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Sisters of Mercy
Latchvale Hospital.
Sister Josephine Farewell has suspicions about the deaths on her ward.
As another patient dies unexpectedly, Sister Farewell begins to suspect that a serial killer is at work in the Intensive Therapy Unit.
After reporting her fears to the police, Home Office investigator Tom Jones enlists Jo’s help in his undercover operation.
Jones is not convinced that the deaths are random.
But what is the link?
As Jones and Sister Farewell investigate they find sinister connections between the patients that lead them into a world of religious fanaticism and cold-blooded manipulation…
‘Sisters of Mercy’ is a chilling medical thriller.
Praise for Andrew
‘If medical mysteries are what keep you glued to your fireside chair… then look no further. Puckett, something of a master of the genre, has penned a cracker’ - Western Daily Press
‘a thoroughly well-worked mystery’ - Oxford Times
‘an interesting story with a very plausible plot and frightening overtones’ - Mystery News
‘A terrifying scenario made all the more chillingly believable by its similarities to real life situations’ - The Southern Daily Echo
‘the best thing about it is its remarkable feeling of authenticity’ - Birmingham Post
Andrew Puckett worked in the NHS for twenty one years, fifteen of them as microbiologist for the Oxford Blood Transfusion Centre, before turning to writing and teaching. He has also written ‘Death Before Time’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
Sister Josephine Farewell has suspicions about the deaths on her ward.
As another patient dies unexpectedly, Sister Farewell begins to suspect that a serial killer is at work in the Intensive Therapy Unit.
After reporting her fears to the police, Home Office investigator Tom Jones enlists Jo’s help in his undercover operation.
Jones is not convinced that the deaths are random.
But what is the link?
As Jones and Sister Farewell investigate they find sinister connections between the patients that lead them into a world of religious fanaticism and cold-blooded manipulation…
‘Sisters of Mercy’ is a chilling medical thriller.
Praise for Andrew
‘If medical mysteries are what keep you glued to your fireside chair… then look no further. Puckett, something of a master of the genre, has penned a cracker’ - Western Daily Press
‘a thoroughly well-worked mystery’ - Oxford Times
‘an interesting story with a very plausible plot and frightening overtones’ - Mystery News
‘A terrifying scenario made all the more chillingly believable by its similarities to real life situations’ - The Southern Daily Echo
‘the best thing about it is its remarkable feeling of authenticity’ - Birmingham Post
Andrew Puckett worked in the NHS for twenty one years, fifteen of them as microbiologist for the Oxford Blood Transfusion Centre, before turning to writing and teaching. He has also written ‘Death Before Time’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2014
54 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Puckett
27 books25 followersAndrew Puckett is a writer who feels he should experience for himself the trials imposed on his protagonists.
Examples are: Being locked in a freezer room at -40 degrees, Climbing a 1000 foot cliff from a rocky beach in the dark, Then encountering the Exmoor Beast (involuntary), Escaping from a prison ship (not actually incarcerated!), Falling into the sea from Durdle Dor (not quite), Escaping from a burning caravan etc.
Before that, he grew up on his parents' farms, the first in a remote part of Dorset, the second in the shadow of Salisbury cathedral.
He worked in a brewery, a chemical factory and Porton Germ Warfare Establishment, where he acquired a painful immunity to Plague, Anthrax and Smallpox (which did at least give him the idea for his novel Going Viral). He then worked in hospital labs in Taunton, London and finally Oxford, where he ran the microbiology department at Oxford Blood Transfusion Centre for fifteen years.
His first novel, Bloodstains, was derived from his experiences in the Blood Transfusion Service. He has subsequently published ten more, mostly on a medical theme. He now lives in Taunton with his wife and daughters.
Examples are: Being locked in a freezer room at -40 degrees, Climbing a 1000 foot cliff from a rocky beach in the dark, Then encountering the Exmoor Beast (involuntary), Escaping from a prison ship (not actually incarcerated!), Falling into the sea from Durdle Dor (not quite), Escaping from a burning caravan etc.
Before that, he grew up on his parents' farms, the first in a remote part of Dorset, the second in the shadow of Salisbury cathedral.
He worked in a brewery, a chemical factory and Porton Germ Warfare Establishment, where he acquired a painful immunity to Plague, Anthrax and Smallpox (which did at least give him the idea for his novel Going Viral). He then worked in hospital labs in Taunton, London and finally Oxford, where he ran the microbiology department at Oxford Blood Transfusion Centre for fifteen years.
His first novel, Bloodstains, was derived from his experiences in the Blood Transfusion Service. He has subsequently published ten more, mostly on a medical theme. He now lives in Taunton with his wife and daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 30, 2017
It is many people's worst fear; apparently in a place of safety...they are not. Jo Farewell is a nurse in an English intensive care unit. Statistical analysis reveals that the death rate is...not right. Shortly after a health inspector named Tom Jones arrives on the scene. He is not your everyday health inspector; he carries a gun and can face down an angry gangster whose wife is among the unexplained dead. This sets up a terrific and original procedural where Farewell and Jones team up to track down and capture a terrifying killer. And just when it is all figured out...well, not so fast. Recommended for fans of thrillers and medical mysteries.
August 14, 2019
Very Intense!
Great book, kept me intrigued all the way through. A lot going on. Interesting characters and their situations. A must read for those who like a good Medical Mystery Thriller.
Great book, kept me intrigued all the way through. A lot going on. Interesting characters and their situations. A must read for those who like a good Medical Mystery Thriller.
August 19, 2019
How many is too many?
Jo Farwell, a Sister in the Intensive Care Unit and Tom Jones, a Health Inspector team up to find out who is killing patients so their organs can be used for transplant. Interesting "Who done it" book full of mystery and murders.
Jo Farwell, a Sister in the Intensive Care Unit and Tom Jones, a Health Inspector team up to find out who is killing patients so their organs can be used for transplant. Interesting "Who done it" book full of mystery and murders.
February 24, 2025
Good read
Good story, lots of twists and turns. If you like medical dramas, you will enjoy this. I highly recommend this book.
Good story, lots of twists and turns. If you like medical dramas, you will enjoy this. I highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2016
Sisters of Mercy is an easy to read murder-mystery, but I wouldn't say it was thrilling.
The story is set in the hospital of St. Chad in Latchvale, West Midlands. From start to finish, there was a lot of explaining, telling and use of medical terms, which are obviously needed for readers to understand what is going on, but it all left me very confused, and to be honest - bored. There was very little action, most of the story was Jo and Tom talking and sat in the house or in her office, discussing who it could be and how they did it. The actual method of murder seemed implausible, and it was pretty obvious who did it, although I hadn't figured out the motive, or who was helping them.
When reading this book, you have to remember that it was written in the 90s when smoking in police stations and hospitals was allowed - although it seems ridiculous that smoking should be allowed in a hospital, but flowers aren't. I was also left confused by some of the spelling and acronyms. I assume the author originally wrote it in UK-English, but it was translated into US-English at some point. (The acronym HOLMES is for a computer used by the DOH, but E stands for Inquiry.)
There was a little bit of action in the book, but whereas it all seemed to be covered by a few paragraphs, I felt it could have been eked out a lot longer, especially when Jo is finally confronted by the killer. I didn't know what was happening, and I certainly couldn't see the scene - lots and lots of telling, very little showing.
I gave this book three stars because it is easy to read, and ideal if you want a quick murder-mystery. But there is not much in the way of thinking required. I was very disappointed, as I had expected much more after reading the blurb. However, I will read another of the author's book to see if the story-telling skills improve!
The story is set in the hospital of St. Chad in Latchvale, West Midlands. From start to finish, there was a lot of explaining, telling and use of medical terms, which are obviously needed for readers to understand what is going on, but it all left me very confused, and to be honest - bored. There was very little action, most of the story was Jo and Tom talking and sat in the house or in her office, discussing who it could be and how they did it. The actual method of murder seemed implausible, and it was pretty obvious who did it, although I hadn't figured out the motive, or who was helping them.
When reading this book, you have to remember that it was written in the 90s when smoking in police stations and hospitals was allowed - although it seems ridiculous that smoking should be allowed in a hospital, but flowers aren't. I was also left confused by some of the spelling and acronyms. I assume the author originally wrote it in UK-English, but it was translated into US-English at some point. (The acronym HOLMES is for a computer used by the DOH, but E stands for Inquiry.)
There was a little bit of action in the book, but whereas it all seemed to be covered by a few paragraphs, I felt it could have been eked out a lot longer, especially when Jo is finally confronted by the killer. I didn't know what was happening, and I certainly couldn't see the scene - lots and lots of telling, very little showing.
I gave this book three stars because it is easy to read, and ideal if you want a quick murder-mystery. But there is not much in the way of thinking required. I was very disappointed, as I had expected much more after reading the blurb. However, I will read another of the author's book to see if the story-telling skills improve!
July 28, 2014
Sisters of Mercy
**** Rating 3.85/5
Sisters of Mercy is a medical thriller set in a hospital in England, involving the ITU ward and donor transplants. Although the percentage of deaths is higher in this area, Sister Jo Farewell comes across an increased number of unexpected deaths, relating to patients who were expected to recover.
Jo Farewell comes across as a well rounded believable character with all the human emotions you would expect to be displayed in the situations; even down to her heading for the whisky bottle when stressed. Tom Jones, an interesting character but complex. I had a problem relating to him carrying a gun, just did not ring true given his job title but maybe it went deeper than that.
A good read, with lots of red herrings and action. I must admit I did not see the end coming, skilfully achieved with all the loose ends tied up. Worth reading.
It was obvious Andrew Puckett has a medical background and I would be interested in reading some of his other novels. Despite my problem with some aspects of his character, I would like to see more of the gritty, maverick Tom Jones.
**** Rating 3.85/5
Sisters of Mercy is a medical thriller set in a hospital in England, involving the ITU ward and donor transplants. Although the percentage of deaths is higher in this area, Sister Jo Farewell comes across an increased number of unexpected deaths, relating to patients who were expected to recover.
Jo Farewell comes across as a well rounded believable character with all the human emotions you would expect to be displayed in the situations; even down to her heading for the whisky bottle when stressed. Tom Jones, an interesting character but complex. I had a problem relating to him carrying a gun, just did not ring true given his job title but maybe it went deeper than that.
A good read, with lots of red herrings and action. I must admit I did not see the end coming, skilfully achieved with all the loose ends tied up. Worth reading.
It was obvious Andrew Puckett has a medical background and I would be interested in reading some of his other novels. Despite my problem with some aspects of his character, I would like to see more of the gritty, maverick Tom Jones.
January 13, 2016
Apparently this book is a reprint of The Ladies of the Vale, a book released in the early 90s. Explains a lot that it was set in the 90s!
Anyway, I found it quite clever, and am definitely going to try to hunt down the rest of the loosely-associated series (it seems to be the Tom Jones series, but this book was narrated by nurse Jo Farwell). Tom is an interesting enough character in his own right, and the plot was quite solid -- mirroring things that did happen in reality, but considerably after the book's initial publication!
I've given it three stars primarily because of the infidelity -- though it seems to have resolved -- because I don't really see the point. I love a good love story too, but this really isn't one and while the tenderness was nice to see, it was superfluous to the story and I cannot stand infidelity plotlines. Even if I believe the protagonist was right about why he went for it.
Anyway, I found it quite clever, and am definitely going to try to hunt down the rest of the loosely-associated series (it seems to be the Tom Jones series, but this book was narrated by nurse Jo Farwell). Tom is an interesting enough character in his own right, and the plot was quite solid -- mirroring things that did happen in reality, but considerably after the book's initial publication!
I've given it three stars primarily because of the infidelity -- though it seems to have resolved -- because I don't really see the point. I love a good love story too, but this really isn't one and while the tenderness was nice to see, it was superfluous to the story and I cannot stand infidelity plotlines. Even if I believe the protagonist was right about why he went for it.
books-i-have
August 5, 2016Latchvale Hospital. Sister Josephine Farewell has suspicions about the deaths on her ward.
As another
patient dies unexpectedly, Sister Farewell begins to suspect that a
serial killer is at work in the Intensive Therapy Unit.
After reporting her fears to the police, Home Office investigator Tom Jones enlists Jo’s help in his undercover operation. Jones is not convinced that the deaths are random. But what is the link?
As
Jones and Sister Farewell investigate they find sinister connections
between the patients that lead them into a world of religious fanaticism
and cold-blooded manipulation…
As
Jones and Sister Farewell investigate they find sinister connections
between the patients that lead them into a world of religious fanaticism
and cold-blooded manipulation…
July 24, 2014
Sister Jo Farewell works on the ITU ward and notices that a lot of people seem to be dying, well more then normal.
She informs her boss but is told it’s just coincidence and to get on with her work but is it.
Lots of twists and turns, love interests and murders along the way.
She informs her boss but is told it’s just coincidence and to get on with her work but is it.
Lots of twists and turns, love interests and murders along the way.
May 19, 2015
Slow start but became a thriller that I had to finish. Twisted plot and sinister undertones as too close to reality as current news of Manchester Hosp worker (nurse with false credentials) did exactly the same!
Kindle read.
Kindle read.
January 20, 2016
another good medical mystery
This was a really good medical mystery, introducing Jo and Tom. I read the Dr. Callan books first and enjoyed them immensely. Well written with the twists that are required in any mystery. Recommended read.
This was a really good medical mystery, introducing Jo and Tom. I read the Dr. Callan books first and enjoyed them immensely. Well written with the twists that are required in any mystery. Recommended read.
February 2, 2016
Enjoyable medical thriller. The book is set in England and the terminology is sometimes a little confusing, but the premise of the book is interesting. I did take a few wrong turns in my reasoning but enjoyed the story.
July 16, 2014
Good
Good
hospital mysteries are fast moving and there are so many suspects that you don't know who to think has a motive.
Good
hospital mysteries are fast moving and there are so many suspects that you don't know who to think has a motive.
July 13, 2016
Enjoyed
Good story well thought out with a twist to it ,was one oftbosebooksu rwadquickly as you want to now the iutcme
Good story well thought out with a twist to it ,was one oftbosebooksu rwadquickly as you want to now the iutcme
April 7, 2017
This book was so good I read it in a day. The characters were believable and as I read I could imagine what they looked like. Have now read the next 2 books. Will definitely look out for more books by Andrew Puckett. 10 out of 10
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews