Lily Parker’s mundane life is forever changed when her husband becomes the new plastic surgeon at Northwind Clinic. Located on a secluded island, the clinic offers ultimate privacy for the rich and famous.
But something isn’t right at her new home.
With tall walls surrounding the shore, security guards working around the clock, and cameras watching her every move, Lily becomes highly anxious, bordering on paranoid.
When Lily witnesses the tragic death of a woman working at the clinic, she questions her perfect life and the people around her. More unsettling are the words the woman whispered to Lily before she died.
You shouldn’t have come here.
Fans of Freida McFadden and Kiersten Modglin will devour this fast-paced psychological thriller. The twists will keep you turning the pages through the night.
Creepy, chilling, and intense describe this fast-paced thriller. James Caine once again delivers an original, entertaining story with a nail-biting conclusion. I could absolutely see this as a mini-series or movie. This is a quick and satisfying read that will keep you engaged from start to finish. Thank you to the author and Booksprout for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another thrilling read from James Caine! The story follows Lily and David as they embark on a new chapter in their lives when David lands a prestigious position at a secretive plastic surgery clinic catering to the ultra-elite. Located on a secluded island, the clinic promises both luxury and confidentiality, and their new condo seems like paradise—until a horrifying event shatters the illusion.
When they witness a woman jump from the condo balcony to her death on the rocks below, Lily is forced to question everything. In this so-called paradise, why would someone choose to end their life? The suspense is palpable, and the tension only escalates as Lily dives deeper into the mysteries surrounding the clinic.
This book is absolutely terrifying, keeping me on edge the entire time. The psychological twists and turns, combined with Caine’s masterful storytelling, made it impossible to put down. If you’re looking for a gripping thriller that will leave you anxious and eager for more, this is it.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was highly disappointed in this book. To start of with Mexico is in Central America, not South America. The thoughts behind this book is very disturbing because I could see it being a very real scenario. But … whoever did research on heart transplant surywas way off. This was so unrealistic, I almost stopped reading the book. I will always be concerned about blue transportation barrels in the future.
They are coming for you …
My review challenge question for this title is: At which moment does the major conflict in the book come to an end? When Lily manages to escape and tell her story.
"Keep the Doctor Away" is my first book by James Caine, but certainly not my last. Thrillers are my preferred genre, and this book has cemented my interest in Caine's work. The premise of a clandestine plastic surgery clinic on a remote island sets the stage for suspense.
Dr. David Parker, struggling to find work post-graduation, receives an invitation from a former mentor to join a prestigious plastic surgery clinic on an isolated island catering to an elite clientele. For David, this opportunity seems like a dream come true, a chance to finally enjoy the fruits of his labor alongside his wife, Lily.
However, their arrival on the island marks the beginning of a series of unfortunate events, starting with the harrowing suicide of a woman who ominously warns Lily that leaving is not an option.
Engrossing from the outset, "Keep the Doctor Away" is a chilling narrative that kept me riveted with its unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to put down.
Lily Parker’s life takes a drastic turn when her husband, a newly appointed plastic surgeon at the prestigious Northwind Clinic, relocates them to this realm of luxury and exclusivity.
At first glance, the clinic seems to cater to the wealthy and famous However, beneath the glossy surface, an unsettling undercurrent begins to ripple through Lily. What was intended to be a new beginning quickly morphs into a prison of anxiety and suspicion.
Security guards patrol the premises, and surveillance cameras monitor every movement, transforming what should be a sanctuary into a claustrophobic environment.
The turning point in Lily’s journey occurs when she witnesses a tragic event that shakes her to the core: the death of a woman who worked at the clinic. In her final moments, the woman whispers a haunting message to Lily, “You shouldn’t have come here.”
This book is another fantastic masterpiece by James Caine. He has crafted a narrative which was chilling and fast paced. The well constructed plot unfolded with precision and drew me in with tension and suspense. It was a thrilling journey from beginning to end. Thank you to James Caine for having me as part of your ARC team and allowing me an early copy of your fantastic book.
This title is an understatement regarding the doctors at the surgical center. Who knew that death was part of the treatment for some patients?
Dr. Parker and his wife Lily, finally get the call to live on an exclusive island where He will be the private surgeon for the rich and famous. Unfortunately, this quick rise to the top comes with a hefty price. With cameras watching their every move in their new "community", a death on the first night of their arrival, and the words the previous nurse said to Lily before she fell to her death " You shouldn't have come here,,, they will come for you". Lily is left wondering is this new life her dream come true or a terrible nightmare.
Caine has so many twists and turns in this novel I could hardly catch my breath before another shoe drops. This one left me wanting backstories on every character. They all seemed to be escaping something from their past.
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of Keep The Doctor Away by James Caine. Well this one was creepy. It was a quick and easy read that kept me glued to the book. Lots of twists and turns in this one. A real nail biter. Go ahead and give it a go! A 5 star rating from me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.5⭐️ This is easily one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. Wow!!!! 🤯 bone chilling, page turning, suspenseful! The ending had me heated because I needed more!!! Sheesh, this is a good one! I’ll never forget this book!
A short yet thrilling read on the darkest trade that’s happening with the highest paid surgeons in a clinic!
The writing is really good and the characters are dark as you can expect them to be.
The plot will give you nightmares.
Close the book if you are not in a mood for fast paced thrillers because I did the same when I first pick up the book. But when I picked up the book later, I just couldn’t stop reading it!
A fun, fast paced read if you’re looking for a quick thrill!
Lily accompanies her plastic surgeon husband to an island where he has his first big job in the industry, but the island is full of shady people that Lily never feels like she can fully trust.
I enjoyed this read and look forward to his next book!
Thanks so much to the author & NetGalley for my ARC.
In Keep The Doctor Away, we meet Lily - an average woman with an average life, and her husband, David. When David’s work as a surgeon uproots them to a secluded island, Lily’s life becomes less than average…
TW: there’s a good bit of gore and a suicide early in the book.
This was one of the best books I’ve read of late - such a page turner! You know from the beginning there are going to be twists and you just HAVE to find out! It was fast-paced, but not rushed, so I was totally hooked.
Lily is a really vulnerable and sensitive character that I just wanted to give a big hug to 💖 I think you’d find it hard not to like her. She’s humble and normal, likeable and lovely.
David made me so mad. From the beginning, you can tell he is definitely a walking red flag 🚩🙃 and as the book goes on, we see how that unfolds…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was crazy good! It was a gripping thrill ride and such a page turner. I never saw the reveal coming. I had ideas but nothing like that! I’m thrilled I got to read this! Highly recommend! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Let me start with the positives: This was an interesting premise. I think the idea behind it and the twist are interesting, but I don't think it was executed very well, which brings me to the negatives.
Firstly, I have to say that for the first 50 or so pages I thought I was reading a book written by a woman. I'm not entirely sure why because the name is very obvious, but I guess I just missed it not looking at an actual cover all the time. While reading, I wonder what was wrong with this woman, by that I mean Lily, was acting in ridiculous ways and interpreting/justifying her husbands actions, his awful opinions and his selfishness, and then I realised she was written by a man. Maybe that was part of the issue. Anyway, I couldn't stand her husband I couldn't understand why she would have been okay moving to an island without any contact to the rest of the world.... Secondly, I don't think the author has done much research into the medical aspects of his story, especially in relation to heart transplants. I have watched 6 seasons of Grey's Anatomy and I think I have a better understanding than him! This in particular made the storyline unbelievable and almost ridiculous. There were also some unexpected changes in the characters, and their explanation seemed disingenuous and made to fit for the storyline.
Lastly, I don't think it was very well written. It had the potential to be a good book, but there was very little time spent setting the scene and thus it lacks atmosphere. I don't think I will read another book by this author, simply because I think there are so many other authors I rather read.
I straight away got Don’t Worry Darling vibes so OF COURSE I had to continue reading..
Can confirm there was no Harry Styles 😔
I enjoyed this book, it was a gripping read though I did feel the ending was a bit…meh? Throughout the plot, I felt the book was alluding to *something* (no spoilers here!) which I was SO excited to be revealed…but then the ending gave no clarification on this and I felt like an idiot 😂
I’d recommend for the DWD vibes, but for me personally it was a mediocre read 😊
When Lily was 7, her mother murdered her father. She was in the middle of a schizophrenic break. As an adult, Lily constantly has nightmares of that horrible night. When an amazing job opportunity is offered, her husband she begins to question everything. Can what she's seeing and hearing be real? Or has her mother passed her schizophrenia down to her?
My Thoughts
Wow! What a well written ride. I was glued to the pages, on the edge of my seat, desperately reading on.
I didn't start this book with very high hopes. Another "stranded on an island" thriller. How new or original could it be? 🤔 I'm so glad I was wrong! The writing reeled me in, and the storyline kept me glued.
I found Lily to be a tad self-centered and annoying in the beginning. She seemed very engrossing in her own pain of what she gave up to follow her husband. I wanted to scream, "It was YOUR choice to go!" I quickly learned she had every right to her feelings, and she wasn't being dramatic. She clearly had PTSD. Even though the author never stated it, he had very plainly written it. I was drawn into her constant search for the truth and her pain at trying to figure out if she was right or if she was losing what she considered her sanity.
In the beginning, I liked David. His child like enthusiasm was contagious. He became insufferable. You can tell he is gasslighting Lily. The question is why. He tries to come off as strong and capable, the man of the house, but is truly weak and a follower. I thoroughly basked in how Caine had written him to be so multidimensional. A rarity is popcorn thrillers.
This book can seem very discriminatory but read on. It does use some racist tropes, but there is a point. The author is conveying that all people are people regardless of financial abilities or race.
I read this in a sitting! I'm very glad I did! Thank you, James Caine and Booksirens, for the free E-Arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!
Wow, this is probably his best since The In-Laws. I love all of Caine's books but these are the most twisted and I love that for me. I really got Don't Worry Darling and mild Get Out vibes going into it but it's definitely original and goes in its own direction.
David gets the opportunity of a lifetime when his mentor invites him to a secluded island to be a plastic surgeon to the rich and famous. He's had trouble finding work in this economy and this sounds like a dream. They'll have a furnished home and all they could ever dream of.. except a cell phone or any access to the outside world at all.
Upon arriving, it's more like a cult compound than paradise. Everything is being monitored and everything is done in secret. Lily is trying to make the most of it. She isn't a social media person anyway, since she had a tragedy in her youth. If anyone can handle it, it's her.
But when Lily starts to dig beneath her idyllic surface, trouble comes knocking. Perhaps the ability to escape was a facade and their ride to the island was on a one way ticket.
So good! I definitely recommend this one.
I also loved the Big Brother references and how the head of security was named Winston. I see what you did there and I approve.
It's one of those thrillers that sneaks up on you. The opening hooked me right away, and before I knew it, I was halfway through, completely caught up in the tension. Caine has a knack for pacing the chapters move quickly, and the suspense builds in a way that feels effortless.
The story itself is clever, with twists that kept me guessing. I especially liked how the medical angle added an extra layer of unease; it’s not just about danger, it’s about trust and control, which makes it hit harder. If I had one quibble, it’s that a couple of the reveals came a little too fast. I wanted more time to sit in the tension before the next twist arrived. Still, that’s a small trade-off for a book that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Overall, this was a gripping, fast-paced read that I’d happily recommend to anyone who loves medical or psychological suspense. It’s smart, tense, and entertaining, definitely worth picking up.
SYNOPSIS - Lily & David Parker move to a secluded island, where David has been hired as a plastic surgeon at private plastic surgery clinic for the ultra-wealthy. - When they arrive, it has weird vibes. Tons of security, cameras, etc. All cellphones are confiscated. - Lily feels like something is off, but is it?
MY THOUGHTS - Interesting premise. - Slow burn. - Very repetitive in many portions. - Not too much character development. - Writing is decent. Kept me interested. - Pretty far-fetched. Reader will need to majorly suspend disbelief.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars. Decent thriller, but reader will need to be ok with majorly suspending disbelief.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchanges for an honest review. This book is out now.
This book had me shaking in my socks! The plot was not an original one, but that didn't matter. The reality of this story being entirely plausible is truly scary, and Caine did a great job terrifying me. It was intense and unputdownable! I always look forward to Caine's books. They're always quick, entertaining reads filled with lots of craziness, and this one did not disappoint. Highly recommend to thriller fans looking for a fun, quick read!
Thank you to Victory Editing for granting me early digital access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re looking for a fast paced, easy read thriller, this is for you! Short chapters and an enjoyable writing style meant I was able to fly through this!
This book didn’t wow me, but it was an enjoyable read either way, with likeable characters, a quirky setting and a mysterious vibe throughout. Id say once I was 60-70% through the book, it did become a little predictable it was still enjoyable either way!
I’d say if you’re stuck in a reading slump or want something you can pick up and put down throughout the day, this is definitely worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“A harrowing story of survival, exploitation and crimes committed by the richest and most powerful in our society.” This book was so fast paced, chilling and kept me at the edge of my seat. I didn’t want to stop reading! At first, I got haunting of hill house vibes that then turned into shutter island vibes. I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait to check out more by this author. Special thanks to the author and publisher for this ARC copy!
Keep the doctor away had a very interesting premise and James Caine's writing was excellent as usual. We know rich people have many advantages over regular people, but do they have even more than we thought? It was quite a page turner.
This book was okay for me. It wasn’t horrible, but it also wasn’t the best book in the world. The twist did surprise me for sure, but it didn’t knock my socks off. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it either
Wow! First of all I’m definitely not about going to some remote island for a job with no contact with the outside world(i.e. no internet, no phone service at all) for any amount of money. But once you find out what’s going on , just wow!!! This book is really good and I highly recommend checking out this indie author!!