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The Bone Docs
When Flight 82 goes down over the Atlantic, forty doctors survive the crash. Unfortunately, they’re all chiropractors and dentists.
Stranded on an uncharted island with no rescue in sight, the survivors face a brutal reality: dwindling rations, no clear leader, and an alarming surplus of essential oils. The bigger problem? The chiropractors and dentists already despise each other. Pediatric dentist Rebecca Riley is too deep in medication withdrawal to keep the peace. Reluctantly famous chiropractor Carlton Berger never wanted to lead anyone anywhere, let alone across a tropical island at spearpoint.
As factions form and tempers flare, the castaways learn that surviving the crash was the easy part. The hard part is surviving one another. But when one castaway decides the island can’t support forty doctors, the feud turns deadly.
The Bone Docs is a satirical survival novel about the only medical professionals you don’t need in a crisis—and what happens when the bedside manner runs out.
Stranded on an uncharted island with no rescue in sight, the survivors face a brutal reality: dwindling rations, no clear leader, and an alarming surplus of essential oils. The bigger problem? The chiropractors and dentists already despise each other. Pediatric dentist Rebecca Riley is too deep in medication withdrawal to keep the peace. Reluctantly famous chiropractor Carlton Berger never wanted to lead anyone anywhere, let alone across a tropical island at spearpoint.
As factions form and tempers flare, the castaways learn that surviving the crash was the easy part. The hard part is surviving one another. But when one castaway decides the island can’t support forty doctors, the feud turns deadly.
The Bone Docs is a satirical survival novel about the only medical professionals you don’t need in a crisis—and what happens when the bedside manner runs out.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Matthew Scura
10 books16 followersMatthew Scura is an avid reader, writer, musician, podcast host, and business owner living in the Philadelphia suburbs. He writes for both adult and YA audiences—primarily psychological thrillers, speculative fiction and grounded fantasy.
When not with his family or writing, Matthew works for Edge of Cinema, an international video production and digital marketing agency he co-founded in 2009. He also love running, cooking, ripping the occasional Pokemon pack, working on handyman projects, and producing original music out of his home studio.
When not with his family or writing, Matthew works for Edge of Cinema, an international video production and digital marketing agency he co-founded in 2009. He also love running, cooking, ripping the occasional Pokemon pack, working on handyman projects, and producing original music out of his home studio.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 20, 2026
Ok, I knew going in that this was likely going to be like watching "Sharknado", I was not expecting fine literature. But many typos/wrong words (for example, wading instead of waiting) and very shallow characters really made it much worse than expected. Do we really think the only answer chiropractors have is to do an adjustment? That dentists only think about brushing their teeth (why was flossing only barely mentioned) and can be lured into doing things by the promise of a drop of toothpaste? The premise was interesting but the payoff was not great.
June 27, 2026
It was once these bone doctors reached the island that I began to suspect that a large portion, if not all, of this book was written by AI. There was something about the sentence construction and some of the errors that was odd. Odd even for an uncorrected proof. As the story progressed, I found it more and more ridiculous despite it being satirical. And the so-called twist at the end was weak. There are holes aplenty in this story. I looked up the author and he publishes a book a month, which confirmed my suspicions that this is likely AI dross. I am aware there are a few authors out there who pump out books of a formulaic nature at speed, but because of the weird sentence construction at times, I don’t think this is one of them. Regardless of who, or what, wrote this, I gave it two stars because the plane crash and subsequent survival of some of these doctors, and their petty opinions of each other, had me intrigued initially. But I won’t be reading anything else by this “author”.
August 6, 2026
I received a copy of The Bone Docs from Netgalley to review.
Rating of 4.25.
In the mood for something exciting, funny and just a little insane? Then look no further than the fantastic thriller novel The Bone Docs. The latest novel from Matthew Scura, an author with an interesting bibliography of fun sounding books, The Bone Docs was an awesome read with a memorable premise behind it.
Plot Synopsis:
When Flight 82 goes down over the Atlantic, forty doctors survive the crash. Unfortunately, they’re all chiropractors and dentists.
Stranded on an uncharted island with no rescue in sight, the survivors face a brutal reality: dwindling rations, no clear leader, and an alarming surplus of essential oils. The bigger problem? The chiropractors and dentists already despise each other. Pediatric dentist Rebecca Riley is too deep in medication withdrawal to keep the peace. Reluctantly famous chiropractor Carlton Berger never wanted to lead anyone anywhere, let alone across a tropical island at spearpoint.
As factions form and tempers flare, the castaways learn that surviving the crash was the easy part. The hard part is surviving one another. But when one castaway decides the island can’t support forty doctors, the feud turns deadly.
The Bone Docs is a satirical survival novel about the only medical professionals you don’t need in a crisis—and what happens when the bedside manner runs out.
With a hilarious background plot idea, The Bone Docs was a highly entertaining novel that quickly draws you in with its survival plot and satirical take on dentists and chiropractors. Scura clearly had a lot of fun pulling this novel together, and I had an amazing time reading The Bone Docs, which I mostly powered through in a single night.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2026/08/06/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.25.
In the mood for something exciting, funny and just a little insane? Then look no further than the fantastic thriller novel The Bone Docs. The latest novel from Matthew Scura, an author with an interesting bibliography of fun sounding books, The Bone Docs was an awesome read with a memorable premise behind it.
Plot Synopsis:
When Flight 82 goes down over the Atlantic, forty doctors survive the crash. Unfortunately, they’re all chiropractors and dentists.
Stranded on an uncharted island with no rescue in sight, the survivors face a brutal reality: dwindling rations, no clear leader, and an alarming surplus of essential oils. The bigger problem? The chiropractors and dentists already despise each other. Pediatric dentist Rebecca Riley is too deep in medication withdrawal to keep the peace. Reluctantly famous chiropractor Carlton Berger never wanted to lead anyone anywhere, let alone across a tropical island at spearpoint.
As factions form and tempers flare, the castaways learn that surviving the crash was the easy part. The hard part is surviving one another. But when one castaway decides the island can’t support forty doctors, the feud turns deadly.
The Bone Docs is a satirical survival novel about the only medical professionals you don’t need in a crisis—and what happens when the bedside manner runs out.
With a hilarious background plot idea, The Bone Docs was a highly entertaining novel that quickly draws you in with its survival plot and satirical take on dentists and chiropractors. Scura clearly had a lot of fun pulling this novel together, and I had an amazing time reading The Bone Docs, which I mostly powered through in a single night.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2026/08/06/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
June 16, 2026
Huge thanks to Matthew Scura, Federal Pen Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced copy of The Bone Docs. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
The amusing premise for this book pulled me in - a plane crashes and all the survivors are members of one of two warring factions. When I tell you the opposing sides are chiropractors and dentists, you will get an idea of where this highly satirical novel is going.
You wouldn't think that a book that starts with a plane crash could be in any way funny, but the author managed to generate comedy in spite of the events being depicted.
As much as there is a strong comedic element to this book, it would be unfair to focus purely on that because the overall quality of the writing is excellent.
The main protagonist is acclaimed chiropractor Dr Carlton Berger, who has invented a revolutionary new technique that has given him global acclaim in his field. He is reluctant, however, to share how he discovered the method.
The real action of the book gets underway when the dentists are cast out from the main survivors' settlement and have to set up their own colony. There are actually some pretty unexpectedly violent scenes as certain survivors start to deteriorate mentally.
This was my third read from Matthew Scura. Each one has been very different in terms of genre and theme, but I have found them all to be excellent.
The amusing premise for this book pulled me in - a plane crashes and all the survivors are members of one of two warring factions. When I tell you the opposing sides are chiropractors and dentists, you will get an idea of where this highly satirical novel is going.
You wouldn't think that a book that starts with a plane crash could be in any way funny, but the author managed to generate comedy in spite of the events being depicted.
As much as there is a strong comedic element to this book, it would be unfair to focus purely on that because the overall quality of the writing is excellent.
The main protagonist is acclaimed chiropractor Dr Carlton Berger, who has invented a revolutionary new technique that has given him global acclaim in his field. He is reluctant, however, to share how he discovered the method.
The real action of the book gets underway when the dentists are cast out from the main survivors' settlement and have to set up their own colony. There are actually some pretty unexpectedly violent scenes as certain survivors start to deteriorate mentally.
This was my third read from Matthew Scura. Each one has been very different in terms of genre and theme, but I have found them all to be excellent.
June 1, 2026
A plane full of chiropractors and dentists is on the way to London when it crashes into the ocean. The survivors are divided between both professions. They hate each other because the dentists feel that they are the real MDs while the chiropractors are only “bone crackers.” They are divided even when they are in the only lifeboat saved from the plane before it sank. Fortunately, they find a deserted island. Unfortunately, they devolve into tribal behavior and this behavior includes violence. Which group will survive? Will anyone live to leave the island?
The Bone Docs is a weird mix of Survivor and Lord of the Flies with a touch of The Hunger Games. I’m not sure whether Matthew Scura planned humor - dentists compulsively search for toothpaste and brush their teeth while the chiropractors practice adjustments on each other. It’s funny until the savagery begins. The conclusion is totally unexpected and raises some questions. I’m not even sure if I liked The Bone Docs but I read it straight through. 4 stars for creativity.
Thank you to NetGalley, Federal Pen Publishing and Matthew Scura for this ARC.
The Bone Docs is a weird mix of Survivor and Lord of the Flies with a touch of The Hunger Games. I’m not sure whether Matthew Scura planned humor - dentists compulsively search for toothpaste and brush their teeth while the chiropractors practice adjustments on each other. It’s funny until the savagery begins. The conclusion is totally unexpected and raises some questions. I’m not even sure if I liked The Bone Docs but I read it straight through. 4 stars for creativity.
Thank you to NetGalley, Federal Pen Publishing and Matthew Scura for this ARC.
Read
August 29, 2026I am still thinking about how to rate this book, but I just have to say - I read this on my kindle and must have submitted at least 20 typos or other errors to the editors, which just seems bizarre to me. How could this many mistakes have been missed?! It was an interesting concept and the story pulled me in, and I will say I am not a dentist or a chiropractor but the antagonism between the two groups seemed way over the top to me. As a vet, I know enough to respect any medical professional (though I do question chiro med in general so maybe there is something to that!). And what conference would have both dentists and chiros attending? Plus there’s no way the plane would be full of ONLY dentists and chiros unless it was privately chartered. And the stereotypes - I’m sure all chiros aren’t in to essential oils and there have got to be many physically fit dentists.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved this bonkers tale of descent into madness.
It had the feel of a - what I imagine to be - seemingly adult version of Lord of the Flies. I have not read Lord of the Flies, but this book, I read in one sitting. Yes, it was that good.
The rivalry/hate between the two types of 'bone' doctors (in England, we don't class dentists as doctors) is an exaggeration of egotistical, yet proud, professionals.
It has, however, made me feel the need to source a decent chiropractor. One who doesn't do the trust and twist though!
Hated the turtle scenes, but I understand the necessity. I also understand the need to do this type of thing. Other than banging heads together, which doesn't usually work, this works!
Brilliant!.
It had the feel of a - what I imagine to be - seemingly adult version of Lord of the Flies. I have not read Lord of the Flies, but this book, I read in one sitting. Yes, it was that good.
The rivalry/hate between the two types of 'bone' doctors (in England, we don't class dentists as doctors) is an exaggeration of egotistical, yet proud, professionals.
It has, however, made me feel the need to source a decent chiropractor. One who doesn't do the trust and twist though!
Hated the turtle scenes, but I understand the necessity. I also understand the need to do this type of thing. Other than banging heads together, which doesn't usually work, this works!
Brilliant!.
July 12, 2026
Satirical But Not Comedic. This is not a light and fun read. It is a tense psychological tale of survival. The survivors of an airplane crash are either chiropractors or dentists who find themselves marooned on an unknown island without the advantage of toothpaste or essential oils. They are forced to face their doubts ad fears, something they have long set aside in their respective professions: instantly incompetent in the basic understanding of what it takes to stay alive just one more day. There are a number of individuals but we are introduced only to a handful who serve as the primary protagonists or antagonists. Yep, not everyone is ready to live the stone age life among many of the professional peers.
June 8, 2026
Once upon a time a plane full of dentists and chiropractors crashed landed in the ocean. And what resulted was pure madness. If you’ve ever met a group of doctors, you know that they often define themselves by their title. “Hi. I’m Dr X, orthopedic surgeon.” Now imagine the group trying to survive on a deserted island with only back adjustments and tooth paste to save them. This story is over the top but absolutely hilarious. Definitely unlike anything I have ever read before. Satire, murder, and spinal adjustments at its finest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A little bit lord of the flies, a little bit lost, the bone docs was a decent into madness and chaos. What do you do when you need a doctor, but not that kind of doctor. It was delightfully unhinged from page 1, and I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Genre: satirical survival, dark comedy, thriller
A plot that had never crossed my mind but was very entertaining from start to finish. The rivalry between the dentists and chiropractors is ridiculous, but that is the whole point 😄. I did enjoy this, and no, I did not predict that ending.
A plot that had never crossed my mind but was very entertaining from start to finish. The rivalry between the dentists and chiropractors is ridiculous, but that is the whole point 😄. I did enjoy this, and no, I did not predict that ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was very reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. I enjoyed it. It really kept my attention, and I felt the characters were believable and relatable, even though a little stereotyped. I loved the setting and the author did an excellent job of capturing the feel of the island.
October 8, 2026
Excellent book! Read it
May 26, 2026
Interesting book. I liked the whole idea of having all the survivors be doctors. However, I felt like the characters behaved like children, and not intellectual adults and that bothered me a lot. I understand it was probably meant to be satire but I hated the obsessive dialogue of the chiropractors constantly needing adjustments and the dentists constantly wanting to brush their teeth. I think if they are stranded and needing to survive the doctors would all be focused on their own survival first. I also didn’t like how the author made the dentists so lazy, because smart people don’t just sit around - so that felt pretty off character to me. Also, with White’s medical condition there is absolutely no way he would ever have the profession he has… it cannot and would not have ever happened. Although I did like his character, and a few others were also very likeable. The ending created more questions than answers and felt like it ended abruptly, an epilogue would have been a nice touch. Overall, the book is a page turner and had an interesting story but I found many aspects to be unbelievable in the terms of character qualities. 3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the author, publisher or NetGalley.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by the author, publisher or NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews