The Fatal Mind

by N.J. Gallegos

Dr. Aldea Absinthe's experimental chip-implant procedure inhibits the migraine pain of her patients, releasing them from debilitating chronic pain. When she performs her new procedure on Shawn Gilbert, a former NBA superstar whose career was cut short by headaches, he becomes her biggest advocate, launching the brilliant and beautiful neurologist to national stardom. But when Shawn's wife Rachel sees his personality become darker by the day, it becomes a race against time to uncover the deadly secret behind Dr. Absinthe's miracle cure in this Black Mirror meets Frankenstein medical horror thriller.


"Once again, Dr. Gallegos takes you to dark places in The Fatal Mind. A surgically implanted chip to cure migraine headaches sounds like a miracle cure where all other treatments have failed. The chip works great, but the side effects are terrifying. Personality changes lead to erratic behavior, setting off a series of tragic events. Dr. Gallegos’ medical expertise is on full display as she takes you on a journey through a mind spiraling into madness, and the shocking ending will leave you questioning every character in the book. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller with a touch of horror, look no further." -- Gary Gerlacher, author of Last Patient of the Night and Faulty Bloodline


"N.J. Gallegos has established herself as the Queen of medical horror. THE FATAL MIND is fast-paced and gory with stakes that get higher with the turn of every page. With layered characters and a wicked premise, y’all are gonna have a helluva good time reading.”--Laurel Hightower, author of CROSSROADS and THE DAY OF THE DOOR

"This is the horror that resides deep inside of us, in the recesses of our brains. If you've ever wished for a miracle cure--no you haven't. Gallegos seriously knows what she's doing!" -- Ruth Anna Evans, author of Against Medical Advice and OH FUCK OH FUCK IT HURTS


"N.J. Gallegos (aka Dr. Spooky) strikes again with her new novel, The Fatal Mind. Tapping into reader angst during a time of rapidly developing diseases and cures, this medical horror thriller combines realistic medical advances, engaging characters, and breakneck suspense, enthralling readers from first page to last. I loved Shawn, Rachel, and Doctor Absinthe, all-too-human characters faced with tough choices with grave consequences." -- Michele W. Miller, author of The Lower Power and The Thirteenth Step: Zombie Recovery


"Move over, Robin Cook! We have a new physician-author in the house, and she's brought her A-game! The Fatal Mind is fast-paced, gritty, horrifying, and totally on point. Gallegos' medical thriller asks the question...how far are you willing to go to rid your body of chronic pain? The answer, in true N.J. Gallegos style, is explosive. --Bridgett Nelson, Splatterpunk Award-winning author of Red Inside and A Bouquet of Viscera


"THE FATAL MIND is a wry, propulsive medical thriller - entertaining and fun as hell. I was in from page one." —Keith Rosson, author of Fever House and The Devil by Name

Genres: Horror, Queer, LGBT, Adult

210 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2024

About the author

N.J. Gallegos was born in Alamosa, Colorado (which coincidentally, is a hotbed for UFO activity). She attended college at UCCS in Colorado Springs and medical school in Missouri. After her Emergency Medicine residency, she settled in Illinois with her wife and two cats.

She loves Star Wars (especially Ahsoka), craft beers (IPAs and sours are her faves), drawing, EDM, and running.

She'll read almost anything but is drawn to horror, thrillers, sci-fi, and historical fiction.

Reviews

[myreadingescapism · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably going to be my book of the year, only because I suffer from migraines on the daily, 24/7. In fact, I had to stop reading this book at 62 pages in because my eyes were seeing stars. I love this book so much, only because I suffer from migraines from a neck injury and I absolutely just loved this book.

It was predictable, I kind of figured out majority of it pretty early on but I enjoyed the medical jargon and the migraines… so fucking relatable to me.

[Ashlee Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren’t enough words to say about how amazing this book is! Very well written, the details paint the most vivid pictures in your head as you’re reading, and the story line flows so intricately! Absolutely my favorite book of 2024 so far!!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from N.J. Gallegos, and I have to tell you, it was amazing! I loved the use of different characters for each chapter to advance the plot. Having been rewatching Grey's Anatomy, it was fun seeing all of the references to episodes. The science and medicine reminded me of Robin Cook, with a dash of Stephen King horror thrown in for fun.
You should definitely pick this up.

#TheFatalMind

[Jamedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally on JamReads

The Fatal Mind is a fast-paced medical horror thriller written by N.J. Gallegos, published by Winding Road Stories. What promised to be the definitive cure for migraines will end unleashing a wave of horror when its secondary effects are discovered, starting a race against time to find a solution.

Shawn Gilbert's NBA career was cut by the headaches; after trying all the possible remedies for the migraines, he hears about miraculous chip developed by Dr Aldea Absinthe. After experiencing it by himself, he becomes his biggest advocate; however, with time, his personality starts becoming darker, and other patients develop unexpected episodes that threaten to break with Dr Absinthe's success. Either they solve it soon, or it may end with a tragedy for Gilbert and his wife, Rachel.

From the three perspectives, we become part of how their lives are running towards their ruin: in the case of Dr Absinthe, she's about to lose all his prestige and work if her chip provokes these changes; while in the case of Gilbert and Rachel, it's how Gilbert slowly becomes more violent and prone to aggression, becoming dangerous for those close to him. While Rachel and Absinthe are working on solving the problems, the perspective of losing the cure to that migraines is not an option, because of how incapacitating those headaches are.

Despite the prose can be seen as a bit dry, it is true that pairs well with the fast pacing. Gallegos puts a great care into accurately recreating how an emergency room works, and the medical details are amazingly portrayed; without losing the focus on the horror elements that, at the end, tie all together.

The Fatal Mind is a great horror novel, perfect if you are looking for something fast and that you can devour in one read; if you think about a Black Mirror episode, this novel could perfectly fit it.

[Ashley Marmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run from NJ Gallegos! This medical thriller has you feeling all the emotions. My favorite part of this book is the very last sentence…. What will the great doctor be up to next???

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

N J Gallegos’ real life medical knowledge comes in handy in The Fatal Mind.

Shawn Gilbert’s NBA career ended when he suffered a head injury. The constant migraine headaches are relentless, ruining any semblance of a normal life…until…

Dr Absinthe has created an experimental chip that inhibits migraines and as soon as Shawn learns of it, he’s on board, FDA approval or not. I have headaches, but Tylenol does the trick for me. Would I want an experimental chip implanted into my brain? I don’t think so.

Some of Dr Absinthe patients don’t react so well to the implant. I figured her patients couldn’t all survive, otherwise we wouldn’t have a story. I am just along for the ride, letting the author take me where they want, instead of trying to anticipate the characters’ every move.

I was shocked, yet I smiled, at the brutal conclusion of Shawn and Rachel’s story. I never saw that coming, and I love it. N J Gallegos kept the pacing at a steady rate, keeping me reading page after page. I had to know how she would end the story.

That last sentence…well…

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Fatal Mind by N J Gallegos.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fatal Mind by N.J Gallegos
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazingly wonderful book! It’s a combo of medical and psychological horror! I enjoyed reading it so much! Theres great attention to details and information given, within the medical field. I loved the premise of the story and how it all developed and played out. There’s lots of thrills, suspense and creep!
A neurologist, Dr. Absinthe, created a special chip that goes inside your head to help cure migraines. This is an amazing medical discovery and is changing the lives of a lot of people. It seems like a miracle chip until things begin to go wrong!!
The book is very well written and sucked me in right from the beginning!

This is my first book from this author, but I’m very excited to read more. Thank you to N.J. Gallegos for an ecopy of this fantastic book!!
*It’s a must read*

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gallegos Rocks!

FATAL MINDS is fantastic, riveting from the first page to the last. It's fast, told from multiple viewpoints, and the writing screams authenticity. I'm looking forward to reading more by Gallegos. Highly recommended!

[Abbi Sorrells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was the lucky recipient of an ARC of this book. Once again, N.J. wrote something that sucked me in quickly. It has the perfect amount of suspense to keep you reading. You can’t stop because you have to see what’s going to happen. I highly recommend starting this when you have time to finish in 1-2 days because you won’t want to do anything, including sleep, until you finish. I can’t WAIT to read more from her.

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE FATAL MIND – by N.J. Gallegos

‘Dr. Aldea Absinthe’s experimental chip-implant procedure inhibits the migraine pain of her patients, releasing them from debilitating chronic pain. When she performs her new procedure on Shawn Gilbert, a former NBA superstar whose career was cut short by headaches, Gilbert becomes her biggest advocate, launching the brilliant and beautiful neurologist to national stardom. But when Gilbert’s wife Rachel sees Gilbert’s personality become darker by the day, it becomes a race against time to uncover the deadly secret behind Dr. Absinthe’s miracle cure . . . .’

In this Horror/Medical Thriller, you will find characters you love and those you love to hate! Also, love the cover and the ending—Highly Recommend!

Thank you, N.J. Gallegos and Winding Road Stories, for providing me with an eBook of THE FATAL MIND at the request of an honest review.

[Cory Rathbun · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received this as an unpaid ARC for an honest review courtesy of the author.

I’ll preface this with a small bit - medical thrillers aren’t my typical rotation but boy am I glad I read it! The best intentions go wrong in a book I was 1/3 of the way through earlier tonight and then devoured the rest in one sitting. NJ Gallegos is an ER doc and it shows with the accuracy of life in the hospital and the descriptions of all things medical but I think what struck me most besides the tension and mounting dread was the clarity of the emotions involved. Each of the three viewpoints was absolutely distinct and you could feel alongside each main character as the story progressed. When the story hit the mark where my mental “oh nooo”’s were ramping up I had to finish it tonight. If you’re a fan of thrillers or just well developed characters you’ll find a lot to love here and I’m deliberately glossing over a wild ending that I did not see coming!

Do yourself a favor and give it a read. You’ll be happy you did.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never not be stunned by how NJ describes the anatomy and physiology in her books. In plain terms and the picture painted is so vivid. The arterial bleed… feels like I am working in the ED reading those radiology reports. NJ sets the scene beautifully in their writing and weaves an intricate web that I personally could not put down. I feel like this book was written in my ED, minus the brain chips, the personalities and quips are exactly like what you’d expect. The twist I didn’t see coming, while building with the beat of the story.

[Amanda Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This medical thriller/horror had me gripped from the beginning and didn’t let go. The easy descriptions of all different procedures and the anatomy really helped keep this moving at such a *breakneck ;) * pace.

Thank you N.J. Gallegos for the eARC!

[Angela Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild plot twist! I enjoyed reading this book so much! NJ is incredible at what she does!

[Nathaniel Darkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medical thriller/horror that moves at a fantastic pace. Consumed the whole thing in a single sitting. Not surprised: my homie NJ is a fantastic writer. Can't wait to see what she has in store next!

[Martyna ☾ hauntingreads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5★

i’m not okay 😭😭😭

szybkie myśli:
• cały komentarz na temat bólu i migren - truly unmatched, jeśli autorka sama nie cierpi na migrenę to musiała zrobić naprawdę porządny research

• końcówkę czytało się jak najlepszy możliwy thriller, pełen akcji, napięcia i niepewności, ale też jak najlepszy horror — obrzydliwy i włażący pod skórę, ale jednocześnie na tyle naturalny, że nie wybijał z rytmu groteskowością ani nie epatował wulgarnością

• tak, mam pewne uwagi co do książki jako ogółu, ale daję 5/5 bo już dawno żadna książka nie dała mi tyle radości co ta. Tego uczucia ekscytacji, że coś mi się NAPRAWDĘ NAPRAWDĘ PODOBA nie miałam w zeszłym roku dużo, a ostatnio to w sierpniu, więc z miłości wybaczam wszystkie niedociągnięcia i nie zamierzam przepraszać

recenzja:

N. J. Gallegos - "Tha Fatal Mind"

Na jakie poświęcenia bylibyście gotowi, żeby uwolnić się od chronicznego bólu?
Takie pytanie stawia sobie Gallegos i z tego bierze się The Fatal Mind - swoiste połączenie Black Mirror z Frankensteinem. Aldea Absinthe jest badaczką i neurolożką, a przede wszystkim - twórczynią eksperymentalnego chipa, który po wszczepieniu do mózgu nie tylko redukuje, ale całkowicie pozbywa się bólu migrenowego. Jest tylko jeden haczyk - cudowny chip nie został zaaprobowany przez FDA... mimo tego Shawn Gilbert, były sportowiec i znany koszykarz NBA, którego kariera została przerwana przez wypadek na boisku i będące skutkiem wypadku migreny, postanawia wypróbować terapię.

Czytelnik nie musi się nawet domyślać, jak dla Shawna się to skończy - już w pierwszym rozdziale poznajemy jedną z byłych pacjentek doktor Absinthe, która w tymże rozdziale umiera w wypadku samochodowym. Autorka raczej nie zamierzała zwodzić czytelnika - to jasne, że pośrednią przyczyną śmierci był chip.

Tak, The Fatal Mind to nie jest najbardziej zaskakująca książka, jaką w życiu czytałam. Sam pomysł też nie jest jakiś ultra oryginalny - wariacji na temat magicznego leku X leczącego chorobę Y który to lek nie działa do końca z oczekiwaniami... było tysiące. A jednak... The Fatal Mind dostał ode mnie 5/5. Kocham tę historię ze wszystkimi wadami, kliszami, niedociągnięciami. Na tym chyba polega miłość???

Bohaterowie, choć Shawna nie znosiłam od początku do końca, są wyraziści i zaskakująco dobrze nakreśleni jak na raptem 200 stron książki. Momentami miałam wrażenie, że niektóre sceny flashbackowe można było uciąć, bo odrobinę wybijały z rytmu historii, ale z czasem doceniłam i je, ponieważ dzięki temu na koniec historii byłam faktycznie zżyta z bohaterami i przejmowałam się ich losem. Tak, Shawna nie polubiłam, ale nadal byłam ciekawa, jak potoczy się jego historia, natomiast bardzo mocno kibicowałam jego lekarce, czyli Dr. Absinthe, a przede wszystkim jej relacji z Taylor - cóż mogę powiedzieć, i'm a sucker for sapphic romance. Ale koniec końców to nie bohaterowie są powodem, dla którego tak bardzo uwielbiam tę historię.

Więc co? Poniekąd na pewno świetny research jaki włożyła w tę książkę autorka. Jest tu tyle informacji o migrenie i rozmów na temat mózgu, że momentami czułam się nieco przytłoczona natłokiem medycznego słownictwa - niektóre słowa po wygooglowaniu musiałam tłumaczyć na polski, a potem jeszcze "z polskiego na nasze", bo polski ekwiwalent nic mi nie mówił (ale hej, przynajmniej w końcu zapamiętałam, że hemorrhage to krwotok/wylew XD). To, jak czuje się osoba z migreną było opisane tak wyraziście, że byłabym bardzo zdziwiona, gdyby sama autorka nie cierpiała na migreny. Jeśli tak nie jest, to chylę czoła za research, bo było to świetnie opisane.

Ale to, za co tak *naprawdę* dałam te 5 gwiazdek to po prostu... emocje, jakie czułam podczas czytania. Ta książka zwyczajnie dała mi tyle frajdy i ekscytacji, tyle poczucia że kocham czytać, poczucia tych endorfin, jakie daje obcowanie z czymś, co podoba nam się tak bardzo, tak BARDZO BARDZO, że nie mogłam nie dać jej 5/5... because five star is a feeling.

Końcówkę czytało się jak najlepszy możliwy thriller, pełen akcji, napięcia i niepewności, ale też jak najlepszy horror — obrzydliwy i włażący pod skórę, ale jednocześnie na tyle naturalny, że nie wybijał z rytmu groteskowością ani nie epatował wulgarnością. Nie mogłam się oderwać, miałam ochotę krzyczeć z ekscytacji i tylko wkurzałam się na własne oczy i zdolności przetwarzania, że DLACZEGO JA TAK WOLNO CZYTAM, JA JUŻ CHCĘ SIĘ DOWIEDZIEĆ CO DALEJ. Znacie to? :D

I tak, ta książka ma swoje wady i pewne minusy, ale mnie to nic nie obchodzi i wszystko jej wybaczam, BO TAK.

Kocham tę książkę i tyle, nara

5/5, would recommend

[Screaming Possum · Rating 5 out of 5]

** note: I received an unpaid ARC copy of this book for honest review courtesy of the author. That said, I'm probably going to be picking up a hard copy or two when it becomes available because I enjoyed it that much.

Reading for pleasure had been an issue for me since college as I could never find a book that would pull me in enough to keep reading past the first few pages. This book changed that, not only keeping me enthralled but also setting aside time to read it.

The Fatal Mind is a story that taps directly in to a question many of us with chronic health conditions, especially neurological, grapple with every day: what are we willing to risk as side-effects to gain back a shred of what our lives were before our symptoms ruled our lives? N.J. Gallegos shows a deeply-compelling answer that perfectly walks the line between compassionate and horrifying, a miracle cure promising relief from intense, debilitating migraines. But then the side-effects start to show, innocuous at first, but slowly revealing just how dangerous they can be.
The thing which filled me with the greatest terror was that these side-effects were ones which I had myself accepted as a risk (at least on the milder side, not quite to the intensity of sci-fi experiment gone a bit awry) for my own debilitating neurological symptoms, though I did not have quite the promise that it would work. The summary of this book says "Black Mirror meets Frankenstein", though I would beg to differ. It's Black Mirror meets The Monkey's Paw, and I have no idea how much I'd let that finger curl.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Fatal Mind” by N.J. Gallegos is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark recesses of the human psyche with a twist of medical prowess. Gallegos skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story follows a ex basketball player whose seemingly ordinary life takes a sinister turn after a series of unsettling events. A simple medical procedure that is supposed to change your life for the better takes a 180 dark turn into chaos. Gallegos’s ability to create an atmosphere of tension and unease is remarkable, making the book a page-turner.

Gallegos’s writing is sharp and precise, with a keen eye for detail that enhances the story’s suspenseful mood. The narrative is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The exploration of psychological themes adds an extra layer of depth to the novel, making it not just a thriller but also a thought-provoking read. Gallegos has a wonderful way of making the reader think they know what comes next, but her sinister ways always prevail!

Overall, “The Fatal Mind” is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases N.J. Gallegos’s talent for creating immersive and suspenseful stories. It’s a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone looking for a book that will keep them captivated from beginning to end.

[Wofford Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step aside Robin Cook, there’s a new medical thriller writer in town. There isn’t room on my bookshelf for the both of you.
N.J. Gallegos has written the perfect little psychological medical thriller. What could go wrong when a doctor (Dr. Absinthe) invents “a cure” for migraines by implanting an experimental chip into the brain that controls these headaches? Well... uh... everything. I had a growing sense of dread and horror with each page I turned. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until it suddenly wasn’t. There are many favorite parts to N.J.’s storytelling that I enjoy, her always amusing quips in her characters’ speech or thought process (mainly in the character of Rachel in this book). She always makes me smile or laugh out loud with these character details. N.J.’s attention to medical details isn’t heavy-laden with medical lingo but is presented in a way that any reader can understand all the medical procedures. She just writes some damn good stories.
But nothing made my eyes grow wider than the last sentence twist that left me slack-jawed in surprise. You just knew things were going to escalate a hundredfold. The Fatal Mind is a mind scrambler from page one and a story I’ll always think of when I or someone else mentions the words ‘headaches’ or ‘migraines’. I highly recommend this Twilight Zone/Black Mirror-esque medical thriller.

[kenneth m gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the distinct pleasure of reading an ARC for The Fatal Mind by N.J. Gallegos. The book is another fantastic N.J. Gallegos medical/sci-fi/horror story. First the cover: the black background with the blue chip in the red brain dripping blood is sensational! Now, the story inside the cover: as expected the medical environment and personnel are all written with authenticity. This realism really drew me into the story and heightened the horror aspects. The procedure, frightening as it was, felt like something that might realistically be developed and put into use in the near future. NO SPOILERS! Doctor Absinthe ( what a great name right up there with Dr. Phibes!) has a bit of foreshadowing that later reveals what the Doctor is truly capable of. The story has multiple character narrations which allows the reader to learn of Doctor's motivations and also see how the affected patients perceive things through their altered perspectives.
The story builds to a horrifying conclusion with an excellent extra twist that makes me wonder, could Doctor Absinthe return again?! Yes please!
I definitely recommend this book.

[Scott Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fatal Mind is a brilliant medical thriller that grabs you early and doesn’t let go. The three main characters – Shawn, Rachel, and Dr. Aldea Absinthe – engage you directly as you read each titled chapter, centered in a single character’s first person point of view. Each mind is distinct and you live through the character’s eyes as the story unfolds, from the desperation of Shawn Gilbert, willing to risk anything for an end to his debilitating migraines, to his wife, Rachel, who suffers along with him, to Dr. Absinthe, whose relentless ambition to cure at any cost comes from a noble place. Gallegos has captured the emotion and the futility of chronic illness perfectly, letting you understand clearly why Shawn might be willing to allow an unproven medical implant to be placed in his brain. If you’ve seen chronic pain from the inside, you’ll recognize it here. I could sympathize very strongly with the characters, to the point that I hated to see what they were going to go through. Of course, I knew it was going to be bad for them (it’s that kind of book, after all), but I didn’t see the ending coming. No spoilers. Seriously great read.

[Cory Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fatal Mind, the latest novel from the head practitioner of medical horror, N.J. Gallegos, is a fast-paced, thrilling story that will remind you sometimes the cure can be worse than the sickness!

I enjoy an N.J. Gallegos tale every time I read one, be it a short story and now a second novel. Her experience and knowledge of the medical field really lends an authentic feel to her stories that one can't get just through reading medical journals or binge watching TV shows.

I'd been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but I couldn't put this one down. Finished in a day and a half!

The ending of 2 of the 3 main characters was brutal and unexpected. And the very last paragraphs, lol oh boy, they made me feel like I was watching a Tales From the Crypt episode with an ending you never saw comin'!

5/5 get a copy today!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC and I’m SO glad that I got to be one of the first ones to read it!! I already knew I loved NJ Gallegos because we reviewed The Broken Heart for our podcast so I knew I was going to love this book too.

Shawn is an ex NBA player who had to quit the game because of a debilitating brain injury which resulted in his constant suffering from migraines. He and his loving wife move to LA to become part of a medical trial and their worst fears come true.

This author is so good at writing complex, believable characters who have realistic conversations and these may be what I love most about her. That, and the fact that her books always have me questioning who I should be rooting for and why.

And that last sentence???

[Gary Gerlacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Dr. Gallegos takes you to dark places in The Fatal Mind. A surgically implanted chip to cure migraine headaches sounds like a miracle cure where all other treatments have failed. The chip works great, but the side effects are terrifying. Personality changes lead to erratic behavior, setting off a series of tragic events. Dr. Gallegos’ medical expertise is on full display as she takes you on a journey through a mind spiraling into madness, and the shocking ending will leave you questioning every character in the book. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller with a touch of horror, look no further.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting to like this book, and I was disappointed...with myself. I LOVED THIS BOOK. Gallegos has written several discreet but intertwined characters, and has given then authenticity and consistency of voice. The premise of the book is intriguing. There is a minimal amount of gore, and it's not egregious. The pacing is stellar. This book hooks the reader from the first sentence, and doesn't let up the pace.

What sets this book apart from others of the genre, however, is the absolutely blood chilling ending.

Get it, buy it, ask for it at the library. Do not wait.

[Jacob I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

N.J. delivers a story that makes you care deeply for all the characters but makes you switch allegiance throughout.
Is it the bad guy Frankenstein or Frankenstein’s Monster?
I am at a loss in the best way.

[Rachel Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gallegos does it again! This time it feels even better. All of the characters are so relatable and you feel yourself rooting for all of them. Absolute page turner. Read it in one sitting. Yes it’s that good! The best medical Thriller I’ve ever read.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining as heck, with plenty of delightful medical horror and excellent character work.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this as a neurologist. Gallegos creates worryingly plausible horror here, with very realistic characters and mixed motivations and a terrifying premise.

[John Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and compelling story that has heart. Medical horror/thrillers are not my normal bag, but this one is vivid and a lot of fun.