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His Final Patient
Don't let him get in your head.
THE PSYCHIATRIST believes he can predict when people will die and has been using his skills with chilling accuracy.
THE PATIENTS trust their shrink. They believe him when he tells them their date – the predictions have always come true.
THE DETECTIVE is shaken when a man shoots himself after claiming it's his 'death day'. On his body, DI Silas Hart finds an hourglass, catapulting him back to two suspicious deaths that have haunted him for years.
When the psychiatrist turns his sights on Hart, the countdown to his own death day begins.
Will he survive? Or is there no escaping fate?
THE PSYCHIATRIST believes he can predict when people will die and has been using his skills with chilling accuracy.
THE PATIENTS trust their shrink. They believe him when he tells them their date – the predictions have always come true.
THE DETECTIVE is shaken when a man shoots himself after claiming it's his 'death day'. On his body, DI Silas Hart finds an hourglass, catapulting him back to two suspicious deaths that have haunted him for years.
When the psychiatrist turns his sights on Hart, the countdown to his own death day begins.
Will he survive? Or is there no escaping fate?
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 13, 2026
About the author
J.S. Monroe
12 books256 followersJ.S.Monroe is the pseudonym of British writer Jon Stock, author of The Sleep Room, currently being developed for TV, and Dead Spy Running, which was optioned by Warner Bros. As J.S.Monroe, he is the author of six psychological thrillers, including the international bestseller, Find Me, which has been translated into 14 languages.
His Final Patient, Jon’s new psychological thriller, will be published in August 2026 (Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury).and is about a psychiatrist who claims he can predict a patient's "death day". When he tells DI Silas Hart that he will die in five days' time, a chilling race against time ensues. "His Final Patient is brainy, twisty, inventive... and, remarkably, grounded in research at once fascinating and horrifying," says AJ Finn, author of the global bestseller, The Woman in the Window. "It is, in other words, a JS Monroe thriller. Monroe writes thrillers for grown-ups: readers who admire sharp writing, readers who savour complex characters – characters like Silas Hart, one of the most appealing sleuths in contemporary crime fiction. The Hart novels are absorbing police procedurals that double as high-tension psychological thrillers (fans of Lisa Jewell, ready those nerves for jangling); but above all, they're mind-meddling, sleep-defying stories, the sort that remind you what real suspense feels like."
No Place to Hide, Jon's previous thriller, was published by Head of Zeus (Bloomsbury) in April 2023. A standalone, contemporary novel set in London, Wiltshire and Cornwall, it's a loose retelling of Christopher Marlowe’s Dr Faustus. “Clever, convincing and wickedly twisty - Highly recommended,” according to Mick Herron.
The Man On Hackpen Hill (Head of Zeus, 2021,) was the third J.S.Monroe thriller to feature DI Silas Hart (head of Swindon CID) and DS Strover. "Original and brilliantly plotted, with not so much a twist as a seismic shifting of the ground under your feet ... Amazing." - Rosamund Lupton; “Impeccably researched… An unusual mystery told with exceptional skill” – Daily Mail; “A kind of Wiltshire Da Vinci Code, with crop circles, mathematical equations and shadowy figures from Porton Down. A real page turner.” – Tom Bradby.
The Other you (Head of Zeus, 2020) was the second in Jon's DI Hart series. "I doubt many other psychological thrillers published this year will be as propulsive and fun" - Daily Telegraph; "A clever mash-up of psychological thriller and police procedural with a dash of sci-fi" - Daily Mail; "You won't be able to turn the pages fast enough" - Heat Magazine; "Brilliantly original and intriguing ... Kept me hooked, enthralled and guessing to the very end" - Peter James.
Forget My Name (Head of Zeus, 2018) was the first thriller to feature DI Hart. It was published in America as The Last Thing She Remembers (HarperCollins, 2018). “An absorbing novel full of unexpected twists, topped by a savage climax” – The Times; “A book that will send thrills down your spine, even on the hottest beach” – Sunday Express.
Find Me (Head of Zeus, 2017), Jon's first J.S.Monroe thriller, was a standalone set in London, Cornwall, Cambridge and Norfolk. It has sold more than 150,000 copies and been translated into 14 languages. “Intricately woven and heart-stoppingly believable, this has bestseller written all over it” – Clare Mackintosh; “The most ingenious thriller you will read his year.” –M.J.Arlidge. "Cunning, captivating and creepy" – JP Delaney.
Dead Spy Running (HarperCollins, 2009) has been published in five languages and was the first in the Daniel Marchant Trilogy. It was followed by Games Traitors Play and Dirty Little Secret (2012). The movie rights to Dead Spy Running were acquired in 2008 by Warner Bros and the film was later in development with the director McG. Oscar-
His Final Patient, Jon’s new psychological thriller, will be published in August 2026 (Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury).and is about a psychiatrist who claims he can predict a patient's "death day". When he tells DI Silas Hart that he will die in five days' time, a chilling race against time ensues. "His Final Patient is brainy, twisty, inventive... and, remarkably, grounded in research at once fascinating and horrifying," says AJ Finn, author of the global bestseller, The Woman in the Window. "It is, in other words, a JS Monroe thriller. Monroe writes thrillers for grown-ups: readers who admire sharp writing, readers who savour complex characters – characters like Silas Hart, one of the most appealing sleuths in contemporary crime fiction. The Hart novels are absorbing police procedurals that double as high-tension psychological thrillers (fans of Lisa Jewell, ready those nerves for jangling); but above all, they're mind-meddling, sleep-defying stories, the sort that remind you what real suspense feels like."
No Place to Hide, Jon's previous thriller, was published by Head of Zeus (Bloomsbury) in April 2023. A standalone, contemporary novel set in London, Wiltshire and Cornwall, it's a loose retelling of Christopher Marlowe’s Dr Faustus. “Clever, convincing and wickedly twisty - Highly recommended,” according to Mick Herron.
The Man On Hackpen Hill (Head of Zeus, 2021,) was the third J.S.Monroe thriller to feature DI Silas Hart (head of Swindon CID) and DS Strover. "Original and brilliantly plotted, with not so much a twist as a seismic shifting of the ground under your feet ... Amazing." - Rosamund Lupton; “Impeccably researched… An unusual mystery told with exceptional skill” – Daily Mail; “A kind of Wiltshire Da Vinci Code, with crop circles, mathematical equations and shadowy figures from Porton Down. A real page turner.” – Tom Bradby.
The Other you (Head of Zeus, 2020) was the second in Jon's DI Hart series. "I doubt many other psychological thrillers published this year will be as propulsive and fun" - Daily Telegraph; "A clever mash-up of psychological thriller and police procedural with a dash of sci-fi" - Daily Mail; "You won't be able to turn the pages fast enough" - Heat Magazine; "Brilliantly original and intriguing ... Kept me hooked, enthralled and guessing to the very end" - Peter James.
Forget My Name (Head of Zeus, 2018) was the first thriller to feature DI Hart. It was published in America as The Last Thing She Remembers (HarperCollins, 2018). “An absorbing novel full of unexpected twists, topped by a savage climax” – The Times; “A book that will send thrills down your spine, even on the hottest beach” – Sunday Express.
Find Me (Head of Zeus, 2017), Jon's first J.S.Monroe thriller, was a standalone set in London, Cornwall, Cambridge and Norfolk. It has sold more than 150,000 copies and been translated into 14 languages. “Intricately woven and heart-stoppingly believable, this has bestseller written all over it” – Clare Mackintosh; “The most ingenious thriller you will read his year.” –M.J.Arlidge. "Cunning, captivating and creepy" – JP Delaney.
Dead Spy Running (HarperCollins, 2009) has been published in five languages and was the first in the Daniel Marchant Trilogy. It was followed by Games Traitors Play and Dirty Little Secret (2012). The movie rights to Dead Spy Running were acquired in 2008 by Warner Bros and the film was later in development with the director McG. Oscar-
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 11, 2026
THE PSYCHIATRIST believes he can predict when people will die and HIS PATIENTS trust and believe him and so the predictions are chillingly accurate.
THE DETECTIVE, DI Silas Hart, is informed by a young man that once you know your death day, there’s nothing you can do to avoid it – it’s fate. Silas is then shaken to his core when the young man shoots himself in front of him, declaring this day to be his death day. There’s a second incident which adds to the horror of the day. To Hart and his partner DS Strover this sounds chillingly familiar as it relates to two suspicious deaths a few years ago that have haunted them to this day. The countdown is on.
This is another very good novel from JS Monroe. His novels are always atmospheric courtesy of their Wiltshire setting but also the deep, dark creep and chills of the unfolding events.
This is a well written and well paced mystery thriller and I like the two timelines and the inserts, both of which serve to deepen the perplexing and dreadful mysteries. There’s much palpable tension both via the ongoing enquiries but also between the detectives and the psychiatrist. Here, the psychological elements seen both well researched and credible.
The characters are all very well portrayed. I’ve “met”Silas before, he’s very likeable and good at his job. His escalating unease is well depicted, he’s rightfully worried and deeply concerned and these are conveyed convincingly and so the reader fills it too. Contrasting the worried Silas is the calm influence and support of Strover and his wife Mel. Conversely, one character sends shivers down the spine.
As the end nears, the twists keep on coming making it an immersive page turner. I look forward to reading what the author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Aria and Aries for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
THE DETECTIVE, DI Silas Hart, is informed by a young man that once you know your death day, there’s nothing you can do to avoid it – it’s fate. Silas is then shaken to his core when the young man shoots himself in front of him, declaring this day to be his death day. There’s a second incident which adds to the horror of the day. To Hart and his partner DS Strover this sounds chillingly familiar as it relates to two suspicious deaths a few years ago that have haunted them to this day. The countdown is on.
This is another very good novel from JS Monroe. His novels are always atmospheric courtesy of their Wiltshire setting but also the deep, dark creep and chills of the unfolding events.
This is a well written and well paced mystery thriller and I like the two timelines and the inserts, both of which serve to deepen the perplexing and dreadful mysteries. There’s much palpable tension both via the ongoing enquiries but also between the detectives and the psychiatrist. Here, the psychological elements seen both well researched and credible.
The characters are all very well portrayed. I’ve “met”Silas before, he’s very likeable and good at his job. His escalating unease is well depicted, he’s rightfully worried and deeply concerned and these are conveyed convincingly and so the reader fills it too. Contrasting the worried Silas is the calm influence and support of Strover and his wife Mel. Conversely, one character sends shivers down the spine.
As the end nears, the twists keep on coming making it an immersive page turner. I look forward to reading what the author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Aria and Aries for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
April 16, 2026
Honestly, I was really excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley. I enjoyed the story overall while the twist felt a bit predictable, that’s likely because I read a lot of thrillers and have gotten quite good at anticipating them.
That said, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all, and I still had a great time reading it.
This was my first book by this author, and I liked their writing style. The only aspect I wasn’t entirely fond of was the use of three timelines running simultaneously. It got a little confusing at times, but that’s just a matter of personal preference. The thing with the „death days“ really intrigued me and I the topic of the book itself.
That said, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all, and I still had a great time reading it.
This was my first book by this author, and I liked their writing style. The only aspect I wasn’t entirely fond of was the use of three timelines running simultaneously. It got a little confusing at times, but that’s just a matter of personal preference. The thing with the „death days“ really intrigued me and I the topic of the book itself.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of *His Final Patient* before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
*His Final Patient* is a dark and unsettling psychological thriller built around a fascinating question: what would happen if a psychiatrist told you the exact date you were going to die—and every prediction he had previously made had come true?
DI Silas Hart becomes involved after a man takes his own life on the day he had been told he would die. An hourglass found on the body connects the death to two earlier cases that have haunted Hart for years, leading him towards a psychiatrist whose patients appear to place complete faith in his disturbing predictions. Hart must determine whether the psychiatrist genuinely believes he can foresee death or whether he is carefully manipulating vulnerable people into making his predictions come true.
The premise was easily the strongest aspect of the novel. The idea of being given a personal “death day” is deeply disturbing because even a sceptical person might begin to interpret every accident, illness or coincidence as proof that the prediction is correct. The book explores the power of suggestion effectively, showing how fear can take control of someone’s behaviour once an apparently trusted professional plants the idea in their mind.
Silas is an engaging central character, particularly because the investigation becomes increasingly personal. The hourglass forces him to revisit deaths he has never been able to explain, while the psychiatrist seems to know exactly how to exploit his doubts and vulnerabilities. When Silas is given a death date of his own, the investigation turns into a psychological battle. He must continue thinking rationally while a countdown is constantly running in the back of his mind.
The pacing is strong, with short chapters, disturbing discoveries and enough changes of direction to keep the mystery moving. I enjoyed trying to work out how the deaths were connected and whether there was a rational explanation behind the psychiatrist’s apparent accuracy. The tension comes not only from the danger Silas faces but also from watching him question whether he can trust his own judgment.
Some aspects required suspension of disbelief, particularly as the psychiatrist’s influence became more extensive and the plot grew increasingly elaborate. A few twists felt designed more for dramatic impact than complete realism, and I would have liked slightly more depth around some of the patients and the reasons they became so dependent on him. Nevertheless, the central concept remained compelling and the later chapters were genuinely tense.
Overall, *His Final Patient* is a clever and gripping psychological thriller about manipulation, mortality and the terrifying power of belief. Its unusual premise, troubled detective and sinister psychiatrist make it stand out from more conventional crime novels. Despite a few credibility issues, it was an addictive and thought-provoking read that kept me questioning whether fate was being predicted—or deliberately created.
*His Final Patient* is a dark and unsettling psychological thriller built around a fascinating question: what would happen if a psychiatrist told you the exact date you were going to die—and every prediction he had previously made had come true?
DI Silas Hart becomes involved after a man takes his own life on the day he had been told he would die. An hourglass found on the body connects the death to two earlier cases that have haunted Hart for years, leading him towards a psychiatrist whose patients appear to place complete faith in his disturbing predictions. Hart must determine whether the psychiatrist genuinely believes he can foresee death or whether he is carefully manipulating vulnerable people into making his predictions come true.
The premise was easily the strongest aspect of the novel. The idea of being given a personal “death day” is deeply disturbing because even a sceptical person might begin to interpret every accident, illness or coincidence as proof that the prediction is correct. The book explores the power of suggestion effectively, showing how fear can take control of someone’s behaviour once an apparently trusted professional plants the idea in their mind.
Silas is an engaging central character, particularly because the investigation becomes increasingly personal. The hourglass forces him to revisit deaths he has never been able to explain, while the psychiatrist seems to know exactly how to exploit his doubts and vulnerabilities. When Silas is given a death date of his own, the investigation turns into a psychological battle. He must continue thinking rationally while a countdown is constantly running in the back of his mind.
The pacing is strong, with short chapters, disturbing discoveries and enough changes of direction to keep the mystery moving. I enjoyed trying to work out how the deaths were connected and whether there was a rational explanation behind the psychiatrist’s apparent accuracy. The tension comes not only from the danger Silas faces but also from watching him question whether he can trust his own judgment.
Some aspects required suspension of disbelief, particularly as the psychiatrist’s influence became more extensive and the plot grew increasingly elaborate. A few twists felt designed more for dramatic impact than complete realism, and I would have liked slightly more depth around some of the patients and the reasons they became so dependent on him. Nevertheless, the central concept remained compelling and the later chapters were genuinely tense.
Overall, *His Final Patient* is a clever and gripping psychological thriller about manipulation, mortality and the terrifying power of belief. Its unusual premise, troubled detective and sinister psychiatrist make it stand out from more conventional crime novels. Despite a few credibility issues, it was an addictive and thought-provoking read that kept me questioning whether fate was being predicted—or deliberately created.
April 16, 2026
His Final Patient is a taut, unsettling thriller that gets under your skin from the very first chapter. There’s something irresistibly eerie about the premise — a psychiatrist who claims he can predict the exact moment someone will die, and patients who believe him so completely that his words become prophecy. It’s the kind of idea that feels both impossible and horribly plausible, which is exactly where this novel thrives.
DI Silas Hart is a compelling anchor for the story, a man already carrying the weight of two suspicious deaths from years earlier. When a new victim takes his own life on his so‑called “death day,” leaving behind an hourglass that ties everything together, the past and present collide in a way that feels both chilling and inevitable. The author captures Hart’s growing unease beautifully — that creeping sense that someone is watching him, studying him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The psychiatrist at the centre of it all is a fascinating creation: calm, clinical, and utterly convinced of his own power. The psychological tension between him and Hart becomes the heartbeat of the novel, especially once the countdown to Hart’s own predicted death begins. Every chapter feels like sand slipping through an hourglass, and the pacing tightens with each turn of the page.
What elevates the story is its atmosphere — a blend of dread, doubt, and the uncomfortable question of how much control we truly have over our own fate. The investigation twists through layers of manipulation, trauma, and belief, and the line between victim and perpetrator blurs in clever, unsettling ways.
A gripping, compulsive thriller that plays with psychology and fear in all the right ways. Perfect for readers who love a cat‑and‑mouse chase with a sinister, cerebral edge — and a villain who knows exactly how to get inside your head.
With thanks to JS Monroe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
DI Silas Hart is a compelling anchor for the story, a man already carrying the weight of two suspicious deaths from years earlier. When a new victim takes his own life on his so‑called “death day,” leaving behind an hourglass that ties everything together, the past and present collide in a way that feels both chilling and inevitable. The author captures Hart’s growing unease beautifully — that creeping sense that someone is watching him, studying him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The psychiatrist at the centre of it all is a fascinating creation: calm, clinical, and utterly convinced of his own power. The psychological tension between him and Hart becomes the heartbeat of the novel, especially once the countdown to Hart’s own predicted death begins. Every chapter feels like sand slipping through an hourglass, and the pacing tightens with each turn of the page.
What elevates the story is its atmosphere — a blend of dread, doubt, and the uncomfortable question of how much control we truly have over our own fate. The investigation twists through layers of manipulation, trauma, and belief, and the line between victim and perpetrator blurs in clever, unsettling ways.
A gripping, compulsive thriller that plays with psychology and fear in all the right ways. Perfect for readers who love a cat‑and‑mouse chase with a sinister, cerebral edge — and a villain who knows exactly how to get inside your head.
With thanks to JS Monroe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
His Final Patient by J. S. Monroe, DCI Silas heart is turning 57 and on his birthday he still has to work it’s Wild Strover is lighting the candles a that he gets a call someone wants to see him and they claim it’s life or death. When he gets to the lobby he sees a man suffering some sort of mania mentioning Silas and his wife Mel and talking about his death day before DCI heart knows it the man puts the gun in his mouth and that’s the end of him . It’s while patting the man down to see what he has on him that DCI heart finds an hourglass that takes him back to missing cases that have haunted him for the past two years but it’s when his wife calls with a similar man suffering mania crying about his death day saying he knows Silas and his wife Mel that only reinforces his determination to get to the bottom of it. but with office politics and a perfect scapegoat this case isn’t going to be as simple to solve as he first believes to make matters even worse the perpetrator even involves his son Connor and gives Silas his own death date. The seasoned detective has gone to many links to solve cases but this one is personal and he just hopes they all make it out OK. This is another one of those books that was so good and they had so much in it it made it hard to give a good summary I loved the author writing style the book was long but it’s one of those books you don’t mind because you really don’t want the story to end although wanting a conclusion starts happening about halfway through the book and even when you know who did it you really don’t this book was so good this is another series that somehow went under my radar because it is right up my alley with books I love to read and I can’t wait to read the other ones and the Silas Heart series although this one isn’t numbered I do believe it is part of that series if you love great crime thrillers in a last minute Hail Mary then you’ll definitely love this book. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found the premise really interesting - a psychiatrist who believes he can predict when people will die, and has been doing so with chilling accuracy, trusted completely by his patients as his predictions keep coming true. I really liked the main detective, DI Silas Hart, and his partner, DS Strover - well-developed characters, and I really enjoyed the journey with them. I'd love to see more of them in future books. The story is dark and unsettling, with a psychiatrist giving his patients a specific death day, Silas's own pre-existing anxiety about death takes a huge upward turn once the psychiatrist turns his sights on him and gives him his own. There wasn't really very much about the patients themselves and why they'd become so dependent on the psychiatrist, which would have been interesting to explore further. The book starts straight into the action, which I love, with a young man walking up to Hart and telling him that today is his death day before shooting himself in front of him. An hourglass found on the body catapults Hart back to two suspicious deaths that have haunted him for years, and the story is told across three timelines - some of the time jumps were quite disorientating and a little confusing at points. I really liked the Wiltshire setting, and the descriptions were brilliant. The plot is clever and gripping, and although I didn't predict the twist myself, it did seem obvious once it was revealed. It's a fast read and a real page-turner.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, J.S. Monroe and Aria & Aries for an ARC of this book.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, J.S. Monroe and Aria & Aries for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another really good read from J S Monroe, whose previous books I have also very much enjoyed. Well drawn characters and locations – and excellent research too on precognition and thanatophobia. I was drawn in very quickly to the story about a psychiatrist who says he can predict precisely when someone is going to die – and we meet the detective who sees it happen. He is then drawn in with a forecast date of his own death, leading to believable personal issues, disruption to family, and his own issues. The story races along, unfolding as it goes, right up to the last page. I wasn’t keen on the flashbacks, but some might be; for me, they added little and temporarily broke the “hold” the story had on me. Some excellent side-issues with a very real basis in fact and a good police investigation team. I will certainly keep Mr Monroe on my reading list and look forward to his next novel.
Thanks to Head of Zeus / Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the early review opportunity – the views expressed herein are solely my own.
Thanks to Head of Zeus / Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the early review opportunity – the views expressed herein are solely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DI Hart investigates when a body is found with a hourglass on it. This links back to some suspicious crimes that have haunted him for years. The psychiatrist believe he can predict deaths and this seems to be accurate, when these come true. But when the psychiatrist turns his sights on Hart, will he be able to escape his fate?
I found the concept of this one really compelling and as I enjoy medical thrillers, with psychology elements and police procedurals, this sounded like it would be something I would enjoy. This ended up being a well written read and I enjoyed some of the references used. It was also evenly paced and had some short, snappy chapters, which I liked.
I feel that my main issues were at times it felt convoluted and confusing with the timeframes. I also found that I predicted some of the outcome. Even so, it was still interesting getting there. I would read more by this author based on the writing style and premise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I found the concept of this one really compelling and as I enjoy medical thrillers, with psychology elements and police procedurals, this sounded like it would be something I would enjoy. This ended up being a well written read and I enjoyed some of the references used. It was also evenly paced and had some short, snappy chapters, which I liked.
I feel that my main issues were at times it felt convoluted and confusing with the timeframes. I also found that I predicted some of the outcome. Even so, it was still interesting getting there. I would read more by this author based on the writing style and premise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A hard hitting thriller that features psychiatric malpractice.
The development of this story is very good, cleverly contructed, slowly revealing details,but not dragging. The book works very well as a psychological thriller and the way that the author described several technical aspects of both psychiatric and psychological matters made them easy to follow and to understand.
I am not afan of multiple timelines, and here we have three. The author or the publishers make it easy to identify the letters between the two brothers by having them in itallics. I sometimes had problems distinguishing between the other two, not always sure if it was current or three years ago. Others may cope better with this.
Readers should be aware that the book contains psychological and familial abuse that is not for the squeamish.
The development of this story is very good, cleverly contructed, slowly revealing details,but not dragging. The book works very well as a psychological thriller and the way that the author described several technical aspects of both psychiatric and psychological matters made them easy to follow and to understand.
I am not afan of multiple timelines, and here we have three. The author or the publishers make it easy to identify the letters between the two brothers by having them in itallics. I sometimes had problems distinguishing between the other two, not always sure if it was current or three years ago. Others may cope better with this.
Readers should be aware that the book contains psychological and familial abuse that is not for the squeamish.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first book by J.S. Monroe, and it definitely won't be my last. The premise was intriguing a psychiatrist who predicts his patients' death dates, with those predictions seemingly always coming true.
From the start, I really enjoyed the partnership between DI Silas Hart and Strover. They work brilliantly as a team, balancing each other out and making their interactions one of the highlights of the book.
I did manage to figure out the main twist by about the last third of the book, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. There were still plenty of surprises along the way, and the ending genuinely caught me off guard.
Overall i really enjoyed this, and I'll definitely be picking up more of his books. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
Thank you to The Aria & Aries fiction and NetGalley for this ARC
From the start, I really enjoyed the partnership between DI Silas Hart and Strover. They work brilliantly as a team, balancing each other out and making their interactions one of the highlights of the book.
I did manage to figure out the main twist by about the last third of the book, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. There were still plenty of surprises along the way, and the ending genuinely caught me off guard.
Overall i really enjoyed this, and I'll definitely be picking up more of his books. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
Thank you to The Aria & Aries fiction and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
His Final Patient is a dark psychological thriller built around a wonderfully unnerving premise : what if a psychiatrist could accurately predict the date of your death? DI Silas Hart witnesses a man kill himself after calmly announcing it is his "death day" .the victim had been treated by the same psychiatrist linked to earlier suspicious deaths. Soon Hart himself becomes a target and the story turns into both a murder investigation and a race against psychological manipulation .I feel I have met Silas before ,I really enjoyed the book with its impossible twists and turns and the ending has a very surprising twist .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Final Patient by J.S. Monroe opens with a killer hook: a psychiatrist who predicts the exact day his patients die, and he's never wrong.
The novel is at its best when it digs into the power of suggestion, tracing how fear warps perception until prophecy starts to look like fate.
DI Silas Hart anchors the story, his old cold cases resurfacing as the pattern repeats.
The story ramps up when Silas himself gets a countdown, the investigation turns inward, and the real case becomes his own mind. What follows is a duel between logic and psychological warfare.
The perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers with a difference.
My thanks to Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC.
The novel is at its best when it digs into the power of suggestion, tracing how fear warps perception until prophecy starts to look like fate.
DI Silas Hart anchors the story, his old cold cases resurfacing as the pattern repeats.
The story ramps up when Silas himself gets a countdown, the investigation turns inward, and the real case becomes his own mind. What follows is a duel between logic and psychological warfare.
The perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers with a difference.
My thanks to Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC.
August 9, 2026
An interesting and original storyline combined with a murder mystery. I loved the concepts of premonition and of pre determined death days, with as much prominence as your birthday, definitely piqued my interest. The sinister nature of a psychiatrist who is telling patients when they’re going to die also caught my interest and imagination. The twist was not entirely a surprise, nor did this detract from the enjoyment of the story. That said i would recommend the book and it was a good and enjoyable easy to read distraction from life.
April 17, 2026
Great storyline - well executed. Nice, fully formed characters that feel like genuine real people. Love the switching tenses between present and 3 years ago, interspersed with the mysterious memories. Kept me guessing throughout. Slightly predictable but if you enjoy a fast paced, well-written, thought-out police thriller this is definitely for you.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Advanced reader copy review of His Final Patient by JS Munroe
🌟🌟🌟 – I liked it.
This book flew by! I devoured it in under three hours.
The chapters were short, which kept my pages turning. The mystery just intriguing enough to keep me interested.
I sometimes got confused by the flashbacks, but possibly I just glossed over the bit where it said ‘the past’ or ‘the present’.
Disclaimer: I was not incentivised to read or review. Thank you to JS Munroe, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for the ARC.
🌟🌟🌟 – I liked it.
This book flew by! I devoured it in under three hours.
The chapters were short, which kept my pages turning. The mystery just intriguing enough to keep me interested.
I sometimes got confused by the flashbacks, but possibly I just glossed over the bit where it said ‘the past’ or ‘the present’.
Disclaimer: I was not incentivised to read or review. Thank you to JS Munroe, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This thriller was so clever written. A unhinged story, which gave me a very unsettling feeling throughout the book. You think what the...
The story goes back and forth in the past and present. Also a story that is building to something. Slowly the story comes togheter and it all clicks. The end is not what you think. I loved it all the way and it was so engaging.
A very good solid, fast-paced mystery!
The story goes back and forth in the past and present. Also a story that is building to something. Slowly the story comes togheter and it all clicks. The end is not what you think. I loved it all the way and it was so engaging.
A very good solid, fast-paced mystery!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a dark, twisty thriller with some genuinely interesting ideas that kept me engaged throughout. While I enjoyed the overall plot and thought the ending landed well, I struggled to connect with the main characters. They felt a little flat and familiar, so I never became fully invested in them.
The plot was definitely the strongest aspect and what kept me turning the pages. That said, I found some of the time jumps a little disorientating, as they occasionally felt too abrupt and made it harder to stay immersed in the story.
The plot was definitely the strongest aspect and what kept me turning the pages. That said, I found some of the time jumps a little disorientating, as they occasionally felt too abrupt and made it harder to stay immersed in the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was very intrigued from the blurb, the unusual premise was the reason I kept reading. There were some dark moments and elements which I enjoyed, but the story overall fell flat. I actually think more scenes of the psychiatrist’s interactions with his patients could’ve created a better hook. The twist was a little surprising but didn’t give total shock. The writing style was good with short chapters, however the placement of the timeline sometimes got confusing.
2.5⭐️ rounded up
2.5⭐️ rounded up
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
His Final Patient by J.S. Monroe is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The tension builds steadily, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me second-guessing what was really going on.
Creepy, fast-paced, and full of intrigue, this one is perfect for fans of dark, twisty reads.
Creepy, fast-paced, and full of intrigue, this one is perfect for fans of dark, twisty reads.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a crazy world wind of a ride!!
This had so many twists going on I couldn't kept them straight don't want to say too much
I definitely would not want to know the date I would die.
Great concept of a book.
Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book
This had so many twists going on I couldn't kept them straight don't want to say too much
I definitely would not want to know the date I would die.
Great concept of a book.
Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first novel by J.S. Monroe, and it certainly won’t be my last.
His Final Patient is a cleverly constructed thriller, packed with great twists and believable characters. I was especially drawn to the way the story unfolds across multiple timelines—present day, three years earlier, and a mysterious parallel narrative—which kept me interested and keen to find out more.
The pacing felt just right, gradually revealing key details while still leaving plenty to question, and I found myself second-guessing everything right up to the end. A thoroughly engaging and well-executed read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
His Final Patient is a cleverly constructed thriller, packed with great twists and believable characters. I was especially drawn to the way the story unfolds across multiple timelines—present day, three years earlier, and a mysterious parallel narrative—which kept me interested and keen to find out more.
The pacing felt just right, gradually revealing key details while still leaving plenty to question, and I found myself second-guessing everything right up to the end. A thoroughly engaging and well-executed read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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