The newest action-packed, ripped-from-the-headlines adventure in The Sisterhood from #1 bestselling author Fern Michaels.
The a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and years of adventure. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right.
Theresa Gallagher has never met her Aunt Dottie, though she remembers her mother’s stories about the wild sister who left home at seventeen. When a letter arrives from one of Dottie’s neighbors, telling Theresa that her aunt is now incapacitated and in a nursing home, Theresa decides to fly out to Arizona to see her.
The staff at the Sunnydale Care Facility seem pleasant and efficient, but Theresa finds it strange that she’s only permitted to “observe” her elderly aunt from a viewing room. It’s the first of several red flags that lead Theresa to start asking questions. Is it just coincidence that as soon as she does, her car is almost run off the road?
Theresa contacts her attorney friend, Lizzie Fox, who just happens to be connected to a group of women uniquely posed to get answers. Soon the Sisterhood is on the case, uncovering evidence that at Sunnydale centers all over the country, seniors are mistreated, duped, and drained of their savings. But no one is beyond justice—not when the Sisterhood’s extraordinary women are involved, making wrongs right as only they can . . .
Fern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it. I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
What a great book. When a letter arrives from one of Dottie's neighbors telling Theresa her estranged aunt Dottie is in an assistant living facility, she goes to visit her. There are a lot of strange things going on at this Sunnydale Care Facility. Theresa grows very leery about this place. She contacts her lawyer friend Lizzie. Lizzie contacts the Sisterhood, a group of strong women who always get answers. Through their investigation they find out all kinds of corruption involving top government officials who are stealing money from the residents of Sunnydale Care Facility. Highly recommend.
When Theresa received a letter saying her Aunt Dottie is in a nursing home, she decides she wants to meet her. Well when she gets there, they say Aunt Dottie had passed away and Theresa determines something isn’t quite right. With the help of the “sisterhood” crime solvers, they set out to do just that and boy do they unravel something big. This is only my 4th book by Fern Michaels and this book is #37 in a series but my first in this series. This was a fast paced “cute” book. I enjoyed the storyline and all the older characters were a delight. I now want to read the others. With the recent passing of Fern Michaels, I’m sad there won’t be others written (she may have 1 final book coming out in 2026) but do look forward to reading her other books in this series.
This Sisterhood story hit in a different way. I have noticed over the years that the Sisterhood has veered from it's original premise but it's been a good change. But this story and how so many people could relate to it felt important. The series has always been about getting justice in a world where a lot of people, every day people, don't get to experience justice. But the justice being delivered has changed over the years. It's probably because the characters have gotten older and mellowed out a bit. They found excellent ways to serve up justice. But with Code Blue the reality of the story is one that a lot of people may have experience with and I find that both heartbreaking and groundbreaking. Fern Michaels may be bringing a lot of attention to what is happening in long term residential stays for the elderly, rehab facilities, and hospice care.
Code Blue explored the underbelly of healthcare. Our story followed the sisterhood getting to the bottom of what was happening a certain residential places for the elderly. How the admins and owners were using malicious and nefarious means to get money from the patients. Having them sign away their life savings or a POA to access their bank/financial records. And the reality is that this happens. It's shameful. I loved watching the Sisterhood explore, go undercover, and use their skills to get justice for all involved. One of the best parts of this story is that the sisterhood doesn't just get justice, they make sure that those who were harmed or could be harmed are taken care of. They don't forget those who were innocent or duped in whatever scam they may have found themselves in. I also love that the Sisterhood never stops. They never take what they find at face value. They investigate until they have a clear picture and make sure they have a solid understanding.
My one complaint with this story, is that I wish the ending hadn't wrapped up so quickly. I would have loved to spend more time with the Sisterhood undercover and their investigation. I'm hopeful we have one more Sisterhood book coming but we may not with the passing of the author. Either way, I encourage all readers to pick up Code Blue and the entire Sisterhood series.
The plot moved at a good pace, but with no twists or surprises. None of the protagonists make any mistakes or encounter any unexpected events - everything goes exactly as planned. There are many, many characters for a book of this length; perhaps I would have more insight into the characterizations if I had read other novels in the series; going by this book alone, the characters are thinly drawn and somewhat stereotyped. Overall, Code Blue is an easy and pleasant read, though not especially memorable.
On another note, the book could really use a good editor to catch its mistakes! "Palazzo" is repeatedly used, when it's clear the author meant "piazza". "Banquet" is written instead of "banquette." The author writes that a laundry room is "bigger than a walk-in closet," then goes on to describe a huge dressing area/closet. I hope these and other errors and inconsistencies in the novel can be corrected before the official launch of Code Blue, as the novel deserves the extra care.
Not having read any previous novels of the Sisterhood series by Fern Michaels, I was not sure what to expect and was not thrilled with the book, which lacked any real substance. So little was written to add any depth, or even a reasonable expectation of reality under similar circumstances, it failed on any measure of sophistication. I’m sure there are Fern Michaels and Sisterhood fans out there who will like this just fine. For others, I recommend selecting something else to read.
I thought it was really boring, honestly, and so many characters and locations it was hard to keep track of. Plus, the heroes ended up being criminals by torturing people. I'm not a fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Fern Michaels’ riveting installment, CODE BLUE—the 37th entry in the beloved Sisterhood series—delves into a harrowing tale of deception and betrayal that targets our most vulnerable citizens.
The dynamic Sisterhood, a formidable collective of empowered women, embarks on a relentless quest to dismantle a sprawling elder-care scam that plagues the "Sunnydale centers." In these seemingly serene facilities, seniors are subjected to heinous mistreatment, shrouded in a veil of neglect and trickery that drains them of their hard-earned savings.
Amidst the palpable tension, lawyer Lizzie Fox emerges as a tenacious advocate for justice, rallying the Sisterhood to expose the insidious abuse festering within these institutions. As they navigate a labyrinth of corruption and deceit, the group seeks to bring to light the shocking realities faced by victims across the nation.
This action-packed, thought-provoking suspense thriller not only captivates with its heart-stopping narrative but also resonates deeply with contemporary societal issues, leaving readers on the edge of their seats and eager for resolution.
About...
Suspicious Circumstances: Theresa Gallagher receives a letter informing her that her Aunt Dottie is incapacitated in the Sunnydale Care Facility in Arizona. Despite never having met her, she is family.
Red Flags: Upon visiting the facility, Theresa finds it suspicious that she can only observe her aunt from a viewing room. When she starts asking questions, her car is nearly run off the road, a clear warning to stop investigating.
The Sisterhood Steps In: Theresa contacts her friend, attorney Lizzie Fox, who connects her with the Sisterhood, an elite group of women who fight injustice and right wrongs.
Uncovering the Conspiracy: The Sisterhood investigates and uncovers evidence of a widespread, cruel enterprise operating through Sunnydale centers across the country, where seniors are mistreated, duped, and drained of their savings.
Justice Prevails: With their vast resources and expertise, the Sisterhood works outside the legal system to ensure the powerful figures behind the scam are brought to justice.
My reflections...
The Sisterhood makes a triumphant return in CODE BLUE, invigorated with a critical mission to unveil the truth, seek justice for the victims of injustice, and dismantle the pervasive corruption intertwining their lives.
In this riveting, action-packed narrative, the Sisterhood springs into action to assist one of their own as she delves into unsettling occurrences at her aunt's nursing home. Their investigation reveals a shocking tapestry of elder abuse and financial exploitation, reaching far beyond initial suspicions.
This timely installment of the Sisterhood series upholds the tradition of fierce camaraderie and unwavering resolve, showcasing how these remarkable women leverage their unique blend of legal expertise, technical savvy, and personal experiences to address issues that the ordinary legal system often overlooks.
Having navigated the harrowing health care landscape while caring for my elderly parents—and finding myself within the same vulnerable demographic—CODE BLUE resonates deeply with my own experiences. It speaks to the inherent struggles within a healthcare system that sometimes prioritizes profit over patient welfare.
As a long-time admirer of Fern Michaels and her captivating Sisterhood series (among other works), I was heartbroken to learn of her recent passing. Her absence leaves a profound void in the literary world. Nevertheless, I cling to hope that her unpublished works will pave the way for the continuation of this beloved series. I have always cherished this group of courageous, intelligent women who valiantly seek justice for those who desperately need their help!
Recommendations...
Readers who enjoy the themes of female camaraderie and vigilante justice in Fern Michaels' "Sisterhood" series will find similar elements in books by: ~James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series ~Marie Force's Fatal series ~Melinda Leigh's Bree Taggert series ~Kendra Elliot's Mercy Kilpatrick series
First time reading about the Sisterhood and I loved all the characters.
Theresa Gallagher receives a letter letting her know her Aunt Dottie has been moved to nursing home in Arizona. Theresa never met her aunt but she remembers her from the stories her mother told. So Theresa flies to Arizona to go see Aunt Dottie. The facility, Sunnydale, is a five star resort but the staff and their demeanor is lacking is all aspects. As Theresa sees her aunt through a plexiglass room she notices another woman who actually looks like her mom and is wearing a special ring that only Dottie ever wore. As Theresa begins to suspect foul play, Dottie dies. With the help of two residents from Sunnydale and her dear friend Lizzie, Theresa begins to investigate. Lizzie contacts the Sisterhood who helps avenge those who have been harmed by greed and sets the wrongs right.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Sisterhood. There are several characters that make up the group and they all bring a lot to the table. Theresa was a very smart character and she knew how to ask for help and whom to trust. I couldn't believe the deceit and money making schemes that happen with senior care facilities and how much money goes into these places. I am a new found fan of the Sisterhood! Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.
The Sisterhood is a group of middle aged women friends with different backgrounds who work together to get justice for people who have been wronged. In this case, the women worked to solve the mystery of the Sunnydale retirement community and healthcare. The story begins when Theresa learns from an aunt's neighbor that her Aunt Dottie (who she has never met) is in a care facility and in bad shape. Theresa goes to the facility, but is not permitted to see her aunt because she doesn't have an appointment. She makes an appointment for the next day, where she is able to observe her aunt from a viewing room. As she is leaving, she notices a woman in a wheelchair who is wearing an art deco ring like her mother wore, Her mother told her that she and Dottie had matching rings that they promised to wear forever. Theresa went to an attorney friend who was one of the Sisterhood, and the women worked together to uncover what was really happening at the Sunnydale retirement communities. I liked reading about intelligent, resourceful, mature women who used their skills and instincts to get justice. It was good to have a happy ending, although it was a little rushed, and that the unscrupulous characters got their just deserves as well. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishers. The opinions expressed are my own
I really like the idea of Sisterhood: justice for victims. While this is the 37th title in the series, it was the first for me.
The beginning is rough. The change in POV, locations, plot points, etc was more than a little jarring. If you're a long time reader, that probably won't bother you. What might bother you is the rehash of what seems to be pivotal characters (Annie, Myra, Charles, Fergus, etc). For a group of elite operatives, I would have expected a lot less rehashing to details. I suppose it's for the reader's benefit, but it definitely felt like I was being force fed the plot.
I went in to the book thinking this would be some sort of psychological thriller. Unfortunately to truly enjoy the book, I had to think of it first and foremost as satire. The dialogue is so cringe and awkward ("And if you noticed, I did not open my bag of chips, which I shall do right now").
Overall, the plot moved a little too slowly for me. There wasn't really a climax, just the culmination of their combined efforts. The mostly satisfactory in that all the good guys get happy endings.
Thank you Kensington for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The sisterhood was called back into action when Theresa was told her Aunt Dottie had died at Sunnydale Care Facility, but Theresa was sure her aunt was the lady in a wheelchair with the ring that belonged to her aunt and not the lady in the room that Theresa was not allowed to enter. That prompted an interesting story filled with unique characters, strange events, and cadavers, and a mission only Annie and Myra could pull off with the help of the other ladies in the Sisterhood and a few of their husbands, like Charles. I enjoyed reading this story and watching it take its twists and turns that Fern Michaels was so good at creating. It was scary to see that the Facility was taking away the life savings and insurance of their patients, and no one knew what was going on until they found out that Aunt Dottie had living relatives, whereas the other patients did not. I liked how Annie and Myra got to wear wigs and pretend to be interested in the Facility and that is when everything unraveled. It was an interesting story, and I enjoyed reading it. I received an advance copy of this book, and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Code Blue by Fern Michaels is a wonderful page-turner, packed with fun characters, political intrigue, greed, and a sense of retribution that will stick with you long after you read the final page. I'm a latecomer to the Sisterhood series, but I have to say that it is a satisfying read, with evil doers getting their comeuppance in an almost biblical fashion. You know what you're going to get when you read this well-written series, and I have yet to be disappointed. This particular book hit closer to home, as a family member of our own is currently in hospice. I sincerely hope the crimes in this book do not happen in real life, but have a feeling they do. Michaels portrays the people in the tiered retirement home with a combination of humour and compassion, and of course the ending is quite satisfying. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #CodeBlue. If you haven't read any of these books, I highly recommend them.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review. As always, Fern Michaels never disappoints and Code Blue never disappoints. I love this series! The Sisterhood members are determined to carry out their investigation at the Sunnydale Living Community and man what a journey it is. Determination is an understatement! Catching the bad people and making them pay is their ultimate goal, no matter who they might be. Who wouldn’t love this outcome? After all they are taking advantage of these seniors who are depending on and trusting this place to take care of their needs in the last years of their life. Leave it to the Sisterhood to never give up until the wrongs that have been don are made right. Love this book.
The storyline of this latest installment of the Sisterhood could be happening at this time. It involves unscrupulous Congressional members, fraud, attempted murder, a lost relative, new friendships and so much more. It all starts when Theresa Gallaher learns her Aunt Dottie is in a retirement community. But when she goes there to visit her, red flags start showing up.
There is levity in the story when Theresa, Frida, and Henry become friends. And when the Sisterhood gets involved, they get to the bottom of what has been going on and in the end, enact appropriate justice to the perpetrators.
This was my first book read by Fern Michaels, and I really enjoyed it. The sisterhood is so cute, and they really made me giggle throughout multiple points in the book, even though this is a thriller. They make you just want to love every single one of them.
I’m so glad it ended how it ended, and it’s kind of funny because this really feels like something that you could see happening in real life!
I like the premise of the elderly humans working together to right a wrong. I did have a hard time following the characters and the story line at times, but I like the people and I like the good guys bringing down the corrupt rich dudes. I will be donating my copy, that I won in a Goodreads Giveaway, to my small public library so that others can benefit from this read. Good story
Book 84 of 2025 was “Code Blue” by Feen Michaels. This Advanced Reader Copy was @kensingtonbooks giveaway, and my first read by the author. Strong women working together to bring justice- yes please! The story centers around assisted living communities and the care they may or may not provide, regardless of the price. 4 out of 5 ⭐️.
Fern Michaels never disappoints. Sets the stage, plot developed to include most members of the Sisterhood. Investigate, plan and carry out. The baddies receive just punishment and happiness reigns again with the Sisterhood. Wishing for a New Men of the Sisterhood book to see how they are doing also.
Lightweight, entertaining, and maybe even a fun treatment of what should have been a more serious story. Mistreatment and abuse of seniors as well as a congressman and senator abusing their power probably shouldn’t be treated in such a lighthearted manner. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
I found this book a bit different from the others Fern Michael’s had written, of this Sisterhood. The similar Ponzi scheme of senator Gerber and representative Hawthorne but together is still a wake up call. To think that independent living of the elderly, grabbing the finances of the elderly still happens. Well written.
I listened to this on audio. reader ran out of voices to use for all the different characters. I haven't listened to others so I don't know if it is a one off or recyrring issue.
I question the ending for the bad guys - prison with all the evidence and charges would have been appropriate instead of what was administered. It doesn't fit my understanding of the abilities of the good girls.
A story set in a different location than I usually read. An easy to follow read with great characters. From Arizona to Florida, the team work to solve a case of nursing home fraud that leads all the way to Washington DC. The story will keep you wanting to keep reading to see what happens, Received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing and leaving a review by my own choice.
I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. This is a sisterhood book about a group of women, and sometimes, their husbands help solve problems where people have been taking advantage of.
New book in the Sisterhood series where they investigate a chain of senior living homes and uncover the corruption behind them which reaches all the way to two top government officials Once again going undercover to right innocent people and exact justice on the evil
I was given an early ebook copy of this book in return for a review.
The Sisterhood is on another mission in Code Blue. Theresa Gallagher is notified that her Aunt Dottie has been placed in a care facility in Arizona. Theresa has never met Aunt Dottie but has heard stories about her from her deceased mother. Theresa goes to Arizona to met Aunt Dottie. Upon arrival at the Sunnydale Care Facility she notices some strange things, like the fact that she can only observe her aunt from outside her room. Theresa is soon told that her aunt passed away. Theresa doesn't believe this to be correct so she contacts Lizzie Fox about her concerns. After doing some research Lizzie is also concerned about what is really happening with the care facility in Arizona and also other facilities owned by the same company. Lizzie contacts the Sisterhood and the ladies are on the case. Myra and Annie head to 2 different facilities to do some undercover work while several of the other sisters get jobs at the facilities. Pick this book up to see what they find out and how they get justice for Theresa and Aunt Dottie.
3.5 rounded up I really liked the story but the overuse of cliches is a bit distracting. This is a fun thriller that follows the sisterhood —a group of mostly women that correct wrongs— who focus on a senior living business that is full of suspicious characters. Suspenseful, a thriller and a feel good.
I won the book. Not my usual read. However, it was exciting and the characters were good. The details and description put one in the middle of the mystery. I especially liked the Sisterhood in the end took care of Regina and Jeremy and others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you to Fern Michaels,Kensington Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and any opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed the Sisterhood books for yeas. Code Blue was great with many moving parts to right the wrongs! I look forward to the next book by Fern Michaels.