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The Final Push
While on call for the trauma service, third-year medical student Michael Higgins finds himself in an extraordinary situation. He is summoned to the ER to participate in the evaluation and management of a critically-injured patient and soon discovers that the unconscious man lying before him is the same man who, two months earlier, committed a heinous act of violence that shattered Michael’s personal life. Following a lengthy emergency operation, the patient—known only as John Doe—is now under the care of the trauma team, of which student doctor Mike Higgins is a member. As John Doe’s condition gradually improves, Higgins’ personal life deteriorates further, but there might be a way to reverse the downward spiral: if he sees to it that John Doe never leaves the hospital, Michael Higgins’ world may right itself.
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First published December 27, 2013
14 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Richard Van Anderson
8 books22 followersI’m a former heart surgeon turned fiction writer. I write what can be described as medical mysteries, medical thrillers or novels of medical suspense, but I prefer to think of them as novels of surgical suspense.
What is surgical suspense? Surgeons, surgical diseases and the operating room are inherently dramatic. As a former surgeon, I’ve experienced this drama first hand and thought it would make for good fiction. My surgery training took me from the "knife and gun club" of LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, to the famed Bellevue Hospital in Midtown Manhattan. My education as a writer includes an MFA in creative writing where I was mentored by New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane, among other accomplished faculty.
I know a lot about medicine and surgery, I know a lot about writing and storytelling, and I believe that combining this vast and unusual right-brain/left-brain experience will make for interesting reading and discussion, so please visit often.
What is surgical suspense? Surgeons, surgical diseases and the operating room are inherently dramatic. As a former surgeon, I’ve experienced this drama first hand and thought it would make for good fiction. My surgery training took me from the "knife and gun club" of LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, to the famed Bellevue Hospital in Midtown Manhattan. My education as a writer includes an MFA in creative writing where I was mentored by New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane, among other accomplished faculty.
I know a lot about medicine and surgery, I know a lot about writing and storytelling, and I believe that combining this vast and unusual right-brain/left-brain experience will make for interesting reading and discussion, so please visit often.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 24, 2015
An extraordinary tale of medical suspense. Very, very good.
I am a surgeon myself, like the author, and a novelist as well. I am always on the lookout for entertaining medical fiction, but more often than not I'm disappointed. Many docs might have a story to tell, but they simply don't know how to tell it—which doesn't stop them from trying unfortunately.
Not the case here. This is first and foremost a good story well told—which is the least one can ask from fiction. But it's much more than that. This story has depth. Insightful, intelligent characters. An empathetic, suspenseful plot line. Actions with consequences. And a vivid, at times gut-punching, style.
There's lots of medical terminology here, though I don't believe it ever got in the way of the story telling and was not gratuitous. One or two lines of narration here and there seemed unnecessary and could have been cut, but according to the author's blog this was his first piece and as such it's remarkably polished. Great job.
I will definitely read his novel. If it's as well written as this, it'll be a treat indeed.
Five stars justly earned. Highly recommended.
I am a surgeon myself, like the author, and a novelist as well. I am always on the lookout for entertaining medical fiction, but more often than not I'm disappointed. Many docs might have a story to tell, but they simply don't know how to tell it—which doesn't stop them from trying unfortunately.
Not the case here. This is first and foremost a good story well told—which is the least one can ask from fiction. But it's much more than that. This story has depth. Insightful, intelligent characters. An empathetic, suspenseful plot line. Actions with consequences. And a vivid, at times gut-punching, style.
There's lots of medical terminology here, though I don't believe it ever got in the way of the story telling and was not gratuitous. One or two lines of narration here and there seemed unnecessary and could have been cut, but according to the author's blog this was his first piece and as such it's remarkably polished. Great job.
I will definitely read his novel. If it's as well written as this, it'll be a treat indeed.
Five stars justly earned. Highly recommended.
April 10, 2018
great read
December 9, 2017
Richard Van Anderson is a fine author as he proved with his debut novel, The Organ Takers.
The Final Push is only 35 pages and every page is packed with tension. It is far more difficult to write a short story than a novel and what the author has achieved with The Final Push is truly remarkable.
I never comment specifically on stories for fear of giving away the plot. The Final Push has a great plot, is brilliantly told and is very satisfying.
A "must read."
The Final Push is only 35 pages and every page is packed with tension. It is far more difficult to write a short story than a novel and what the author has achieved with The Final Push is truly remarkable.
I never comment specifically on stories for fear of giving away the plot. The Final Push has a great plot, is brilliantly told and is very satisfying.
A "must read."
December 22, 2017
I loved this medical short story! I urge any of you who love medical thrillers to read anything and everything that Richard Van Anderson writes!!! His are the best of the best of the black market organ thrillers - and anything that is medical. You will not go wrong with one of his books.
Read 'em !
Read 'em !
February 11, 2018
A twisted view of medicine
I found that that Dr. Higgins allowed his personal feelings over power his role of a healer. It truly left an impression on me as to how often this happens in real life. Meaning how many doctors play GOD with people's lives
I found that that Dr. Higgins allowed his personal feelings over power his role of a healer. It truly left an impression on me as to how often this happens in real life. Meaning how many doctors play GOD with people's lives
February 20, 2018
Crazy mixed up story but I liked it anyway. To find oneself face to face with a personal nemesis and to get the opportunity to do something about it; well, it's the stuff dreams are made of. More please!
January 12, 2018
great read but really Short
December 17, 2022
Fun quick read
Very quick read. Very suspenseful. I plan to look for more from this awesome author. Would recommend to most who enjoy this type of book
Very quick read. Very suspenseful. I plan to look for more from this awesome author. Would recommend to most who enjoy this type of book
March 16, 2014
2.5 star read
This was a relatively fast read that I enjoyed until the very end. I didn't find the ending entirely plausible, but it was a pretty decent read all things considered.
This was a relatively fast read that I enjoyed until the very end. I didn't find the ending entirely plausible, but it was a pretty decent read all things considered.
May 30, 2015
Definitely a great read when you are up for a quick, engaging, and thought provoking read. I would have done exactly the same thing here, and I cheered all the way through!
July 17, 2015
The Final Push
Very interesting novella. Looking forwArd to "Organ Takers" book I have in my Kindle Fire. He is an accomplished medical thriller author. Worth the read.
Very interesting novella. Looking forwArd to "Organ Takers" book I have in my Kindle Fire. He is an accomplished medical thriller author. Worth the read.
August 22, 2015
Afternoon read
You can't put this book down. Draws you into the story, like your Higgins. I could see myself doing the same thing. Yes or no. Revenge or murder?
You can't put this book down. Draws you into the story, like your Higgins. I could see myself doing the same thing. Yes or no. Revenge or murder?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews