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Under the Knife
From the author of Doing Harm, a thriller in which a grieving, vengeful husband stalks the surgeon he blames for his wife's untimely death.
Morgan Finney, a biotechnology tycoon, is a shy, highly intelligent but socially awkward and emotionally fragile man. It was his wife, Jenny, with whom he connected and who enabled him to connect with others. When Jenny dies of complications during a surgery led by Dr. Rita Wu, Finney’s grief turns to rage. He vows to kill Rita just as he believes she killed his wife. But first he will systematically destroy her life. Aided by a mysterious man named Sebastian, Finney uses advanced medical technology to brainwash Rita. He tricks her into ruining her reputation and brings her to the brink of madness. Alone, fighting for her sanity and life, Rita reaches out to ex-lover Dr. Spencer Cameron. Together they uncover Finney’s horrific intentions and race to stop him.
Morgan Finney, a biotechnology tycoon, is a shy, highly intelligent but socially awkward and emotionally fragile man. It was his wife, Jenny, with whom he connected and who enabled him to connect with others. When Jenny dies of complications during a surgery led by Dr. Rita Wu, Finney’s grief turns to rage. He vows to kill Rita just as he believes she killed his wife. But first he will systematically destroy her life. Aided by a mysterious man named Sebastian, Finney uses advanced medical technology to brainwash Rita. He tricks her into ruining her reputation and brings her to the brink of madness. Alone, fighting for her sanity and life, Rita reaches out to ex-lover Dr. Spencer Cameron. Together they uncover Finney’s horrific intentions and race to stop him.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2017
142 people are currently reading
2471 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Parsons
3 books279 followersKELLY PARSONS is a surgeon and professor at the University of California, San Diego. He lives with his family in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
September 22, 2023
3.5 stars
Morgan Finney is a bioengineering and math genius whose cutting edge technological advancements amassed him a fortune. Finney adored his wife Jenny, and the couple were thrilled about Jenny's pregnancy. Then Jenny got appendicitis and died as a result of a botched surgery. Finney was devastated by his loss and made a fateful decision.
He would kill Jenny's surgeon, Dr. Rita Wu.....but first he would make her suffer.
Skip ahead a year and Dr. Rita Wu wakes up strapped to an operating table, naked and woozy, with a terrible pain in her left ear. Rita soon learns that Finney has embedded a diabolical gadget in her brain. Through this device Finney can not only speak to Rita, he can send signals that induce her to follow his instructions.....like a hypnotized person with no free will.
Finney implanted the device last night because - later this morning - Rita is scheduled to demonstrate the hospital's new acquisition, an innovative surgery robot called Delores.
During the demonstration - to which hospital administrators, physicians, surgeons, the press, and other VIPs have been invited - Delores is going to remove a patient's gall bladder using Rita's programmed instructions.
Rita knows she's in no condition to do the surgery - with or without Delores - but Finney, who has a fiendish agenda, forces Rita to go ahead with the program. As you might imagine, things take an unexpected turn, and Finney's nefarious plan is put in motion. To say more would be a spoiler.
The story is presented from the rotating points of view of four people: Morgan Finney - who's gone crazy with grief; Dr. Rita Wu - who botched Finney's wife's operation because she'd been drinking; Dr. Spencer Cameron - a hunky surgeon who carries a torch for Rita;
And Sebastian - a biotech wizard who Finney hired to help execute his plan. Sebastian sometimes poses as a hospital worker, to snoop around and follow Rita.
Other characters in the story include Rita's sister Darcy - who's starting to pull herself together after a problem-filled youth; Chase Montgomery- Rita's self-aggrandizing boss; a journalist; and gossipy hospital personnel who provide (a little) comic relief.
The story begins at a leisurely pace but steadily picks up speed, and - towards the end - speeds along like the Indy 500.
The author, Kelly Parsons, is a board-certified urologist, and his detailed descriptions of surgery seem authentic. This is his second medical thriller, after Doing Harm.
Author Kelly Parsons
The fictional biotech device in Rita's head is terrifying, and it boggles the mind to consider the implications if such a thing was ever really invented.
I like the book and recommend it to fans of medical thrillers.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
February 10, 2017
Real life board-certified urologist and novelist, Kelly Parsons, returns following his gripping debut, Doing Harm, (2014), with his latest medical (psychological) thriller, UNDER THE KNIFE.
When a good doctor makes a mistake. A patient dies. The grieving husband takes revenge into his own hands with extreme, sinister, and terrifying measures.
Told from four POVs:
Biotechnology tycoon Morgan Finney has nothing to lose; however, since his wife Jenny’s death, his rage had grown and threatened to consume him. Grief crashed over him without warning. He was drowning in it. He would take justice into his own hands. However, he is sure Jenny would not approve.
He had grown rich from being absolutely certain about things. He had not slept in days and was exhausted. Her death was the action, and cosmic disequilibrium the reaction. Jenny had worked with deaf children in college and had delighted in the cochlear implant concept.
Flash forward a year later.
Dr. Rita Wu, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of California, was strapped to an operating-room table. Naked. She had no clue how she has gotten here. Then she starts hearing voices in her head. There is someone talking to her. The voice in her head is Finney?
The voice is telling her what she has to do. What the heck? There is no way she can operate with this voice in her head. She will go mad. A nightmare. There was no stopping the panic. She was terrified. She wished she could reach out to Spencer.
Dr. Spencer Cameron. He has not gotten over Rita. They had been broken up a year ago. He is stalking his ex-girlfriend. He likes to keep tabs on her. He still loves her.
Sebastian is the mystery man. He had taken a job. Finney had provided him with the dossiers and videos of the early test subjects. Those unlucky enough to have been the first to receive the implants. The device.
Rita had removed Jenny's ruptured appendix. There were complications and she died. Finney tells her his wife, Jenny died because of her. She also had been pregnant.
Finney was going to kill her. He would make her suffer. He would rob her of something precious. The way he had been robbed.
Between madness, insanity, and the unspeakable. This cannot be happening. What kind of sick joke?
No way out. The embedding. Complex commands. Demands.
This grieving, unbalance, crazy husband of a former patient had trapped her, in an elaborate and perfectly executed– setup? What did he want from her?
Terrifying and chilling, the author, keeps you on the edge of your seat with his heart-pounding suspense thriller and a race against time. From sinister medical technology, and human experimentation. Corruption. Murder. A psychopath. Guilt. Revenge.
Character-driven with non-stop action and intensity. Loved Rita and Spencer. For fans of medical thrillers, Michael Palmer’s Trauma and the TV series, Pure Genius. If you have not read his first book, Doing Harm, highly recommend.
I also listened to the audio version, and Nancy Wu delivered an outstanding performance.
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
When a good doctor makes a mistake. A patient dies. The grieving husband takes revenge into his own hands with extreme, sinister, and terrifying measures.
Told from four POVs:
Biotechnology tycoon Morgan Finney has nothing to lose; however, since his wife Jenny’s death, his rage had grown and threatened to consume him. Grief crashed over him without warning. He was drowning in it. He would take justice into his own hands. However, he is sure Jenny would not approve.
He had grown rich from being absolutely certain about things. He had not slept in days and was exhausted. Her death was the action, and cosmic disequilibrium the reaction. Jenny had worked with deaf children in college and had delighted in the cochlear implant concept.
Flash forward a year later.
Dr. Rita Wu, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of California, was strapped to an operating-room table. Naked. She had no clue how she has gotten here. Then she starts hearing voices in her head. There is someone talking to her. The voice in her head is Finney?
The voice is telling her what she has to do. What the heck? There is no way she can operate with this voice in her head. She will go mad. A nightmare. There was no stopping the panic. She was terrified. She wished she could reach out to Spencer.
Dr. Spencer Cameron. He has not gotten over Rita. They had been broken up a year ago. He is stalking his ex-girlfriend. He likes to keep tabs on her. He still loves her.
Sebastian is the mystery man. He had taken a job. Finney had provided him with the dossiers and videos of the early test subjects. Those unlucky enough to have been the first to receive the implants. The device.
Rita had removed Jenny's ruptured appendix. There were complications and she died. Finney tells her his wife, Jenny died because of her. She also had been pregnant.
Finney was going to kill her. He would make her suffer. He would rob her of something precious. The way he had been robbed.
Between madness, insanity, and the unspeakable. This cannot be happening. What kind of sick joke?
No way out. The embedding. Complex commands. Demands.
This grieving, unbalance, crazy husband of a former patient had trapped her, in an elaborate and perfectly executed– setup? What did he want from her?
Terrifying and chilling, the author, keeps you on the edge of your seat with his heart-pounding suspense thriller and a race against time. From sinister medical technology, and human experimentation. Corruption. Murder. A psychopath. Guilt. Revenge.
Character-driven with non-stop action and intensity. Loved Rita and Spencer. For fans of medical thrillers, Michael Palmer’s Trauma and the TV series, Pure Genius. If you have not read his first book, Doing Harm, highly recommend.
I also listened to the audio version, and Nancy Wu delivered an outstanding performance.
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
October 19, 2017
I’m joining in again with Throwback Thursday which was created by my good friend Renee at It’s Book Talk. She started this weekly feature as a way to highlight old favorites and read books that have already been published. I have so many older books on my TBR that get ignored in favor of review copies and I figure participating in Throwback Thursday will help me to read at a least one older title a week!
I haven’t read many medical thrillers and I’m not sure exactly why because the few I’ve read I really enjoyed! There’s something terrifying about the plausibility of these types of books, the idea that it really could actually happen that makes for such a compelling read.
While the initial premise for this was a bit far fetched, (crazy grieving husband turns psycho and takes extreme measures to get revenge on his wife’s surgeon) the actual medical advances seem like something that could possibly happen. It all revolves around an auto surgeon which is basically a super advanced robot that can perform an actual operation on its own. There’s also brainwashing and this totally creeped me out and made for such a sinister read.
Parsons is a solid writer and I really liked that he clearly has a medical background, it was evident in the use of procedures and medical terminology, but it was all basic enough that it wasn’t confusing for an average reader like me. The story unfolds through four separate viewpoints; Rita the surgeon, Finney the grieving husband, Sebastian who works for Finney and Spencer another surgeon who is also Rita’s ex. The pacing was fast and very intense, as it reached the end the narratives really started to blend together seamlessly and became exciting and unbelievably tense. This would be great for fans of standard thrillers who are looking for something different!
I haven’t read many medical thrillers and I’m not sure exactly why because the few I’ve read I really enjoyed! There’s something terrifying about the plausibility of these types of books, the idea that it really could actually happen that makes for such a compelling read.
While the initial premise for this was a bit far fetched, (crazy grieving husband turns psycho and takes extreme measures to get revenge on his wife’s surgeon) the actual medical advances seem like something that could possibly happen. It all revolves around an auto surgeon which is basically a super advanced robot that can perform an actual operation on its own. There’s also brainwashing and this totally creeped me out and made for such a sinister read.
Parsons is a solid writer and I really liked that he clearly has a medical background, it was evident in the use of procedures and medical terminology, but it was all basic enough that it wasn’t confusing for an average reader like me. The story unfolds through four separate viewpoints; Rita the surgeon, Finney the grieving husband, Sebastian who works for Finney and Spencer another surgeon who is also Rita’s ex. The pacing was fast and very intense, as it reached the end the narratives really started to blend together seamlessly and became exciting and unbelievably tense. This would be great for fans of standard thrillers who are looking for something different!
October 23, 2016
Thanks to St. Martins Press for this early copy!
Such a creepy premise in this medical thriller! Thoughts of people controlling your thoughts & actions are enough to keep you awake at night. Kelly creates characters you relate to right off the bat. A tad slow & repetitive in the middle but raced to finish.
Such a creepy premise in this medical thriller! Thoughts of people controlling your thoughts & actions are enough to keep you awake at night. Kelly creates characters you relate to right off the bat. A tad slow & repetitive in the middle but raced to finish.
October 26, 2016
I was absolutely captivated by this thriller. I was sitting on the edge of my seat freaking out. This has to be one of my most favourite amazingly written creepy thriller novels yet. Kelly Parsons manages to draw you towards the novel with relatable characters, delightful pacing, and intense plot.
If you haven't added Under the Knife: A Novel onto your TBR, I highly suggested you do so immediately.
eARC was kindly provided by publisher, St. Martin's Press, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
If you haven't added Under the Knife: A Novel onto your TBR, I highly suggested you do so immediately.
eARC was kindly provided by publisher, St. Martin's Press, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
February 10, 2017
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was a creepy medical thriller about a man who is seeking revenge on the doctor that he believes was responsible for the death of his wife. The thing that stood out to me the most was just how utterly real this could actually be one day. Without spoiling anything I will say that although the technology used might be a little advanced right now, I believe it is possible for it to be a real thing in the future. The lengths that he went to, to drive this doctor insane were insane. I really enjoyed this fast paced, edge of your seat thriller and will look forward to reading more by Kelly Parsons.
February 10, 2017
1 star = I didn't like it per GR's rating system, not that it was necessarily a bad book.
It had an interesting premise and the text was easy to read and follow. It was also promising as I followed along happily with the plot. But after a while I noticed two things. One was that the character development was flat. Despite rather a lot of background on them, they didn't feel 3 dimensional to me. For me, they existed only to move the plot along and I didn't really care for them or whether they succeeded in their missions. Secondly, I didn't care for the "advanced medical technology" either. I've stretched my credulity for many plot lines but this one just rubbed me the wrong way, just many things I disagreed with.
But the main thing was the character development. That nixed it for me. But I can see other people liking this book. Overall, it just wasn't the book for me.
I received this book free as an advanced uncorrected proof copy.
It had an interesting premise and the text was easy to read and follow. It was also promising as I followed along happily with the plot. But after a while I noticed two things. One was that the character development was flat. Despite rather a lot of background on them, they didn't feel 3 dimensional to me. For me, they existed only to move the plot along and I didn't really care for them or whether they succeeded in their missions. Secondly, I didn't care for the "advanced medical technology" either. I've stretched my credulity for many plot lines but this one just rubbed me the wrong way, just many things I disagreed with.
But the main thing was the character development. That nixed it for me. But I can see other people liking this book. Overall, it just wasn't the book for me.
I received this book free as an advanced uncorrected proof copy.
February 7, 2017
When Finney's wife, Jenny, dies due to complications during a surgery, he plots to ruin the doctor who "killed" her, Rita. With the help of mystery man, Sebastian, he sets out on a course using advanced medical technology, to ruin her reputation, test her sanity and bring her to her ultimate breaking point. Fearing for her life and the life of her sister, she turns to her ex, Spencer, for help but even he thinks she's going crazy.
This medical thriller is a true page turner. I could NOT put this one down. Told from the view points of Finney, Sebastian, Rita and Spencer, the author really puts you in the minds of each one. Character building is on point! Finney is bat shit and as a tycoon can afford to do whatever he wants, and what he wants is to make those who wrong him PAY. Eye for an eye and then some. Sebastian is a force to be reckoned with and is morally torn. Rita is a strong, spunky Asian woman who has worked hard to be where she is but is not without her own issues, while Spencer is a fellow surgeon who wants nothing more than to make sure Rita is ok.
It's clear the author did her homework on the medical practices as there were lots of details included - the advanced medical technology was fascinating to read. Hello science, I love you. The plausibility felt real and I was enthralled with the processes of what could conceivably be our future. The operating room scenes are terrifying. I held my breath more than once and toward the end of the book, I was actively waving my hand trying to make the book go faster, then laughing at myself because, of course, only I can control how fast I'm going to read this, right? No skimming of any kind on this journey. Nope. The suspense built from chapter to chapter made me extremely tense! I'd be rooting for one character and then yelling at another one. Thankfully I was home alone, though my neighbors probably wonder what's going on over here.
Highly recommend and now please excuse me while I rush off to buy her other book, Doing Harm.
This medical thriller is a true page turner. I could NOT put this one down. Told from the view points of Finney, Sebastian, Rita and Spencer, the author really puts you in the minds of each one. Character building is on point! Finney is bat shit and as a tycoon can afford to do whatever he wants, and what he wants is to make those who wrong him PAY. Eye for an eye and then some. Sebastian is a force to be reckoned with and is morally torn. Rita is a strong, spunky Asian woman who has worked hard to be where she is but is not without her own issues, while Spencer is a fellow surgeon who wants nothing more than to make sure Rita is ok.
It's clear the author did her homework on the medical practices as there were lots of details included - the advanced medical technology was fascinating to read. Hello science, I love you. The plausibility felt real and I was enthralled with the processes of what could conceivably be our future. The operating room scenes are terrifying. I held my breath more than once and toward the end of the book, I was actively waving my hand trying to make the book go faster, then laughing at myself because, of course, only I can control how fast I'm going to read this, right? No skimming of any kind on this journey. Nope. The suspense built from chapter to chapter made me extremely tense! I'd be rooting for one character and then yelling at another one. Thankfully I was home alone, though my neighbors probably wonder what's going on over here.
Highly recommend and now please excuse me while I rush off to buy her other book, Doing Harm.
January 3, 2021
An interesting read with a sinister plot line. Dr. Wu, a gifted and gritty surgeon is about to help unveil a new innovation in the realm of general surgery: a device called Delores, a robot that can perform intricate surgical procedures. It is believed that this device will reduce surgical errors. Dr. Wu is hand picked by the chair of surgery to perform the first operative procedure using the auto-surgeon, Delores. But a grave surgical error during an appendectomy that resulted in a slow and agonizing death of a patient is coming back to haunt Dr. Wu in a bizarre manner. Using cutting-edge technology, an implant has been placed in the ear of Dr. Wu by the same man who invented the auto-surgeon, Mr. Finney. In an effort to exact revenge on Dr. Wu who he feels was operating while tipsy 🥴, Finney plans to sabotage Dr. Wu’s surgery in a way that could result in that patient bleeding out, all to avenge his wife’s premature death by the hand of Dr. Wu.
In other words, this was an entertaining read for those who love what I will call tech espionage and intrigue combined with some medical jargon.
In other words, this was an entertaining read for those who love what I will call tech espionage and intrigue combined with some medical jargon.
March 10, 2017
This was was one the best suspense/thriller books I have ever read. It was down right terrifying at times!! I was half sitting/half crouching on the sofa as I read. I never knew if I'd lose my breath or jump when I turned the pages. It was hard to put down and I fear I might have bad dreams after reading this. I loved this book even though it scared the day lights outta me several times
I gave it a 5 star rating. Would have given more if I were able to.
I gave it a 5 star rating. Would have given more if I were able to.
March 22, 2017
***2.5 Stars.***
Review will contain spoilers so STOP reading if you don't want any hints to the book.
I write this review with some trepidation. I want to be uber supportive of any medical thriller author, but my platform is medical accuracy in novels and I had some medical issues/medical concerns with the author's first novel Doing Harm (an implausible medical scenario, nurses not viewed in the best possible light) but liked it enough to read Parsons follow-up book. I gave him 4 stars on Doing Harm because despite the medical issues it was an engaging story and writing style.
Overall, Under the Knife wasn't an improvement from Doing Harm.
The story centers around surgeon Rita Wu. Rita is working to develop a surgical robot that can carry out surgeries on its own. Unfortunately, Rita once killed a patient because she was drinking before the surgery and the patient dies. The husband now seeks revenge on Wu's life and career. He wants to destroy her. He hires a man who, in the dead of night, drugs her, and implants a mind controlling device in her ear. With this device, the villain forces her to operate and make a surgical error where the robot takes over to save the patient's life. The villain would rather have a robot do surgery to prevent complications and he can destroy Dr. Wu's life in the process.
The thing I like about medical thrillers is the best among us (Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Robin Cook, and Michael Palmer) took something in existence or something someone wanted to develop (a technology, etc) and examined the ethical implications of such. For instance, Jurassic Park-- is it wise to bring dinosaurs back to life? At the basis of Jurassic Park was an examination of genetic engineering and its implications. And if these authors didn't do that-- they at least stuck pretty closely to "real life" medicine in the story telling.
My overall issue with Parsons is he seems to like to take fanciful medical things (a mind controlling implant that no one can detect) and then take a leap, but I think you need some grounding in real life to have the reader take the leap with you.
For instance, this uber smart doctor has an implant in her ear--- not once does she ask someone to actually look in her ear to see if something has surgically been placed there. Would there not a hole in the tympanic membrane? Is this not the most simplest action to take? She takes the villain's word that the device won't show up on any scanning so she just takes his word for it?! She gets a CT scan only after the OR fiasco because she suffers a seizure. And the device (though ends up being thousands of tiny nano particles and not really a device) does show up (with some fancy software in development by the hero--- of course).
Nurses are not painted in the best light either. The heroine calls OR nurses subordinate. OR nurses work for the hospital, not the physician. The physician is not their boss. They are coworkers. Now, does the physician have authority in the OR-- yes, absolutely. But neither could he survive without every other member of the team. Dr. Wu seems to vacillate between loving her OR nurses and hating them.
And there's this gem quoted from pg 275. "Nurses on night shift were often young (lack of seniority meant they had no choice but to work unpopular hours) and surly (i.e., pissed off about it.)"
First, many nurses choose to work the night shift and you might be surprised that there are more experienced nurses on nights than days. Many nurses choose to work nights/weekends for child care reasons. And even if they aren't happy about working nights, they aren't mean and short with patients because of it. I realize this is fiction and the author can say whatever he wants, but angering nurses isn't a way to build readership and this is now the second novel where nurses aren't painted very positively. Anyone remember Joy Behar and the stethoscope fiasco? I've been a nurse for almost 25 years and work nights and every other weekend. I'm actually quite happy about it!
The novel is overwrought with description and chapters that do nothing to move the story forward. Two pages describing gym attire. Two paragraphs describing a hospital ID badge. I think Parsons wants to write in omniscient POV but instead renames sections using the character's name (almost like a chapter heading) so you know whose POV you're in but in action scenes he'll post the name as often as every few paragraphs which totally slows down the action. He also loves backstory--- which also pulls the reader out of the forward motion of the story.
I'm sure Mr. Parsons is a very nice man and good doctor and his patients love him, but I don't know that I'll partake in another one of his novels. As I said in my last review, he could really benefit from an actively practicing nurse to read through his books--- a few women to be sure. I have doctors and other nurses read mine for their input.
I would stick to Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Robin Cook, and Michael Palmer if looking for stellar medical thriller authors. On the Christian side-- Richard Mabry, Candace Calvert, and Harry Kraus. I think these authors serve the medical community (and women) much more accurately and with greater sensitivity.
Again, just not my personal taste and the medical components need to be more accurate for me to support a novel. If you're not in medicine, or a nurse, and enjoy medical thrillers then it is perfectly likely that you won't find fault with the book as I did.
Read Under the Knife for yourself but pick up your copy from the library. I'd love to hear what you think.
Review will contain spoilers so STOP reading if you don't want any hints to the book.
I write this review with some trepidation. I want to be uber supportive of any medical thriller author, but my platform is medical accuracy in novels and I had some medical issues/medical concerns with the author's first novel Doing Harm (an implausible medical scenario, nurses not viewed in the best possible light) but liked it enough to read Parsons follow-up book. I gave him 4 stars on Doing Harm because despite the medical issues it was an engaging story and writing style.
Overall, Under the Knife wasn't an improvement from Doing Harm.
The story centers around surgeon Rita Wu. Rita is working to develop a surgical robot that can carry out surgeries on its own. Unfortunately, Rita once killed a patient because she was drinking before the surgery and the patient dies. The husband now seeks revenge on Wu's life and career. He wants to destroy her. He hires a man who, in the dead of night, drugs her, and implants a mind controlling device in her ear. With this device, the villain forces her to operate and make a surgical error where the robot takes over to save the patient's life. The villain would rather have a robot do surgery to prevent complications and he can destroy Dr. Wu's life in the process.
The thing I like about medical thrillers is the best among us (Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Robin Cook, and Michael Palmer) took something in existence or something someone wanted to develop (a technology, etc) and examined the ethical implications of such. For instance, Jurassic Park-- is it wise to bring dinosaurs back to life? At the basis of Jurassic Park was an examination of genetic engineering and its implications. And if these authors didn't do that-- they at least stuck pretty closely to "real life" medicine in the story telling.
My overall issue with Parsons is he seems to like to take fanciful medical things (a mind controlling implant that no one can detect) and then take a leap, but I think you need some grounding in real life to have the reader take the leap with you.
For instance, this uber smart doctor has an implant in her ear--- not once does she ask someone to actually look in her ear to see if something has surgically been placed there. Would there not a hole in the tympanic membrane? Is this not the most simplest action to take? She takes the villain's word that the device won't show up on any scanning so she just takes his word for it?! She gets a CT scan only after the OR fiasco because she suffers a seizure. And the device (though ends up being thousands of tiny nano particles and not really a device) does show up (with some fancy software in development by the hero--- of course).
Nurses are not painted in the best light either. The heroine calls OR nurses subordinate. OR nurses work for the hospital, not the physician. The physician is not their boss. They are coworkers. Now, does the physician have authority in the OR-- yes, absolutely. But neither could he survive without every other member of the team. Dr. Wu seems to vacillate between loving her OR nurses and hating them.
And there's this gem quoted from pg 275. "Nurses on night shift were often young (lack of seniority meant they had no choice but to work unpopular hours) and surly (i.e., pissed off about it.)"
First, many nurses choose to work the night shift and you might be surprised that there are more experienced nurses on nights than days. Many nurses choose to work nights/weekends for child care reasons. And even if they aren't happy about working nights, they aren't mean and short with patients because of it. I realize this is fiction and the author can say whatever he wants, but angering nurses isn't a way to build readership and this is now the second novel where nurses aren't painted very positively. Anyone remember Joy Behar and the stethoscope fiasco? I've been a nurse for almost 25 years and work nights and every other weekend. I'm actually quite happy about it!
The novel is overwrought with description and chapters that do nothing to move the story forward. Two pages describing gym attire. Two paragraphs describing a hospital ID badge. I think Parsons wants to write in omniscient POV but instead renames sections using the character's name (almost like a chapter heading) so you know whose POV you're in but in action scenes he'll post the name as often as every few paragraphs which totally slows down the action. He also loves backstory--- which also pulls the reader out of the forward motion of the story.
I'm sure Mr. Parsons is a very nice man and good doctor and his patients love him, but I don't know that I'll partake in another one of his novels. As I said in my last review, he could really benefit from an actively practicing nurse to read through his books--- a few women to be sure. I have doctors and other nurses read mine for their input.
I would stick to Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Robin Cook, and Michael Palmer if looking for stellar medical thriller authors. On the Christian side-- Richard Mabry, Candace Calvert, and Harry Kraus. I think these authors serve the medical community (and women) much more accurately and with greater sensitivity.
Again, just not my personal taste and the medical components need to be more accurate for me to support a novel. If you're not in medicine, or a nurse, and enjoy medical thrillers then it is perfectly likely that you won't find fault with the book as I did.
Read Under the Knife for yourself but pick up your copy from the library. I'd love to hear what you think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
A five star thriller?? Yes ma’am. The author is a urologist so the medical content in this medical thriller felt super real. Which is probably why I liked it so much. The plot was maybe a little far fetched, but I didn’t care because it was the perfect blend of science and suspense. One of the best thrillers in a while
February 24, 2017
In
Under the Knife,
Finney, a billionaire mourning the loss of his wife and unborn child, dead at the hands of a negligent doctor, Rita Wu. He plots diabolical revenge using cutting edge science to ruin Dr. Wu's career and destroy her sanity and credibility before ultimately destroying her.
I love stories about revenge or vengeance (what's the difference and does it matter?) and the way Finney uses advanced technological advancements to wreck Dr. Wu, mentally, emotionally and psychologically, was devilish, cunning and scary.
Too bad the entire cast of characters came from Central Casting.
Let's take a look at Central Cast Character #1, Finney, the billionaire who is a little bit Asperger-y (of course he is, aren't they all?!?) yet managed to snag an amazing woman, Jenny, who everyone liked because Finney and Jenny both loved Comic Con. Yeah, right. Eye roll.
I could have overlooked the ho-hum-ness of a wonderful marriage cut brutally short! and the fact that she was an incredible woman because if she wasn't, would anyone care that she was dead, if only Finney didn't keep calling Dr. Wu a murderous whore.
The murder part is right but why call her a whore, you misogynist, chauvinistic prick? You kissed your wife with that mouth?!? The slur was unnecessary, sexist and offensive.
What's wrong with murderous bitch?
I'm not saying he's not still mourning his wife and filled with rage but is using 'whore?' warranted?
I don't think so.
Central Casting #2, Dr. Rita Wu, the plucky, tough as nails Asian doctor who couldn't show weakness in a field dominated by men. She's made mistakes, sure, performing surgery while blotto is definitely a weakness and having to care for her wayward little sister doesn't help either. Couple that with the deaths of her parents and ditching a loving boyfriend, she's made mistakes, like we all have.
I didn't like Dr. Wu but I didn't hate her. I felt the readers got a brief overview of her personality and backstory but not enough to empathize with her. Frankly, I kind of thought she was a bitch and a bit of a snob.
Central Casting #3, Sebastian, Finney's henchman, who has acquired a special set of skills during his stint in the armed forces. Of course, he is only going along with Finney's evil scheme because he needs money for his near destitute twin sister, niece and ill nephew, living in a terrible neighborhood. His heart is continually reminding him that he's not all bad and his conscience keeps telling him when did he become the bad guy? when things take a turn for the worse?
Central Casting #4, Darcy Wu, Rita's troubled little sister, who is totally typical being the youngest. She's got problems with drugs, boys, dropping out of school and being the drama queen. She's an annoying brat but then she's young.
Then, we have Dr. Spencer Cameron, not quite Central Casting #5 who is a kind, religious neurosurgeon and still runs past Wu's house to check up on her even after she broke up with him a year ago. Stalk much?
He's as big as a bear, generous, brilliant and not a douche, but lovesick and kind of a stalker but we can overlook that. Maybe. Unless that's part of his stereotyped role. At first I wondered why he was built as a linebacker, then I realized it was because its easier to tackle villains when you're built like King Kong.
The story wasn't bad, frightening in a Big Brother way but I disliked everyone, never felt I knew them and even if I had, I'm positive I wouldn't like them less.
I love stories about revenge or vengeance (what's the difference and does it matter?) and the way Finney uses advanced technological advancements to wreck Dr. Wu, mentally, emotionally and psychologically, was devilish, cunning and scary.
Too bad the entire cast of characters came from Central Casting.
Let's take a look at Central Cast Character #1, Finney, the billionaire who is a little bit Asperger-y (of course he is, aren't they all?!?) yet managed to snag an amazing woman, Jenny, who everyone liked because Finney and Jenny both loved Comic Con. Yeah, right. Eye roll.
I could have overlooked the ho-hum-ness of a wonderful marriage cut brutally short! and the fact that she was an incredible woman because if she wasn't, would anyone care that she was dead, if only Finney didn't keep calling Dr. Wu a murderous whore.
The murder part is right but why call her a whore, you misogynist, chauvinistic prick? You kissed your wife with that mouth?!? The slur was unnecessary, sexist and offensive.
What's wrong with murderous bitch?
I'm not saying he's not still mourning his wife and filled with rage but is using 'whore?' warranted?
I don't think so.
Central Casting #2, Dr. Rita Wu, the plucky, tough as nails Asian doctor who couldn't show weakness in a field dominated by men. She's made mistakes, sure, performing surgery while blotto is definitely a weakness and having to care for her wayward little sister doesn't help either. Couple that with the deaths of her parents and ditching a loving boyfriend, she's made mistakes, like we all have.
I didn't like Dr. Wu but I didn't hate her. I felt the readers got a brief overview of her personality and backstory but not enough to empathize with her. Frankly, I kind of thought she was a bitch and a bit of a snob.
Central Casting #3, Sebastian, Finney's henchman, who has acquired a special set of skills during his stint in the armed forces. Of course, he is only going along with Finney's evil scheme because he needs money for his near destitute twin sister, niece and ill nephew, living in a terrible neighborhood. His heart is continually reminding him that he's not all bad and his conscience keeps telling him when did he become the bad guy? when things take a turn for the worse?
Central Casting #4, Darcy Wu, Rita's troubled little sister, who is totally typical being the youngest. She's got problems with drugs, boys, dropping out of school and being the drama queen. She's an annoying brat but then she's young.
Then, we have Dr. Spencer Cameron, not quite Central Casting #5 who is a kind, religious neurosurgeon and still runs past Wu's house to check up on her even after she broke up with him a year ago. Stalk much?
He's as big as a bear, generous, brilliant and not a douche, but lovesick and kind of a stalker but we can overlook that. Maybe. Unless that's part of his stereotyped role. At first I wondered why he was built as a linebacker, then I realized it was because its easier to tackle villains when you're built like King Kong.
The story wasn't bad, frightening in a Big Brother way but I disliked everyone, never felt I knew them and even if I had, I'm positive I wouldn't like them less.
February 7, 2017
I loved this book! It was suspenseful, well written, and kept me on my toes! This medical thriller is about Morgan Finney and him taking is 'revenge' on Dr. Rita Wu, who "killed" his wife in surgery.. As you learn throughout the book, Finney believes in creating balance in the world, but to an extreme. You caused my wife's death, so now I must kill you in order to restore balance to the universe. Some of the medical devises used in this story are terrifying to think of. Malfunctions of auto-surgeons (a robot that performs surgeries), implants. The depiction of medical advances is both fascinating and scary to think about!
The story is told from the view points of 4 main characters: Morgan Finney, Rita, Spencer, and Sebastian. The author did an amazing job developing the characters. You really felt connected to them all and invested in the story. I have always loved thrillers that are told from multiple perspectives. This gives the story dimension and slowly answers questions you have throughout the book. The author clearly did her homework when it came to this medical thriller. The terminology, the very descriptive surgical scenes, everything!
I highly recommend to anyone that loves medical books or thrillers. I feel like I learned a lot in this book!
The story is told from the view points of 4 main characters: Morgan Finney, Rita, Spencer, and Sebastian. The author did an amazing job developing the characters. You really felt connected to them all and invested in the story. I have always loved thrillers that are told from multiple perspectives. This gives the story dimension and slowly answers questions you have throughout the book. The author clearly did her homework when it came to this medical thriller. The terminology, the very descriptive surgical scenes, everything!
I highly recommend to anyone that loves medical books or thrillers. I feel like I learned a lot in this book!
July 13, 2017
I had higher hopes on starting this book than I ended with. I liked the tough-as-nails character of Rita Wu, a doctor who finds herself in dire circumstances at the hands of Morgan Finney, the husband of one of her former patients. And the first two thirds of the book was pretty easy to read. The four points of view--that of Rita, her ex-boyfriend, Finney, and Sebastian, the ex-military-turned heavy hired by Finney to help with his nefarious plot--were easy to distinguish because each section bore the name of its character.
Unfortunately, by the book's climax, I was a bit tired of Parsons' italics-filled, choppy, breathless style. The ending, especially the climax, read more like movie-script stage direction than like a novel. Sebastian was actually my favorite character, and the one who seemed the most changed by the events of the book.
All that said, I did finish the book, so there was something there that kept me reading. Some of the medical technology was interesting.
If you enjoy medical thrillers and can overlook some clunky stylistic choices, you'll probably like "Under the Knife."
Unfortunately, by the book's climax, I was a bit tired of Parsons' italics-filled, choppy, breathless style. The ending, especially the climax, read more like movie-script stage direction than like a novel. Sebastian was actually my favorite character, and the one who seemed the most changed by the events of the book.
All that said, I did finish the book, so there was something there that kept me reading. Some of the medical technology was interesting.
If you enjoy medical thrillers and can overlook some clunky stylistic choices, you'll probably like "Under the Knife."
February 7, 2017
Intelligent, fast-paced and creepy!
In this new novel by Parsons we’re once again submerged in an incredibly detailed, medical thrill-ride that not only demonstrates his ability to write a well crafted, edge-of-your-seat mystery but also highlights his first-hand knowledge of the terminology and lifestyle of being a surgeon.
The writing is well done. The plot is an action-packed tale full of revenge, guilt, moral dilemmas and spine-chilling medical advancements. And the characters, even the villainous one, are intelligent, successful, troubled and developed in such a way you can’t help but empathize with them.
Overall, I would have to say that this is a highly entertaining, captivating read that is perfect fans of Robin Cook and Michael Palmer.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
In this new novel by Parsons we’re once again submerged in an incredibly detailed, medical thrill-ride that not only demonstrates his ability to write a well crafted, edge-of-your-seat mystery but also highlights his first-hand knowledge of the terminology and lifestyle of being a surgeon.
The writing is well done. The plot is an action-packed tale full of revenge, guilt, moral dilemmas and spine-chilling medical advancements. And the characters, even the villainous one, are intelligent, successful, troubled and developed in such a way you can’t help but empathize with them.
Overall, I would have to say that this is a highly entertaining, captivating read that is perfect fans of Robin Cook and Michael Palmer.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
February 23, 2017
Dont waste your money
Anintruing premise nicely. Costructed but overwhelming. Amount. Of language. Thatonly ignorant, illetarate individuals of limited mental capacity. Can. Use disappointed
Anintruing premise nicely. Costructed but overwhelming. Amount. Of language. Thatonly ignorant, illetarate individuals of limited mental capacity. Can. Use disappointed
March 27, 2017
Couldn't finish.. sounded like an interesting concept.. thrilling but I lost interest..
September 27, 2023
This is one of the most compelling suspenseful medical thrillers I’ve read in a long time.
Morgan Finney is a talented biotech inventor. His wife, the love of his life, died on an operating table, and Rita Wu killed her according to Finney. Her death turned Morgan Finney into a man of unbridled hatred and vengeance. Using equipment he developed, he determines to first ruin Rita’s career then destroy her younger sister whom she loves.
Finney has developed an automated robotic surgery machine capable of doing relatively uncomplicated surgeries like appendectomies. It is Rita’s job to operate the robotic device and remove the appendix from a live patient. The world looks on literally as members of the press gather that morning.
But there’s something horribly wrong with Rita. Two nurses find her strapped to the operating table. She is naked and blood drips from her left ear. She has no memory of how she got there, and she has no idea what happened to her ear.
Morgan Finney knows exactly what happened. He and a shadowy cohort implanted a tiny almost undetectable device in her brain near her ear. The implant allows Finney to talk directly into Rita’s brain. The device drove others on whom they had experimented into insanity, and it nearly does the same to Rita. But her late Navy pilot dad’s influence is still with her, and it is his words that give her the ability to resist the worst of Finney’s implant.
This is great suspense. Can Morgan Finney break Rita’s will and force her to do something she doesn’t want to do? If he succeeds, he destroys her career and even kills a patient. He can then move onto the next diabolical phase of his plan, which is to harm Darcy, Rita’s sister. This book was my companion everywhere I went the day I read it. It was impossible to put down, and I grumbled like an unstable adolescent whenever I had to do something that prevented me from listening.
Morgan Finney is a talented biotech inventor. His wife, the love of his life, died on an operating table, and Rita Wu killed her according to Finney. Her death turned Morgan Finney into a man of unbridled hatred and vengeance. Using equipment he developed, he determines to first ruin Rita’s career then destroy her younger sister whom she loves.
Finney has developed an automated robotic surgery machine capable of doing relatively uncomplicated surgeries like appendectomies. It is Rita’s job to operate the robotic device and remove the appendix from a live patient. The world looks on literally as members of the press gather that morning.
But there’s something horribly wrong with Rita. Two nurses find her strapped to the operating table. She is naked and blood drips from her left ear. She has no memory of how she got there, and she has no idea what happened to her ear.
Morgan Finney knows exactly what happened. He and a shadowy cohort implanted a tiny almost undetectable device in her brain near her ear. The implant allows Finney to talk directly into Rita’s brain. The device drove others on whom they had experimented into insanity, and it nearly does the same to Rita. But her late Navy pilot dad’s influence is still with her, and it is his words that give her the ability to resist the worst of Finney’s implant.
This is great suspense. Can Morgan Finney break Rita’s will and force her to do something she doesn’t want to do? If he succeeds, he destroys her career and even kills a patient. He can then move onto the next diabolical phase of his plan, which is to harm Darcy, Rita’s sister. This book was my companion everywhere I went the day I read it. It was impossible to put down, and I grumbled like an unstable adolescent whenever I had to do something that prevented me from listening.
May 20, 2025
Okay, guys, this one took me a while to get into and because BookBub described the book differently, I did not expect the story at all. So when I started the book, I was like, what the fuck is happening??? But I just had to forget that initial synopsis I read. The ending is really good and honestly the build up through the book was intense. I guess I was just impatient? But the concept and plot is slay! Interesting read.
June 7, 2024
Okay, I feel like this one deserves more than other people are giving it.. I was on the edge of my seat this whole book and I for real was shocked at the ending! Also I work in the medical field so it was super interesting to hear the medical side! 100% one of the most interesting thrillers I've read!
April 3, 2017
I wanted so bad to like this one. The premise sounded so interesting. Unfortunately I felt the book was riddled with problems, the biggest being flat characters that didn't seem to match up to their descriptions.
For example, Dr. Rita Wu (our protagonist) is described repeatedly as being "strong," "independent," "intelligent," but she doesn't do much of anything to actually prove that until a brief moment at the very very end. She never once attempts to take any rational steps to prove what's happening to her or even examine what's happening to her (CT scans, ultrasounds, etc.), and she makes some boldly stupid decisions that any sane person wouldn't have made, like running back into the hospital she just escaped from for no good reason other than to attempt to create plot tension.
There were also problems with repetition in some moments. For instance, there's a conversation that takes place between Wu and her boss where he is described to have "run his hand over his face" almost every other sentence. There were a lot of cliches with the characters (rich pretentious villain, former military henchman who "lost his way," sexy sex god boyfriend who is bigger and more handsomely built than any of the other male characters so you just know he's going to play the hero at some point, troubled drug addicted younger sibling, etc.) and too many descriptions/side stories that do nothing for character development and just feel like filler.
Probably the biggest problem with the story is the predictability. Almost nothing revealed in it is surprising when it gets used later. When one character discovers a device he has interrupts the signal on his satellite radio, you know it's going to come into play later. When one character takes a moment to admire a cliff edge at a nearby park, you know it's going to come into play later. When the doctors take the time to explain how anesthesia works, you know it's going to come into play later. Basically anything that gets overly explained/examined, you know it's going to come into play and it's pretty easy to guess how.
I was really disappointed with this one. The premise had me so excited with the possibilities, but the execution fell flat, unfortunately.
For example, Dr. Rita Wu (our protagonist) is described repeatedly as being "strong," "independent," "intelligent," but she doesn't do much of anything to actually prove that until a brief moment at the very very end. She never once attempts to take any rational steps to prove what's happening to her or even examine what's happening to her (CT scans, ultrasounds, etc.), and she makes some boldly stupid decisions that any sane person wouldn't have made, like running back into the hospital she just escaped from for no good reason other than to attempt to create plot tension.
There were also problems with repetition in some moments. For instance, there's a conversation that takes place between Wu and her boss where he is described to have "run his hand over his face" almost every other sentence. There were a lot of cliches with the characters (rich pretentious villain, former military henchman who "lost his way," sexy sex god boyfriend who is bigger and more handsomely built than any of the other male characters so you just know he's going to play the hero at some point, troubled drug addicted younger sibling, etc.) and too many descriptions/side stories that do nothing for character development and just feel like filler.
Probably the biggest problem with the story is the predictability. Almost nothing revealed in it is surprising when it gets used later. When one character discovers a device he has interrupts the signal on his satellite radio, you know it's going to come into play later. When one character takes a moment to admire a cliff edge at a nearby park, you know it's going to come into play later. When the doctors take the time to explain how anesthesia works, you know it's going to come into play later. Basically anything that gets overly explained/examined, you know it's going to come into play and it's pretty easy to guess how.
I was really disappointed with this one. The premise had me so excited with the possibilities, but the execution fell flat, unfortunately.
March 4, 2024
literally such an average book on all accounts
August 13, 2025
This was a medical thriller with a little bit of sci-fi. I feel like it started off so strong with such a unique concept and really had me hooked. However, as the book went on, it drug on in places and the ending was really obvious. There was no real twist, however, I will say that it’s incredibly creepy and “thrilling” at times. And I did enjoy feeling like I was in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
February 27, 2020
This was an exciting, revenge story. I was really rooting for the main character. The villian was one of the most sinister ones I have read about yet! Very exciting and things nightmares are made of.
October 31, 2018
Celá recenzia https://nathalys-reading.blogspot.com...
Viem, čo chcel autor týmto počinom povedať, ale neočarilo ma to. Dej mal akciu, napätie, no nebolo to také, ako som očakávala. Netuším, ako dokázal zmeniť svoj štýl písania, no podarilo sa mu to. To je asi jediné, čo sa mu podarilo. Všetko ostatné bolo úplne nezáživné. Celkom sa odklonil od smeru, ktorý stanovil vo svojej prvotine: byť odborný, ale vedieť vysvetľovať fakty aj širokej verejnosti, a ak riešiť vzťahy, tak ich opisovať vierohodne. Toto všetko je teraz preč. Veľmi ma to sklamalo.
Viem, čo chcel autor týmto počinom povedať, ale neočarilo ma to. Dej mal akciu, napätie, no nebolo to také, ako som očakávala. Netuším, ako dokázal zmeniť svoj štýl písania, no podarilo sa mu to. To je asi jediné, čo sa mu podarilo. Všetko ostatné bolo úplne nezáživné. Celkom sa odklonil od smeru, ktorý stanovil vo svojej prvotine: byť odborný, ale vedieť vysvetľovať fakty aj širokej verejnosti, a ak riešiť vzťahy, tak ich opisovať vierohodne. Toto všetko je teraz preč. Veľmi ma to sklamalo.
December 5, 2018
Inhalt
Heute soll der große Tag von Rita Wu sein: die renommierte Chirurgin des Turner Hospitals soll die erste vollständig robotergesteuerte Operation durchführen. Doch dann hört sie kurz vor der Operation eine Stimme in ihrem Kopf. Die Stimme eines Mannes, den sie nur zu gut kennt: Morgan Finney.
Er teilt Rita ruhig mit, dass ihr ein Nano-Implantat injiziert wurde, wodurch er mit ihr sprechen und ihr Verhalten beeinflussen kann. Und Morgan Finney hat noch eine Rechnung mit Rita offen..
Als ich den Klappentext und die Leseprobe zu der Geschichte bei der Lesejury gelesen habe, war ich Feuer und Flamme. Ein Nano-Implantat im Kopf, das nicht nur Stimmen in den Kopf bringen können, sondern auch das Verhalten verändern kann. Einfach so. Ich habe eine Gänsehaut bekommen und wollte unbedingt wissen wohin die Geschichte geht. Als ich die Zusage für das Vorab-Exemplar bekommen habe, war ich sehr froh und gespannt auf das Buch. Herzlichen Dank dafür!
Der Beginn der Geschichte war sehr rasant und auch spannend. Man wird direkt ins Geschehen geworfen und hat kaum Anhaltspunkte sich zurecht zu finden, was mir am Anfang wirklich gut gefallen hat. So muss man sich selbst erlesen, was los ist und selbst überlegen was passiert sein könnte.
Die Geschichte ist aus verschiedenen Perspektiven geschrieben, was einen Gesamtüberblick über die Geschehnisse bietet, was ich sehr gut finde. So lernt man nicht nur Rita kennen, die eine recht anstrengende Person ist. Sie ist erfolgreich und orientiert sich fast ausschließlich nach ihrer Karriere. Sie lässt niemanden an sich ran, versucht all ihre Probleme selbst zu lösen und handelt teilweise sehr egoistisch. Sie ist keine Sympathieträgerin, denn das, was zu Beginn vielleicht als zielstrebig und mutig gehandelt werden kann, wird im Verlauf der Geschichte fast schon zu einer Art Übermenschlichkeit. Nichts und niemand kann sich ihr in den Weg stellen und das hat mich vor allem zum Ende hin sehr gestört. Ihre Art und ihr Verhalten wurden für mich immer unglaubwürdiger und so konnte ich Dr. Rita Wu am Ende der Geschichte nicht mehr ernst nehmen. Auch die Entwicklung ihres Charakters war für mich nicht glaubwürdig und deshalb war ich irgendwann nur noch genervt von der Protagonistin.
Auch Morgan Finney kommt im Buch zu Wort und wird als der Bösewicht vorgestellt, der der Ärztin ein Implantat injiziert hat. Er ist von Rachegelüsten durchdrungen und möchte unbedingt Rita Wus Untergang auslösen. Dabei schreckt er vor nichts zurück und nutzt all seine Ressourcen. Finney ist unglaublich intelligent, reich und skrupellos, was sich durch das komplette Buch zieht. Trotzdem handelt auch er teilweise komplett out of character. Er macht Fehler, die man ihm zu Beginn der Geschichte nicht zugetraut hätte und das hat mich eher mit einem Stirnrunzeln zurück gelassen. Wie kann ihm so etwas entgehen? Er hat alles akribisch geplant und dann passiert das? Auch hier fand ich den Charakter sehr unglaubwürdig, obwohl ich ihn zu Anfang genial gefunden habe.
Finney arbeitet jedoch nicht allein, Sebastian fungiert zunächst eigentlich als sein Handlanger, der ebenfalls seine Stimme im Buch bekommt. Doch hier zieht sich ebenfalls das Muster durch: keine Glaubwürdigkeit. Handlungen außerhalb dessen, wie man sich den Charakter vorgestellt hat. Teilweise hat vor allem Sebastian etwas sehr gezwungenes. Ich hatte das Gefühl, der Autor wollte ganz unbedingt, dass dieser Charakter mehrere Facetten hat, doch das ist ihm ganz und gar nicht gelungen. Viel näher kann ich nicht auf ihn eingehen, da das dann doch ein Spoiler wäre.
Die vierte Perspektive ist Spencer und in meinen Augen hätte ich seine Perspektive nicht gebraucht. Doch auch hier habe ich genau verstanden was der Autor mit ihm vor hatte. Quasi von Anfang an. Es war klar, was der Hintergrund ist und weshalb auch er zu Wort kommen musste und das war während des Lesens wirklich frustrierend. Ich wusste, was seine Aufgabe war und deshalb war nichts was er getan oder gedacht hat je überraschend für mich. Eher langweilig und ohne jegliche Spannung.
Letztlich ist die Grundidee atemberaubend. Ein Implantat, das einen Menschen quasi willenlos macht. Wie gruselig ist das? Was kann einem Menschen durch ein solches Implantat angetan werden? Es ist grauenvoll. Und doch hat der Autor nichts von dieser grauenvollen Situation genutzt. Die Stimmung hätte so viel düsterer, gruseliger und schrecklicher sein können. Doch die Atmosphäre im Buch war nur wenig spannend. Es hat sich immer auf wenige Seiten beschränkt und dabei ist nie wirklich etwas passiert. Man wusste als Leser, dass man auf einen Showdown hinliest und doch war es mir persönlich völlig egal. Die Charaktere waren mir egal, der Verlauf der Handlung war mir egal, denn ich habe mich nicht abgeholt gefühlt. Dem Autor ist es nicht gelungen mich in seine Geschichte zu ziehen, weil mir einfach der thrill gefehlt hat.
Und dann kam das Ende, das ich wirklich unglaublich schrecklich gefunden habe. Alles wird nur noch unrealistischer und unwirklicher. Man liest und liest und schüttelt eigentlich nur noch mit dem Kopf. Die Handlung soll spannend und rasant sein, doch für mich waren das alles nur aneinandergereihte Szenen, die wenig miteinander zu tun hatten. Das Große Ganze ist überhaupt nicht so abgelaufen, wie ich mir das vorgestellt habe. Es hat mir komplett an Spannung gefehlt und das Buch war für mich ganz und gar kein Thriller.
Fazit
Die Grundidee des Buches ist absolut gruselig und schrecklich. Doch der Autor hat jegliche Chance verstreichen lassen, diese grauenvolle Atmosphäre aufzubauen. Er hat sich in ellenlangen medizinischen Erklärungen verstrickt, hat Charaktere sinnlose Veränderungen durchmachen lassen und schließlich versucht irgendwie Spannung aufzubauen, was ihm jedoch nicht gelungen ist. Ich hatte keinen Spaß dabei das Buch zu lesen, weil es für mich kein Thriller war. Es gab wenige spannende Momente, wenig, was ich erraten konnte und nichts, bei dem ich dachte „Was passiert hier gerade“. Alles war klar und deshalb auch nicht überraschend. So auch das Ende, welches mich unfassbar aufgeregt und sehr genervt hat. Die Geschichte hatte ein unglaubliches Potenzial und daraus wurde leider nichts gemacht.
Heute soll der große Tag von Rita Wu sein: die renommierte Chirurgin des Turner Hospitals soll die erste vollständig robotergesteuerte Operation durchführen. Doch dann hört sie kurz vor der Operation eine Stimme in ihrem Kopf. Die Stimme eines Mannes, den sie nur zu gut kennt: Morgan Finney.
Er teilt Rita ruhig mit, dass ihr ein Nano-Implantat injiziert wurde, wodurch er mit ihr sprechen und ihr Verhalten beeinflussen kann. Und Morgan Finney hat noch eine Rechnung mit Rita offen..
Als ich den Klappentext und die Leseprobe zu der Geschichte bei der Lesejury gelesen habe, war ich Feuer und Flamme. Ein Nano-Implantat im Kopf, das nicht nur Stimmen in den Kopf bringen können, sondern auch das Verhalten verändern kann. Einfach so. Ich habe eine Gänsehaut bekommen und wollte unbedingt wissen wohin die Geschichte geht. Als ich die Zusage für das Vorab-Exemplar bekommen habe, war ich sehr froh und gespannt auf das Buch. Herzlichen Dank dafür!
Der Beginn der Geschichte war sehr rasant und auch spannend. Man wird direkt ins Geschehen geworfen und hat kaum Anhaltspunkte sich zurecht zu finden, was mir am Anfang wirklich gut gefallen hat. So muss man sich selbst erlesen, was los ist und selbst überlegen was passiert sein könnte.
Die Geschichte ist aus verschiedenen Perspektiven geschrieben, was einen Gesamtüberblick über die Geschehnisse bietet, was ich sehr gut finde. So lernt man nicht nur Rita kennen, die eine recht anstrengende Person ist. Sie ist erfolgreich und orientiert sich fast ausschließlich nach ihrer Karriere. Sie lässt niemanden an sich ran, versucht all ihre Probleme selbst zu lösen und handelt teilweise sehr egoistisch. Sie ist keine Sympathieträgerin, denn das, was zu Beginn vielleicht als zielstrebig und mutig gehandelt werden kann, wird im Verlauf der Geschichte fast schon zu einer Art Übermenschlichkeit. Nichts und niemand kann sich ihr in den Weg stellen und das hat mich vor allem zum Ende hin sehr gestört. Ihre Art und ihr Verhalten wurden für mich immer unglaubwürdiger und so konnte ich Dr. Rita Wu am Ende der Geschichte nicht mehr ernst nehmen. Auch die Entwicklung ihres Charakters war für mich nicht glaubwürdig und deshalb war ich irgendwann nur noch genervt von der Protagonistin.
Auch Morgan Finney kommt im Buch zu Wort und wird als der Bösewicht vorgestellt, der der Ärztin ein Implantat injiziert hat. Er ist von Rachegelüsten durchdrungen und möchte unbedingt Rita Wus Untergang auslösen. Dabei schreckt er vor nichts zurück und nutzt all seine Ressourcen. Finney ist unglaublich intelligent, reich und skrupellos, was sich durch das komplette Buch zieht. Trotzdem handelt auch er teilweise komplett out of character. Er macht Fehler, die man ihm zu Beginn der Geschichte nicht zugetraut hätte und das hat mich eher mit einem Stirnrunzeln zurück gelassen. Wie kann ihm so etwas entgehen? Er hat alles akribisch geplant und dann passiert das? Auch hier fand ich den Charakter sehr unglaubwürdig, obwohl ich ihn zu Anfang genial gefunden habe.
Finney arbeitet jedoch nicht allein, Sebastian fungiert zunächst eigentlich als sein Handlanger, der ebenfalls seine Stimme im Buch bekommt. Doch hier zieht sich ebenfalls das Muster durch: keine Glaubwürdigkeit. Handlungen außerhalb dessen, wie man sich den Charakter vorgestellt hat. Teilweise hat vor allem Sebastian etwas sehr gezwungenes. Ich hatte das Gefühl, der Autor wollte ganz unbedingt, dass dieser Charakter mehrere Facetten hat, doch das ist ihm ganz und gar nicht gelungen. Viel näher kann ich nicht auf ihn eingehen, da das dann doch ein Spoiler wäre.
Die vierte Perspektive ist Spencer und in meinen Augen hätte ich seine Perspektive nicht gebraucht. Doch auch hier habe ich genau verstanden was der Autor mit ihm vor hatte. Quasi von Anfang an. Es war klar, was der Hintergrund ist und weshalb auch er zu Wort kommen musste und das war während des Lesens wirklich frustrierend. Ich wusste, was seine Aufgabe war und deshalb war nichts was er getan oder gedacht hat je überraschend für mich. Eher langweilig und ohne jegliche Spannung.
Letztlich ist die Grundidee atemberaubend. Ein Implantat, das einen Menschen quasi willenlos macht. Wie gruselig ist das? Was kann einem Menschen durch ein solches Implantat angetan werden? Es ist grauenvoll. Und doch hat der Autor nichts von dieser grauenvollen Situation genutzt. Die Stimmung hätte so viel düsterer, gruseliger und schrecklicher sein können. Doch die Atmosphäre im Buch war nur wenig spannend. Es hat sich immer auf wenige Seiten beschränkt und dabei ist nie wirklich etwas passiert. Man wusste als Leser, dass man auf einen Showdown hinliest und doch war es mir persönlich völlig egal. Die Charaktere waren mir egal, der Verlauf der Handlung war mir egal, denn ich habe mich nicht abgeholt gefühlt. Dem Autor ist es nicht gelungen mich in seine Geschichte zu ziehen, weil mir einfach der thrill gefehlt hat.
Und dann kam das Ende, das ich wirklich unglaublich schrecklich gefunden habe. Alles wird nur noch unrealistischer und unwirklicher. Man liest und liest und schüttelt eigentlich nur noch mit dem Kopf. Die Handlung soll spannend und rasant sein, doch für mich waren das alles nur aneinandergereihte Szenen, die wenig miteinander zu tun hatten. Das Große Ganze ist überhaupt nicht so abgelaufen, wie ich mir das vorgestellt habe. Es hat mir komplett an Spannung gefehlt und das Buch war für mich ganz und gar kein Thriller.
Fazit
Die Grundidee des Buches ist absolut gruselig und schrecklich. Doch der Autor hat jegliche Chance verstreichen lassen, diese grauenvolle Atmosphäre aufzubauen. Er hat sich in ellenlangen medizinischen Erklärungen verstrickt, hat Charaktere sinnlose Veränderungen durchmachen lassen und schließlich versucht irgendwie Spannung aufzubauen, was ihm jedoch nicht gelungen ist. Ich hatte keinen Spaß dabei das Buch zu lesen, weil es für mich kein Thriller war. Es gab wenige spannende Momente, wenig, was ich erraten konnte und nichts, bei dem ich dachte „Was passiert hier gerade“. Alles war klar und deshalb auch nicht überraschend. So auch das Ende, welches mich unfassbar aufgeregt und sehr genervt hat. Die Geschichte hatte ein unglaubliches Potenzial und daraus wurde leider nichts gemacht.
February 9, 2017
Overall I was compelled to read this, grossed out often but I think what married me to this book when reading the final storm scene my phone blasted off with emergency flood and mud warnings so i was on the edge on the edge!
March 21, 2017
A psychological medical thriller regarding the use of biotechnology to control the minds of people. Morgan Finney heads a biomedical technology firm. He lost his wife, Jenny, after her appendectomy operation and expected recovery failed. Finney wants revenge on the surgeon who performed the appendectomy, Rita Wu. Finney, along with an associate, Sebastian, plant a device into Rita's brain, allowing them to control her thoughts by sending impulses. As an extra precaution to manipulate Rita, they also plant one in Rita's sister's brain (Darcy). Finney can also speak to Rita and command her to perform certain tasks. I enjoyed this book, although I thought the climax/conclusion between Rita, Finney, Sebastian, and Spencer (Rita's doctor boyfriend) was a bit out there in terms of plausibility. However, the concept of this biotechnology was frightening! A chilling thriller.
February 16, 2017
A medical thriller with futuristic overtones. Creepy to think advances in technology might allow others to get into your head and determine your thoughts and actions. Many robotic advances in the medical field have occurred but the human touch is still vital. Doctor Wu was an interesting character. Like so many woman in this field strong and determined but often something gives in their lives. Loved the character of Spencer and Sebastian and Finney was a true villain . Lots of technical and medical jargon but still worth the read. Ending is fast and furious.
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