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Bodhi King #2
Lonely Path
Dr. Bodhi King returns in Lonely Path, the second book in the gripping medical thriller series by USA Today Bestselling Author Melissa F. Miller. When forensic pathology consultant Bodhi King is invited to present a paper at a national conference, he runs into a fellow presenter and old flame, Dr. Eliza Rollins. It's been more than a decade since Bodhi broke her heart, and the devout Buddhist convinces Dr. Rollins to join him for dinner so he can make amends.
On the way back to the hotel after their meal, they encounter a dazed young woman with no memory of who she is or what's happened to her. Their efforts to help her lead to a horrifying discovery in the woods that will force them to put aside their past to help the woman reclaim her life.
On the way back to the hotel after their meal, they encounter a dazed young woman with no memory of who she is or what's happened to her. Their efforts to help her lead to a horrifying discovery in the woods that will force them to put aside their past to help the woman reclaim her life.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2017
268 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Miller
89 books595 followersMelissa F. Miller is a multi-time USA Today bestselling author of mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance novels. Formerly a complex commercial litigator, Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in medieval literature and creative writing poetry and earned her JD, cum laude, from the Duquesne University School of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 13, 2019
I loved the first book of the series, but I was a little disappointed with this one.
The main character Bodhi King's unique outlook on life was not present and I was looking forward to that. Also, I rarely read books that give the antagonist's point of view since that spoils the story for me - I prefer not knowing that part of the plot.
It felt rather a letdown, to be honest.
The main character Bodhi King's unique outlook on life was not present and I was looking forward to that. Also, I rarely read books that give the antagonist's point of view since that spoils the story for me - I prefer not knowing that part of the plot.
It felt rather a letdown, to be honest.
April 25, 2021
So far, these Bodhi King books seem to be novelettes (maybe novella is the right word). The characters are thin, but the stories are interesting. Bodhi himself was featured in one of the Sasha McCandless novels, and his personality continues to expand through this series. These are pathology thrillers, if you will, where Sasha's stories were legal thrillers, and better books all around.
February 9, 2020
Light as gossamer and barely tolerable.
Had high hopes when I started, but by midway it was drudgery. So sad. Good idea but poor development. Maybe just not for me.
Had high hopes when I started, but by midway it was drudgery. So sad. Good idea but poor development. Maybe just not for me.
March 27, 2022
It was okay, just not suspenseful.
November 15, 2017
LONELY PATH by Melissa Miller. "Bodhi King" book 2
Having read the first book was looking forward to more with Bodie King.
What would cause a young student to want to feel powerful and alone, but not lonely. A dealer, with a conscience and something has gone wrong.
At a conference Bodhi, was delighted to see a special woman from college days, but she wasn't. She had been the love of his life, but his was
a solitary journey. Joe a Forensic Biologist tells of a new drug causing a rush of overdoses. It's a new designer drug. The Inspector reaches out to Bodhi to help. " I deal with dead people " he replies. She is as good as dead, and legally declared as such, and buried. She was a college student, could she be the link to this new drug causing overdoses. What follows is a fascinating look, at something so new, so deadly and a total mystery of what it is. Bodhi has his work cut out for him ; a body is not dead till they are embalmed, he says. The plot is fascinating, a subject so different, and to read how Bodhi feels about it, has the readers to ponder. Thank goodness the next one will be out in December
Having read the first book was looking forward to more with Bodie King.
What would cause a young student to want to feel powerful and alone, but not lonely. A dealer, with a conscience and something has gone wrong.
At a conference Bodhi, was delighted to see a special woman from college days, but she wasn't. She had been the love of his life, but his was
a solitary journey. Joe a Forensic Biologist tells of a new drug causing a rush of overdoses. It's a new designer drug. The Inspector reaches out to Bodhi to help. " I deal with dead people " he replies. She is as good as dead, and legally declared as such, and buried. She was a college student, could she be the link to this new drug causing overdoses. What follows is a fascinating look, at something so new, so deadly and a total mystery of what it is. Bodhi has his work cut out for him ; a body is not dead till they are embalmed, he says. The plot is fascinating, a subject so different, and to read how Bodhi feels about it, has the readers to ponder. Thank goodness the next one will be out in December
November 25, 2020
Second in the series. Another wonderful setting -- Bodhi is off to Quebec City, staying at the gorgeous Chateau Frontenac. He is there to give a paper on the voodoo killings in the first book, but in the small world of forensic doctors dealing with macabre deaths he finds his old girlfriend from grad school is on the panel. If you know Bodhi you know he is no playa (far from it!) so I was a bit concerned this novel was going to take a twist and become obsessed with him making out with a soulmate. It didn't. However, a new designer drug called Solo is killing at a disturbing rate in Montreal and Quebec City, and when tourist Bodhi comes upon a befuddled girl in a zombie-like daze, his panel gets pulled into the investigation. A minor plus here--some fun takes on giving papers at academic conferences.
November 13, 2018
Sadly, this second entry in the Bodhi King Buddhist forensic sleuth series is no better than the first. In fact, it was worse. The plot was elaborately set up but then the author seemed to skim over the climax like an unartful stone-skipper. A major conflict was set up between Bodhi and the Only Woman He Had Ever Loved (or at least bedded), who were torn asunder by a really dumb misreading of Buddhist teaching?!? Was the relationship worked through, resolved? Not really. Nothing much happened. The idea of recreation-drug-induced zombiism, of a kind, was interesting, but that was about it.
My interest in the series was due to my interest in Buddhism, but this series doesn’t really satisfy either as mystery or as a window into Buddhism.
My interest in the series was due to my interest in Buddhism, but this series doesn’t really satisfy either as mystery or as a window into Buddhism.
January 31, 2018
“Lonely Path” is the second instalment in Melissa F Miller’s new series based on forensic pathologist Bodhi King - think CSI with a buddhist flavour. You won’t need to have read Book 1 to be able to follow the story, although that would provide a reader with some useful background on Bodhi, his outlook on life and reflective, quiet investigative style.
Loosely based on news reports on the effects of certain designer drugs, “Lonely Path” sees Bodhi reluctantly involved in the investigation of a new synthetic drug that is being sold in the streets of Montreal - a drug so unpredictable that it can kill people ….or almost.
Suffice to say, this kind of novel needs to be read spoiler-free: all I can say is that this is possibly the creepiest, most disturbing plotline Miller has written so far. If you could combine Twin Peaks with Breaking Bad and The Living Dead, you’d get something resembling the feel of this short but hugely entertaining book.
Like in all of this author’s novels, there is always a deeper message to be found beyond the thriller element: in this case it’s the theme of redemption. As Bodhi says towards the end of the book, “no living person is irredeemable”, and in an increasingly black and white world, a thriller story with nuance and compassion is truly a rare find.
PS - “Hidden Path” Book 3 in the series - is already out.
Loosely based on news reports on the effects of certain designer drugs, “Lonely Path” sees Bodhi reluctantly involved in the investigation of a new synthetic drug that is being sold in the streets of Montreal - a drug so unpredictable that it can kill people ….or almost.
Suffice to say, this kind of novel needs to be read spoiler-free: all I can say is that this is possibly the creepiest, most disturbing plotline Miller has written so far. If you could combine Twin Peaks with Breaking Bad and The Living Dead, you’d get something resembling the feel of this short but hugely entertaining book.
Like in all of this author’s novels, there is always a deeper message to be found beyond the thriller element: in this case it’s the theme of redemption. As Bodhi says towards the end of the book, “no living person is irredeemable”, and in an increasingly black and white world, a thriller story with nuance and compassion is truly a rare find.
PS - “Hidden Path” Book 3 in the series - is already out.
June 18, 2020
This is the 2nd of the Bodhi King series. Bodhi has been asked to present at a Symposium in Quebec City and sit on a panel with other Pathologists to discuss "Black Swan" cases. I love the fact that this takes place in Quebec City and he is staying at Chateau Frontenac! An old flame of Bhodi's is also there as a panelist and, on a night out on the town, they come across a girl on the side of a rural road who definitely has suffered some type of trauma. They end up becoming consultants for the police to discover the connection between this girl and a cluster of drug overdoses. Fast moving, easy read.
May 29, 2022
This is the second book in the Bodhi King series that I’ve read. It is as compelling as the first, with a plot that is unusual but plausible and characters who are neither too good nor too bad to be real. In this book Bodhi and his med school girlfriend, who meet years later at a conference, work with the Canadian police to find the source of a designer drug that puts people into a zombie-like state. The writing is good, the suspense builds nicely, and the twist at the end is perfect. I look forward to the next one.
February 19, 2019
Another great Bodhi story. You learn a little more about his past in this one, as we are introduced to Eliza, an ex of his from many years ago. They are both at a pathology conference, in the same town where overdoses are happening from a designer drug. They get caught up in the mystery of what is really happening to these people, when they stumble across a woman in the middle of the street.
Enjoyed reading this one.
Enjoyed reading this one.
January 12, 2020
Good mystery series
Great mystery series (this is #2). I really enjoyed this one. Bodhi King is a forensic pathologist and consults with law enforcement. In rhia episode Bodhi travels to Quebec City to present a paper (concerning the case in book #1) where he meets Eliza an old friend/lover from medical school. They team up with local police to discover what is causing an epidemic of overdoses in Quebec.
Great mystery series (this is #2). I really enjoyed this one. Bodhi King is a forensic pathologist and consults with law enforcement. In rhia episode Bodhi travels to Quebec City to present a paper (concerning the case in book #1) where he meets Eliza an old friend/lover from medical school. They team up with local police to discover what is causing an epidemic of overdoses in Quebec.
July 27, 2021
THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK I’VE READ IN THE BODHI SERIES AND I REALLY LIKE THEM SO FAR. I HOPE BODHI FINDS SOMEONE TO BE WITH, HE IS A LONELY MAN. HE IS SUCH A KIND AND GENTLE SOUL AND HE DESERVES A WOMAN WHO UNDERSTANDS AND IS WILLING TO JOIN HIM ON HIS LONELY PATH. I LOVE CRIME AND ROMANCE BOOKS EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE A STRANGE COMBINATION. BODHI IS VERY GOOD AT WHAT HE DOES AND I LOVE HOW HE FIGURES OUT THINGS. HE IS SUPER SMART AND THAT IS SUCH A TURN ON TO ME. SIGH!;D
September 10, 2021
A budding fan of Miller’s Sasha McCandless series, we previously tried her Buddhist Forensic Pathologist Bodhi King’s debut in “Dark Path”. Dominated by religious “mumbo-jumbo”, we were not particularly pleased with that outing, but decided to give Bodhi another try with this second of his (currently) six-book series, “Lonely Path.” While this rather short eBook was better than the first, it really did little to either illuminate Buddhism (other than an almost silly claim that broke up a love affair) or to particularly entertain with a designer-drug-overdose main theme.
Pursuing this set for us seems a little doubtful – when the best you can say about a crime thriller is that it read quickly, that’s not much of an endorsement.
Pursuing this set for us seems a little doubtful – when the best you can say about a crime thriller is that it read quickly, that’s not much of an endorsement.
October 4, 2021
This is the second in the gripping Bodhi King pathology thriller series. We listened to it while returning from a trip. We found some inconsistencies between book 1 and book 2. I explained the celibacy aspect of Bodhi as he did not consider his previous relations as long term meaningful relationships.
The concept of designer drugs was intriguing. The zombie state a little terrifying. We were entertained.
The concept of designer drugs was intriguing. The zombie state a little terrifying. We were entertained.
June 26, 2022
Both an enthralling mystery and a cautionary tale of science gone wrong...or for profit. Visiting Canada for a symposium, Dr. King becomes involved in a mysterious "resurrection" and search for victims of a bespoke new drug that can either kill or turn its consumers into mindless beings. His help - and conflict - comes in the person of his erstwhile love, another contributor to the symposium as well as fellow investigator. Can they solve the conundrum of this new drug before more people die?
April 14, 2019
Great again
This book is a great read and so far the series has made me buy each and every title. If other series by this author are as enjoyable I have found hours of entertaining reading.
I don’t offer give a 5 score but it seems to me this one deserved it. Not a long read but a great read. Off to the next one.
This book is a great read and so far the series has made me buy each and every title. If other series by this author are as enjoyable I have found hours of entertaining reading.
I don’t offer give a 5 score but it seems to me this one deserved it. Not a long read but a great read. Off to the next one.
May 29, 2020
This is an interesting series. Dr. Bodhi King is a likeable character and rather unique to boot.
As a Canadian, I find it funny reading books written about our country by those from other nations. When this author has UBC located in Nova Scotia, that makes you give your head a shake. Sorry, wrong side of the country - it’s the University of British Columbia.
As a Canadian, I find it funny reading books written about our country by those from other nations. When this author has UBC located in Nova Scotia, that makes you give your head a shake. Sorry, wrong side of the country - it’s the University of British Columbia.
July 28, 2022
Audiobook - 3 stars. I got confused about all the different doctors that were on the panel. Also confused how he can get so much authority to investigate a murder. I appreciate it when we get the antagonists' view, especially during killer thrillers. This one was borderline crazy with reanimation and stuff.
January 20, 2018
Wow what a gripping medical thriller that doesn’t let you go until you get to the end. Unbelievable, the mystery and suspense is outstanding. Received a free copy, but anything from this author is superb.
August 26, 2019
Old friend in Bohdi
Melissa Miller has created a character that is so believable and lovable the story just moves along in harmony. No botched vocabulary usage or too hard to believe tangents. A straight ahead genuine mystery that holds you right until the end.
Melissa Miller has created a character that is so believable and lovable the story just moves along in harmony. No botched vocabulary usage or too hard to believe tangents. A straight ahead genuine mystery that holds you right until the end.
February 17, 2020
I like Bodhi
2nd in a series although you can first be introduced to him in the Sasha McCandless series. Although each book in the series is a stand-alone novel, I believe you would benefit from reading them in order because of the character development. An excellent read.
2nd in a series although you can first be introduced to him in the Sasha McCandless series. Although each book in the series is a stand-alone novel, I believe you would benefit from reading them in order because of the character development. An excellent read.
February 20, 2020
I enjoyed this book in its pace and attention to detail. While much of the medical detail went far over my head and I’ll be honest was skipped over.
The description of Quebec was outstanding.
I am surprised at how quickly the book comes to a resolution.
I like the characters although sometimes seem a little self righteous.
I have purchased the third book.
The description of Quebec was outstanding.
I am surprised at how quickly the book comes to a resolution.
I like the characters although sometimes seem a little self righteous.
I have purchased the third book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
Fantastic
Storytelling at it's best, The main character is superb You can't but want to find out what he's going to do next. The research in the 1st and second book Make those books So in depth Without making them boring.
Storytelling at it's best, The main character is superb You can't but want to find out what he's going to do next. The research in the 1st and second book Make those books So in depth Without making them boring.
August 27, 2022
This is the second in this series and the author did a good job making the lead character Bodhi King more believable and human. Interesting and scary concept in the designer drug story that was the theme of this book along with more background on Bodhi.
May 17, 2025
Bodhi is a forensic pathologist but in this book, the victims (or most) aren't dead. A kind of sleepwalking condition is affecting people who have taken a drug. Who is distributing the drug and is there a cure?
Good mystery.
Good mystery.
February 22, 2018
if you're interested in pathology and/or Buddhism
I am not a super fan, but I am a dan. As an admirer of Buddhist teachings it's instructive to watch Bodhi live his principles.
I am not a super fan, but I am a dan. As an admirer of Buddhist teachings it's instructive to watch Bodhi live his principles.
September 13, 2019
A well paced novel. Enjoyable read with a different twist.
October 4, 2019
Loved this one....can’t really rember details
January 27, 2020
Better than his first book. Easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews