His girlfriend drops him with no warning. He wakes up many mornings with a terrible hangover. If that weren’t enough, he’s running from ghosts, problems from his past that no one knows about.
Zack knows he’s a damn fine ER doc but it looks as though the world is out to crush him. Or maybe he is out to crush himself. He lies to his lawyer—a beautiful and competent woman--who would prefer not to be handling the case.
Through his fog he can see someone is not only out to set him up for a huge mal practice payment, but maybe frame him for murder.
Already Dead will keep you reading, hoping that somehow Zack Winston will emerge from this hellish life in one piece and a better man.
I really like that the novel doesn’t condescend to the reader. The ER scenes are so sharply drawn you can smell the disinfectant and blood. The legal scenes are riveting and very realistic. You would swear real physicians and lawyers are speaking to you. Yet, the reader is never lost. Michael Krentz succeeds where many writers fail. The jargon and necessary terms used are all understandable without resorting to your dictionary. Nothing slows the fast pace.
You will be sure you know what is going to happen and who is behind the mess Zack is in. You will almost certainly be wrong. When you finish Dead Already, you may want to go back to page one and read through again to see if you can spot the clues. They are present. I’m already hoping for a sequel. Would love to see Zack Winston again. He’s a fascinatedly complex man. You often can’t decide whether to cheer him or yell at him. But, he always makes for an interesting read.
Profile Image for Jeffrey Mervosh.
350 reviews
December 8, 2020
A hospital emergency room isn't for the faint of heart, especially when life and death decisions bear the weight of career-ruining consequences for being wrong. When Dr. Zack Winston sees an incoming patient in cardiac arrest is the same patient he saw - and sent home - just the day before, it's clear that alarm bells go off. Did he miss something that, if treated, would have saved the life of this patient? The case gnaws at Zack's conscience even as the pace of a busy ER keeps him occupied. Then the other shoe falls - a malpractice case brought against him by a colleague at the hospital.

As Zack meets with his new defense attorney, it's clear that something about his legal case doesn't add up, both about the evidence being submitted against Zack and the relevance of secrets about his past that he has kept from his legal team.

This is a well-paced thriller that spans the medical and legal professions, with a number of surprises and twists before an action-packed finale. Drawing upon Krentz's expertise as a former ER doctor, the medical scenes are precise and grim, heightening the realism of the high stakes and highlighting the fine lines that these professionals walk when attempting to save lives.

Profile Image for Anastasia.
2,278 reviews102 followers
February 2, 2025
Dead Already by Mike Krentz is the first book in the Dr. Zack Winston series. E.R. Doctor Zack Winston, has a patient Carl Barnett brought in dead on arrival, after having been treated by him the previous day and discharged. His wife Janice, an E.R. nurse sues Zack for malpractice and medical defence lawyer Bridget Larsen takes on his case. What follows is a series of deaths and events in an attempt to discredit the doctor. A fast paced medical thriller. Zack has a troubled past after failing to save his new wife following a plane crash while working for the military, and he still feels her presence and communicates with her ghost. It is touching how connected he still is to her. I like that he is tenacious and not willing to give up even when everything seems stacked against him. He and Bridget make a wonderful team and I love the connection that they share. The pace never lets up and the book highlights the stress physicians face on a daily basis from demanding and litigious patients demanding compensation when things do not go their way and a flawed legal system that is easily manipulated. An excellent, page turning and adrenaline packed medical thriller.
Profile Image for Anne Montgomery.
Author 8 books35 followers
January 2, 2022
I’ve never read a medical thriller before, so Mike Krentz’s Dead Already took me on a roller coaster ride that initially caught me off guard. But don’t let the medical jargon put you off. In the end, you’ll catch on. Krentz, who spent time as both a civilian and military emergency room doctor, hurls readers into a realistic world where physicians make life and death decisions every day. His troubled protagonist, Dr. Zach Winston, a former military doctor with secrets, steps into his scrubs and takes us into the messy world of emergency medicine and in the process discovers that patients are being murdered. Why? And by whom? A death in the ER has Zach facing legal challenges that could end his career. Is Zach being targeted? Dead Already is a can’t-put-it-down read. I see a movie here.
142 reviews1 follower
Want to read
September 9, 2025
Worth the time to read.

I really enjoy a good medical thriller and this one fit the bill. I had a hard time putting it down, and finished it in 3 sessions. Really liked the mix of different personalities and professions of the characters. Good twists that kept me guessing to the end.
Good read.
Profile Image for Matt Egan.
643 reviews6 followers
January 8, 2025
This was a high quality medical/psychological horror book in which an ER Doc is set up as part of a bigger conspiracy. He is chosen for his trusting nd honest nature. The twists and turns are non-stop and the pacing is excellent with brief flashback scenes giving the DR a 3-dimensional nature. This is the first of a series, so I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Sharon L Hall.
7 reviews
November 26, 2021
Page turner

I would give this book four stars. Very good plot hard to figure out. Interest building as story unfolded. Good mix of medical and detective drama. Would recommend to anyone who loves trying to figure out who done it.
145 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2022
A very exciting medical thriller

I throughly enjoyed this book. It has suspense and plot twists galore. This is the first Mike Krentz book that I’ve read and I liked it enough to explore some of his other works.
4 reviews
January 2, 2021
Dead Already.

This is a great read. I stayed up till 3:00am several nights because I couldn't put it down! I love medical mysteries.
23 reviews
January 4, 2021
Stimulating

I found the book to be stimulating and yet refreshing. I enjoyed the suspense and enjoyed the end of the book.
14 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2021
This was an excellent read, and Mike Krentz is a very talented writer. As a medical professional, I loved how accurate the workings of the ER was. I look forward to more from this writer.
4 reviews
July 4, 2021
This book was masterfully written. It contained enough medical and psychological drama. A very good work.
Profile Image for Vicki Gilbertson.
421 reviews11 followers
November 12, 2021
Dead Already a new concept medical thriller. Who can be trusted and whom will survive. Looking forward for more books, hopefully like this from Mike Krentz.
27 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2021
Intriguing

I don’t usually read this type of book but this one grabbed me and didn’t let go. Loved the character development. I will definitely read more of this author.
Profile Image for Ruth Stevens.
Author 3 books76 followers
February 4, 2022
Very gripping story, confidently written and fast-paced. I'm more a reader of women's fiction, but this was a good read and I especially admired the attention to medical and legal detail.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews

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