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Dr. Zora Smyth Medical Thriller #2
Lethal Incision
They had no identity. Now Dr. Zora Smyth must fight for her life or lose hers.
Chief surgical resident Zora Smyth is used to the atypical: the disappearance of her sister, false murder charges from a serial killer, and a brush with death.
So when nameless patients show up on her operating table and subsequently disappear on her watch, Zora seeks to discover why.
But she soon realizes the stakes are higher than ever when her sanity is questioned, and a hidden enemy that wants the dark secrets covered at all costs endangers everything she holds dear.
As she races to save herself and those precious to her, will she survive and win against the evil that threatens to swallow her up?
LETHAL INCISION is the second book in Dobi Cross' suspense-filled series of medical thrillers. If you like page-turning medical thrillers filled with unexpected twists and intrigue, you will love LETHAL INCISION.
This book is a heavily revised second edition of an original short story that was part of a previously published anthology. The story has been expanded by over 60%, adding significant background to the characters and the story. If you've already read the first edition, you may still want to read this expanded and improved "Author's Preferred Edition"!
Sign up at www.dobicross.com to be notified when the next Dr. Zora Smyth Book comes out!
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2019
1108 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Dobi Cross
9 books36 followersAs a former physician and business executive in another life—with a childhood filled with reading multi-genre novels (including Shakespeare in the original version)—Dobi Cross loves to write thrilling stories with heart.
She enjoys dreaming up everyday characters who rise above unfavorable circumstances to overcome incredible odds. When not writing, Dobi can be found binging K-dramas and ice cream with her little sidekick by her side.
You can find her below!
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She enjoys dreaming up everyday characters who rise above unfavorable circumstances to overcome incredible odds. When not writing, Dobi can be found binging K-dramas and ice cream with her little sidekick by her side.
You can find her below!
Website
Newsletter
Amazon
Bookbub
Reader Group
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
November 20, 2019
Not sure if I’m just missing something or what but these books are poorly written/edited. Little errors are everywhere. It makes me sad because this could be really good—there’s a good plot and interesting characters but both needed fleshed out. Makes for a quick read without all the details but, in my opinion, it makes it harder to follow. I found myself scratching my head at certain sentences (what is the author trying to say here?) as well at the different character (who is this again?).
February 12, 2020
I wasn't blown away by this book which lacked depth in its story line. It started life as a short story and should probably have stayed there. Too many different plot lines all paper thin and more burner phones than you can count. Not tempted to more
January 2, 2019
This was wonderful, some mysterious patients just seem to disappear and Zora wants to get to the bottom of things however the cost could be very high to find out what's really going on. I totally love the characters, the story everything I just love books like this. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
July 2, 2025
Kindle, free from stuff your kindle.
You get what you pay for is the lesson here. This book was terrible. I can’t even say it was it was so bad it was good. Actually the only thing I can say that was good was that it didn’t take me long to read it, a couple hours of my time.
It read like a tela novella with all the different characters and stereotypes. There were too many doctors that were described in one sentence then I was expected to keep track of who they were. It was stupid.
I thought the medical stuff would be interesting being that I work as a nurse in the OR sometimes. Nope. The author used some fancy words but there is no way this would fly. For goodness sake, just say, his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed (insert eye roll). The disciplinary thing, no. Just no.
I didn’t connect with the main character Zora. She made some stupid mistakes for being such a brilliant surgical resident. The romance bit they tried to throw in? Inappropriate. Your best friend is kidnapped and you are wondering if the dude feels the same way you do? Nope.
There seemed to be plot holes all along the way. There were errors in writing. Sentences that didn’t make sense. Did anyone edit this book?
The ending? I gave up by then. I couldn’t keep track of the doctors. I wasn’t invested in them or Zora or the story by then. I was just glad it was over. I will not be reading the next book. Free or not.
Highly do not recommend.
You get what you pay for is the lesson here. This book was terrible. I can’t even say it was it was so bad it was good. Actually the only thing I can say that was good was that it didn’t take me long to read it, a couple hours of my time.
It read like a tela novella with all the different characters and stereotypes. There were too many doctors that were described in one sentence then I was expected to keep track of who they were. It was stupid.
I thought the medical stuff would be interesting being that I work as a nurse in the OR sometimes. Nope. The author used some fancy words but there is no way this would fly. For goodness sake, just say, his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed (insert eye roll). The disciplinary thing, no. Just no.
I didn’t connect with the main character Zora. She made some stupid mistakes for being such a brilliant surgical resident. The romance bit they tried to throw in? Inappropriate. Your best friend is kidnapped and you are wondering if the dude feels the same way you do? Nope.
There seemed to be plot holes all along the way. There were errors in writing. Sentences that didn’t make sense. Did anyone edit this book?
The ending? I gave up by then. I couldn’t keep track of the doctors. I wasn’t invested in them or Zora or the story by then. I was just glad it was over. I will not be reading the next book. Free or not.
Highly do not recommend.
January 5, 2019
This new installment of the Zora Smyth series is better than the first. Several years have passed and Zora is now a surgical resident. While on call she sees a couple of patients who were missing a kidney. Soon these patients are missing, no trace of them in the hospital database and no one remembers them. She reports this to her mentor who thinks Zora is losing it and she is suspended for a month. Then her roommate goes missing. Of course Zora cannot let this rest and gets into her usual trouble. I love Dobi Cross’s characters. Zora is becoming stronger and she has a little love interest looming. The bad guys were great. You knew someone high up had to be involved but I was surprised at who it was. There was a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, leaving me wanting more Zora Smyth. Thanks to the author for giving me a copy to read and review.
October 8, 2019
Lethal Incision
An amazing legal medical story filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, near death experiences, and a little romance. Highly recommended. Great job, Dobi Cross.
An amazing legal medical story filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, near death experiences, and a little romance. Highly recommended. Great job, Dobi Cross.
January 15, 2019
Good book
I love this series. It is a good easy read and they are clean books. I highly recommend this series.
I love this series. It is a good easy read and they are clean books. I highly recommend this series.
March 18, 2025
I got the first book during the one of the Stuff Your Kindle Days and the premises seemed great. I’m still expecting or waiting for more during this series.
This book is based on Dr. Zoya Smyth who we met in the last book, and she is the Chief surgical resident, and she is used to the atypical: a sister that has disappeared, false murder charges from a serial killer and a brush with death. So, when nameless patients show up on her operating table and subsequently disappear on her watch, Zora seeks to discover why. But she soon realizes that the stakes are higher than ever when her sanity is questioned, and a hidden enemy – that wants the dark secrets covered at all costs – endangers everything she holds dear. As she races to save herself and those precious to her, will she survive and win against the evil that threatens to swallow her up.
I still like the idea of a medical professional rather than a random person or a family member or police. Obviously, there was a bit of a time jump from the fact that Zoya went from a medical student to a resident. I still believe that Zora was the only character that was well built, and I enjoyed the view of I think I'm going out of my mind but I’m not going insane. I liked the multiple POVs, I just felt like they needed to be clearer that it was a different point of view, especially towards the end when it was jumping quite clearly around as it took me a while to realize who it was, we were reading about. The romance that was blossoming between Marcus and Zora didn’t blossom during this book it just sort of didn’t evolve and I completely forgot about Marcus.
One of my biggest issues with this book is that everything that was mentioned wasn’t drawn out or dramatic or even explained very well. The cop who was a high school friend was all over a sudden interested and down to help. The fact that Zora’s mother still didn’t make an appearance when all this crap was going down? I understand her whole point is to be distant, but she is non-existent. Then lucky Zora and we knew about the tracker again. There was also no big action-saving moment of the police figuring it out and saving Zora, it went she’s been kidnapped, some questions answered, Zora passes out, she’s fine and at the hospital, book over. But it ended on a cliffhanger and there were two bad guys instead of just one main villain. I was confused.
It was a quick read and i didn’t really need to think much during this book because everything was explained but just not explained enough. There was no tension building, and it wasn’t really a medical thriller. I am hoping this series improves as this goes on.
This book is based on Dr. Zoya Smyth who we met in the last book, and she is the Chief surgical resident, and she is used to the atypical: a sister that has disappeared, false murder charges from a serial killer and a brush with death. So, when nameless patients show up on her operating table and subsequently disappear on her watch, Zora seeks to discover why. But she soon realizes that the stakes are higher than ever when her sanity is questioned, and a hidden enemy – that wants the dark secrets covered at all costs – endangers everything she holds dear. As she races to save herself and those precious to her, will she survive and win against the evil that threatens to swallow her up.
I still like the idea of a medical professional rather than a random person or a family member or police. Obviously, there was a bit of a time jump from the fact that Zoya went from a medical student to a resident. I still believe that Zora was the only character that was well built, and I enjoyed the view of I think I'm going out of my mind but I’m not going insane. I liked the multiple POVs, I just felt like they needed to be clearer that it was a different point of view, especially towards the end when it was jumping quite clearly around as it took me a while to realize who it was, we were reading about. The romance that was blossoming between Marcus and Zora didn’t blossom during this book it just sort of didn’t evolve and I completely forgot about Marcus.
One of my biggest issues with this book is that everything that was mentioned wasn’t drawn out or dramatic or even explained very well. The cop who was a high school friend was all over a sudden interested and down to help. The fact that Zora’s mother still didn’t make an appearance when all this crap was going down? I understand her whole point is to be distant, but she is non-existent. Then lucky Zora and we knew about the tracker again. There was also no big action-saving moment of the police figuring it out and saving Zora, it went she’s been kidnapped, some questions answered, Zora passes out, she’s fine and at the hospital, book over. But it ended on a cliffhanger and there were two bad guys instead of just one main villain. I was confused.
It was a quick read and i didn’t really need to think much during this book because everything was explained but just not explained enough. There was no tension building, and it wasn’t really a medical thriller. I am hoping this series improves as this goes on.
January 6, 2023
Spoilers: mild spoilers but spoilers none the less in this review.
The book starts off on a very high note. Enticing you to read more to figure out who the person was & why they ended up there.
In reading the rest of the book it changes everything.
At one moment you think you have it solved but then BOOM plot twist that has you going in a completely different direction. Just over halfway through the book it takes a turn that shakes everything up. When the instigator becomes the target (Spoiler) and the one they wanted to ruin becomes the one they want to save.
When another doctor proceeds to reveal information that would help the main character get her life back at the wrong time. Will they survive?
Overall the book is well done. Written in a way that leaves you asking questions and changing your perspective. It does switch character views sometimes but it does offer a bit more of an insight into what is really going on and how it all comes together. The ending will leave you speechless and wanting more. I would recommend for someone who likes medical suspense with a touch of criminal activity.
The book starts off on a very high note. Enticing you to read more to figure out who the person was & why they ended up there.
In reading the rest of the book it changes everything.
At one moment you think you have it solved but then BOOM plot twist that has you going in a completely different direction. Just over halfway through the book it takes a turn that shakes everything up. When the instigator becomes the target (Spoiler) and the one they wanted to ruin becomes the one they want to save.
When another doctor proceeds to reveal information that would help the main character get her life back at the wrong time. Will they survive?
Overall the book is well done. Written in a way that leaves you asking questions and changing your perspective. It does switch character views sometimes but it does offer a bit more of an insight into what is really going on and how it all comes together. The ending will leave you speechless and wanting more. I would recommend for someone who likes medical suspense with a touch of criminal activity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
2.5 stars.
I'd have possibly rounded up if this had been a debut novel but it's not. I didn't read the first book in this series but like a lot of series books, it isn't impossible to skip one.
I just didn't care for this book. The writing was pretty simple and had me rolling my eyes at multiple points. There were a few errors.
I feel like with a great editing team, this book could have been a lot better. But as it is, I feel like a talented high schooler could have written it.
The plot had potential.
I'd have possibly rounded up if this had been a debut novel but it's not. I didn't read the first book in this series but like a lot of series books, it isn't impossible to skip one.
I just didn't care for this book. The writing was pretty simple and had me rolling my eyes at multiple points. There were a few errors.
I feel like with a great editing team, this book could have been a lot better. But as it is, I feel like a talented high schooler could have written it.
The plot had potential.
Read
June 18, 2021Good , but
Good mystery plot . Obviously illegal organ harvesting . Zora, now a 5th year surgical resident, gets an ER patient who has been operated on and is missing a kidney . After she operates on him, fixes his physical condition , he disappears . Crazy situation and she is embroiled in a mess .
This story gives plenty of info and confusion and has a 60 second ending .
Good mystery plot . Obviously illegal organ harvesting . Zora, now a 5th year surgical resident, gets an ER patient who has been operated on and is missing a kidney . After she operates on him, fixes his physical condition , he disappears . Crazy situation and she is embroiled in a mess .
This story gives plenty of info and confusion and has a 60 second ending .
June 21, 2021
Good book about a doctor who, for some reason, cannot find the patients she had operated on the night before. The staff thinks she's crazy but she knows they were there, John Doe and Jane Doe. Things take a turn for the worse as she is suspended and a former lover with the police department is assigned a case of a girl who has been murdered. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the ending hit you like a freight train. You would be reading along and BAM it was over.
August 16, 2021
Not a medical thriller
This is not a medical thriller. I would call it more of a quasi mystery that happens to have the main character as a surgeon. The characters are not well developed and neither is the plot. This is the second book in a series. I read the first and it was about a 2 star but sometimes the first book needs to setup for the series so I thought I would give the second one a chance. Nope. Will not read another.
This is not a medical thriller. I would call it more of a quasi mystery that happens to have the main character as a surgeon. The characters are not well developed and neither is the plot. This is the second book in a series. I read the first and it was about a 2 star but sometimes the first book needs to setup for the series so I thought I would give the second one a chance. Nope. Will not read another.
December 29, 2022
Double cross again and again
A deadly case of power going to someone's head but unbeknownst to them their evil plans were being monitored by those they thought were in their trust. A case of getting in to situations they didn't really have the power to fully control and not realising how their own double dealing would come home to roost and become the reason for their own downfall.
A deadly case of power going to someone's head but unbeknownst to them their evil plans were being monitored by those they thought were in their trust. A case of getting in to situations they didn't really have the power to fully control and not realising how their own double dealing would come home to roost and become the reason for their own downfall.
January 7, 2023
Very good book
I really enjoyed reading this book. It moves very fast and keeps your attention. Themes story is very good and is part of a continuing saga. Zora's character is very likable and caring. It ends with a cliff hanger to get you to go on to the next book in the series. I commend the author for writing such a good book without having to resort to fowl language or political correctness.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It moves very fast and keeps your attention. Themes story is very good and is part of a continuing saga. Zora's character is very likable and caring. It ends with a cliff hanger to get you to go on to the next book in the series. I commend the author for writing such a good book without having to resort to fowl language or political correctness.
March 6, 2023
Fast-paced mystery that has several storylines going.
Dear Reader, if you don't want a spoiler, do not read the next part. If you read this book which I read at one sitting, do not make the mistake I did. I read it without having the sequel ready to go. Everything was ending nicely with all the ends tied up neatly. Then, aargh, on the last page the author threw in something new leaving it on a cliffhanger.
Dear Reader, if you don't want a spoiler, do not read the next part. If you read this book which I read at one sitting, do not make the mistake I did. I read it without having the sequel ready to go. Everything was ending nicely with all the ends tied up neatly. Then, aargh, on the last page the author threw in something new leaving it on a cliffhanger.
May 20, 2023
So-so story with a lot of unbelievable twists and turns. Zora may be a brilliant doctor but she’s not very smart often, taking risks and leaping to conclusions while jeopardizing her safety and the safety of those around her.
Book 1 ended with her cancer diagnosis but in book 2 that story line is completely dropped other than mentioning a she had a blood test that was normal.
I won’t bother with book 3.
Book 1 ended with her cancer diagnosis but in book 2 that story line is completely dropped other than mentioning a she had a blood test that was normal.
I won’t bother with book 3.
June 6, 2023
Good Medical Thriller
Took a few days to read, mostly due to time constraints, but I did manage to finish it. Plot was very good, characters were not very strong or developed. Pretty fast read.
Took a few days to read, mostly due to time constraints, but I did manage to finish it. Plot was very good, characters were not very strong or developed. Pretty fast read.
July 8, 2025
AWESOME, AND I COULDN'T STOP READING! I loved Zora, her dedication to her job and to her friend. Someone was selling organs on the black market and her people, and their records went missing! The staff, and her director thought that she was delusional.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2020
Easy read
I really enjoyed this book however the ending was a complete shock! Knock me over with a feather as they say! Left me drooling for more!
I really enjoyed this book however the ending was a complete shock! Knock me over with a feather as they say! Left me drooling for more!
May 26, 2020
Great medical thriller series!!
Dr. Dora Smyth just keeps finding mysteries to solve and that put her life in danger! Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
Dr. Dora Smyth just keeps finding mysteries to solve and that put her life in danger! Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
August 9, 2020
Too realistic
September 6, 2020
Read about half and did not finish. Found this to be flat and uninteresting
October 1, 2020
Wow I'm totally hooked on this series. Zora has her hands full, and trying to guess who can be trusted.
January 15, 2021
Can't say the series is no good nor was the writing bad. The storyline is actually interesting but somehow not substantive. Ok book but don't know if I want to repeat
March 4, 2021
Great book! Couldn't put it down. Now for part 3!
May 17, 2021
Gripping thriller
From first page to last author has capivated readers. I throughly enjoyed and would like to read the next book.
From first page to last author has capivated readers. I throughly enjoyed and would like to read the next book.
July 19, 2021
A Little Too Predictable
I love medical thrillers. I thought the characters were enjoyable, but the storyline was predictable. It was easy to figure out.
I love medical thrillers. I thought the characters were enjoyable, but the storyline was predictable. It was easy to figure out.
August 18, 2021
Unfinished !
I enjoyed the read, it had suspense and it was great getting to know the characters until the last page.it is left UNFINISHED !! Not good.
I enjoyed the read, it had suspense and it was great getting to know the characters until the last page.it is left UNFINISHED !! Not good.
January 21, 2022
A very good quick read
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters seemed very real. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters seemed very real. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews