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Control
Renowned surgeon Michael Trenchard locks his office door and prepares for a relaxing evening. But what follows is a living nightmare when later he is discovered in a locked-in coma, the victim of an auto-erotic asphyxiation. It is left to Doctor Kash Devan, Trenchard's young protégé, to uncover the truth. And what he discovers is chilling . . . In his ruthless pursuit of wealth and success, Trenchard has left a trail of wrecked lives, and angry people, behind him. Which of Trenchard's victims hated him so much that they wanted to ruin not only his reputation, but his life as well?
405 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2019
45 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Montgomery
1 book14 followersHugh Montgomery is a professor and the director of the UCL Institute for Human Health and Performance at University College London. A distinguished physician, he is known for his pioneering genetic research. Outside the field of medicine, he was a founding member of the UK Climate and Health Council and is an endurance expert, who has run three ultra-marathons, scaled the world's sixth highest mountain, jumped naked from a plane at 14,000ft and holds the world record for underwater piano playing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 15, 2019
Trenchard is a senior physician who has been found near death, in a compromising situation. He was found in his office, surrounded with drugs, a noose and pornography. Did his fantasies go a step too far? A junior Doctor, Kash does not think so. Trenchard is now in a vega give state.
The blurb and how this story started made it look promising. The medical details have been well researched. I liked Kash who seemed compassionate and wanted to see justice done. Then there is also Lix Murray, an elderly patient who's dying. She sees a lot that goes on. The story is tense but not gripping. I did like that the medical jargon was explained in layman terms. The characters were well developed and believable. The ending was a shock. This is the first book that I have read by the author and I will read more in the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Hugh Montgomery for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb and how this story started made it look promising. The medical details have been well researched. I liked Kash who seemed compassionate and wanted to see justice done. Then there is also Lix Murray, an elderly patient who's dying. She sees a lot that goes on. The story is tense but not gripping. I did like that the medical jargon was explained in layman terms. The characters were well developed and believable. The ending was a shock. This is the first book that I have read by the author and I will read more in the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Hugh Montgomery for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2019
The blurb sounded good, additionally, there are some above average reviews on GR but sadly, I can’t add to them.
The characters fail to develop, I really dislike a read when you have no connection to the “wronged” character/s. It is dreary and slow moving but at its worst illogical and unbelievable.
Nothing worse than hoping a book will ‘turn a corner’ only to keep reading yourself into a wall!
The characters fail to develop, I really dislike a read when you have no connection to the “wronged” character/s. It is dreary and slow moving but at its worst illogical and unbelievable.
Nothing worse than hoping a book will ‘turn a corner’ only to keep reading yourself into a wall!
June 28, 2019
Suave Mr Trenchard is the most fabulous surgeon at Victory Hospital and his new house officer, Kash, is in awe of his talent until Trenchard is found in a compromising position and becomes a patient himself. Kash feels his condition was caused by someone trying to kill Trenchard and sets out to investigate who wants him dead.
Wow this book was something else. It read so easily and without jargon which was helpful and was very gripping. Already put the word on Instagram and a lot of interest! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Wow this book was something else. It read so easily and without jargon which was helpful and was very gripping. Already put the word on Instagram and a lot of interest! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
September 24, 2019
This book is one of those books does all it says on the tin. Nothing more. Control is rather bland and repetitive, the main protagonist Kash is an annoying and pathetic character until the twist right at the end. There was so much hospital drama that it felt more like an episode of Holby than a whodunnit. I read the entire novel in a day and will forget it just as quickly. Predictable and dull, unfortunately.
August 29, 2020
Listened to the audio version.
No wonder this book didn’t disappoint, Hugh Montgomery is a professor of Intensive Care Medicine therefore he knows what he is talking about, and he did an excellent job too for a debut novel. Lots of hospital drama which was highly entertaining.
A heart-pounding chilling medical thriller that will give you the heebie-jeebies and certainly not suitable for people who like only safe and familiar things.
This thriller was twisty twisty and will keep you guessing until the end.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2020: #36 - A medical thriller
No wonder this book didn’t disappoint, Hugh Montgomery is a professor of Intensive Care Medicine therefore he knows what he is talking about, and he did an excellent job too for a debut novel. Lots of hospital drama which was highly entertaining.
A heart-pounding chilling medical thriller that will give you the heebie-jeebies and certainly not suitable for people who like only safe and familiar things.
This thriller was twisty twisty and will keep you guessing until the end.
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2020: #36 - A medical thriller
August 20, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.
Engrossing, dramatic, and with plenty of twists and turns, CONTROL by Hugh Montgomery is an excellent medical drama that is perfect for all lovers of psychological thriller fiction.
Dr. Kash Devan is excited for his future and working under the highly esteemed Michael Trenchard is only going to help him learn and become better. But looks can be deceiving and when Michael Trenchard is discovered almost dead in a very compromising position, it soon becomes obvious that he didn't know anything about this man and not everyone liked him. But something doesn't sit right with Kash and as he begins to dig deeper he starts to suspect that what happened to Michael may not have been self-inflicted. Somebody did this to Trenchard, somebody wanted to destroy him, and they will do whatever it takes to finish the job. Can Kash figure out the truth before someone else is hurt? And can he live with the truth about his mentor?
I thoroughly enjoyed this medical thriller which wasn't brimming with confusing technical jargon but still made the hospital care setting come alive. Kash is a likeable character if a little naive at times, but I enjoyed watching him unravel the truth and there were moments which really surprised me.
CONTROL by Hugh Montgomery is an edgy thriller that worked and I look forward to more from this author.
Engrossing, dramatic, and with plenty of twists and turns, CONTROL by Hugh Montgomery is an excellent medical drama that is perfect for all lovers of psychological thriller fiction.
Dr. Kash Devan is excited for his future and working under the highly esteemed Michael Trenchard is only going to help him learn and become better. But looks can be deceiving and when Michael Trenchard is discovered almost dead in a very compromising position, it soon becomes obvious that he didn't know anything about this man and not everyone liked him. But something doesn't sit right with Kash and as he begins to dig deeper he starts to suspect that what happened to Michael may not have been self-inflicted. Somebody did this to Trenchard, somebody wanted to destroy him, and they will do whatever it takes to finish the job. Can Kash figure out the truth before someone else is hurt? And can he live with the truth about his mentor?
I thoroughly enjoyed this medical thriller which wasn't brimming with confusing technical jargon but still made the hospital care setting come alive. Kash is a likeable character if a little naive at times, but I enjoyed watching him unravel the truth and there were moments which really surprised me.
CONTROL by Hugh Montgomery is an edgy thriller that worked and I look forward to more from this author.
April 8, 2020
Empezó muy flojo, fue resultando interesante pero las chapuzas para "construir" el final y desvelar el "misterio máximo" son tan evidentes que es fácil pensar que el autor no distingue entre "giro" y "engaño".
[Conf. BCN - 11]
[Conf. BCN - 11]
August 25, 2019
I feel there haven’t been enough decent medical thrillers in recent memory and Control certainly hits the sweet spot in that regard – plenty of medicine and life saving excitement wrapped up in a tense and atmospheric mystery.
I loved it. The hospital setting was superb and the tale was creepy and excellent with plenty of perfectly placed twists and turns creating a proper page turner of a novel that I devoured in two big gulps.
The characters are all hugely intriguing, the outcome is unpredictable and it is beautifully written.
Really looking forward to what this author does next. Hopefully lots more medical mayhem.
Recommended.
August 8, 2019
Idiotic and awfully written. Dialogues are cringe-inducing and I couldn't help but suspect the author has never heard how actual living humans talk. Everyone's someone else's crossed ex-lover or illegitimate child, and it seems like there is just ONE doctor who can actually do any work in the hospital, and when he's off, the whole unit is down.
Not to mention aggressive kink-shaming. It's 2019, if you think wearing women's underwear makes you a "pervert", you should get checked for toxic masculinity poisoning syndrome. Come on.
Not to mention aggressive kink-shaming. It's 2019, if you think wearing women's underwear makes you a "pervert", you should get checked for toxic masculinity poisoning syndrome. Come on.
August 5, 2019
I am a HUGE fan of medical dramas on TV (ER, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor and The Resident) and surprisingly I don’t think I have actually ever read a medical themed thriller so when I saw the blurb above and the words “auto-erotic asphyxiation” I was “sold” instantly. If you are a fan of any of the above TV dramas then you should LOVE Control.
Dr Kash Devan is a junior doctor working at the Victory Hospital in South East London under the enigmatic, charming and highly successful surgeon Michael Trenchard. Working tirelessly to impress his mentor Kash finds himself in the middle of a traumatic situation when his boss is discovered in his office alone in a very compromising position.
Michael Trenchard appears to have been a victim of an auto-erotic asphyxiation which has left him in a horrific locked-in coma. With his reputation in tatters and the hospital now under the scrutiny of the press and police, Kash doesn’t believe this was an accident and decides to secretly investigate to find out what really happened to Trenchard.
This is Hugh Montgomery’s debut novel and it is clear from the opening chapter that he knows what he’s talking about (obviously I wasn’t implying Hugh partakes in auto-erotic asphyxiation himself) but his in-depth knowledge of the medical world, the life of a junior doctor and how a hospital runs helps make this book more believable and even the medical jargon is explained which enables to reader to understand what is happening throughout the story.
The story is narrated by the two main characters; Kash who is inquisitive and loyal and determined to find the truth out and Trenchard who narrates his story whilst being in a locked-in coma. Trenchard’s story was hard to read and quite unsettling in places especially as he was an esteemed and respected doctor now unable to even blink or move.
There were lots of characters who had reasons to hate Trenchard and several red-herrings thrown in to keep the reader on their toes and once again, I didn’t work out what happened until the reveal.
A great medical thriller which I would recommend.
Dr Kash Devan is a junior doctor working at the Victory Hospital in South East London under the enigmatic, charming and highly successful surgeon Michael Trenchard. Working tirelessly to impress his mentor Kash finds himself in the middle of a traumatic situation when his boss is discovered in his office alone in a very compromising position.
Michael Trenchard appears to have been a victim of an auto-erotic asphyxiation which has left him in a horrific locked-in coma. With his reputation in tatters and the hospital now under the scrutiny of the press and police, Kash doesn’t believe this was an accident and decides to secretly investigate to find out what really happened to Trenchard.
This is Hugh Montgomery’s debut novel and it is clear from the opening chapter that he knows what he’s talking about (obviously I wasn’t implying Hugh partakes in auto-erotic asphyxiation himself) but his in-depth knowledge of the medical world, the life of a junior doctor and how a hospital runs helps make this book more believable and even the medical jargon is explained which enables to reader to understand what is happening throughout the story.
The story is narrated by the two main characters; Kash who is inquisitive and loyal and determined to find the truth out and Trenchard who narrates his story whilst being in a locked-in coma. Trenchard’s story was hard to read and quite unsettling in places especially as he was an esteemed and respected doctor now unable to even blink or move.
There were lots of characters who had reasons to hate Trenchard and several red-herrings thrown in to keep the reader on their toes and once again, I didn’t work out what happened until the reveal.
A great medical thriller which I would recommend.
August 22, 2019
plot
Victory hospital, a teaching hospital where the charismatic, charming and calm Mr Michael Trenchard is the best surgeon in the hospital. Kash Devan, a young doctor who looks up to and in awe of him. This starts off a simple medical story of a young doctor learning from his mentor and inspiration, finding a young nurse but quickly turns into a fucking fantastic medical thriller. Mr Trenchard is soon found unconscious, with women underwear, the noose around his neck. It looks to be a simple auto-erotic asphyxiation gone wrong. But Kash is soon thrust into a mini Sherlock house detective work himself unravelling the truth.
characters
I loved Kash the most, how can you not. He seems too sweet, caring and maybe a little naive. Years and years of work has gone into his dream to become a doctor, not just for himself but his family too.
There are so many dynamic, engaging and diverse characters in this book.
writing style
It was a gratifying, effortless and flowing writing style. Although this was a medical thriller, there wasn’t a substantial amount of mumble jumble medical jargon. Everything was perfectly explained which I personally thought helped the story along as we are not looking up x, y and z every five minutes.
pacing
Perfectly paced. Engaging and captivating.
cover
Terrific and perfect.
mini-review
A truly terrifying, unique, spectacular medical thriller. Many scenes in this book literally made me squerm, I felt like turning my body inside out. It is also a tearjearker, action packed and devious. Hugh has a gratifying, effortless and flowing writing style
Victory hospital, a teaching hospital where the charismatic, charming and calm Mr Michael Trenchard is the best surgeon in the hospital. Kash Devan, a young doctor who looks up to and in awe of him. This starts off a simple medical story of a young doctor learning from his mentor and inspiration, finding a young nurse but quickly turns into a fucking fantastic medical thriller. Mr Trenchard is soon found unconscious, with women underwear, the noose around his neck. It looks to be a simple auto-erotic asphyxiation gone wrong. But Kash is soon thrust into a mini Sherlock house detective work himself unravelling the truth.
characters
I loved Kash the most, how can you not. He seems too sweet, caring and maybe a little naive. Years and years of work has gone into his dream to become a doctor, not just for himself but his family too.
There are so many dynamic, engaging and diverse characters in this book.
writing style
It was a gratifying, effortless and flowing writing style. Although this was a medical thriller, there wasn’t a substantial amount of mumble jumble medical jargon. Everything was perfectly explained which I personally thought helped the story along as we are not looking up x, y and z every five minutes.
pacing
Perfectly paced. Engaging and captivating.
cover
Terrific and perfect.
mini-review
A truly terrifying, unique, spectacular medical thriller. Many scenes in this book literally made me squerm, I felt like turning my body inside out. It is also a tearjearker, action packed and devious. Hugh has a gratifying, effortless and flowing writing style
October 26, 2019
Control is a surprising medical drama centred around newly qualified Junior Doctor Kash Devan and renowned surgeon Michael Trenchard who are both in residence at the Victory hospital in London. Trenchard is a bit of a rock star at the hospital and appears to be loved and hated in equal measure. He quickly takes Kash under his wing and enjoys the starry-eyed respect he gets from the younger doctor.
One evening, Kash attends an emergency call to Trenchard's office and finds him in cardiac arrest, apparently the victim of an auto-erotic asphyxiation session gone badly wrong. As a result, Trenchard is in a coma with seemingly little hope of recovery. As the weeks go by, Kash becomes convinced that Trenchard's accident may have been something more sinister, but how can he find out if Trenchard is deep in a coma and has no idea what is going on around him? Odd things are happening on the wards which lead Kash to become suspicious, and he decides to look into the surgeon's condition a little more closely. The way Kash teases out information and uses it to build a picture is very cleverly done and some of the parts written from Trenchard's perspective were absolutely claustrophobic and skin-crawlingly real.
This is a really unusual book - I really liked some parts, and really disliked others especially a couple of situations that felt forced to further the plot. The premise was really good but the execution was a bit over the top - it didn't seem to know if it wanted to be a serious, horrifying drama - which it could have been, or a soap opera where everyone is related in some way and characters are at times unrealistic and over-sexualised for shock value. I also I felt that the message was a bit sanctimonious. So a successful life-saving surgeon might make a mistake, he might even make some selfish decisions - but is that really a good enough justification for murder? The ending was weird as well, and it definitely did shock me, but I'm not sure it was the right way to finish things. It seemed like a massive about turn from the characters involved. Obviously it's a matter of personal choice though and I'm sure others will enjoy the way it ends.
One evening, Kash attends an emergency call to Trenchard's office and finds him in cardiac arrest, apparently the victim of an auto-erotic asphyxiation session gone badly wrong. As a result, Trenchard is in a coma with seemingly little hope of recovery. As the weeks go by, Kash becomes convinced that Trenchard's accident may have been something more sinister, but how can he find out if Trenchard is deep in a coma and has no idea what is going on around him? Odd things are happening on the wards which lead Kash to become suspicious, and he decides to look into the surgeon's condition a little more closely. The way Kash teases out information and uses it to build a picture is very cleverly done and some of the parts written from Trenchard's perspective were absolutely claustrophobic and skin-crawlingly real.
This is a really unusual book - I really liked some parts, and really disliked others especially a couple of situations that felt forced to further the plot. The premise was really good but the execution was a bit over the top - it didn't seem to know if it wanted to be a serious, horrifying drama - which it could have been, or a soap opera where everyone is related in some way and characters are at times unrealistic and over-sexualised for shock value. I also I felt that the message was a bit sanctimonious. So a successful life-saving surgeon might make a mistake, he might even make some selfish decisions - but is that really a good enough justification for murder? The ending was weird as well, and it definitely did shock me, but I'm not sure it was the right way to finish things. It seemed like a massive about turn from the characters involved. Obviously it's a matter of personal choice though and I'm sure others will enjoy the way it ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2019
The synopsis for this book absolutely grabs your attention from the get go. This novel follows Dr Kash Devan as he seeks to find out what really happened to Michael Trenchard after noticing that perhaps a third party was involved. The two medics are completely different characters in that Kash seems naïve, vulnerable, although inquisitive, whilst Dr Trenchard comes across as pompous, entitled, and direct.
Once we learn that Dr Trenchard is infact conscious, but stuck in a locked-in coma, it gives the title ‘Control’ a whole new perspective! Kash is seeking to take Control of the investigation, whilst Dr Trenchard is frantically trying to regain control over his body, in whatever minuscule way that is.
The synopsis gives so much away, that I felt the first 150 pages were just adding a few minor details and helping me get to know the characters. I was surprised that it took quite a while to get to a point in the book whereby I was shocked by something new, not already given away by what was written on the back cover.
However, once I hit the new content in the latter half of the book, I couldn’t stop. With some quite vivid imagery put in my mind, I was glued to wanting to find out where this would all go, and what hope was left for Trenchard and Kash.
The nature of this thriller was focused more on the medical and psychological aspects of the events, rather than the criminal and legal components of the suspected crime. With themes going deeper into the inner workings of a hospital, and the staff whom work there, I felt I was gaining an insight into not only the characters, but the environment too. This made Control stand out as a very unique thriller with some shocking twists! I thought I had figured it out, but then had all my assumptions overturned by some surprising revelations.
A very enjoyable read, although I was just left feeling like it could have picked up with the excitement a little sooner! However, the content and stance this novel takes makes it stand out from others I’ve read, so I gave it a four star review on Goodreads.
Once we learn that Dr Trenchard is infact conscious, but stuck in a locked-in coma, it gives the title ‘Control’ a whole new perspective! Kash is seeking to take Control of the investigation, whilst Dr Trenchard is frantically trying to regain control over his body, in whatever minuscule way that is.
The synopsis gives so much away, that I felt the first 150 pages were just adding a few minor details and helping me get to know the characters. I was surprised that it took quite a while to get to a point in the book whereby I was shocked by something new, not already given away by what was written on the back cover.
However, once I hit the new content in the latter half of the book, I couldn’t stop. With some quite vivid imagery put in my mind, I was glued to wanting to find out where this would all go, and what hope was left for Trenchard and Kash.
The nature of this thriller was focused more on the medical and psychological aspects of the events, rather than the criminal and legal components of the suspected crime. With themes going deeper into the inner workings of a hospital, and the staff whom work there, I felt I was gaining an insight into not only the characters, but the environment too. This made Control stand out as a very unique thriller with some shocking twists! I thought I had figured it out, but then had all my assumptions overturned by some surprising revelations.
A very enjoyable read, although I was just left feeling like it could have picked up with the excitement a little sooner! However, the content and stance this novel takes makes it stand out from others I’ve read, so I gave it a four star review on Goodreads.
August 27, 2019
Plot
Victory hospital, a teaching hospital where the charismatic, charming and calm Mr Michael Trenchard is the best surgeon in the hospital. Kash Devan, a young doctor who looks up to and in awe of him. This starts off a simple medical story of a young doctor learning from his mentor and inspiration, finding a young nurse but quickly turns into a flipping fantastic medical thriller. Mr Trenchard is soon found unconscious, with women underwear, the noose around his neck. It looks to be a simple auto-erotic asphyxiation gone wrong. But Kash is soon thrust into a mini Sherlock house detective work himself unravelling the truth.
Characters
I loved Kash the most, how can you not. He seems too sweet, caring and maybe a little naive. Years and years of work has gone into his dream to become a doctor, not just for himself but his family too.
Writing Style
It was a gratifying, effortless and flowing writing style. Although this was a medical thriller, there wasn't a substantial amount of mumble jumble medical jargon. Everything was perfectly explained which I personally thought helped the story along as we are not looking up x, y and z every five minutes.
Pacing
Perfectly paced.
Cover
Terrific and perfect.
Victory hospital, a teaching hospital where the charismatic, charming and calm Mr Michael Trenchard is the best surgeon in the hospital. Kash Devan, a young doctor who looks up to and in awe of him. This starts off a simple medical story of a young doctor learning from his mentor and inspiration, finding a young nurse but quickly turns into a flipping fantastic medical thriller. Mr Trenchard is soon found unconscious, with women underwear, the noose around his neck. It looks to be a simple auto-erotic asphyxiation gone wrong. But Kash is soon thrust into a mini Sherlock house detective work himself unravelling the truth.
Characters
I loved Kash the most, how can you not. He seems too sweet, caring and maybe a little naive. Years and years of work has gone into his dream to become a doctor, not just for himself but his family too.
Writing Style
It was a gratifying, effortless and flowing writing style. Although this was a medical thriller, there wasn't a substantial amount of mumble jumble medical jargon. Everything was perfectly explained which I personally thought helped the story along as we are not looking up x, y and z every five minutes.
Pacing
Perfectly paced.
Cover
Terrific and perfect.
October 22, 2019
It took me a long time to get into this. I found it dragged for a bit until it got going. In some places it was bit similar to a Holby City storyline eg: When Prof Gaskell locked in Roxanna to stop her from grassing him up. It took me ages to finish this book because 1: I was ill and 2: I didn't care enough about the characters or the story to be in a rush to find out what happened next or be fussed about finishing it. That's why I've changed my star rating to a 3... I think the 4 I originally chose was over generous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2019
Control is an extremely clever and intelligent medical thriller that had me gripped from the outset. Whilst this is Hugh Montgomery’s debut novel, it is clear from the start that he knows what he is talking about…well he is a physician himself and a pioneer in the field of genetic research after all!
Control is set in the late 1980’s based at The Victory hospital in South-East London. Doctor Kash Devan has been working under renowned surgeon Michael Trenchard for 3 months when he is called to a cardiac arrest in his office. When he arrives, he doesn’t expect to see Trenchard in the compromising position that he is in following what is presumed to be an auto-erotic asphyxiation. The timeline then takes the reader back 3 months to give some background on Kash as well as interactions with Trenchard.
Whilst Kash doesn’t know Trenchard all that well personally, he isn’t convinced that the events that led to Trenchard’s current state were all of his own making however no one believes that there is anything suspicious. Particularly the hospital who are happy to brush events under the carpet and restore their positive reputation.
I absolutely love watching a good medical drama so I was very intrigued by the description of Control (and it looks pretty fabulous too!). I was most definitely not disappoint, I was as intrigued as Kash to find out what actually happened on that fateful night in Trenchard’s office, the initial things that raise red flags to Kash are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things however they are enough to raise suspicion, especially when strange things start to happen to Kash.
Control is quite a chunky read at just over 400 pages but it is so addictive so the words just flew off the page! It is told predominately from Kash’s perspective however this is interspersed with insights into Trechard’s state through his thoughts. These sections are, at times, quite difficult to read given his experiences. I really liked Kash’s character, he arrives at The Victory wanting to make a difference and do the right thing, he never in his wildest dreams he couldn’t imagine that is would be investigating a disturbing attack on his boss!
Medical terminology is obviously used throughout this book but the author ensures that this doesn’t alienate his non-medically qualified readers by explaining what procedures and drugs are. I found the subject of a patient being locked-in both fascinating and utterly terrifying at the same time! The idea that you know what is happening around you, can think coherently and experience pain without being able to actually move and communicate is both horrendous and a fantastic concept for a fictional thriller.
Control is a gripping and disturbing medical thriller, highly recommended to those who enjoy their thrillers!
Control is set in the late 1980’s based at The Victory hospital in South-East London. Doctor Kash Devan has been working under renowned surgeon Michael Trenchard for 3 months when he is called to a cardiac arrest in his office. When he arrives, he doesn’t expect to see Trenchard in the compromising position that he is in following what is presumed to be an auto-erotic asphyxiation. The timeline then takes the reader back 3 months to give some background on Kash as well as interactions with Trenchard.
Whilst Kash doesn’t know Trenchard all that well personally, he isn’t convinced that the events that led to Trenchard’s current state were all of his own making however no one believes that there is anything suspicious. Particularly the hospital who are happy to brush events under the carpet and restore their positive reputation.
I absolutely love watching a good medical drama so I was very intrigued by the description of Control (and it looks pretty fabulous too!). I was most definitely not disappoint, I was as intrigued as Kash to find out what actually happened on that fateful night in Trenchard’s office, the initial things that raise red flags to Kash are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things however they are enough to raise suspicion, especially when strange things start to happen to Kash.
Control is quite a chunky read at just over 400 pages but it is so addictive so the words just flew off the page! It is told predominately from Kash’s perspective however this is interspersed with insights into Trechard’s state through his thoughts. These sections are, at times, quite difficult to read given his experiences. I really liked Kash’s character, he arrives at The Victory wanting to make a difference and do the right thing, he never in his wildest dreams he couldn’t imagine that is would be investigating a disturbing attack on his boss!
Medical terminology is obviously used throughout this book but the author ensures that this doesn’t alienate his non-medically qualified readers by explaining what procedures and drugs are. I found the subject of a patient being locked-in both fascinating and utterly terrifying at the same time! The idea that you know what is happening around you, can think coherently and experience pain without being able to actually move and communicate is both horrendous and a fantastic concept for a fictional thriller.
Control is a gripping and disturbing medical thriller, highly recommended to those who enjoy their thrillers!
August 6, 2019
Kash Devan is a junior doctor on his first day at Victory Hospital, a Central London Teaching Hospital. Here he meets Mr Trenchard, an eminent surgeon and his boss.
Tenchard is arrogant, supremely confident and exudes calm, but is he all he seems?
He tells Kash the most common form of death is unhappiness, so go and have fun….
He does, meets Claire, a nurse, and the story begins…..with emergency’s, drama and death…all part of everyday Hospital life, but then Trenchard is found in his office, barely breathing, in women’s under and a noose around his neck…..autoerotic asphyxiation or something more sinister? He’s still alive, barely and now in a locked in state….Who would hate this man so much ?
Kash keeps an eye on him, as he has sympathy for the man, but finds a piece of epuipment under his body….how did it get there and was it put there deliberately to cause more suffering? While Trenchard is clearly an unpleasant man, you do feel sorry for him.
This is an immensely engrossing read, yes there’s a lot of medical jargon, but it’s all explained in layman’s terms, the characters are all so well developed thanks to Hugh Montgomery’s writing, it has a sense of reality and no small amount of tension. The ending is marvellously shocking and yet understandable…..if you like medical dramas like House or Grey’s Anatomy you are going to love this…
Thank you to The Author, Publishers and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review
Tenchard is arrogant, supremely confident and exudes calm, but is he all he seems?
He tells Kash the most common form of death is unhappiness, so go and have fun….
He does, meets Claire, a nurse, and the story begins…..with emergency’s, drama and death…all part of everyday Hospital life, but then Trenchard is found in his office, barely breathing, in women’s under and a noose around his neck…..autoerotic asphyxiation or something more sinister? He’s still alive, barely and now in a locked in state….Who would hate this man so much ?
Kash keeps an eye on him, as he has sympathy for the man, but finds a piece of epuipment under his body….how did it get there and was it put there deliberately to cause more suffering? While Trenchard is clearly an unpleasant man, you do feel sorry for him.
This is an immensely engrossing read, yes there’s a lot of medical jargon, but it’s all explained in layman’s terms, the characters are all so well developed thanks to Hugh Montgomery’s writing, it has a sense of reality and no small amount of tension. The ending is marvellously shocking and yet understandable…..if you like medical dramas like House or Grey’s Anatomy you are going to love this…
Thank you to The Author, Publishers and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review
July 2, 2020
I had been pushing this down my TBR pile due to a few negative Goodreads reviews but I absolutely loved it!
Dr Kash Devan is working under highly esteemed surgeon Michael Trenchard. He looks up to him as he's rather charming, confident and great at his job.
Everything changes when Trenchard is discovered unresponsive, the cause thought to be autoerotic asphyxiation. He is then left in what seems to be a persistent vegetative state. Kash is convinced that someone else played a part in this, he didn't do this to himself, and sets out to find the truth.
I love hospital dramas, like Grey's Anatomy, and this reads exactly like one. You could definitely see it as a movie. The surgery scenes are described wonderfully - I even felt a bit queasy reading one of them and you can feel the sense of urgency during an emergency operation.
The book switches between the narrative of Kash as he searches for answers and Trenchard whilst in his state, these are brilliantly written. The stories of Kash's possible suspects are woven well together so you do suspect everyone and there are a few red herrings and curveballs.
I've knocked a star off because there is an undertone of kink-shaming throughout the book. I think people are allowed to be into whatever they're into, as long as they aren't hurting anyone, and we can't really judge.
A great read!
Dr Kash Devan is working under highly esteemed surgeon Michael Trenchard. He looks up to him as he's rather charming, confident and great at his job.
Everything changes when Trenchard is discovered unresponsive, the cause thought to be autoerotic asphyxiation. He is then left in what seems to be a persistent vegetative state. Kash is convinced that someone else played a part in this, he didn't do this to himself, and sets out to find the truth.
I love hospital dramas, like Grey's Anatomy, and this reads exactly like one. You could definitely see it as a movie. The surgery scenes are described wonderfully - I even felt a bit queasy reading one of them and you can feel the sense of urgency during an emergency operation.
The book switches between the narrative of Kash as he searches for answers and Trenchard whilst in his state, these are brilliantly written. The stories of Kash's possible suspects are woven well together so you do suspect everyone and there are a few red herrings and curveballs.
I've knocked a star off because there is an undertone of kink-shaming throughout the book. I think people are allowed to be into whatever they're into, as long as they aren't hurting anyone, and we can't really judge.
A great read!
September 16, 2019
A twisted tale of revenge
Imagine your worst fear, being conscious but unable to move or communicate. To feel pain and discomfort but have no way to stop it, to know that your life hangs in the balance and that your killer is keeping you alive to torture you.
Michael Trenchard is a top surgeon, at the peak of his career when he is found unresponsive in his office, seemingly the result of an autoerotic sex act gone horribly wrong. Although alive, he is thought to be in a coma, possibly brain dead. However, he is suffering from 'Locked-in' syndrome and is fully awake and able to experience pain but has no way of communicating with the medical staff. He comes to realise that he has been the victim of a cruel plot, an act of revenge designed to cause the maximum of pain and humiliation to a once arrogant and proud man.
Dr Kash Devan starts to suspect that there is more to the incident than meets the eye and he sets out to discover the truth, putting his own career in jeopardy.
The intelligent writing style allows the reader different perspectives, that of the victim, his young protege Dr Kash Devan and also the killer. The writer manages to evoke empathy for the victim, even though he is not a nice person and conveys the horror of being 'locked-in'. At first, I wasn't sure I would enjoy the book as I couldn’t figure out where the story was going but as it picked up the pace I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to discover the ending.
The ending is certainly a surprise, as well.
Gillian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Imagine your worst fear, being conscious but unable to move or communicate. To feel pain and discomfort but have no way to stop it, to know that your life hangs in the balance and that your killer is keeping you alive to torture you.
Michael Trenchard is a top surgeon, at the peak of his career when he is found unresponsive in his office, seemingly the result of an autoerotic sex act gone horribly wrong. Although alive, he is thought to be in a coma, possibly brain dead. However, he is suffering from 'Locked-in' syndrome and is fully awake and able to experience pain but has no way of communicating with the medical staff. He comes to realise that he has been the victim of a cruel plot, an act of revenge designed to cause the maximum of pain and humiliation to a once arrogant and proud man.
Dr Kash Devan starts to suspect that there is more to the incident than meets the eye and he sets out to discover the truth, putting his own career in jeopardy.
The intelligent writing style allows the reader different perspectives, that of the victim, his young protege Dr Kash Devan and also the killer. The writer manages to evoke empathy for the victim, even though he is not a nice person and conveys the horror of being 'locked-in'. At first, I wasn't sure I would enjoy the book as I couldn’t figure out where the story was going but as it picked up the pace I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to discover the ending.
The ending is certainly a surprise, as well.
Gillian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
July 24, 2023
I don't know what I expected when I came across this book almost by accident - but I got a whole lot more than I could have ever anticipated.
I am a retired hospital chaplain, so I've seen plenty of aspects of all hospital life. Hugh Montgomery's "Control" stirs many memories in me of the joys and pressures of health care. But this book develops into a mystery. It is very well written and a real page turner. It is also commended by Lynda La Plant, and it's obvious why.
It will keep you awake at night as you promise yourself "just another chapter." But it's well worth losing sleep over. Especially if you've ever been involved in the demanding life of a hospital.
I am a retired hospital chaplain, so I've seen plenty of aspects of all hospital life. Hugh Montgomery's "Control" stirs many memories in me of the joys and pressures of health care. But this book develops into a mystery. It is very well written and a real page turner. It is also commended by Lynda La Plant, and it's obvious why.
It will keep you awake at night as you promise yourself "just another chapter." But it's well worth losing sleep over. Especially if you've ever been involved in the demanding life of a hospital.
September 2, 2019
Wow this was a nice surprise. It really captured to grimey hospital feel and the twists were great. It wasn't exactly what I expected from the blurb but I really enjoyed it and couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened.
July 21, 2020
I really liked the idea of tgis book but didn’t think it was written very well, imho. The characters felt very flat and not under developed. Bit of a disappointment all round.
March 16, 2022
Story is great. Even if you’re not a doctor, you can get all the things they say.. but.. The story is missing something. Can’t give five stars to this.
August 1, 2021
Interesting medical thriller. Mr Michael Trenchard, a renowned surgeon, is a complete narcissist. He uses the world for his own pleasures. Pleasures, it seems, that have got the better of him.
The majority of ppl assume that he has done this to himself, over indulged and it's all gone horribly wrong. But what of he didn't? What if it was done to him?
The book has plenty of twists and turns. An enjoyable read for sure.
The majority of ppl assume that he has done this to himself, over indulged and it's all gone horribly wrong. But what of he didn't? What if it was done to him?
The book has plenty of twists and turns. An enjoyable read for sure.
October 30, 2025
What a book? I can't say anything more
November 7, 2024
Bit slow to start for me but it did pick up and when it did i could not put down (yes i stayed in on a Friday reading it)
August 26, 2019
I do love a good medical thriller and in Control, Hugh Montgomery has given us a well paced and chilling thriller with all the elements required to make the reader wonder if they ever want to endure a stay in hospital again.
Kash Devan is a junior doctor at the Victory Hospital. It is all he has ever wanted to do and despite the incredibly long hours, the lack of sleep and the constant stress from making life and death decisions in the early stage of his career, he would not change his life for the world.
Kash is assigned to the team of Consultant Surgeon Mr Michael Trenchard. Trenchard is smooth, suave and inspires respect. He is handsome and caring and he has some useful survival tips for Kash, who hangs on his every word.
Not everyone in the hospital is enamoured of Mr Trenchard’s bedside manner, though. As in all intense workplaces, gossip is rife and it seems that Mr Trenchard is a bit of a Lothario – and as if that were not enough, he also maintains surgeon’s privileges at a nearby private hospital.
Kash picks up hints here and there that Trenchard isn’t everyone’s favourite surgeon, but that doesn’t diminish his enthusiasm for his mentor.
Then one evening when Kash is on call, his pager erupts with an urgent message to – unusually – go to Trenchard’s office. There he finds Trenchard comatose, on the floor wearing a bra and panties and with a noose round his neck. This looks like an erotic game gone wrong and it doesn’t take long before Trenchard’s reputation is trashed and his exploits the subject of tabloid fodder. The medical team check all his vital signs and believe him to be in a vegetative coma. In fact, as Kash discovers while tending to him, Trenchard is ‘locked-in’; that is he is alive and his brain is functioning, but he is unable to move a muscle, or speak. Kash suspects that Trenchard has been the victim of a cruel assault and determines to find out who has done this.
The story is told by Kash, our naïve junior doctor and by Trenchard in his locked-in state. Montgomery uses his medical knowledge and his own experience of being a junior doctor to ensure that there is a strong thread of authenticity running through the core of this medical thriller.
That’s just as well, because like most books of this genre, the reader will require some suspension of disbelief to get the most from this book. That sits perfectly well with me, because I want my cast of suspects to come from those who interact with Kash and Trenchard on a daily basis in order to squeeze the most tension out of the scenario.
And Control is indeed tense, dark and very chilling. Those who use medical knowledge to kill deserve a special kind of hell for running counter to the credo of all medical professionals; first do no harm. Montgomery has taken the intricate medical procedures and daily dramas that occur in all hospitals and amplified them in intensity until we do not know who to trust and the number of motives is stockpiling beside Trenchard’s bedside.
Then just when you think you have worked everything out, Montgomery throws a curveball that completely disturbs your balance….
Verdict: Authentic, suspenseful, dark and terrifying, Control is a medical thriller that keeps you praying you’ll never have to go to hospital again.
Kash Devan is a junior doctor at the Victory Hospital. It is all he has ever wanted to do and despite the incredibly long hours, the lack of sleep and the constant stress from making life and death decisions in the early stage of his career, he would not change his life for the world.
Kash is assigned to the team of Consultant Surgeon Mr Michael Trenchard. Trenchard is smooth, suave and inspires respect. He is handsome and caring and he has some useful survival tips for Kash, who hangs on his every word.
Not everyone in the hospital is enamoured of Mr Trenchard’s bedside manner, though. As in all intense workplaces, gossip is rife and it seems that Mr Trenchard is a bit of a Lothario – and as if that were not enough, he also maintains surgeon’s privileges at a nearby private hospital.
Kash picks up hints here and there that Trenchard isn’t everyone’s favourite surgeon, but that doesn’t diminish his enthusiasm for his mentor.
Then one evening when Kash is on call, his pager erupts with an urgent message to – unusually – go to Trenchard’s office. There he finds Trenchard comatose, on the floor wearing a bra and panties and with a noose round his neck. This looks like an erotic game gone wrong and it doesn’t take long before Trenchard’s reputation is trashed and his exploits the subject of tabloid fodder. The medical team check all his vital signs and believe him to be in a vegetative coma. In fact, as Kash discovers while tending to him, Trenchard is ‘locked-in’; that is he is alive and his brain is functioning, but he is unable to move a muscle, or speak. Kash suspects that Trenchard has been the victim of a cruel assault and determines to find out who has done this.
The story is told by Kash, our naïve junior doctor and by Trenchard in his locked-in state. Montgomery uses his medical knowledge and his own experience of being a junior doctor to ensure that there is a strong thread of authenticity running through the core of this medical thriller.
That’s just as well, because like most books of this genre, the reader will require some suspension of disbelief to get the most from this book. That sits perfectly well with me, because I want my cast of suspects to come from those who interact with Kash and Trenchard on a daily basis in order to squeeze the most tension out of the scenario.
And Control is indeed tense, dark and very chilling. Those who use medical knowledge to kill deserve a special kind of hell for running counter to the credo of all medical professionals; first do no harm. Montgomery has taken the intricate medical procedures and daily dramas that occur in all hospitals and amplified them in intensity until we do not know who to trust and the number of motives is stockpiling beside Trenchard’s bedside.
Then just when you think you have worked everything out, Montgomery throws a curveball that completely disturbs your balance….
Verdict: Authentic, suspenseful, dark and terrifying, Control is a medical thriller that keeps you praying you’ll never have to go to hospital again.
August 23, 2019
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Goodness me - I have never, EVER read a book like this before! A book which was so gripping, yet mindblowingly farfetched at times, I just simply couldn't tear my eyes away.
I didn't dislike the book, in fact, I really did enjoy it. However, certain eventualities within the storyline were a bit too unbelievable at times, and my enjoyment dipped ever so slightly because of that. I am fully aware that 'Control' is the work of fiction and the author is well within their right to overuse their imagination wherever they see fit and, seeing as I have my own overactive imagination at times, I don't mind when situations go off on their own little tangent. To a point. There's always that fine line, isn't there?
Kash Devan is fresh meat, so to speak, and he finds himself under the wing of an exceptionally well known surgeon, Michael Trenchard. As far as Kash is concerned, as soon as he steps foot onto the various wards, the life and health of his patients take precedence over everything else. Did I mention he was under the wing of a well known surgeon? I never stated whether Trenchard was well known due to his positive actions, or whether he was well known because more people seemed to dislike him than genuinely like him.....
Let's just say that Kash Devan's mind was elsewhere due to the Chinese whispers around the hospital. Were they true, or were they purely fiction?
What I enjoyed most about 'Control' was how the author incorporates the reader into the storyline which enables them to form their own opinion of certain characters, as well as trying to work out who should be in the firing line, if anyone at all. It was as though Hugh Montgomery refused to steer his readers down his thought path in an obvious manner, even though deep down I knew that that was going to happen, simply because he knew what was going to happen and us readers could only attempt to guess.
The medical side of the book were incredibly eye-opening and very, very dark. Some of the descriptions are a teeny bit graphic, however the book isn't full of scenes which would make you chuck up your previous meal. At times I thought that there was a lot of medical jargon which flew over my head, but I just went with the flow as 'Control' is centred around medicine due to it being predominantly set in a hospital. That said, if you're wanting to feel as though you could go on and become a doctor right after finishing read this, kudos to the medical jargon!
'Control' is a compulsive, complex and psychologically twisted novel which kept on surprising me and left me in a false sense of security. I thought that the characters were brilliantly written, each adding their own dynamics to the overall vibe of the book.
I really do recommend picking up 'Control' if you're a fan of dark, medical reads - just not straight after eating food....
Goodness me - I have never, EVER read a book like this before! A book which was so gripping, yet mindblowingly farfetched at times, I just simply couldn't tear my eyes away.
I didn't dislike the book, in fact, I really did enjoy it. However, certain eventualities within the storyline were a bit too unbelievable at times, and my enjoyment dipped ever so slightly because of that. I am fully aware that 'Control' is the work of fiction and the author is well within their right to overuse their imagination wherever they see fit and, seeing as I have my own overactive imagination at times, I don't mind when situations go off on their own little tangent. To a point. There's always that fine line, isn't there?
Kash Devan is fresh meat, so to speak, and he finds himself under the wing of an exceptionally well known surgeon, Michael Trenchard. As far as Kash is concerned, as soon as he steps foot onto the various wards, the life and health of his patients take precedence over everything else. Did I mention he was under the wing of a well known surgeon? I never stated whether Trenchard was well known due to his positive actions, or whether he was well known because more people seemed to dislike him than genuinely like him.....
Let's just say that Kash Devan's mind was elsewhere due to the Chinese whispers around the hospital. Were they true, or were they purely fiction?
What I enjoyed most about 'Control' was how the author incorporates the reader into the storyline which enables them to form their own opinion of certain characters, as well as trying to work out who should be in the firing line, if anyone at all. It was as though Hugh Montgomery refused to steer his readers down his thought path in an obvious manner, even though deep down I knew that that was going to happen, simply because he knew what was going to happen and us readers could only attempt to guess.
The medical side of the book were incredibly eye-opening and very, very dark. Some of the descriptions are a teeny bit graphic, however the book isn't full of scenes which would make you chuck up your previous meal. At times I thought that there was a lot of medical jargon which flew over my head, but I just went with the flow as 'Control' is centred around medicine due to it being predominantly set in a hospital. That said, if you're wanting to feel as though you could go on and become a doctor right after finishing read this, kudos to the medical jargon!
'Control' is a compulsive, complex and psychologically twisted novel which kept on surprising me and left me in a false sense of security. I thought that the characters were brilliantly written, each adding their own dynamics to the overall vibe of the book.
I really do recommend picking up 'Control' if you're a fan of dark, medical reads - just not straight after eating food....
August 8, 2019
Just minutes after meeting his new boss, eminent surgeon Michael Trenchard, junior doctor Kash Devan knows that he wants to be exactly like him; his superior is the always the picture of cool, calm elegance and confidence. and Kash admires everything about the way he rules the corridors and operating theatres of Victory Hospital. Having worked hard to achieve his goals (and those of his parents’) by finally becoming a doctor, he intends doing it to the absolute best of his abilities. He writes long missives to his mother, letting her know how he’s doing, and his love and dedication to her are quite apparent. This devotion becomes quite significant later on in the book.
However, things are never quite as they appear to be, and even though Trenchard takes him under his wing, there are little things that Kash starts to notice that don’t seem to equate with his sparkling image. Although he seems to have a sterling work ethic and bedside manner, sharing elderly patient Liz Murray’s advice that what kills most people is not illness, but unhappiness, there are times when he’s unavailable – even completely AWOL!
And then, only a few months after Kash has started working at the hospital, an emergency call comes through on his pager. He rushes to Trenchard’s office where a shocking scene awaits him: his boss is lying on the floor in women’s underwear with a noose around his neck and there are pornographic magazines scattered around the floor! He’s barely breathing. They put it down to ‘auto-erotic asphyxiation’. The medical team check all his vital signs and discover he’s in what’s known as a ‘locked-in state’. Who knows how long he could remain like this; alive, but unable to move a muscle, unable to speak – it is the worst form of torture. And it’s clear that this has been deliberately caused by someone wanting to cause the utmost shame to a man whose position in life was everything to him. But who would have done such a thing?
Even though he hardly knew the man, Kash takes it upon himself to do whatever he can to investigate everything there possibly is to know about Trenchard and his past, so that he can get to the bottom of why this happened.
Using his vast bank of medical expertise, Montgomery has created an intensely chilling story about ambition, justice, greed and what people will do when they think they have just a little bit of power over others. I found that there was quite a lot of medical terminology used – but then, that’s to be expected! The book is fast-paced and at times I even found myself holding my breath! This is a perfect example of how dangerous knowledge can be when it is in the hands of the wrong people, for all the wrong reasons!
It’s an exciting but rather dark 4-star read … and as you know, I use the term ‘dark’ in an entirely good way!
However, things are never quite as they appear to be, and even though Trenchard takes him under his wing, there are little things that Kash starts to notice that don’t seem to equate with his sparkling image. Although he seems to have a sterling work ethic and bedside manner, sharing elderly patient Liz Murray’s advice that what kills most people is not illness, but unhappiness, there are times when he’s unavailable – even completely AWOL!
And then, only a few months after Kash has started working at the hospital, an emergency call comes through on his pager. He rushes to Trenchard’s office where a shocking scene awaits him: his boss is lying on the floor in women’s underwear with a noose around his neck and there are pornographic magazines scattered around the floor! He’s barely breathing. They put it down to ‘auto-erotic asphyxiation’. The medical team check all his vital signs and discover he’s in what’s known as a ‘locked-in state’. Who knows how long he could remain like this; alive, but unable to move a muscle, unable to speak – it is the worst form of torture. And it’s clear that this has been deliberately caused by someone wanting to cause the utmost shame to a man whose position in life was everything to him. But who would have done such a thing?
Even though he hardly knew the man, Kash takes it upon himself to do whatever he can to investigate everything there possibly is to know about Trenchard and his past, so that he can get to the bottom of why this happened.
Using his vast bank of medical expertise, Montgomery has created an intensely chilling story about ambition, justice, greed and what people will do when they think they have just a little bit of power over others. I found that there was quite a lot of medical terminology used – but then, that’s to be expected! The book is fast-paced and at times I even found myself holding my breath! This is a perfect example of how dangerous knowledge can be when it is in the hands of the wrong people, for all the wrong reasons!
It’s an exciting but rather dark 4-star read … and as you know, I use the term ‘dark’ in an entirely good way!
August 24, 2019
Control by Hugh Montgomery is a unique and compelling medical thriller that will keep you guessing throughout. Renowned surgeon Michael Trenchard is found in his office in a locked-in coma, the victim of auto-erotic asphyxiation. His young protégé, Doctor Kash Devan, believes there is more to this than meets the eye and sets out to discover the truth. But what he discovers is more chilling than even he could ever have anticipated…
What follows is a fast paced and terrifying medical thriller that is most definitely not for those of a squeamish nature! The book is set in a hospital which makes for an even more chilling read, with detailed descriptions of medical procedures that made me squirm. There is a fair bit of medical jargon, but not enough to put me off reading it, and used in an easy to understand way that didn’t pull me out of the story.
I loved Kash and his enthusiastic, but sometimes naive, attitude. His determination to uncover the truth leaves him vulnerable and fearing for his own life, while Michael Trenchard, on the other hand, has left a trail of wrecked lives and angry people behind him on his way to the top. A ruthless character who is difficult to like, I still couldn’t help but empathise with the situation he found himself in. The thought of a locked-in coma is terrifying to me, and this claustrophobic feeling was brought oh so vividly and horrifyingly to life in this story. Who hated Dr Trenchard so much they were prepared to go to such horrifying lengths to punish him?
Control is a stylish psychological thriller, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages long after the lights should have gone out. This is a book that chilled me to the bone, with a story that kept me on my toes throughout. There are some shocking moments that literally made me gasp out loud and every time I thought I had it all worked out, something else happened that changed everything. The tension increased tenfold as the story raced to its conclusion, leading to a shocking denouement I did not see coming!
Hugh Montgomery has written a taut, unique thriller that kept me gripped throughout. The medical nature of this book sets it apart from other thrillers and is unlike any I’ve ever read before. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend.
What follows is a fast paced and terrifying medical thriller that is most definitely not for those of a squeamish nature! The book is set in a hospital which makes for an even more chilling read, with detailed descriptions of medical procedures that made me squirm. There is a fair bit of medical jargon, but not enough to put me off reading it, and used in an easy to understand way that didn’t pull me out of the story.
I loved Kash and his enthusiastic, but sometimes naive, attitude. His determination to uncover the truth leaves him vulnerable and fearing for his own life, while Michael Trenchard, on the other hand, has left a trail of wrecked lives and angry people behind him on his way to the top. A ruthless character who is difficult to like, I still couldn’t help but empathise with the situation he found himself in. The thought of a locked-in coma is terrifying to me, and this claustrophobic feeling was brought oh so vividly and horrifyingly to life in this story. Who hated Dr Trenchard so much they were prepared to go to such horrifying lengths to punish him?
Control is a stylish psychological thriller, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages long after the lights should have gone out. This is a book that chilled me to the bone, with a story that kept me on my toes throughout. There are some shocking moments that literally made me gasp out loud and every time I thought I had it all worked out, something else happened that changed everything. The tension increased tenfold as the story raced to its conclusion, leading to a shocking denouement I did not see coming!
Hugh Montgomery has written a taut, unique thriller that kept me gripped throughout. The medical nature of this book sets it apart from other thrillers and is unlike any I’ve ever read before. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend.
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