A Pre-Med(itated) Murder

by Niru Mohandas

In a hospital every patient is a mystery and every doctor a detective.

Third-year medical student Neena Sundar is eager to put her years of schooling to use. Equipped with a brand-new stethoscope and armed with as many pocket-sized reference books as she can cram into her white coat, Neena enters the halls of a teaching hospital for the first time. Despite rumors circulating about the Curse of the Surgical Rotation, she joins the surgical team on their rounds, scrubs in on marathon surgeries, and masters the art of scut.

But then Neena and her friends stumble across a dead body. Of course Neena knew that death was commonplace in hospitals, but murder...? As a solver of puzzles and a lover of mysteries, she must put her sleuthing skills—medical or otherwise—to good use. Can Neena use her attention to detail and capacious memory, honed by years of test-taking, to rip the (surgical) mask off the killer, or will the Curse of the Surgical Rotation be fulfilled?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Thriller

280 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i received this book as an arc
neena is a medical student and has started working in the student hospital. one morning, neena and her friends stumble across a dead body- someone has been murdered.

i thought that this book was a good quick and easy read! it started quite slow as it took a while to get to the proper mystery and there was a lot of character building but the last half went really quickly, and i didn't want to put it down. ive never read a book in this setting so i thought it was very interesting. i would 100% recommend!

[Kaileigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cozy murder mystery which I love!
I appreciated getting to see the relationships building between all the characters. I enjoyed trying to figure everything out with them!
Think Grey’s Anatomy and make it thriller 🤩

An awesome debut novel from this author 🥳

[Elise B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Neena, an enthusiastic young Indian American 3rd year medical student, navigating her immersion into the chaotic, hierarchical culture of American medical training in the ‘90s on her first rotation, surgery. As a fan of “cozy mysteries”, Neena is excited to find that diagnosing patients is similar to being an amateur sleuth, when she and her friends are shocked to find a dead body in the stairwell of their high end academic community hospital. Neena needs to put her sleuthing skills to the test and summon all her bravado to stand up to her senior residents and solve the murder. Such an enjoyable read, I was rooting for Neena and her friends every step of the way!

[Liberty Schak · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who enjoys building connections with the characters, I loved how the author dove into world building and spent time developing the characters and their relationships. The hidden details that lead up to the ending are small but once you read the ending it all comes together and you’re shocked you didn’t see it before. You learn about medicine alongside Neena and about Indian culture as well. I personally loved all of their relationships, especially the friendship between Cecilia, Neena, Raj, and Neel.

[Brittnay Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining. When the end of the book was approaching I was still trying to piece together things that had happened to the students throughout other chapters. Once the story started to pick up everything went very fast. It began slow and methodical but once events started to happen they fell into place and the motions kept turning.

I enjoyed the characters. I really liked Neena as a FMC. Her friends were family to her and it was sweet. I have a medical background and tid-bits of knowledge sprinkled in the plot was nostalgic. Cute read. Starts slow but it gets faster as time goes on.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a cozy, mystery murder, this is for you! If you love learning about your characters and following them through their journey, this is perfect. The whole time reading this I kept thinking, this is it this is the murder....nope! The murder was so unexpected. Once you get to the murder it moves so fast! This was so entertaining and fun to read. It took me a while due to a book slump. But once I got to the mystery murder I was all in. I love all the characters, even the ones you're supposed to hate.

[Caryn Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neena is a third-year medical student who has just started her clinical rotations. She meets new friends along the way and is really enthusiastic about finally ditching her books to train hands on. Everything is going well…. that is until her and her friends stumble upon a dead body. After witnessing the crime scene, Neena and her friends are determined to get to the bottom of it before anyone else gets hurt.

Neena is so likable. You can truly feel her genuine love for her field and her patients. As one who works in the medical field, I could easily immerse myself into Neena’s world. My favorite part about this book was the characters. The group of friends gave me major Scooby-Doo vibes, which was super lovable. The setting and her interactions with her patients and peers really made this story.

I will say, I personally didn’t love the pacing of the story. The mystery didn’t unfold until about halfway through the book. There was a lot of world building involved. That being said, once everything was revealed, I enjoyed the ending. It was a fun short read!

Thank you to NetGalley & Amplify Publishing for this eARC and congratulations to Niru Mohandas for a wonderful debut novel!!

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Niru, Mohandas, and Subplot Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Pre-Med(stated) Murder is a cozy mystery set in the 90s that follows our main character, Neena, as she embarks on her third year of medical school and navigates all the chaos of putting her learned knowledge and skills into practice. It isn’t until later that she and her friends find a dead body in the stairwell of the hospital and she has to put her knowledge to use to solve the murder!

This was a very entertaining read! As someone who works in the medical field, I loved having an author that actually knew what they were talking about in terms of working in the hospital. The beginning was slow, but had a great payoff in the end!

[Noura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling and intricately woven tale. Set against the backdrop of the medical world, it brilliantly blends suspense, mystery, and the tension of academic life. The protagonist, a hard working medical student that spends most of her free time studying.

The strength of this novel lies in its well-developed characters and the way Mohandas thoughtfully examines the pressures of pursuing a medical career. The pacing is spot on, with the tension steadily building until its climactic moments which happens approximately half way through the book. The writing style is engaging, and the mix of humor and seriousness makes for a balanced reading experience. The mystery itself is clever, with twists and red herrings that keep the reader guessing until the final reveal.

In conclusion, a thought-provoking and entertaining read, offering both suspense and a glimpse into the intense world of medical students. It’s a thrilling mystery that will resonate with anyone interested in crime fiction and medical dramas. Highly recommended for fans of clever mysteries with a touch of dark humor.

[Abby May · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 🌟
ARC review

The premise of this was really fun - a third year med student has just started her surgical rotation and is navigating this new environment, when there is a murder at the hospital.

There is a lot of world building in this book which was quite interesting, although I did feel like it made for a slow pace for the first 45% of the book. The setting however was really interesting, and very different to anything else I have read. Once the mystery starts to unfold, things start to pick up - all leading to a dramatic finale.

I did not feel as connected to the characters as I would have liked, but this was a fun short read.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to dive into A Pre-med(itated) Murder, the debut novel by Niru Mohandas, who's a physician herself. It turned out to be such a great cozy mystery! The story follows Neena Sundar, a third-year med student starting her surgical rotation, and it gave a really interesting look at the stress, sleepless nights, and fast pace of life in a teaching hospital. Plus, it had me laughing out loud at times—Neena is such a fun character. You can't help but love her and her close-knit group of med student friends—Cecilia, Raj, and Neel—who always have each other's backs.

The first half of the book was mostly about character development, giving us a peek into the lives and routines of the students and doctors. The mystery really kicked in around the 50% mark, and from there, it turned into a fast-paced whodunit. I loved the storyline and the twists along the way. The only part that threw me off was the helicopter scene toward the end—it was a bit confusing with all the commotion, and I thought it could’ve been written a bit clearer. But other than that, it was a fantastic cozy medical mystery. I’m definitely looking forward to more from this author!

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title, cover, and description made this an instant "Want to Read" for me. 'A Pre-Med(itated) Murder' is more than a murder mystery, it is an entertaining '90s-era story about a 24-year-old Indian American medical student in New Jersey. There is ample setting and main-character development as Neena navigates the surgical rotation and the unique people around her. This background helps fuel the suspenseful mystery later in the story. For those who want to jump right into a whodunit, I might recommend a different book. However, the descriptions Niru Mohandas painted heightened my enjoyment of all aspects of the story!

I recommend this to anyone looking for a fresh take on a cozy mystery! I'll gladly read the next installment in the Neena Sundar Cozy Mystery Series!

Special thanks to Amplify Publishing Group and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mysteries ride the line between "awww" and eye roll for me. For the most part, this landed "awww".

You're following a cohort of medical students during their first weeks in a teaching hospital. Most of the story is about the rhythm of life as a medical student, and the systems by which the students learn. There's also a lot about the students getting to know each other, and forming their friend groups. I love books about workplaces, so I really enjoyed reading about their training.

The book grazed the surface of cultural differences between Indians, Americans, and Indian Americans. It also talked briefly about how these Indian medical students incorporate Eastern traditions into their Western training. That was fascinating to me and I would love more of those topics in future books.

If you're in this for the mystery, it's important to note that the murdering doesn't really take off until the halfway point. While I do think it's well plotted for this genre, it took a long time to get there. Set expectations appropriately.

I would most recommend to people interested in reading cutesy, behind the scenes depictions of medical training in a teaching hospital.

[Krisi Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this cozy medical murder mystery! It’s unique in that I’ve never seen medicine put together with detectives in quite the same way before. It was a very fun enjoyable read, I liked the writing style of the author and the characters were well developed. My 4 star rating instead of 5 star is that I felt that it was a little obvious who the killer was. However, the clues and following the trail was enjoyable the whole way through! I would look forward to reading more books from Niru Mohandas. I have a background in occupational therapy and so I enjoyed the medical lingo, but still it’s not overdone for those who have never been introduced before.

Overall.. Very fun and enjoyable cozy mystery with a unique story telling!

[Ciera Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! I was very excited about this book because it seemed so different than most murder mysteries and as someone in the medical field I was curious on how accurate the medical side of things were. The biggest issue I had was the book didn’t get to the murder until after 60% in. And then the book flew by, almost feeling rushed. I feel like all of the “ground work” in the first half of the book, wasn’t very substantial. I still felt like I didn’t know the characters that well and we could have got to the plot quicker with less unnecessary build up. If I hadn’t seen the reviews that said it didn’t happen until the last part of the book, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. I will say, the medical side of things was pretty accurate. Somethings weren’t but I also wonder if things were different in the time frame the book was written (90’s). Overall, it was fine but wasn’t quite the page-turner I was hoping for.

[Oruare Ojimadu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome read. A beautiful medical mystery filled with suspense and lots of drama. Until the very end, one would not have guessed the motive and the actual killer.
This book gives a good insight to the wheels behind hospital operations, the daily activities and helps one have a better understanding and an appreciation for all who work in the hospital. A beautiful read.
Neena's level of organization, attention to details and determination is superb. Cecilia, Neel, Raj and all other characters bring a lot of spice and excitement to the story. Thoroughly enjoyed the way the friends created a unique bond as they dealt with their daily grind of hospital activities as they gradually adjusted as student doctors in the hospital.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shivali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and very light cozy mystery. I loved the characters here, and the Desi representation. However, if you want a very satisfying, heavy duty mystery, this may not be the book for you. While I enjoyed reading about Neena's day to day life, the buildup to the murder was extremely slow and very late in the story. I would recommend this story for someone who doesn't want a heavy story at all and just a little bit of excitement.

[Rayo Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions

Before I start, let me just say I'm so pissed. How is this a mystery novel when the suspense material kicked in at chapter 15? No reliable narrator, too many characters to keep up with, monotonous writing, and unnecessary chatter.

I loved the premise and the whole hospital setting for a mystery, but this book did not live up to its synopsis and cover for me. This book could have been an instant DNF for me, but I decided to finish it through, and oh my goodness, the ending is even worse than I imagined.

Thank you once again for the e-ARC.

[Sarala Ramesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a captivating thriller written in a clean, engaging style that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The author does a commendable job of portraying Neena’s life and emotions as a medical student, providing an authentic and relatable perspective.

The characters are introduced thoughtfully, each playing a vital role in building the story’s suspense. The inclusion of “Idly” and the Patels adds a rich layer of cultural diversity, offering readers a delightful glimpse into the vibrant facets of Indian culture.

One of the book’s highlights is its seamless integration of medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations, which enriches the narrative without overwhelming the reader. This balance makes the book both educational and entertaining.

Although I initially had to set the book aside due to the holiday hustle, the story lingered in my mind, its suspense and intrigue refusing to fade. Once I picked it back up, I was compelled to finish it in one sitting.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and engaging read, perfect for fans of thrillers who appreciate cultural diversity and a peek into the world of medicine.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I didn’t want it to end! It started out super fun and intriguing, then about 50% through it takes a wild turn and becomes super fast paced. Everything was super detailed, dropping little hints toward the end throughout, and I loved it. I also liked the setting of following med students, I felt like I was learning alongside them. The friendship between Neena, Neel, Raj and Cecilia was so wholesome. I also loved the South Asian culture that was involved throughout the book.

[Anna Kurylo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

The Pre-Med(itated) Murder was an interesting read for me in terms of learning more about medical world. The main character, Neena Sundar, starts her practice as a third-year medical student at a hospital in the 90s. As she’s trying to find her spot in the social groups forming during their studies, some suspicious things start happening, which ultimately result in the group of third-year students discovering a pre-meditated murder during their shift.

Things l liked about this book:
- the murder itself was interesting, and while I did guess who committed the crime, I didn’t guess the motive
- While the writing style took me some time to get used to, it was actually pretty good. I’m under the impression that the author got more confident in her writing towards the end of the book.
- The plot got engaging after the murder (see a but more on that in the dislikes section, though)

What I didn’t like (SPOILERS BELOW):
- I think setting the scene and getting to know the characters shouldn’t have taken so long. While the clues are spread throughout the book, I had to browse other reviews to find out when the murder will happen because I was running out of patience. Spoiler: at 59% (!)
- The detective was kind of in the book but did almost nothing. Even after the murder was solved, there was no mention of him.
- The crime solving scene was intense in a good way, but had some very unrealistic events in it which generally didn’t make sense to me.
- somehow at the end of the book, the technician (Mr Robinson) got a Southern accent? I didn’t notice it before then, possibly because he didn’t get to say as many sentences.

Generally I like detective novels and this one was an ok read. My rating is 3.5 stars mainly because of how long it took to get to the actual murder plus some extraordinary events at the end of the book. I look forward to more adventures of Neena Sundar, she has at least 4 more years of studying and internships to do if I’m counting correctly :)

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third-year medical student Nina Sundar is READY - fresh off of two yeas of hitting the books, she's ready for show what's she's learned during her clinical years. Armed with a box of tape, a stethoscope, a white coat with pockets crammed full of bits and ends, and a can-do attitude, she's ready to rock her surgery rotation, scut work and all. No textbook could prepare her for finding a body during the first few weeks of her rotation, though. Nina has read a mystery novel or two in her day and is ready to put her studying and sleuthing skills to the test, but with random accidents happening all around her and cranky residents breathing down her neck, will Nina succumb to the pressure - or something worse?

Oh look, it's two of my favorite things - cozy-coded mystery novels set in the 1990s and medical school fiction written by someone who's been through the process, all in one convenient novel! This was a fun read that also felt fairly accurate to life as a medical student as I imagined it would have been in the 1990s, which rarely happens in books and felt very validating as a freshly-graduated medical student who hated her surgery rotation. While there was drama, scandal, and the unique brand of suspending disbelief that comes with having young people solve a murder mystery while also trying to cram in studying and occasionally getting in a full balanced meal, I had fun, and would absolutely read more about Neena and friends as they navigate getting lost in the hospital, resident rivalry (and romance?), course evaluations, exams, and the untold frustrations of trying to keep a white coat clean in an environment uniquely suited to wrecking a white coat.

[Anjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because it’s an own voice story written by an Indian-origin writer.

It’s 1992 in New Jersey, probably a lot different from the one I lived in for two years in 2012. The story is of an American born Neena who is studying to become a doctor. We get to tail her as she begins her rotation, feels out her peers and studies. I have a cousin who recently started on her rotations in New York and I think I now know exactly what her day is like.

There is a lot of information provided to us, constantly. This is both good and bad. For example, almost towards the end the author says Neena rolled her big black eyes, but by then we already know her eye colour and it feels redundant. This happens quite often. I know authors need a way for the reader to picture exactly what’s happening, but it was not something I enjoyed.

On the flip side, the information regarding the rotation actually worked into the mystery well. We know how everyone works and we can even hypothesize as to who the culprit might be. She also managed to fit the amateur investigation without anyone dropping what they should be doing.

I liked the story, but I am not sure how I felt about the narrative style. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to specifically know more about the viewpoint showcased here. I might have actually liked a non-fiction of the author’s pre-med days even more!

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Kaitlyn Skiscim · Rating 3 out of 5]

🩺🔎 Book Review: A Pre-Med(itated) Murder by Niru Mohandas, MD
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)
This medical mystery serves up brains and bodies—but not in the way you'd expect. A Pre-Med(itated) Murder is a smart, twisty debut that blends academia, culture, and crime in a unique way.
The story follows Neena, a determined pre-med student juggling the pressures of school and family when a suspicious death suddenly shakes her tight-knit community. As tensions rise and suspicion lingers in the air, Neena can’t ignore the inconsistencies—and takes it upon herself to follow the trail of clues. Her amateur sleuthing leads her deep into a world of secrets, rivalries, and unexpected danger.
One of the real highlights of this book for me was the character dynamics—Neena’s relationships with Ceci, Raj, and Neel brought so much heart and authenticity to the story. Their dialogue, loyalty, and quiet tensions made the emotional undercurrents of the mystery even richer.
What worked:
✔️ A strong, inquisitive heroine with heart
✔️ Excellent character chemistry and depth
✔️ A fresh setting—think: med school with a mystery twist
✔️ Thoughtful cultural layers
What didn’t quite land for me:
✖️ Some pacing issues and underdeveloped plot points
✖️ The mystery could’ve gone deeper in parts
📚 A thoughtful, enjoyable debut that blends sleuthing with soul. Can’t wait to see what Dr. Mohandas writes next!
#Bookstagram #BookReview #JuneReads #JuneTBR #MysteryReads #MedicalMystery #BooksByDoctors #WomenSleuths #FriendshipInFiction #CharacterDrivenReads #DebutNovel

[boogleloo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars: This is the first entry in Mohandas's Ally McKinley Mystery series which is a BIPOC Historical Cozy Mystery set in 1992 New Jersey and features a third-year medical student on her surgical rotation who finds herself turning sleuth after several of her colleagues suffer dangerous "accidents" and then they stumble over a murdered woman's body. She and her friends will have work fast to unmask the killer stalking the hospital halls before they can strike again. With plenty of twists and turns, Mohandas has crafted a mystery that balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Mohandas's writing and character work are well done; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Neena's a great character and I love getting to know her and her friends and colleagues at Littlefield Community Hospital. With tact and sensitivity, Mohandas tackles some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. I'm no doctor but it's more than obvious Mohandas is and knows her chops. For fans of medical dramas and those who remember Diagnosis Murder. Overall, a nice start to a new series!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing Group | Subplot in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Sasha Rawnsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

- ARC REVIEW -

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a free eBook in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this as I love all things medical drama on TV, but it really didn’t do it for me.

For what is advertised as a ‘murder mystery’, the murder didn’t happen until 60% of the way through, and my god was it a slow 60%. This book had so much potential, but the slow pace had me disengaged for so long that I struggled to pick it up and read it.

I felt that I owed it to the author not to DNF, as this is a debut novel and I’m sure others would love it, but personally it wasn’t for me.

The entire mystery aspect of the book felt unclear and very rushed. Even when it was being concluded, it still felt quite confusing.

Over half the book was spent ‘world building’ and ‘character building’ when more detail could have been put into the whole premise of the book which was a murder mystery.

[Nats Big Book Energy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pre-Med(itated) Murder by Niru Mohandas is such a fun, twisty read! It’s a mix of mystery and medical drama, which really makes it stand out. The plot is fast-paced and full of surprises, and I definitely didn’t see some of the twists coming. The main character, a med student caught up in a murder investigation, is super relatable and brings something fresh to the thriller scene. I really liked how the medical world was woven into the story—it added a cool, unique touch. I love that the author is actually a doctor! The pacing is mostly great, though there were a few slower parts in the middle that kind of slowed things down. But overall, the mystery kept me hooked, and the ending was super satisfying. If you love medical thrillers with a bit of suspense, this one’s definitely worth checking out! 4 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley

[Cara Kupferman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovers of cozy mystery will enjoy this debut novel set in a 90s-era medical school surgery rotation at a New Jersey hospital.

A long-time physician herself, Dr. Niru Mohandas’ knowledge of the hospital environment and medical training experience really shines in this book. The unique setting is what drew me to this book, as my partner is a doctor (and we started dating during his residency, so I can only imagine if there had been a murder!!). This was the author’s debut, and I think the book would have benefitted from some more editing to improve the writing style. There’s a lot of telling, and the compelling story and setting would have benefited from some more “showing” instead.

That being said, I think this will be a fun new author for lovers of the genre!

Thank you to Amplify Publishing Group and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Molly L'Italien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neena is a medical student on her first surgical rotation. In addition to adjusting to this new fast-paced environment of the hospital, clinical rotations, and studying, her classmates begin to have some unexplained accidents the culminate in the discovery of a dead body! Neena along with her co-interns and residents need to work together to solve this mystery.

I found the concept of this novel to be very intriguing, however I felt the pacing to be a bit slow in the beginning. There were a lot of characters to get to know, but the second half went by in a flash! I'm hoping this is the beginning of a series - I'm excited to see where Neena and her friends go next!

I'm so grateful to Amplify Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

[Marisa Selvakumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Delightful Medical Mystery – Perfect for a Cozy or Beach Read

This book is an easy, engaging read—perfect for a relaxing day by the fireplace or at the beach. Blending the fast-paced world of medical training with the intrigue of a murder mystery, the story follows Neena Sundar, a third-year medical student eager to put her knowledge to the test. But when she and her friends stumble upon a dead body, Neena’s skills as a budding doctor and mystery enthusiast are put to the ultimate challenge.

With a compelling protagonist, witty dialogue, and an intriguing hospital setting, the novel balances humor, suspense, and medical drama in an accessible and entertaining way. Whether you're a fan of medical fiction or just love a fun mystery, this book is an enjoyable and satisfying read.