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First, do no Harm: Learning the Rules of Residency
Would you allow a stranger to die so that you could live?
Do you think he would make the same choice in your place?
The study of medicine is a mixture of science and magic, where the most brilliant among us learn everything they can about the human mind.
The wisest realize that there is far more mystery than we can begin to unravel. But that doesn’t stop first-year intern Dr. Afelis from opening doors that lead to impossible truths.
Doors that should have stayed closed.
But Dr. Afelis is too afraid of herself to leave the past alone, and soon the boundaries between medical miracles and the truly supernatural disappear completely. She is unable to resist the answers to her past that lay just behind forbidden doorways.
Would you open them?
Read this award-winning story and find out for yourself.
Do you think he would make the same choice in your place?
The study of medicine is a mixture of science and magic, where the most brilliant among us learn everything they can about the human mind.
The wisest realize that there is far more mystery than we can begin to unravel. But that doesn’t stop first-year intern Dr. Afelis from opening doors that lead to impossible truths.
Doors that should have stayed closed.
But Dr. Afelis is too afraid of herself to leave the past alone, and soon the boundaries between medical miracles and the truly supernatural disappear completely. She is unable to resist the answers to her past that lay just behind forbidden doorways.
Would you open them?
Read this award-winning story and find out for yourself.
- GenresHorror
155 pages, Paperback
Published April 6, 2020
50 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 21, 2020
P. F. McGrail's novella, Do No Harm, is an absolute nightmare for anyone in the medical field, and pedestrians like myself!
McGrail is powerhouse of an author on the Nosleep subreddit, known for posting terrifyingly addictive (and sometimes cheeky!) stories and series under the username of ByfelsDisciples. Seeing his frequent posts is a treat, and I read this ebook in one sitting because the pacing and hooks in each chapter keep the reader rushing through to the very end!
Do No Harm follows a new doctor during their internship at an Appalachian hospital. The formidable boss, Dr. Scritt, makes it very clear that she doesn't expect the noobies to make it through this internship, and mere pages in we quickly learn why.
Following the popular horror trope of "a list of rules", the reader can immediately see that this hospital is nothing like our Protagonist Ellie had thought it would be.
Maintaining full time employment with benefits is the least of her and her coworker's worries- they will be lucky simply to keep their lives!
You won't regret reading this book, although it may cause both sleepless nights and a new love for McGrail's writing
McGrail is powerhouse of an author on the Nosleep subreddit, known for posting terrifyingly addictive (and sometimes cheeky!) stories and series under the username of ByfelsDisciples. Seeing his frequent posts is a treat, and I read this ebook in one sitting because the pacing and hooks in each chapter keep the reader rushing through to the very end!
Do No Harm follows a new doctor during their internship at an Appalachian hospital. The formidable boss, Dr. Scritt, makes it very clear that she doesn't expect the noobies to make it through this internship, and mere pages in we quickly learn why.
Following the popular horror trope of "a list of rules", the reader can immediately see that this hospital is nothing like our Protagonist Ellie had thought it would be.
Maintaining full time employment with benefits is the least of her and her coworker's worries- they will be lucky simply to keep their lives!
You won't regret reading this book, although it may cause both sleepless nights and a new love for McGrail's writing
April 22, 2020
This book was my first introduction to the works of P.F. McGrail, and I'm so glad I picked it up. The story starts out with a very simple premise: new interns at St. Francis Hospital are given a set of strange rules that they must follow if they want to succeed. Dr. Ellie Afelis quickly comes to learn that the consequences for disobeying these rules can be deadly.
"First, Do No Harm" takes what could be an overused trope (the spooky list of rules) and turns it into a nuanced, character-driven story about learning to let go of the past. There's no shortage of blood and gore here - McGrail succeeds in creating that atmosphere of horror from the get-go - but the characters are where his talents really shine. The result is a novel that's equal parts terrifying and humorous, a novel that aims to scare the pants off of you while also tugging at your heartstrings.
If anything, I almost feel like "First, Do No Harm" is too short for the amount of promise it contains, and I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters and learn more about the world of St. Francis. As it stands, though, the book is highly enjoyable and well worth the read. I definitely recommend it.
"First, Do No Harm" takes what could be an overused trope (the spooky list of rules) and turns it into a nuanced, character-driven story about learning to let go of the past. There's no shortage of blood and gore here - McGrail succeeds in creating that atmosphere of horror from the get-go - but the characters are where his talents really shine. The result is a novel that's equal parts terrifying and humorous, a novel that aims to scare the pants off of you while also tugging at your heartstrings.
If anything, I almost feel like "First, Do No Harm" is too short for the amount of promise it contains, and I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters and learn more about the world of St. Francis. As it stands, though, the book is highly enjoyable and well worth the read. I definitely recommend it.
April 20, 2020
I do really enjoy this author’s body of work but this particular story might be my favourite. Maybe it’s because I’ve worked in a hospital? I don’t know. The idea of a creepy hospital is genius.
The entire background is very well set up. The characters are particularly well fleshed out and well written! I really appreciate how well the ability of doctors to compartmentalise while everything is falling apart, is depicted. Dr schitt and Ellie are fantastic protagonists and the twist in the ending, was beyond my expectations. Definitely more than a regular story in the horror genre. There’s heartbreak, there are bad decisions, and an immense amount of pain.
I had no idea what to expected to find, when I started this but I can say that the roller coaster read is worth it and definitely ranks in my top reads of 2020.
Thanks for the arc :)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The entire background is very well set up. The characters are particularly well fleshed out and well written! I really appreciate how well the ability of doctors to compartmentalise while everything is falling apart, is depicted. Dr schitt and Ellie are fantastic protagonists and the twist in the ending, was beyond my expectations. Definitely more than a regular story in the horror genre. There’s heartbreak, there are bad decisions, and an immense amount of pain.
I had no idea what to expected to find, when I started this but I can say that the roller coaster read is worth it and definitely ranks in my top reads of 2020.
Thanks for the arc :)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2020
P.F. McGrail is quite simply one of the best horror writers out there. Will his writing make you feel anxious, revolted or horrified? It will - and you'll love every word of it! His words can also bring great joy (or sorrow) and have you wickedly, gleefully grinning all the way through. And at the end of it all, he will always make you think. This story is no different. Who are we? How do we accept the things that have shaped us and move forward? Is the path we envision for ourselves always the one we end up following? How Dr. Afelis answers these questions is a fascinating journey from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2020
If you have never read McGrail's writing, you are in for a treat. It is terrifying, heart-wrenching, eloquent, and sensual--often all on the same page. It is rare to come across an author that can both write top tier prose as well as deliver top tier stories. McGrail is one of those authors, and First, do no Harm is one of those stories. The characters in this book are realistic and diverse. In addition, its scares creep up on you when you least expect them to, and linger with you long after you finish the final page. I can hands down say that McGrail is one of the most underrated horror authors I've come across in the past several years. Give his work a chance. You will not be disappointed!
April 25, 2020
I loved this book! I’ve only started reading horror maybe six months ago on Reddit, besides a couple of Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe books I read years ago and this had me on the edge of my seat, unable to put it down!
I had to know what was going to happen next to these doctors and the main character! It was great because I wasn’t able to predict how it would all turn out. I cried and winced in different parts.
I also appreciated this book because it also has a lot to say about life as well as being scary. I thought it was very thought provoking.
Some short Amazon books come off as like just a chapter of something else, but this felt like a complete story and seemed longer than 150 pages to me, but in a good way.
I had to know what was going to happen next to these doctors and the main character! It was great because I wasn’t able to predict how it would all turn out. I cried and winced in different parts.
I also appreciated this book because it also has a lot to say about life as well as being scary. I thought it was very thought provoking.
Some short Amazon books come off as like just a chapter of something else, but this felt like a complete story and seemed longer than 150 pages to me, but in a good way.
April 21, 2020
First, Do No Harm is a fast-paced thriller focusing on Ellie's internship at a mysterious West Virginia hospital. Under the watchful eye the tough as nails Chief of Medicine Dr. Scritt, Ellie must learn to save lives while following a very unusual list of rules.
First, Do No Harm is a really nice take on the "rules" type stories that have achieved recent popularity. This was nicely paced with immediately throws you into the action. The characters are well developed and you begin to really feel for Ellie. So overall very good, but I think there were a couple tweaks that could've taken this to the next level.
April 22, 2020
P. F. McGrail delivers a terrifying, yet inspiring tale about a young doctor stuck working at a hospital, which has the same mortality rate for doctors as it has for patients.
You're drawn in from the very first chapter, getting introduced to the well fleshed out characters and their environment. Some you hate, but learn to love, and others you pity, but then quickly come to admire.
P. F. McGrail shows through his writing, that horror isn't just about what scares you, it can be so much more.
Favorite character: Vivian Scritt
Favorite quote: "She betrayed herself with a glass of water."
You're drawn in from the very first chapter, getting introduced to the well fleshed out characters and their environment. Some you hate, but learn to love, and others you pity, but then quickly come to admire.
P. F. McGrail shows through his writing, that horror isn't just about what scares you, it can be so much more.
Favorite character: Vivian Scritt
Favorite quote: "She betrayed herself with a glass of water."
April 5, 2020
I'll say here what I said on Booksprout: in short, First, do no Harm wrecked me. I highly recommend it.
First, do no Harm is a very courteous book: it will have you hiding under your covers after the first few chapters, so nobody will see you crying after you finish the last few.
This fast-paced story takes you through the gritty realities of the medicinal field, then through the grittier realities of life after trauma. There's tense horror, gruesome description, blunt truth, heartbreaking metaphors, and even a little hope.
First, do no Harm is a very courteous book: it will have you hiding under your covers after the first few chapters, so nobody will see you crying after you finish the last few.
This fast-paced story takes you through the gritty realities of the medicinal field, then through the grittier realities of life after trauma. There's tense horror, gruesome description, blunt truth, heartbreaking metaphors, and even a little hope.
April 20, 2020
This story began with a very fast paced, interesting plot about a hospital intern named Ellie. The first chapter or so was great, but as the first half drew on, it seemed like pacing began to outrun the plot and my interest. The twist, however, drew me back in in the second half. However, it unfortunately did a lot of rehashing that dwindled my interest. Overall, still a great story with an interesting concept, a satisfying twist, and strong conclusion!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2020
Do No Harm is one of my new favorite stories by McGrail. I have been a long time follower on Reddits No Sleep. This complication is everything I expect for McGrail PLUS SOOOO SO MUCH MORE. I recommend McGrail so much for the Horror/Psych Lover. Never a sentence within that DOESNT rattle you. I feel honored to read their stories. Ive already recommended to my friends on AND Off of No Sleep.
PF MCGRAIL WILL ABSOLUTELY GO DOWN AS MY TOP 5 HORROR AUTHORS, WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
PF MCGRAIL WILL ABSOLUTELY GO DOWN AS MY TOP 5 HORROR AUTHORS, WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2020
I’m an avid reader of NoSleep which is where I first encountered this wonderfully written work of art. If you enjoy psychological horror then you will LOVE this read. It kept me guessing & wondering wth was going on throughout the entire book. Not to mention all the twists & turns that will have you second guessing yourself.
Dr. Scritt & Ellie were both easy to love characters. One is a hardened, Practical, no nonsense doctor and the other...you’ll just have to read it to find out!
Dr. Scritt & Ellie were both easy to love characters. One is a hardened, Practical, no nonsense doctor and the other...you’ll just have to read it to find out!
April 17, 2020
P.F. McGrail is an amazing writer he really pulls you into the book. I have read this man's short stories for a few years now and truly can't wait for more. If you enjoy horror and suspense this is the book for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2020
It's a dark, engaging psychological horror reminiscient in some ways of Steven King's "1408". Engaging and concise. Really enjoyed the occasional sardonic moments in the main character's head, such as, "I was prepared for anything. I was surprised." Couldn't put it down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2020
i have read the author's work on nosleep, and i can do nothing but assure you that you will not regret this purchase. the english is amazing. the fear is amazing and there was that uneasy feeling of 'What' s gonna happen next?'. but as a critic it did not make me as happy as quite a few other 'S Tier Books'
but this is definetly a 'A Tier Book'.
but this is definetly a 'A Tier Book'.
April 21, 2020
This story was amazing. The twists and turns made me comeback and want to keep reading it. I couldn't put it down. It was a fairly quick and easy read. However the characters managed to grow and change through the story which was great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 22, 2020
THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT READ. THE STORY PULLED ME IN AND I DID NOT WANT TO PUT DOWN. THE STORY IS VERY WELL WRITTEN AND KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. P.F. MCGRAIL IS AN OUTSTANDING AUTHOR AND IM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING MORE AND WOULD RECOMMEND READING THIS BOOK
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 10, 2024
Ugh
I don't know what the heck that was...
I didn't get the twist figured out. It WAS surprising though. I didn't care for the writing style. It was confusing. I never knew who was speaking. I COULD see this as a miniseries if done right. Just the writing seemed clunky and disjointed.
I don't know what the heck that was...
I didn't get the twist figured out. It WAS surprising though. I didn't care for the writing style. It was confusing. I never knew who was speaking. I COULD see this as a miniseries if done right. Just the writing seemed clunky and disjointed.
May 8, 2022
Another great piece of writing
As usual, this book was amazing like the others I've read before it. Moments so tender that it brought me to tears, and at other times left me in suspense that I couldn't stop reading it. The surprise twist ending was my favorite!
As usual, this book was amazing like the others I've read before it. Moments so tender that it brought me to tears, and at other times left me in suspense that I couldn't stop reading it. The surprise twist ending was my favorite!
April 20, 2020
This author is amazing! The story weaves humor, horror and pain together so well. Before long, you are totally engrossed as this brings you past to present, and points between. You'll love this!
April 20, 2020
A captivating and thrilling story, that keeps you wanting more with every page you read. I ended up reading it all in one sitting, although that hadn’t originally been my plan. I have no regrets.
April 21, 2020
Binged this in one day. Outstanding story, every detail matters! Who knew a horror story would be so heavily inspirational and rivetting all at once? Definitely recommend!
April 23, 2021
Strange
This was one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. Weird how we read about the doctor’s story, not once, but twice. Odd.
This was one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. Weird how we read about the doctor’s story, not once, but twice. Odd.
June 29, 2021
Ridiculous book. Made no sense! Waste of time!
August 8, 2021
Unique read
Fast paced story that makes you pay attention to detail. Definitely worth a read. Might make you think in the end.
Fast paced story that makes you pay attention to detail. Definitely worth a read. Might make you think in the end.
August 22, 2022
I found this author and story on Reddit…and holy crap was this a journey. I didn’t know where it was going and I’m grateful for that. Totally worth the read
February 26, 2024
Wow
This was an absolutely chilling story, and when it got to the big reveal, I actually gasped. The psychological horror was ten times scarier than the gore. Awesome story.
This was an absolutely chilling story, and when it got to the big reveal, I actually gasped. The psychological horror was ten times scarier than the gore. Awesome story.
April 25, 2024
I am not really sure how I feel about this book. It's not a bad book but the storyline to me seemed a little confusing.
October 6, 2025
Incredibly entertaining to read (where did my afternoon go?)
Very talented author.
Very talented author.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews