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Terminal Lucidity
Best Thriller Award Finalist (2024) -- BestThrillers.com
"First, do no harm..."
Nurse Ariel Savin thrives in the demanding world of critical care, but on an assignment to the neurological unit, she discovers a horrifying secret: esteemed neurosurgeon Dr. Harold Goss is performing questionable experiments on his helpless patients, trapping them as living cadavers in a shadowy half-world between life and death.
Goss built his neurological unit for research in brain stem regeneration to save the life of his brain-dead wife. But funding for Goss’s noble quest has dried up. Dark investors step in with a plan to commodify human consciousness, trading lives for profit. They’re demanding more bodies. It’s up to Goss to provide them. He’s not about to let Ariel or ethical dilemmas get in his way.
Ariel faces a whirlwind of betrayal and loss as a hurricane draws closer. She’s in a harrowing race against time to outwit death and unravel the truth.
Terminal Lucidity is an eye-opening medical thriller that delves into the ethics of AI use in humans. A flawed protagonist, set against tense family drama in a puzzling conspiracy riddled with conflict, offers an adrenaline-drenched read. Great for fans of Robin Cook and Blake Crouch.
"First, do no harm..."
Nurse Ariel Savin thrives in the demanding world of critical care, but on an assignment to the neurological unit, she discovers a horrifying secret: esteemed neurosurgeon Dr. Harold Goss is performing questionable experiments on his helpless patients, trapping them as living cadavers in a shadowy half-world between life and death.
Goss built his neurological unit for research in brain stem regeneration to save the life of his brain-dead wife. But funding for Goss’s noble quest has dried up. Dark investors step in with a plan to commodify human consciousness, trading lives for profit. They’re demanding more bodies. It’s up to Goss to provide them. He’s not about to let Ariel or ethical dilemmas get in his way.
Ariel faces a whirlwind of betrayal and loss as a hurricane draws closer. She’s in a harrowing race against time to outwit death and unravel the truth.
Terminal Lucidity is an eye-opening medical thriller that delves into the ethics of AI use in humans. A flawed protagonist, set against tense family drama in a puzzling conspiracy riddled with conflict, offers an adrenaline-drenched read. Great for fans of Robin Cook and Blake Crouch.
- GenresThriller
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2024
5 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Jo Loveday
3 books24 followersJo Loveday is the award-winning author of gripping psychological thrillers and chilling horror novels that will keep you up way past your bedtime—with just enough romance to make your heart race for more than one reason. Her stories delve into the shadowy edges of the human psyche, exploring morality, madness, and the eerie unknown that lurks beneath the surface of everyday life.
With a background as a registered nurse, Jo brings both compassion and clinical insight to her work, offering an authentic and unsettling look into the human condition. Whether it's a slow descent into madness, a supernatural presence worming its way in, or a moral dilemma that haunts the characters long after the story ends, Jo’s writing grips you by the soul and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Born in the frosty tundra of Winnipeg, Canada, Jo eventually escaped the cold when a job offer in Florida lured her south. Now a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., she divides her time between Florida, Georgia, and frequent pilgrimages to Winnipeg. You can find her lurking online at JoLoveday.com.
With a background as a registered nurse, Jo brings both compassion and clinical insight to her work, offering an authentic and unsettling look into the human condition. Whether it's a slow descent into madness, a supernatural presence worming its way in, or a moral dilemma that haunts the characters long after the story ends, Jo’s writing grips you by the soul and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Born in the frosty tundra of Winnipeg, Canada, Jo eventually escaped the cold when a job offer in Florida lured her south. Now a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., she divides her time between Florida, Georgia, and frequent pilgrimages to Winnipeg. You can find her lurking online at JoLoveday.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2024
2.5 stars rounded off to 3.
A medical thriller sets a great moral premise. And so this book goes beyond just the fast paced happenings at a hospital where a nurse uncovers something extraordinary about one of the doctors.
Positives : the pace is set well. A good thriller must grab a reader's attention as soon as possible and this book does that well. Within the first 30 pages we know something is up and some seeds of doubt are planted. The pace continues steady until the last page.
Criticisms : the resolution is a little too dramatic and implausible. A good shocking twist is missing. What we think is going on is exactly what is going on. I wish this was dealt with differently.
I was kindly sent an ARC by BookSirens and the author in exchange for an honest review.
A medical thriller sets a great moral premise. And so this book goes beyond just the fast paced happenings at a hospital where a nurse uncovers something extraordinary about one of the doctors.
Positives : the pace is set well. A good thriller must grab a reader's attention as soon as possible and this book does that well. Within the first 30 pages we know something is up and some seeds of doubt are planted. The pace continues steady until the last page.
Criticisms : the resolution is a little too dramatic and implausible. A good shocking twist is missing. What we think is going on is exactly what is going on. I wish this was dealt with differently.
I was kindly sent an ARC by BookSirens and the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2024
This is one hair raising read. It is a gripping intense edge of your seat read. Several times I thought I felt bile creeping up the back of my throat. This is not for the faint of heart. It really makes you think twice about what goes on in hospitals and who you can trust. I had some suspicions , but it was far more reaching. A very well written thriller that I enjoyed every word of. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
February 10, 2025
This medical thriller has an exciting pace. It grabbed my attention right away. The story addresses ethical issues in the medical field and really makes you think about research and the lengths researchers may go to get results. The characters are interesting and it was a great read. I hope to see more from this author!
October 25, 2024
This book certainly kept me on the edge of my seat! The accuracy of the medical nature was a total bonus - it made me really "feel" for the characters in the book. A little romance to boot and it made for a very enjoyable read! This is the first book I've read from this author and I definitely plan to read more! Her style and pacing is great! I love a good thriller - my favorite genre, actually, and I'm adding her to my favorite authors list to catch more!
The characters in the book are very likable and easy to relate to. The plot got super thick and I found myself reading faster to figure out all the twisted stuff going on!
I would recommend this book to anyone, but would include a trigger warning of animal cruelty.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. I did also purchase a print copy of the book to share with other readers in my family!
The characters in the book are very likable and easy to relate to. The plot got super thick and I found myself reading faster to figure out all the twisted stuff going on!
I would recommend this book to anyone, but would include a trigger warning of animal cruelty.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. I did also purchase a print copy of the book to share with other readers in my family!
October 22, 2024
I breezed through this read quickly as it was hard to put down. This medical thriller is full
of unexpected twists and turns. I quickly became attached to Ariel the main character for her determination and grit to get to the truth. I hope there are people working in the medical field that have her moral standards. Hard to believe this is Jo's first published book. I can't wait to read her next thriller!
of unexpected twists and turns. I quickly became attached to Ariel the main character for her determination and grit to get to the truth. I hope there are people working in the medical field that have her moral standards. Hard to believe this is Jo's first published book. I can't wait to read her next thriller!
August 28, 2024
prescription for suspense
Jo Loveday’s debut medical mystery follows an astute critical care nurse who discovers unethical research occurring within her hospital. as she risks her life and reputation to reveal the truth, the stakes rise and the tension mounts.
Jo Loveday’s debut medical mystery follows an astute critical care nurse who discovers unethical research occurring within her hospital. as she risks her life and reputation to reveal the truth, the stakes rise and the tension mounts.
December 10, 2024
Exciting thrill ride of a story, written by a very talented author!
Great cover!
A+++++
Great cover!
A+++++
October 26, 2024
3.5 stars for this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A lovely gripping dark story for a debut novel. Jo draws deep into her personal experience as a nurse and displays her focused research on the topic of this book with ethical issues, moral issues, AI and medical research which affects both sides the families and patients as well as the medical, research fraternity.
The story addresses the complexities and ethical issues that seem to haunt the medical system and where the research and just getting to a point where right and wrong sometimes takes a backseat in the name of progress or more selfish desires about money.
This is my first book from the author and I would like to read more of her output.
The protagonist Ariel makes for an interesting character and one whom I would follow and believe. Her conviction in red-flagging unethical research in the hospital that she works in and its obvious fallout forms the rest of the story.
Recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A lovely gripping dark story for a debut novel. Jo draws deep into her personal experience as a nurse and displays her focused research on the topic of this book with ethical issues, moral issues, AI and medical research which affects both sides the families and patients as well as the medical, research fraternity.
The story addresses the complexities and ethical issues that seem to haunt the medical system and where the research and just getting to a point where right and wrong sometimes takes a backseat in the name of progress or more selfish desires about money.
This is my first book from the author and I would like to read more of her output.
The protagonist Ariel makes for an interesting character and one whom I would follow and believe. Her conviction in red-flagging unethical research in the hospital that she works in and its obvious fallout forms the rest of the story.
Recommended.
August 14, 2025
I found this book in a little bookshop in the North Georgia Mountains. Looking into the author, I can see that this is her first novel. For this book, I can tell that Ms. Loveday had the potential to be a good author. However, there was something missing from and too much included in “Terminal Lucidity”. Building the foundation of the story was missing. Without delving too far back into my school days, the exposition was missing. The reader was dumped directly into the conflict with no explanation. This feels bad to say, but you could read the synopsis on the back of the book and then the few chapters and not miss much. Much of the middle is unnecessary with extra plot points added in for fluffy and suspense. The characters are not well fleshed out, and certain aspects were dwelt on. I don’t want to sound overly harsh to a new author. I wanted to enjoy the book, it has potential, but it’s just not there yet.
October 23, 2024
Do no harm – that what people in the medical field believe. But what if your wife has been in a tragic accident? Would you do everything in your power to save her? This has happened to Dr. Goss, a neurologist. Ariel, a post op nurse discovers that he is experimenting with brain dead people in a new department just for his work. Do they know what is happening? Why doesn’t anyone care enough to stop this. Love this medical thriller. A bit of romance, and then full blown deceit and suspense. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy medical thrillers. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.
August 31, 2024
A medical thriller full of plot twists and a strong female protagonist. This author’s debut novel brought me into the chaos one can only imagine inside a hospital’s emergency room. I had the pleasure of reading an ARC copy and found it a page turner. A well-done thrill ride.
Jeff Shaw
Jeff Shaw
February 20, 2025
Excellent Medical Thriller! Well written book. One of my favorite recent reads :)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews