The Bone Hunger

Benjamin Oris #2

by Carrie Rubin

Three and a half years after a bizarre incident nearly derailed his life, Benjamin Oris is back on track as a second-year orthopedic surgery resident. With a son he adores, a circle of supportive family and friends, and a great shot at winning the Conley Research Grant, his future looks bright. But when the severed limbs of his former patients start turning up in Philadelphia parks, everything he’s worked for threatens to collapse. Covered in bite marks and bearing recent surgical implants, the hacked-off limbs heighten the anxiety among his already traumatized coworkers, many of whom survived a plane crash in Alaska the month before. Could someone they know be a killer? With the help of his CDC friend Laurette and her forensic-psychiatrist colleague, Ben must once again bury his skepticism and risk his career to uncover the monstrous force behind the gruesome murders. Before someone close to him becomes the next victim. *Although a standalone novel, The Bone Hunger is the second book in the Benjamin Oris medical thriller series, where a man of science gets caught up in otherworldly situations.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Medical Thriller

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2020

About the author

Carrie Rubin is a physician-turned-novelist who writes thrillers. She enjoys exploring other genres as well, and has a cozy mystery published under the pen name Morgan Mayer and a novel of magical realism under the pen name Dannie Boyd.

To learn about new releases or promotions, follow Carrie on BookBub. Or, to receive a free ebook, you're invited to sign up for the author's new-release alerts.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger is the second book in the Benjamin Oris medical thriller series written by Carrie Rubin. I followed the author's blog a few years ago and picked up a copy of the book to read on a trip to Italy. If you read my review of that book, you'll learn that something that happens to the main character happened to me while in Italy, and I was convinced I had a curse put on me. Fast forward a few years... this one is released (or will be soon, yes... I got lucky enough to find an early copy), and since I can't travel right now, I opted to read the book in my apartment. Luckily, I didn't experience the same thing this time around as I would not want to find missing human limbs in the park! But I would definitely recommend you read this book; it is fantastic.

To catch you up... Ben has a young son with a woman he met in the last book. They are not together, but they are very close. As a result of what happened in the previous mystery, her knee needs to be repaired. Just so happens that it's a doctor Ben works for who will do the surgery, but it's also the same doctor who has several patients that have been brutally murdered. Less than 10 people were part of the surgical team, and it's clear one of them has gone a little off the deep end after a plane crash earlier in the year. But can Ben save the mother of his son in time?

I don't often read medical thrillers, and the only other one I do regularly read is the Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta series, which is much more technical and detailed, sometimes too much so. Rubin's books are perfectly balanced because she explains enough to keep you connected but also not too much that you're inundated with trying to understand the medical pieces and losing track of the clues and red herrings. As a mystery, it's well plotted and ripe with moments of clarity and confusion. Between characters with expected attitudes and others with shocking ones, there are lots to sink your teeth into here... you will bounce back and forth with guessing the villain's identity, and when it comes together in the end, you might kick yourself for missing some things.

The setting is described strongly. I can see the hospital, recognize the city of Philadelphia, and connect with the various rooms and backgrounds. I easily followed the chase scenes, found myself drawn to Ben's generosity and love for his family and friends. His dad is amazing, and his mom is quite a pip - by the way, she's in a coma the entire book! This is a great series... I like that I root for him, and in the end, there is a shocker apart from the mystery that left me breathless and worried. I can't wait to find out where the series goes next! Easily 4.5 stars and one to put on your reading lists this summer.

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE BONE HUNGER by Carrie Rubin is the second book in the Benjamin Oris mystery series and the first book that I have read by this author. I have seen this book classified as a medical thriller, but (to me), only the last quarter of the book was really a medical thriller with the rest being more of a mystery and medical drama. The story is set in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there were references back to events that occurred in book one of the series, this book worked well as a standalone novel.

The protagonist, Benjamin (Ben) Oris, is a second-year orthopedic surgery resident. Ben is a kind person and a great father, but he seemed to act immaturely in certain work and relationship situations. When severed limbs of his former patients start turning up in a nearby park, Ben is drawn into the investigation. Who is cutting off limbs of surgical patients? Why? There are some disturbing macabre scenes in the book. It seemed to take me a long time to get into the flow of the book. The first 75% of the book was interesting, but seemed to drag. On the other hand, the last 25% was fantastic, if gruesome, disturbing and heartrending. 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

Overall, this was an interesting novel that starts out slowly, but ends strong. It has quite a few characters that are significant and a ‘Wow’ ending. If you enjoy medical dramas, then this may be a series you would enjoy.

I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Goodreads, Indigo Dot Press and Carrie Rubin for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[Tahera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger is the second book in the Benjamin Oris series. I haven't read the first book but after reading this one, I am interested to know how it all begins for Benjamin Oris. Mix in reconstructive bone surgery, use of silver implants, and a killer that believes to be possessed by a human flesh eating monster of folklore, and you can easily call this a medical thriller with supernatural/occult vibes and it is a really good one too. This is not the first time that Benjamin has experienced something occult related (as hinted by what he went through in the first book) and going by how the book ends, there is yet more to come. A very fast paced book with strong characterisation and plot. The hospital life of surgeons, residents, interns and nurses is described well, as is the process of reconstructive bone surgeries. The killer's thought process was interesting to read as well. This is definitely another series that I will be keeping an eye out for.

I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Indigo Dot Press and author Carrie Rubin via NetGalley.

The book was published on 11th August, 2020.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
A macabre and unnerving medical thriller

I had to take deep breaths as I finished The Bone Hunger, wow!

Benjamin Oris is a second-year orthopaedic surgeon resident at Montgomery Hospital in Philadelphia. He is the only member of the elective reconstructive surgery orthopaedic team that wasn’t part of a humanitarian mission four weeks earlier. There was a plane crash and the other members survived five days in the Alaskan snow without food.

Benjamin shares custody of his toddler son with Sophia, there is no romance between them but there is a close friendship .

A severed limb belonging to one of Ben’s recent knee replacement patients who died due to medical reasons is discovered in the park during a hike wth Sophia and his son. In the end the police put it down to a hospital prank but a few weeks later another limb with an implant is found in another park, this time belonging to a missing patient and based on evidence has been murdered. There is a psychotic murderer on the loose connected to the hospital and as the murders suddenly start to escalate Ben becomes a prime suspect.

Ben risks his career as his tries to uncover which of his co-workers is responsible, each of them appear to be suffering emotionally in one way or another from the effects of the plane crash and not being their usual selves.

With the help of Derek a forensic psychiatrist who has a shocking theory, Ben & Derek get close to discovering the truth but will it cost them their lives?

This was a spine-tingling mystery thriller that I found unique, disturbing and cleverly plotted. It did manage to tug on my emotions towards the end.


I wish to thank Netgalley & Indigo Dot Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in return for an honest review

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie Ruben brings Benjamin Oris back in another gripping medical thriller that, once again, will boggle the mind and put armchair detectives following the breadcrumbs when former patients begin showing up, their replacement limbs hacked off. As if the second year surgery resident hasn’t lived through enough, now he is the prime suspect for the heinous crimes.

Just when Benjamin’s life seems to be back on track, he is plunged into a career-risking fight to uncover unbelievable horrors in the surgical suite. Who is the real monster? What so the implants have in common? Is someone framing Benjamin or has he become an unwitting pawn in a game of ego, wealth and deceit?

Amazing character development, brutal, yet mesmerizing scenes, a nail-biting hunt for the truth, the clock is ticking for Benjamin and the patients who have placed their lives in the hands of the medical masters.

THE BONE HUNGER is appropriately gruesome, wickedly twisted and will haunt readers after that last page is turned. Are the nightmares of the medical world as dog-eat-dog as we laymen could believe? Carrie Ruben has set the table for a feast of intrigue and you will want to devour every course in this cleverly dark and fast-paced series!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Carrie Rubin! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Series: Benjamin Oris - Book 2
Publisher: Indigo Dot Press (August 11, 2020)
Publication Date: August 11, 2020
Genre: Medical Suspense
Print Length: 365 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gruesome book....

well it took me a while to get my head around all the characters and being a bit squeamish i found some of the bits a bit gruesome...

but oh my word i couldnt stop reading this book....and oh man that ending...gee whiz...didnt see any of it coming...so many red herrings and innuendos that until it was revealed i never suspected a thing....

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors works

[Jannelies · Rating 1 out of 5]

My review in three words: Too Much Information.

It's a DNF for me.

Hidden somewhere between all the unnecessary information there is a story. I think it's even a good story. However, I cannot stand books where half of the story consists of biographies of people we only see once in the story. I do not need to know, when someone enters a building, how old the receptionist is, how many children he or she has, what colour hair, or what they had for breakfast. Too Much Information.
I also found the story about the plane crash with the whole medical team rather ridiculous - not to talk about the constant praying before, during and after surgery. It's ok if people want to pray but this was again Too Much Information.
Last but not least the background of the main character. Either you tell just enough to the readers to get to know a character better, or your let his or her actions speak. This book is all tell and no action. Despite all the talking the main character stays flat. And here too: Too Much Information.

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital reading copy. The description was much better than the book itself ;-)

[Mick Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 years ago, a horrid and freakish thread of events nearly derailed 2nd-year resident Benjamin Oris’ life. He’s moved on since then and works hard to gain the respect of his superiors. He’s extremely happy to be chosen for the team of reconstructive surgeon dr Lock.
On a winter walk with his dog and baby-mama, they find the severed leg of a patient that Ben operated on 2 weeks earlier. The unfortunate man died 2 days ago from pulmonary emboli: The police and hospital both think it’s a distasteful prank by students.
When the upper thigh with the hip replacement still present of another one of his patients turns up in another park, the police start questioning him. This patient was alive and well when she disappeared. The most gruesome bit here is that there are human bite marks on the leg. And this is not the last severed limb of a patient that is found. So when Sophia (the mother of his son) is scheduled for a knee replacement, Ben fears that she might be the next victim.
Most of the surgery team have recently survived a plane crash in Alaska, where they fought 5 days against starvation and the freezing cold. In short intermissions, we witness the struggle of someone fighting against the beast that got hold of him/her and is now inside and it hungers for bone-marrow and flesh.

This was a very intriguing, interesting, and thrilling book; interesting because it tackles and describes various mental illnesses and theories. As well it gives a wide range of information about orthopaedic surgery and various aspects of it. It’s not a scientific work of course, but I always like it when a writer knows what she’s talking about and this certainly seems to be the case here. Maybe the cases discussed in this book are very uncommon and not too realistic, the scenario is still plausible.
The story was full of suspense with several twists and subplots: an intern with a drug problem, a surgeon stealing the concept for silver implants by this resident, cannibalism, a possible wendigo turned loose, the romantic and personal interests of Ben, and a touch of the supernatural … There’s no dull moment in this book.
I was and still am curious about those tragic events that took place in the first book. There are several references to those but they’re not explained as to what exactly has happened. It piqued my interest enough to try reading it anyway.
Something that has nothing to do with this book as such, but when I googled some of the parks mentioned in the book, it dawned on me that the word ‘park’ carries a very different meaning over here than it does in the States. Sometimes it’s hard for someone from Belgium to visualise the scale of American cities and parks and how close to each other both are. We have built up nearly the whole of our countryside and driving from 1 city to the next town shows little to no countryside as such. Even the British label our Belgian city parks as simple ‘greens’; let alone the size of the Philadelphia parks that are still present in a city with a population 3 times that of Antwerp. If there’s anything about the USA that I envy it’s their vast nature parks.
This book is many things, a medical thriller, a murder mystery with some sprinkles of the supernatural, and romance are thrown in. Carrie Rubin used a very good mix of ingredients that cooked up a very tasty dinner. And I wait with pleasure for the next volume, as Ben’s story clearly, isn’t finished.
I thank NetGalley and Indigo Dot Press for the free ARC they provided for me, this is my honest and unbiased review of it.

[zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read medical fiction in years, and I'm glad that I chose The Bone Hunger to start doing so again.

The series is coined as a medical thriller, which is in a way, accurate, but it is also has more than that. Above everything, I feel like the aspect that touched me the most was love. Ben's love for the people around him was genuinely heartwarming to read about. I have to admit that I haven't read the first book in the series because this works as a stand-alone, and I saw people having mixed feelings about Ben in the previous book, but I really liked Ben's character in this one. He's obviously a man of science, and we get to see him being unable to accept certain theories regarding the situation but he could also compromise with concepts that he's not familiar with. I'd even say that given everything that happened in this whirlwind of a book, he behaved relatively well. He's brave, stupidly loyal (almost made me yell at a certain scene because I'm sceptical and would have never done what he did) and above all, he's just a really good man who has his priorities straight on what matters at the end which is his family.

There's also a second POV of the culprit which was interesting and will make you wonder who could have possibly severed and chomped on all of those limbs. Also, there's an unexpected twist right at the end. I would definitely be waiting for the next book in the series!

It's a very fast paced book and it is very much possible to finish it in one sitting (which I miraculously didn't, this time). The medical aspects are well researched, and it wouldn't be too confusing or difficult for readers without any medical background to understand. I would recommend this to everyone, it was truly an enjoyable read.

This book has a bit of everything, and I was absolutely enthralled with it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Oris just can’t catch a break. The second-year orthopedic surgery resident in Philadelphia has his life back on track three and half years after a horrific experience with a gruesome disease and a Vodou Priest. Suddenly, severed limbs are showing up belonging to former hospital patients. The first one is found by Ben and his baby mama, Sophia while they are on a hike with their young son. As more limbs are found Ben comes under suspicion with the police.

The clock is ticking as Ben frantically tries to find out what is happening. Sophia is scheduled for knee surgery and will not be talked out of it. Does it have something to do with his group of co-workers whose plane crashed while on a humanitarian mission in Alaska last month and spent five days without food? Why has one of his good friends been acting so strangely? To assist him, his old friend Laurette comes to town bringing her co-worker Derek, a forensic psychiatrist who has an alarming theory.

This book was suspenseful, action packed and chilling, all the things that make for a great thriller. The only thing I could find fault with were the lengthy medical descriptions that make little sense to me but are easy to skip over. Thanks to NetGalley and the published for the opportunity to read this book. I gave it four stars.

[Book Club Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a great medical thriller, check out The Bone Hunger by Carrie Rubin, the second in the Ben Oris series. Set in Philadelphia at the fictional Montgomery Hospital, it picks up after the first book, The Bone Curse. (Read my review here.) The Bone Hunger can be easily read as a standalone novel and follows the personal and professional life of Ben Oris. Ben was a medical student in the first book and now he’s a resident at Montgomery. Here’s a rundown of the story’s opening:

Dr. Ben Oris is not looking for trouble. After what he’s been through, he likes the ordinary. Three years earlier, he was cut by an ancient bone and became involved in a strange incident involving a mysterious disease and a Haitian Vodou priestess. Now Ben’s life is busy, but normal. A second-year orthopedic surgery resident, he’s under the tutelage of Dr. Kent Lock, one of the best reconstructive surgeons in the country. He’s also a single dad to three-year-old Maxwell. Nothing but work, family, and a hopeful romance on the horizon, just the way he wants it.

On a wintry walk through the Wissahickon Valley Park, Ben and Maxwell’s mother, Sophie, discover the severed limb of a recent knee surgery patient. Police and hospital seniors think it may be a sick prank, but later, when more orthopedic surgery patients go missing and their hacked off limbs turn up, bearing alarming bite marks, Ben finds himself at the center of a murder investigation. In a rush against time, Ben must balance his demanding job and parenting responsibilities, follow hunches and most important, protect the people he loves.

At Montgomery, Lock and his surgical team continue their surgery schedule, replacing knees and hips, on the heels of a near-death plane crash in Alaska while on a humanitarian mission. Psychological stress and fears about who the next victim will be may be too much for the team. In addition, new developments make Ben question his professional loyalties. Are the surgical implants somehow connected to these grisly crimes? Should Ben investigate or leave it to the police?

Rubin provides readers with a great look at what it’s like to work in the medical world, with a big dose of grueling schedules, hospital hierarchies, politics, feuds and power plays. She also offers a realistic commentary about life situations, specifically related to diversity, treatment of the elderly, religion and respecting differing beliefs. She does all this with compassion and humor and expertly builds these details into the story.

In addition to Ben’s story, Rubin includes chapters about the mysterious “monster” responsible, but not its identity. Written in first-person, these chapters offer insight and suspenseful details as the story develops.

The plot moves at a steady pace and then, bam! Readers get what they’ve been waiting for: a thrilling confrontation between good and evil, with all sorts of unexpected twists. Even the final pages reveal additional developments, setting Ben and the rest of the characters up for the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Bone Hunger and look forward to the next in the series.
I received a copy of The Bone Hunger from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fast, fun thrill ride from beginning to end -- this begs to be read in a single sitting so I did just that. No fears if you haven't read the first book in the series as I had not either and the author gives enough backstory so you will get the gist of what happened to Benjamin almost 4 years prior to the current time and place.

Everything is going good for Dr. Benjamin Oris, 2nd year orthopedic resident at Montgomery Hospital in downtown Philadelphia, PA. His baby mama and he are co-parenting an adorable son and his friends, family, and colleagues are all ready to help him meet his goals. Of course since things are really looking up for Ben, something bad has to happen -- and it does. The first severed limb of one of Ben's joint replacement patients turns up in a park and causes quite a stir. Then a second. The surgical team that Ben is lucky enough to be on is on alert and their worries intensify as their patients are threatened and their operations seem more risky. Does this freakish spate of limbs and murders have anything to do with the recent trauma experienced by some of the team who were on a humanitarian mission to Alaska when their plane crashed in the wilderness? Is there something "otherworldly" afoot? NO SPOILERS.

I loved the medical information and the great writing; it's obvious that the author knows her topic. I also enjoyed the bit of "otherworldly" that came into play. It's just detailed and grisly enough to cause some suspense and it kept me guessing with the misdirection and red herrings. I surely hope to follow this up with book #3 in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Dot Press for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

[BG of RC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Benjamin Oris series. Oris is a medical resident in Philadelphia, working as an orthopedic surgeon. His strange experiences in The Bone Curse are behind him, and he is well on his way to a successful career in medicine.

Unfortunately, he again finds himself caught up in bizarre events when he discovers a severed leg in the park one frigid January day. It's especially horrifying to Ben because he recognizes the limb--it belongs to a patient he himself recently performed knee surgery upon.

Once again, Ben is drawn into a macabre mystery. Soon, patients begin vanishing and more severed limbs are discovered. With the help of his friend Laurette and a forensic psychiatrist, Ben slowly pieces together an incredible theory--one that implicates a member of his own surgical team, possibly even his attending surgeon, who is also accused of ethically-questionable medical practices. Although, complicating things further, his accuser is also far from being a reliable source.

There's a great cast of suspects here. Of course I kept trying to guess who it was--my suspicion shifting among 3-4 characters. In the end, none of my guesses were correct. The supporting characters in general are fantastic--I particularly liked Derek, the forensic psychiatrist, and Fisher, the chairman of the orthopedic surgery, and a former Army doctor.

There are many clever lines throughout, and the pacing is great. After a gradual build-up, in the second half, the book turns into another of Rubin's signature fast-paced, tension-filled thrillers, with a new twist coming every chapter.

I read this book in about 36 hours from when I first received a copy. It's a page turner, and by the second half, I just had to know what happened next. It's a Carrie Rubin classic, full of clever lines and an intense climax delivered at breakneck speed.

[NOTE: this review is based on an ARC.]

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series, The Bone Curse, and really liked it, so I was happy to see there was a new one. No voodoo this time around, but Ben gets caught up in something else weird. It's three years later, he's matured a bit, and he's enjoying being a father and an orthopedic surgery resident. But then the severed legs of his patients start turning up, and things get ugly for him again.

I had trouble putting it down. I loved the thriller aspect but also the whodunit mystery angle, and the ending was great! Was happy to see Laurette is back too. Fans of medical thrillers will enjoy it, even if they haven’t read the first one. It stands on its own. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller with emphasis on “ill” as a killer suffering a psychosis derails into a Jekyll and Hyde routine of preying on their own patients in the orthopedic world of Montgomery hospital.

Amputated limbs are being found in local parks, all containing their recently implanted hardware of hips and knees. Why just these parts? Why with the implants still inside?

Dr Ben Oris is on the surgical team that supplied the intended relief. He’s the new member to an established select and cloistered group, hand-picked by the head surgeon. He’s also the only one who had not been on a fateful humanitarian plane trip that crashed, leaving the team with PTSD that could factor into the growing number of related murders.

Of course, given all the found limbs are from recent surgeries he was involved in, he inevitably becomes suspect. His past horrors also factor in (read The Bone Curse first.)

But as things get even closer and more emotionally involved, it’s a terrified search to save the last victim from the same fate. With the help of his CDC friend and a Psychiatrist she brought in, insights are gained.

Climatic and filled with diverting clues, it’s a suspenseful read that you have to finish NOW!

Told in both main characters views, (Ben and the killer) we are given an inside glimpse of the mental decline of a very, very sick mind.

I was about to write Mz Rubin a disgruntled letter near the very end, but Ahhh, no need. Without giving anything away, you’ll feel the same. Evoking! As books should be.

[Geoffrey Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this immensely. The first book in Carrie Rubin's Benjamin Oris series was fabulous, and I think this one is even better! Vivid characters, great medical setting and a suspenseful mystery that's tough to put down. And that I couldn't figure out until the end! Don't miss it!

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger – Carrie Rubin
Benjamin Oris – Book 2
Pub – 8/11/20
Published by Indigo Dot Press

I love medical suspense thrillers so my attention was immediately grabbed as I found the story line to be extremely compelling. Benjamin Oris, a 2nd year orthopedic surgery resident, gets pulled into an investigation involving the amputation of limbs and missing patients.

I didn’t realize that this was the second book in a series, unless I was halfway finished, so I just continued reading it. It says in the description that it can also be considered a standalone novel. I plan on reading the first in the series and have already purchased it.

The book did not hold up to my initial expectations due to the fact that there were so many players in the game and they were not all fully realized. Keeping track of who was who became a cumbersome task. We were told too many extraneous details about each person (i.e. their job title and how long they had been at the facility), but did not have the ability to really learn much else about them. Their core identity was barely scratched upon and the characters started to become muddled and chaotic. The ones that were described intimately became significant to me, but I couldn’t keep my interest going at the level required to really invest in some of the plot twists or the people involved, other than Ben and his immediate circle of friends and family.

All in all, I will continue to read this series and other books by this author.

I thank NetGalley and Indigo Dot Press for the ARC.

[LIsa Noell "Rocking the chutzpah!" · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to IBPA, Carrie Rubin and Netgalley. I'm sorry I didn't read this book sooner. I'm also slightly pissed off that I may be late, but this review should count! This is one kick ass story! It's on the shorter scale of pages..mid length. Either way, I ripped through it! Anyone who knows anything about me knows my book loves. One is that I'm always looking for anything Windigo. That's all folks! This is must see book?
The book world should be populated with more Windigo tales!😍
And snow!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book in this series, and I really liked it which meant I was excited to read this next one. Ben has his act together much more in this one, which starts 3 ½ years after the end of the first one. I was a little surprised that Ben took so long to do something, but at least it sort of happens in this one…confused? You’ll have to read it as I don’t want to spoil it. It doesn’t take long to get immersed in the story, and I really found the plot of this one very interesting. The only downside, if you could really call it a downside, is the explanations of all the medical terminology, parts, etc. I’m not real big on that, but I think others might like it. I am really looking forward to the next with what happened at the end; I knew something like that would probably happen, but not in the way it did and what was said. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger by Carrie Rubin is a disturbing medical thriller with too many characters and graphic descriptions. Ms. Rubin's fans will be sure to enjoy the story. Just not to my liking.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

[Effy Snicket · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lost interest in this book very quickly. It didn’t keep my attention at all. Find my full review here:

https://effysbooks.wordpress.com/2020...

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Bone Hunger (Benjamin Oris, Book 2) by Carrie Rubin from NetGalley and Indigo Dot Press in order to read and give an honest review.

"…in this brilliantly executed, clever, page turning psychological medical thriller…"

Having read and reviewed the Author’s first book Bone Curse I was thrilled to get to read and review her second entry in the Dr. Benjamin Oris series. I am pleased to say Bone Hunger definitely did not disappoint. This is an excellent follow up but is also a perfect stand alone.

The Bone Hunger takes place three years after the horrifying events which occurred in the Bone Curse. Ben Otis has worked hard to get his professional life back on track. Working as a second year orthopedic surgical resident who is brought in to be part of a tightly knit surgical team run by the prestigious Dr. Lock. The team endured a horrific trauma and although the odd man out Ben is earning the respect of Dr. Lock and his colleagues. When a patient dies post op Ben is upset, but events take a gruesome turn. While out jogging with his family they find a severed leg with the implant Ben himself put in which Ben recognizes as his deceased patient’s lying in the morgue. When another patient goes missing and their amputated limb is found this time harvested from a once living patient Ben’s past reputation puts him on the detective’s radar. Without giving away too much this book takes surprising twists and turns when the body count goes up. When an old friend, Laurette, introduces Ben to a well-respected forensic psychologist the race is on to catch the killer, clear Ben’s name and save his loved ones.

Being a physician, author Carrie Rubin gives you the goods in this brilliantly executed, clever, page turning psychological medical thriller. Cannot wait to read the next in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend!

[John McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger is a genre-bending medical thriller, murder mystery and paranormal hair-raiser, all rolled into one. It features a second year orthopedic surgery resident named Benjamin Oris, who’s the star pupil on a knee and hip replacement team under the tutelage of the illustrious Dr. Kent Lock, at Philadelphia’s Montgomery Hospital.
The novel—and the trouble—begins when Ben discovers the severed leg of one of his former patients while out for a run in the park. Not only is the leg severed, it shows bite marks, a roadrunner tattoo . . . and the surgical implant Dr. Oris helped install just two weeks earlier. But the patient, who hadn’t been following orders to exercise, had died in front of Ben from a blood clot in one of his lungs. The police, the hospital administration, and the surgical team all question Dr. Oris, who’s had some problems in the past. Then, more body parts start showing up . . . and the killings and mutilations become more frequent . . . while the tension and suspense ratchets up with every page. Each new revelation deepens the mystery and enlarges the suspect pool in this complex medical thriller. It will leave you feeling as if you’re ready to scrub in for the next orthopedic surgery with the same team that recently survived a plane crash in wintertime in Alaska, and five days without food, while on a humanitarian mission. The Bone Hunger has more twists and turns than the Iditarod Race. It’ll keep you guessing until the end and hollering for more from Carrie Rubin, a woman with a special gift for writing and a serial character you’ll admire, if not love, named Dr. Ben Oris!

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This medical thriller was hard to put down. It’s the second in the Benjamin Oris series of medical mystery thrillers, and I think I liked it even more than the first (and I really liked that one). Maybe because I had the backstory on the characters for this one and they had more depth to me (more maturity). Benjamin was super cool. The story starts out with him finding a severed leg in the park. Gory, but the weird part is that it’s a leg he recognizes, because he just performed surgery on it not long ago, giving the patient a new knee.

And so begins the crazy convoluted killing spree, as more surgical patients keep going missing and more severed limbs are found. Ben, once again, becomes a suspect in a murder investigation, along with the rest of his surgical team. Yikes. Bovo, his friend from the first book returns to help him through this crazy mess, along with his son’s mother, his dad, his landlady, and others. It’s a fun ride, but be prepared for some blood. A serial killer is on the loose, and it might come as a surprise to you (as it did me) who it ends up being. Super intense and well written story, written by a former physician, so the hospital scenes and medical stuff are legit and suck you into the drama, making it even more real. If you like this genre (or are willing to give it a chance), I highly recommend this one. This author writes riveting books.

[Kourtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger is the 2nd book in the series following Ben Oris, 2nd year surgical resident. It was not necessary to read the first book to keep up with this one. There was enough back story provided to keep up.

We have Ben, doing his job, being a good tenant to his landlord who's losing her vision, and a great father when body parts of his orthopedic patients start being found on the running trails that he frequents. This story had a lot of promise, in my opinion, but I didn't love it. I found the central characters to be great. I loved Ben and all of the central characters.

The basis for my opinion was the story line. I didn't feel like everything fit well. The Alaska plane crash was heavily focused on, but left a lot of be desired. The murderer and their reasoning was a bit far fetched for me. I was finding myself turning pages. just to get through.

I will absolutely be excited to see what happens in book 3, in spite of my opinion on this one.

A special thank you to NetGalley, Indigo Dot Press, and Carrie Rubin for providing me with an ARC.

[Kate Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bone Hunger is a fast-paced, thrilling page-turner that kept me riveted. I thought I knew the killer, but then I was wrong. Thought I knew the killer, and I was wrong again. Rubin does an outstanding job with all of the characters and their roles in the story that you just can’t figure everything out, even though you think you did.

I’m a big fan of Rubin’s books. I loved the first book in this series, and I know I’ll enjoy the next one. Her writing is always crisp and tight, and the descriptions are well-balanced so that they don’t interfere with the thriller-style pacing. Rubin brings all the characters to life with unique details and quirks, so that each one is truly memorable.

The other aspect to Rubin’s books that I also love is how she floats in an element of paranormal, which adds to the twists and surprises and keeps her a step ahead of her readers.

Definitely a book to add to your collection if you like medical thrillers, great writing, compelling characters, and a unique storyline.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, I can’t wait for Book 3 in the series!!

Where do I begin? Such a great story with so many unknowns. I was so excited to have Ben & Laurette back and to spend another unpredictable journey with them!

If you like ‘whodunits’ you will love this one. So many possible suspects! Rubin literally kept me guessing to the very end and I loved that she kept me hanging on. And the twists, the emotions and the end ... Wow! I am so ready to pick up book #3 right now!!! I will be waiting with much anticipation.

Rubin has easily become one of my fav authors!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hungry for more...

The Bone Hunger grabbed me from the first chapter. Whenever I couldn't read, I wanted to be reading it. I even woke up thinking about who could be the killer! The characters are interesting and engaging. I found myself caring about all of them. Looking forward to Ben's next adventure!

[Pamela Beckford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang on! Rubin spins a tale that had my heart racing. I guessed “who did it” multiple times and was still surprised. Definitely a book you won’t be able to put down as it crescendos to the end. Definitely recommend this one.

[Tobyann Aparisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads (Kindle version) for an honest review.

This is an excellent well written story that is horrific and exciting. A fast paced and full of character this story is haunting and wonderful. I will be looking to read more from this author in the future!