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The Last Patient

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Two people, filled with long-held and covered-up secrets, one, Maggie Stinson, who is about to retire from her job as a hospice social worker, and the other, Israel McKenzie, who is “retiring from life” because he is dying, cross paths and find themselves on opposite sides of the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

As Maggie tries to help Israel repair the scattered pieces of his broken past, she finds herself having to face her own long-buried demons. But what the two of them discover is a secret that has been hidden from them their whole lives, a secret that once discovered changes both of them forever.

The Last Patient is a story about regret, truth, and redemption.

David Johnson, author of the bestselling Tucker series and The Woodcutter’s Wife brings us another of his trademark “books with heart.” The Last Patient is a book that will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished reading it.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2018

1028 people are currently reading
779 people want to read

About the author

David Johnson

21 books179 followers
David Johnson has developed a reputation as a writer of "books with heart." His books feature strong, unforgettable characters from humble backgrounds who have to grapple with the unexpected turns of everyday life.

He is the author of the riveting "Tucker" series, one of the best-selling series on Amazon. The series has collected over 5,000 reviews, averaging 4.7 stars, and sales of the books will soon approach 500,000 copies.

Toby, his next book, following the Tucker series, is a story about a dog, a woman who has gotten lost in addiction, and a hermit who has hidden from his past for decades.

The Woodcutter's Wife, a Civil War era, historical romance, was his next book. It is a story of love lost and love found.

And his newest release is The Last Patient. A story of secrets, resentment, regret, and redemption.

David maintains a very busy life outside of writing. He's a full-time Marriage and Family Therapist, is Director of a community chorus that performs all across the Southeast, performing 15 shows a year. He maintains a blog: www.thefrontwindow.wordpress.com . He's been married for 44 years, has two daughters and six grandchildren.

He would love to hear from you. Send him a note to davidjohnsonbooks@gmail.com and join him on Facebook - David Johnson, author

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5 stars
1,096 (58%)
4 stars
483 (25%)
3 stars
236 (12%)
2 stars
40 (2%)
1 star
22 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Peter.
510 reviews2,641 followers
June 6, 2019
Penitence
The Last Patient is a forthright combination of human abuse and how a spark of benevolence can light the way to resolution. It's a story to break your heart, to leave you wondering how much the poor unfortunates in society are neglected and in the end that hope and happiness are always our other companions throughout life.

Maggie Stinson has only a few days remaining before she retires from her social-work job when she is asked to attend to one more patient.
“But Maggie … It’s complicated. … You’re perfect for this situation”.
The patient's name is Israel McKenzie and he is one of life's desperate souls, living in a stinking dilapidated trailer. A person that has given up on positive expectations and the pleasure life can bring.

They both start at opposite ends of the support system – one living in squalid conditions, dying of cancer and needing palliative care and counselling. The other an experienced social worker offering the social support infrastructure of advice and help. In the end, they both sit side-by-side helping each other come to terms with their demons and the atrocities they’ve experienced. This is a wonderful exploration of searching deep within oneself for meaning, for purpose and for our legacy. It also reaches out to appreciate and harness our social interaction within our communities.

I loved the structure of the book, the plot and the way the story was presented. After the first chapter’s foundation was laid, the next 50% of the book took a step back in time to episodically visit Maggie and Israel as they each progress through an extremely harrowing, corrupt and brutal childhood and young adulthood. The events and experiences during their childhood are quite difficult to handle at times, and I think David Johnston dealt with it carefully and sensitively. My concern was that there was a large catalogue of issues raised during their past and I don’t feel enough time was given to properly outline the impact each had on the two characters. As a result, there was often a feeling of convenience or stretching the story to fit, which upset a natural flow. Some of the incidents felt unnecessary and could have been omitted to spend more time dealing with the depth of other key problems.

When the story returns to the current time and the relationship between Maggie and Israel develops it becomes very emotional. I’m sure there will be tears reading this book. There is an effort between the two to seek closure, redemption and forgiveness. I’m not keen on spirituality themes but there is some consideration given to it in this book, and it works!

It is a relatively short book (which I don’t mind) but in this instance, it felt that the size came at the expense of better rendered or further developed content.

Many thanks to Kindle Press and NetGalley for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Deborah.
633 reviews105 followers
August 24, 2024
The Last Patient.

I find that I can’t review this because doing so I might say too much. I can’t bear knowing much about a book I am going to read. Having said this, it’s a story of abuse, families torn apart and of hopelessness.

For those of you who don’t like to read about God this isn’t a major theme. I thought it was perfect. Good book. I might change it to 4 stars in the future.
Profile Image for Linda.
90 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2018
Such an engaging story. Fully developed characters thrown into unbearably awful circumstances survive multiple traumas and come to a place of peace and redemption.
I am never disappointed.
22 reviews
April 17, 2025
omg. this was such a wonderful book. the story, the characters ,the writing. I bonded with the characters, the stories broke my heart and opened my eyes to the extent of some horrible situations that people can go through , and yet still overcome with the strength and love of God and family in your life. I will not forget this book anytime soon. I really hated to see the end of the book coming.
103 reviews
September 17, 2024
This was a book I totally enjoyed. The life stories of the two main characters are full of chaos and pain. But the way they intersect towards the end, I did not see coming. A beautiful story of familial love and forgiveness,and making whatever time you have together really count.
Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Nelda.
191 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2024
Too much darkness, too much murder, too much evil, too much sexual violence, too much abuse, and too much unfairness in the lives of multiple characters made this a difficult read. In fact, the “too much” factor made the plot sometimes feel contrived and implausible. The author’s point could have been made with a little less darkness. The hospice social worker near retirement and her last hospice patient both have secrets and all those too-many dark happenings in their lives. One has found God along his troubled way; the other has not.

There is a twist to the plot near the book’s end, which is also a little implausible and contrived (and which I figured out early on). God’s and the devil's hand is meant to be part of their lives from birth to death, showing the power of evil but also the reach of love and forgiveness. As the hospice patient tells the guilt-ridden nurse, “You can’t out-sin God’s forgiveness.” The book may seem preachy to some but not for the first 3/4 of the book. It does attempt a plausible answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people. Another line I liked: “Plan your work and work your plan.”

These are characters I came to care about and hoped would work their lives around to a place of peace. Some characters drop off the face of the book-planet; at the same time, that’s a good thing as it would certainly be too contrived if all loose ends were tied and pretty at the end. I’m between a 3 and 4 for the review but will go with the 4 as I read the book in two days. That proves the author held my interest and kept me turning the pages.
29 reviews
April 26, 2025
This book…this book was unbelievable. Depressing. Disappointing. Someone called it a “trauma dump” and I think that describes it perfectly. Horrible, disgusting, tragic things just kept happening to the characters throughout the first half of the book.

I did not find it heartbreaking and I didn’t shed a tear. I wasn’t really invested in either character.

Things I struggled with (just a few - there were many):
Maggie - a grown woman who’s 33 - has the hots for her professor. We also learn she has OCD - why were there never any hints to this in her childhood? I also find it difficult to believe she actually buried her professor. She quickly finds Ada for her brother - why did she not look harder for Rachel?
Israel - age 19 - sees a woman immediately after he gets off the bus and is in a hotel room with her and her daughter that night.

The end was a little too neatly wrapped up, maybe even corny. Yet it still left me with unanswered questions - what happened to Rebecca?

I’m giving The Last Patient just ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shari Ring Wolf.
562 reviews
April 22, 2018
Lifetime Movie

I was 41% into this book when it got hokey and unbelievable. I was too far into it to just put it down so I skim read to the end. The idea and outline for the story are good. The way it was presented was cheesy...omg...and too many liberties were taken in the name of poetic license. Giving examples would be spoilers and I realize some people like Lifetime Movies. Readers, including me, will believe all kinds of story plots of they are built up, explained, and written with a certain touch. The first 40% of the book grabbed me, so it was disappointing that within a few pages it became a groaner and an eyeball roller of a read. SEMI-SPOILER: she has a baby whose demise haunts her for 60% of the book. Never bothers to mention-- is it a boy or a girl??? Like she doesn't even notice!!!! Calls the fear sweet thing "it" to the end! This is the least of the unbelievables in this story. I will refrain from listing any more of them.
Profile Image for Rosemary Rowlette-.
31 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2018
What an incredible, heartwrenching, unforgettable story! It grabs you at the very start and doesn't let go until the very end, even then, the story will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. I could not put it down, I read on it every minute that I could! It is an emotional book filled with pain, sorrow, guilt, and the power of God's love and forgiveness. You will find yourself crying along with these two broken people harboring very deep secrets, that have filled them with guilt and regrets that they have carried through their whole lives and when their paths cross they uncover one incredible secret about each other that will change everything! David Johnson is truly one talented writer! I give this book 5 stars! A truly touching book! I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for my unbiased review.
4 reviews
March 4, 2018
What a Story!!!
Up until I read this book, I had thought there could never be another book to equal the stories portrayed in "The Tucker Series", as well as "Toby", and also "The Woodcutter's Wife"! Well, I was wrong in that assumption, because "The Last Patient" is right up there running neck to neck with the rest of author David Johnson's finest books! This is a heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, unforgettable story that got its hooks into me and wouldn't let go from the very first chapter right up through the final chapter!! I will definitely be watching and hoping for future book releases from this author. I appreciate receiving this free advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an unbiased review.
584 reviews3 followers
April 28, 2018
The Last Patient

Mr Johnson, has a way with words. This is definitely one of those stories that make you ask the question why do bad things happen to good people? I'm sure its a daily occurrence through out the world. Maggie and Teddy are great characters. They were separated in their youth and lived similar lives and were brought together very much later in life. And found a special kid of love between sister and brother. Enjoyed this very much. But I think the Tucker Series will always be my favorite.
Profile Image for Kathy.
318 reviews
May 29, 2018
#9: READ A "FREE" BOOK: This review is about the book: THE LAST PATIENT: Two people, filled with long-held and covered-up secrets, one, Maggie Stinson, who is about to retire from her job as a hospice social worker, and the other, Israel McKenzie, who is “retiring from life” because he is dying, cross paths and find themselves on opposite sides of the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” WOW!! What more can I say other than....Thanks Kindle Unlimited!! This was an excellent find :) :)
Profile Image for CYNTHIA  Fillman.
48 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2019
Another stellar read by David Johnson.

This is a different kind of read. Not like his other novels, but a definite good read. It kind of dragged in the middle but if you keep on reading it will grab a hold of your heart and not let go until the tears spill from your eyes. I highly recommend it and think you will also once it concludes. This man, David Johnson, is a spectacular author. Can't wait to read his next book. He's so good you will want to own all his books. I do.
Profile Image for Gina Ann.
554 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2020
Not what I expected, but more...

Do not judge a book by its title it's always so much more. Not everyone's life is a bed of roses it's a life of thorns as is the case of Maggie and Isarel. Those two were sorry cases from the beginning with the life of abuse both physical, emotional and sexual. This storyline had me in tears more than I expected. Liked the twist of Maggie finding her brother, happy tears on that one! Always like this author's books, seems too pull me right in.
9 reviews
November 23, 2020
Reading, and crying, through: THE LAST PATIENT.

David Johnson writes like he is talking straight to the reader. As each character grows and the story unfolds you can almost hear David.
It's a very difficult tale to get through, but so is Life. The ebb and flow of the story is like most people's lives; maybe not in "crime" but how everyone deals with heart touching stories.
Facing death is as difficult as except what life has dealt along everyone's journey.
Belief in God is David Johnson 's amazing insight! ~ MIZPAH
Profile Image for norma s. richardson.
11 reviews
April 18, 2018
A book everyone should read

This really is the best book this man has written. I have read the Tucker series and loved them. I got them for my mom to read she loved them as well; I wish she was still alive so I could share this one with her. I will tell her about it when I join her in heaven. There are many messages to be gotten from this book, the most important one is God's love for us.
120 reviews9 followers
May 9, 2018
A Broken Family

There are books that I want to read twice, and this one of them. Such a great read.

Teddy ( AKA Israel ) and Maggie was abused by so many people, some family members. Some of them got their
Comeuppance and some may have escaped. Christine sure did deserve something for the trick she played on Irael .The ending is a little tear jerker. Can't say more , just read for yourself.

I recommend this book to all readers.
Profile Image for Rebecca S. Cain.
44 reviews
May 29, 2018
Unbelievable

I enjoyed the Tucker series to a point. Then I decide to read one more of this author's books. Same theme, same situations, same characters, just slightly altered. Not sure if these book are meant to present the Gospel or if just the result of limited imagination. Because I did finish the book, I gave it 3 stars, but it was too predictable and situations were very unbelievable. (And I do know that bad things happen to people!)
Profile Image for Danna Stumberg.
122 reviews
January 8, 2019
An interesting read!

I enjoyed this book because it was different than perhaps anything I’ve read before. As a Christian, I appreciated the religious tones and truths of God’s love. I found a lot of the story to be predictable. Other parts were painfully slow and some were just outlandishly unbelievable, even for fiction. However, overall it was an interesting, enjoyable, and quick read.
67 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2020
Captivating!

It was hard for me to read.at first. Going between characters, back and forth has always caused me to put the book down and move on. I have to say that I'm so glad that I read to the end. What a wondrous exploration of the lives of two people. I don't believe that I've ever been more surprised to enjoy a read as I have of this one. Thank you for helping g me to see life in a new way!
240 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2025
Every emotion one can feel is in this book.

A beautiful heart wrenching story of redemption, love and happenstance. How believing in God and his plan, can set things in motion showing us all we could never foresee and bringing miracles together with divine intervention. Excellent character development. Excellent storyline. So much abuse and sadness all brought together by Gods will to forgive and move forward. Loved this book! Thank you for writing!
108 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2018
Hallelujah

Words cannot explain to others about this really, truly wonderful book.
Everyone, that has ever doubted that God is real really need to read it.
Yes. It's fiction, but so real it's amazing.
Sure everyone will see it differently, but let go and let your mind and heart feel, understand every page and story.
1 review
May 2, 2018
He did it again!

David Johnson once again squeezed my heart out of my chest and forced me to examine who I truly am and what I base my faith in. Another emotional roller coaster filled with sad smiles of knowing and love.... The greatest of these is love. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Profile Image for hosking,theresa.
28 reviews
August 14, 2018
Great book

What so sad about this book are the things that her indicated do happen A fathers action on his daughter's do occur and they go unpunished...the girls are damaged for life. Hopefully judgment day will come and they see there wrongs. I love this author ..I have never been disappointed in his writing.
Profile Image for Vickie Fetterman.
6 reviews21 followers
January 12, 2019
Beauty for Ashes

Truly enjoyed everything about ths book. Flawed broken people and the relationship ship mistakes that are made. The abuse grieved my heart for both Characters.
The fact that the end of this story was orchestrated is not a stretch for me. I believe !!
Great job, fantastic book.
138 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2019
Super

Loved the simple style with which he author tells his story. That the two siblings would reunite was revealed early in the reading. But, the ending was a little surprising. This has a pleasant moral tone without being preachy. I expect a winning effort from David Johnson and this one does not disappoint.
Profile Image for Laurie.
1,121 reviews
September 21, 2024
A wonderful, emotional story of a broken family and their lives as they find a way back to each other by the Lord's grace at end of this patient's life. It is good!
You will definitely need some tissues as you delve into the chapters.
There is love, hatred, abuse, trauma and so much hope for the next life that we want to truly believe in.
I truly enjoyed this novel and read it in two days.
30 reviews
November 14, 2024
Beautiful, beautiful book

I started reading this and absolutely could not stop. So heartfelt and beautifully written, gave me chills at times. Maggie and Teddy led very tragic lives but still persevered. Not wanting to spoil, I strongly recommend this book. It will make your heart happy. Thank you, David Johnson, for a wonderful book.
Profile Image for henry smith.
386 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2025
Very good. Heartfelt and sad. A family separated at youth due to death of mother and an evil father. Their tales to survive and the agonizing lives they each lived Things that drove them to murder and whatever they could to survive only to be reunited and the closeness they shared in the last day of their lives. Touching and horrifying at the same time. Very good read
23 reviews
April 1, 2025
A walk with God

I stopped reading this when Maggie's dad began raping her. It made me nauseous. Much later I returned to and completed it. Very glad I did. Read this book and be inspired. Where ever you are in your faith, this will strengthen it and bring you closer to God. A very insightful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews

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