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Dr Power #3
The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd is a tense psychological thriller. This is the third novel in the Dr Power and Superintendent Lynch series. Dr Power, a consultant psychiatrist is asked to report to the Coroner on the life and death of Dr McAdams, whose body has been founded drifting in the Sea. Power comes under pressure to label the death as suicide, but suspects that the dead scientist was trying to protect the most important secret. As Power tries to uncover the secret he realises his own life and the lives of many people across the world are in the greatest danger.
- GenresFiction
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2015
About the author
Hugh Greene
8 books94 followersHugh Greene was born in Chester and is a scientist and author. He has published numerous peer-reviewed books and scientific papers and brought his experience working with the police and victims of crime to bear on the popular Dr Power novels. He lives in Cheshire/Shropshire.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 2, 2015
Fantastic. Very evocative book. Moved me to tears at times.
Why?
The body count is huge.
The evil forces ranged against Power and Lynch are immense, have limitless funds and employ an assassin that revels in his work.
Dr Power discovers that a team that have worked to rid humanity of a great scourge (malaria) is about to be annihilated and chases the assassin to the ends of the earth and then realises that he (Power) is next on the assassins list…
Throughout the book Greene weaves the motif of the Good Shepherd – that there are people in society who will act against their own self-interest to promote the greatest good. These Good Shepherds can offset evil, but the balance is narrow, and so perilously close. That's what moved me. The depictions of good people, ranged against overwhelming odds.
There are some hints in book 3 as to who the mysterious Piper who first appeared in The Darkening Sky really is..
Love, love, love the illustrations by Paul Imrie. Dr Power I love you!
Cant wait for book 4 now.
Why?
The body count is huge.
The evil forces ranged against Power and Lynch are immense, have limitless funds and employ an assassin that revels in his work.
Dr Power discovers that a team that have worked to rid humanity of a great scourge (malaria) is about to be annihilated and chases the assassin to the ends of the earth and then realises that he (Power) is next on the assassins list…
Throughout the book Greene weaves the motif of the Good Shepherd – that there are people in society who will act against their own self-interest to promote the greatest good. These Good Shepherds can offset evil, but the balance is narrow, and so perilously close. That's what moved me. The depictions of good people, ranged against overwhelming odds.
There are some hints in book 3 as to who the mysterious Piper who first appeared in The Darkening Sky really is..
Love, love, love the illustrations by Paul Imrie. Dr Power I love you!
Cant wait for book 4 now.
June 28, 2015
Disclaimer: I received this book through GoodReads First Reads
I made the unfortunate decision to start reading this book before I went to bed. I was hooked from the first paragraph and stayed up WAY later then I should have before I finally reached a place where I felt it was 'safe' to put the book down.
The characters are people you will want to know in real life - the situation is something that you could very well see playing itself out on the news any day know. A thriller with its roots very much in the now - as well as being a throw back to the age where internet was not readily available - where the technology is there but not utilized to it's full potential.
The only issue that I have with this book (and the reason for the 3.5 stars) is that it reads a little too much like a script. Long boxes of dialogue with no 'action'. While wonderfully well written the dialogue and the location descriptors can bog it down a little.
I made the unfortunate decision to start reading this book before I went to bed. I was hooked from the first paragraph and stayed up WAY later then I should have before I finally reached a place where I felt it was 'safe' to put the book down.
The characters are people you will want to know in real life - the situation is something that you could very well see playing itself out on the news any day know. A thriller with its roots very much in the now - as well as being a throw back to the age where internet was not readily available - where the technology is there but not utilized to it's full potential.
The only issue that I have with this book (and the reason for the 3.5 stars) is that it reads a little too much like a script. Long boxes of dialogue with no 'action'. While wonderfully well written the dialogue and the location descriptors can bog it down a little.
March 4, 2015
The story opens on a boat belonging to Dr Fergus McAdam.
'Now the disc of sea included the windswept rocks of the Welsh coast and the empty boat nudged its lonely course ever closer to land towards the mouth of the River Dee'
Dr McAdam is, or should I say was, a research Scientist. He worked for a multi-national pharmaceutical company called Howarth-Weaver. We soon learn that McAdam's body has been discovered. Why is he not on his boat? Is his death due to a natural cause or is it suspicious?
We soon learn that Dr Carl Powers, consultant psychiatrist, has been asked by the coroner to provide "a psychiatric report on a dead person."
At the inquest Powers meets Mr Cousins, who represents McAdams family and has been employed by the Howarth-Weaver company. An Open Verdict is the result of the inquest. I am already engrossed in the plot: Clearly there are those who are up to no good, but will the 'Good Shepherd(s)' prevail?
I like the way parts of the story are told through 'flash backs' For example Powers learns from McAdams sister; "There's a difference though isn't there between the man who asks and the man who listens. That's what my brother said. That there would be someone who asked and someone who listened. And that I could tell the man who listened. That's you."
Superintendent Andrew Lynch is soon helping Powers. Their search is on to find Corrine and Marcus, who worked with McAdam. Could Corrine or Marcus be the Good Shepherds?
What is happening in Managua, Nicaragua?
Powers travels to North Carolina, then to Iquitos in Peru. Then he moves on to Toronto.
Why is there a tented hospital camp in Ercolano, near Vesuvius in the Bay of Naples?
The mysterious Mr Cousins seems to visit the same places as Powers.
To avoid the risk of spoiling the story for other readers, I must stop there. I really liked the pace and style. I also liked the references to real environmental literature; i.e. the work of Rachel Carson, this gave reality to the quality of the narrative. Greene included enough explanation about the scientific aspects to make the plot work.
'Now the disc of sea included the windswept rocks of the Welsh coast and the empty boat nudged its lonely course ever closer to land towards the mouth of the River Dee'
Dr McAdam is, or should I say was, a research Scientist. He worked for a multi-national pharmaceutical company called Howarth-Weaver. We soon learn that McAdam's body has been discovered. Why is he not on his boat? Is his death due to a natural cause or is it suspicious?
We soon learn that Dr Carl Powers, consultant psychiatrist, has been asked by the coroner to provide "a psychiatric report on a dead person."
At the inquest Powers meets Mr Cousins, who represents McAdams family and has been employed by the Howarth-Weaver company. An Open Verdict is the result of the inquest. I am already engrossed in the plot: Clearly there are those who are up to no good, but will the 'Good Shepherd(s)' prevail?
I like the way parts of the story are told through 'flash backs' For example Powers learns from McAdams sister; "There's a difference though isn't there between the man who asks and the man who listens. That's what my brother said. That there would be someone who asked and someone who listened. And that I could tell the man who listened. That's you."
Superintendent Andrew Lynch is soon helping Powers. Their search is on to find Corrine and Marcus, who worked with McAdam. Could Corrine or Marcus be the Good Shepherds?
What is happening in Managua, Nicaragua?
Powers travels to North Carolina, then to Iquitos in Peru. Then he moves on to Toronto.
Why is there a tented hospital camp in Ercolano, near Vesuvius in the Bay of Naples?
The mysterious Mr Cousins seems to visit the same places as Powers.
To avoid the risk of spoiling the story for other readers, I must stop there. I really liked the pace and style. I also liked the references to real environmental literature; i.e. the work of Rachel Carson, this gave reality to the quality of the narrative. Greene included enough explanation about the scientific aspects to make the plot work.
March 30, 2015
A very enjoyable read! Psychiatrist, Dr Power, becomes entangled in the death of a pharmaceutical researcher. Is it suicide, as his employer suggests, or is there something much more sinister at play?
Hugh Greene has obviously done a huge amount of research for this book. The depiction of working in mental health services is absolutely spot on! The pace of plot was gripping, and makes me want to know what is next for Dr Power and Superintendent Lynch. The illustrations were fantastic, and really added to the story.
And I must admit, the following day after finishing the book I went out to eat. I let out a very audible gasp as my dining companion ordered pizza and it appeared with a pizza cutter!
I was very fortunate to win a copy of this book from goodreads giveaways.
Hugh Greene has obviously done a huge amount of research for this book. The depiction of working in mental health services is absolutely spot on! The pace of plot was gripping, and makes me want to know what is next for Dr Power and Superintendent Lynch. The illustrations were fantastic, and really added to the story.
And I must admit, the following day after finishing the book I went out to eat. I let out a very audible gasp as my dining companion ordered pizza and it appeared with a pizza cutter!
I was very fortunate to win a copy of this book from goodreads giveaways.
May 20, 2015
an excellent read, loved it
Read
January 19, 2016I received this book from the author with grateful thanks. This is an honest review.
The cover of this book is so beautifully detailed by Paul Imrie. I would've picked this up in a bookshop to study closer.
Power and Lynch are a formidable duo. They bounce ideas off each other and there is an unspoken trust there. When Power has a 'Columbo Gut Hunch', Lynch has faith in him - almost as strong as his own faith. I like that both of them stand up for what they believe in.
Power travels the world and finds evil and death wherever he goes...this time, death is too close for comfort. This book reinforces the view that some people are only out for as much money as they can get, not thinking of the moral, cultural or medical consequences.
Fast, 'Power'ful, gripping and enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the next book and Dr Power's Casebook. (I would've given five stars if there had been no typos.)
The cover of this book is so beautifully detailed by Paul Imrie. I would've picked this up in a bookshop to study closer.
Power and Lynch are a formidable duo. They bounce ideas off each other and there is an unspoken trust there. When Power has a 'Columbo Gut Hunch', Lynch has faith in him - almost as strong as his own faith. I like that both of them stand up for what they believe in.
Power travels the world and finds evil and death wherever he goes...this time, death is too close for comfort. This book reinforces the view that some people are only out for as much money as they can get, not thinking of the moral, cultural or medical consequences.
Fast, 'Power'ful, gripping and enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the next book and Dr Power's Casebook. (I would've given five stars if there had been no typos.)
July 30, 2015
The Good Shepherd by Hugh Green was a Goodreads First read win.
I was attracted by the cover of this book, which I thought it very striking and enigmatic. I was pleased to see other illustrations in the book, not the usual format for adult fiction.
I wondered if the target was young adult, because of the illustrations, and the clear writing and story line. The writing was easy to follow, descriptive and parred down to essentials without a lot of superfluous words. The plot was topical – is medical research for money or the good of humanity? There was drama and suspense and a nice twist at the end. It was quite compulsive, I felt I had to read more to see what happened next. Although there was violence it was not too graphic or glorified, which led me to think it might be suitable for my teenage grandson.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I was attracted by the cover of this book, which I thought it very striking and enigmatic. I was pleased to see other illustrations in the book, not the usual format for adult fiction.
I wondered if the target was young adult, because of the illustrations, and the clear writing and story line. The writing was easy to follow, descriptive and parred down to essentials without a lot of superfluous words. The plot was topical – is medical research for money or the good of humanity? There was drama and suspense and a nice twist at the end. It was quite compulsive, I felt I had to read more to see what happened next. Although there was violence it was not too graphic or glorified, which led me to think it might be suitable for my teenage grandson.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
December 28, 2015
I received this book in a Goodreads first reads draw.
It is a very enjoyable and intriguing read. Well-written, it evokes the spirit of the times,the mid-nineties. Just before Tony Blair comes to power,mad cow disease is starting to make an appearance and not everyone has an e-mail address yet (Do you remember such a time?)
The story builds well with excellent attention to detail paid to the places that the main characters visit. The work environments feel authentic to the time and place suggesting that the author is writing from experience.
The only criticism I have is how the baddies spell out the evil deed that they are about to commit. It felt a bit 'James Bond villain' in its description and I would have preferred it to have unfolded over time. Hence four stars and not five.
It is a very enjoyable and intriguing read. Well-written, it evokes the spirit of the times,the mid-nineties. Just before Tony Blair comes to power,mad cow disease is starting to make an appearance and not everyone has an e-mail address yet (Do you remember such a time?)
The story builds well with excellent attention to detail paid to the places that the main characters visit. The work environments feel authentic to the time and place suggesting that the author is writing from experience.
The only criticism I have is how the baddies spell out the evil deed that they are about to commit. It felt a bit 'James Bond villain' in its description and I would have preferred it to have unfolded over time. Hence four stars and not five.
April 30, 2015
I received this book as part of a Goodreads win. I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and I felt the book was well researched. It was the 3rd in the series, so I would recommend reading the others in order to get a better grasp of the characters, but I still found it readable.
March 9, 2016
Another entertaining read in the Power/Lynch series. If anything, I felt the author could have spun it out a bit longer, as I was quite enjoying the tension. If I had a quibble, it's just the some of the characters get brought in and then written off a little too perfunctorily for my liking.
Read
June 2, 2015Intriguing book, not my usual choice of genre. Very fast paced story which I feel I would have enjoyed at a more leisurely pace. I could see this book being adapted for a TV drama.
June 10, 2018
Reading a series of books in the wrong order can present a problem. I might be remiss in adding things from book 4 here but I will try not to be.
I love this series. The author has a gift for writing characters but even more so, places have personality in everything he writes. This goes from Cheshire to America to Peru to Shropshire. Each place has its own personality. Some of them represent humanity better than some authors can using people.
The story is definitely bigger than book 2. It shows the lack of ethics in big business in a way that most authors would not think to. It does contain violence and gore but not to an extent that hampers the reader.
In Hugh Greene's books you can just escape to places that seem more real than the chair you are sitting on. They are tense and there is always conflict between science and faith. They are a pleasure to read and his words are possibly my favourite finds in crime writing this century.
I love this series. The author has a gift for writing characters but even more so, places have personality in everything he writes. This goes from Cheshire to America to Peru to Shropshire. Each place has its own personality. Some of them represent humanity better than some authors can using people.
The story is definitely bigger than book 2. It shows the lack of ethics in big business in a way that most authors would not think to. It does contain violence and gore but not to an extent that hampers the reader.
In Hugh Greene's books you can just escape to places that seem more real than the chair you are sitting on. They are tense and there is always conflict between science and faith. They are a pleasure to read and his words are possibly my favourite finds in crime writing this century.
February 24, 2017
This was quite a good read. A little insubstantial overall, but fast-paced. I say insubstantial, there were plenty of locations and plot, but it felt like it could have benefited with some extra detail and more time spent expanding the interesting (non-main) characters. I did like the ending, a good way to wrap up a global issue with a solution-to-be. Recommended for a quick read.
I received a copy for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received a copy for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
April 6, 2017
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Surprisingly good, found a few characters weren't wrapped up as much as I would have liked, but the plot was very gripping and fast moving.
November 7, 2018
Hugh Greene does it again! Another great read from the Power and Lynch stable. I'm getting very fond of these two unlikely team-mates now. As the series develops, we can see what a strong and loyal bond of friendship the two men have formed, despite vast differences in their characters.
This time, Power is asked to give evidence as a psychologist for what seems to be a pretty routine suicide inquest, but instead voices such strong doubts about the likelihood of suicide that the coroner returns an open verdict.
Power's curiosity leads him to investigate the matter further, with the help of his friend Lynch, a task he suddenly finds himself with plenty of time for thanks to impulsively resigning from his NHS job. He finds himself following an intriguing and at times terrifying trail away from the leafy lanes of Cheshire to the other side of the Atlantic, and travelling a corpse-strewn journey during which he is very lucky not to be numbered among those corpses.
In reading the first two Power and Lynch books, I was struck by the sense of place. The books were set in areas familiar to me from my childhood, and I could visualise every place visited by the pair, and when in this book, Power set off on his travels to places unfamiliar to me, I expected not to be quite so well able to picture the scenes. However thanks to the way the details of the scene are worked into the story, it is possible to get a really clear mental image without having to read through long chunks of description. Greene can sum up the sights and sounds of a place in just the same way he can the horror of a grisly murder, without actually going into long winded details. He seems to have a knack of knowing exactly how much to leave to the reader's imagination. And my imagination is already looking forward to being exercised in the next book!
Finally, a word about Paul Imrie's amazing cover. I've spent ages studying the amazing artwork which succinctly tells the story of the book. What a refreshing change from the same-y "genre" covers one has come to expect on crime thrillers!
This time, Power is asked to give evidence as a psychologist for what seems to be a pretty routine suicide inquest, but instead voices such strong doubts about the likelihood of suicide that the coroner returns an open verdict.
Power's curiosity leads him to investigate the matter further, with the help of his friend Lynch, a task he suddenly finds himself with plenty of time for thanks to impulsively resigning from his NHS job. He finds himself following an intriguing and at times terrifying trail away from the leafy lanes of Cheshire to the other side of the Atlantic, and travelling a corpse-strewn journey during which he is very lucky not to be numbered among those corpses.
In reading the first two Power and Lynch books, I was struck by the sense of place. The books were set in areas familiar to me from my childhood, and I could visualise every place visited by the pair, and when in this book, Power set off on his travels to places unfamiliar to me, I expected not to be quite so well able to picture the scenes. However thanks to the way the details of the scene are worked into the story, it is possible to get a really clear mental image without having to read through long chunks of description. Greene can sum up the sights and sounds of a place in just the same way he can the horror of a grisly murder, without actually going into long winded details. He seems to have a knack of knowing exactly how much to leave to the reader's imagination. And my imagination is already looking forward to being exercised in the next book!
Finally, a word about Paul Imrie's amazing cover. I've spent ages studying the amazing artwork which succinctly tells the story of the book. What a refreshing change from the same-y "genre" covers one has come to expect on crime thrillers!
November 8, 2018
The Good Shepherd by Hugh Greene
I was very pleased when I received this book from a Twitter giveaway by the author. I had already enjoyed both The Darkening Sky and The Fire of Love. Dr Power and Superintendent Lynch appear in all three novels and it is fascinating seeing their friendship evolve.
Again, there are murders to be solved, and this book is different inasmuch as a large global company is very much implicated. The ending is neat, but plausible, and there are still a few loose ends to tie up in a future novel.
I very much liked the Superintendent’s lovely sister and family who provided a great contrast to the values of big business profiteers.
All in all, a very good read, with intriguing characters, a good sense of place and an immersive plot. The intermittent line drawings are a joy, and the list of music at the end is interesting, though my knowledge of music is limited.
I have no hesitation in recommending this author to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, well-written psychological thriller.
I was very pleased when I received this book from a Twitter giveaway by the author. I had already enjoyed both The Darkening Sky and The Fire of Love. Dr Power and Superintendent Lynch appear in all three novels and it is fascinating seeing their friendship evolve.
Again, there are murders to be solved, and this book is different inasmuch as a large global company is very much implicated. The ending is neat, but plausible, and there are still a few loose ends to tie up in a future novel.
I very much liked the Superintendent’s lovely sister and family who provided a great contrast to the values of big business profiteers.
All in all, a very good read, with intriguing characters, a good sense of place and an immersive plot. The intermittent line drawings are a joy, and the list of music at the end is interesting, though my knowledge of music is limited.
I have no hesitation in recommending this author to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, well-written psychological thriller.
August 4, 2020
Thank you to author Hugh Greene for this FREE Kindle copy of The Good Shepherd. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
I liked it. Nice set of characters, entertaining story that is well paced with an interesting ending. Held my attention throughout the book. Nice cover, and a nice touch with the periodic drawings by Paul Imrie within the book.
A few items I thought held this one back from 4-star:
1. Felt as though the story and some characters were not fully developed.
2. Conversations seemed 'canned' and unnatural.
3. Edit, edit, edit. Mainly with missing or misplaced quotes.
4. This is my perspective, as others may perfectly enjoy it, but I find it totally unnecessary to detail the effects of a head shot down to the bits of brain and bone and hair and... that seems so popular these days. Hitchcock.
Overall, a good easy and quick read.
I liked it. Nice set of characters, entertaining story that is well paced with an interesting ending. Held my attention throughout the book. Nice cover, and a nice touch with the periodic drawings by Paul Imrie within the book.
A few items I thought held this one back from 4-star:
1. Felt as though the story and some characters were not fully developed.
2. Conversations seemed 'canned' and unnatural.
3. Edit, edit, edit. Mainly with missing or misplaced quotes.
4. This is my perspective, as others may perfectly enjoy it, but I find it totally unnecessary to detail the effects of a head shot down to the bits of brain and bone and hair and... that seems so popular these days. Hitchcock.
Overall, a good easy and quick read.
August 2, 2024
Thank you so much again to Hugh for my copy.
What a magnificent further installment in the Lynch/Power series! As a reader, we're immersed in fabulous 90s references such as dial up internet, the death of Princess Diana, Tony Blair to name but a few.
Whilst I feel it's beneficial to have read the earlier books in the series (and they are wonderful so you must!) I also feel you could still enjoy this as a stand alone.
There's peril at every turn as Power uncovers the truth surrounding a death. With the opportunity to save millions, Power's own life is at risk. No spoilers though so you'll have to get a copy!
The novel is set at a perfect pace between the reader being able to keep up with developments whilst keeping the plot moving at a decent pace.
Fans of Indiana Jones or Bond would love this too and it would make a fabulous film! Excellent!
What a magnificent further installment in the Lynch/Power series! As a reader, we're immersed in fabulous 90s references such as dial up internet, the death of Princess Diana, Tony Blair to name but a few.
Whilst I feel it's beneficial to have read the earlier books in the series (and they are wonderful so you must!) I also feel you could still enjoy this as a stand alone.
There's peril at every turn as Power uncovers the truth surrounding a death. With the opportunity to save millions, Power's own life is at risk. No spoilers though so you'll have to get a copy!
The novel is set at a perfect pace between the reader being able to keep up with developments whilst keeping the plot moving at a decent pace.
Fans of Indiana Jones or Bond would love this too and it would make a fabulous film! Excellent!
October 25, 2017
The story line was quite interesting..but can anybody just dump their job and take off to the other side of the world in search of information to a supposed murder?
I found it hard to believe in the characters or their reasons!
A hidden laptop..oh under the mattress.. Bad guys did not think of looking there? WHAT!!
I did like the shooting part(shocked me)
also Bad Guy was BAD!
Ending was sort of a wet squid, Power could have just sorted pass word when he found laptop .. then sent off the emails ..End of..
I found it hard to believe in the characters or their reasons!
A hidden laptop..oh under the mattress.. Bad guys did not think of looking there? WHAT!!
I did like the shooting part(shocked me)
also Bad Guy was BAD!
Ending was sort of a wet squid, Power could have just sorted pass word when he found laptop .. then sent off the emails ..End of..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2020
Dr. Power is so cool! And his friend Lynch is just as cool. I could have sat and read this book from start to finish if I could have found the time. Set in England but Power travels! I thought Power was kind of slow in realizing he was in danger until the sharp pizza knife. The ending is also shocking.
February 18, 2021
Review of The Good Shepherd
I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. Dr. Power has discovered that a company has covered up a cure for Malaria. The company has hired a Mr. Cousins to kill everyone involved with the research. This is part of a series of books I am not sure I will read the other books.
I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. Dr. Power has discovered that a company has covered up a cure for Malaria. The company has hired a Mr. Cousins to kill everyone involved with the research. This is part of a series of books I am not sure I will read the other books.
September 4, 2020
I started reading this book and thought ok I am going to like this. But a quarter of the way through I realized this was not novel writing, it felt like I was reading a script. I read on to the half way point but could not connect with author.
February 1, 2021
I love a good thriller/mystery and this is one that I really enjoyed. Lots of good character development and a riveting plot. Seems I have another series to add to my 'must follow' list.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
August 19, 2018
Received through GoodReads First Reads for reviewing - thank you.
Enjoyed this. Great pacing and very readable.
Enjoyed this. Great pacing and very readable.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews