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Devil's Grace
A cardiac surgeon's world shatters in 0.63 seconds, leading her down a path of grief, corruption, and a desperate search for truth.Dr. Angela Brennan's life implodes when a devastating accident claims her family. As she grapples with unimaginable loss, a second tragedy strikes, leaving her utterly alone. Returning to her demanding career, Angela is haunted by questions surrounding her daughter's death, setting her on a collision course with a healthcare system riddled with lies and deadly secrets.Can Angela find redemption amidst the chaos? Or will her quest for justice expose a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything she has left? For readers who enjoy medical thrillers with strong female leads, Devil's Grace is a gripping tale of resilience, corruption, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
310 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 10, 2023
Elizabeth Splaine had me at the two-page prologue. Not yet, anyway. Not just yet.
Part family saga, part gentle ghost story, part mystery, Devil's Grace is an enthralling narrative of Dr. Angela Brennan's emergence from despair and rage after suffering an unspeakable, catastrophic loss. When a car accident destroys the heart surgeon's family, Angela's initial reaction is a solution born of desperation and is irrevocable. Lost and in anguish, she struggles to find a reason go on. Until people from beyond, stranger, family, and friend, visit Angela to guide her through grief and anger on the road to forgiveness and peace.
In lesser hands, Angela's encounters with spirits might be strained, awkward, or spooky, but Splaine's superior skill ensures that they are none of these. She renders them seamless; they are a believable and natural part of Angela's journey.
Splaine's writing exhibits a high level of scene and location detail, and her flair for smooth, realistic dialogue is outstanding. Characters---Angela's nuclear family: husband Tony, children Emily and Liam; her understanding, warm parents, Jim and Sally; her friends, peers and hospital staff---are fully developed. Depiction of a loving if imperfect family life underscores the themes of enduring love, caring, empathy, forgiveness, and redemption. The compelling mystery at the center of the story is plausibly and satisfyingly resolved.
Elizabeth Splaine is that rare author who can weave many disparate threads of a story into a coherent whole. Her compassion and her understanding of the human heart and soul elevate her work higher yet. Marvelous.
Part family saga, part gentle ghost story, part mystery, Devil's Grace is an enthralling narrative of Dr. Angela Brennan's emergence from despair and rage after suffering an unspeakable, catastrophic loss. When a car accident destroys the heart surgeon's family, Angela's initial reaction is a solution born of desperation and is irrevocable. Lost and in anguish, she struggles to find a reason go on. Until people from beyond, stranger, family, and friend, visit Angela to guide her through grief and anger on the road to forgiveness and peace.
In lesser hands, Angela's encounters with spirits might be strained, awkward, or spooky, but Splaine's superior skill ensures that they are none of these. She renders them seamless; they are a believable and natural part of Angela's journey.
Splaine's writing exhibits a high level of scene and location detail, and her flair for smooth, realistic dialogue is outstanding. Characters---Angela's nuclear family: husband Tony, children Emily and Liam; her understanding, warm parents, Jim and Sally; her friends, peers and hospital staff---are fully developed. Depiction of a loving if imperfect family life underscores the themes of enduring love, caring, empathy, forgiveness, and redemption. The compelling mystery at the center of the story is plausibly and satisfyingly resolved.
Elizabeth Splaine is that rare author who can weave many disparate threads of a story into a coherent whole. Her compassion and her understanding of the human heart and soul elevate her work higher yet. Marvelous.
September 9, 2025
Emotional, thoughtful, and with just enough suspense to keep you hooked, this story really surprised me. It digs into grief and healing while weaving in mystery elements that keep the pages turning. The writing flows easily, and the characters feel real and layered, which made the story hit even harder.
It’s one of those books that balances emotion and intrigue really well, leaving you thinking about it long after you finish. A powerful and engaging read.
It’s one of those books that balances emotion and intrigue really well, leaving you thinking about it long after you finish. A powerful and engaging read.
December 6, 2021
Every once in a while you discover a new author who's work hits all the right checkmarks for you. Elizabeth Splaine appears to be one of those authors and Devil's Grace was my introduction to her work. I found her because she and I share a publisher and so learned about her and her work through those sources.
I'm not sure how to categorize Devil's Grace, is it a medical mystery, a crime novel, etc. but the story Splaine has crafted is compelling and provides enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The action of the story begins with a devastating car crash. Splaine describes the crash and its immediate aftermath with such clarity and emotional devastation that I felt like I was in the car with them. The events that follow and unwind from that crash highlight all that is wrong with the delivery of health care in a profit driven world. There are enough corporate bad guys to go around, disappointing physicians to shock with the violation of their oaths. This critic of the current state of American health care provision can shout the praises of this novel from every mountain top.
Splaine's writing is crisp and clear, well paced and very illustrative. I highly recommend this novel.
I'm not sure how to categorize Devil's Grace, is it a medical mystery, a crime novel, etc. but the story Splaine has crafted is compelling and provides enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The action of the story begins with a devastating car crash. Splaine describes the crash and its immediate aftermath with such clarity and emotional devastation that I felt like I was in the car with them. The events that follow and unwind from that crash highlight all that is wrong with the delivery of health care in a profit driven world. There are enough corporate bad guys to go around, disappointing physicians to shock with the violation of their oaths. This critic of the current state of American health care provision can shout the praises of this novel from every mountain top.
Splaine's writing is crisp and clear, well paced and very illustrative. I highly recommend this novel.
November 29, 2020
Fabulous. As an avid reader and a fan of mystery/thriller - this is a wonderful read. The vocabulary choice and well-planned plot twists keep the reader on the edge of their seat. You won’t want to put this one down. I didn’t. Thank you Ms. Splaine!
October 11, 2026
Devil's Grace sounds like the kind of book that stays with you because it explores what happens when a person's entire world falls apart and they are forced to find a reason to keep living. What caught my attention most is Angela Brennan's situation. She is a cardiac surgeon who has spent her life working to save others, yet she finds herself facing a tragedy that no amount of medical knowledge can prepare her for. That contrast alone makes her story deeply compelling.
I find Angela's journey especially moving because grief is not something a person can simply switch off and walk away from. Losing the people who matter most can change the way someone sees life, relationships, and even themselves. What makes the story more interesting is that Angela's suffering does not remain the only focus. When questions arise about her daughter's death, her pain begins to turn into a search for answers. That shift from helplessness to determination gives the story an emotional weight that goes beyond the mystery itself.
The medical thriller aspect is another thing I appreciate about this book. Healthcare is supposed to be built around trust, compassion, and the responsibility to protect human life. The idea that lies, greed, and powerful interests could interfere with those responsibilities is both disturbing and fascinating. Angela is not simply searching for the truth about her family. She is stepping into a world where uncovering the truth could cost her career, reputation, and whatever remains of the life she once knew. That makes her fight feel personal while also raising bigger questions about accountability and justice.
I also like that the story appears to explore the spiritual side of healing. Angela's encounters with spiritual beings add an unusual dimension to the mystery and create room for themes of forgiveness, redemption, and peace. I find this interesting because recovering from loss is rarely a straightforward process. Sometimes a person must confront anger, guilt, and painful memories before they can begin to move forward. The combination of suspense and spiritual reflection gives the story an added layer beyond the search for answers.
Another aspect that stands out to me is Angela herself. She is a woman with professional experience and knowledge, but she is also someone who can be broken by circumstances beyond her control. I think that makes her relatable. We often admire people for their strength without considering what they may be carrying privately. Watching Angela struggle with her personal pain while challenging powerful people gives her character a compelling sense of vulnerability and determination.
What I find most meaningful about Devil's Grace is the possibility of finding purpose in the middle of suffering. It does not mean that pain suddenly disappears or that justice can bring back everything that has been lost. Rather, it suggests that even after devastating experiences, there may still be something worth fighting for. I appreciate stories that allow characters to struggle, question themselves, and gradually discover what they are capable of when life becomes unbearable.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with emotional depth, complicated characters, and a medical setting that explores more than the work happening inside a hospital. The combination of family tragedy, healthcare corruption, unexpected revelations, and the search for redemption makes Devil's Grace an intriguing story. At its heart, it raises a question that feels deeply human: when everything you believed in has been shaken, how do you find the courage to keep searching for the truth and rebuild a life worth living?
I find Angela's journey especially moving because grief is not something a person can simply switch off and walk away from. Losing the people who matter most can change the way someone sees life, relationships, and even themselves. What makes the story more interesting is that Angela's suffering does not remain the only focus. When questions arise about her daughter's death, her pain begins to turn into a search for answers. That shift from helplessness to determination gives the story an emotional weight that goes beyond the mystery itself.
The medical thriller aspect is another thing I appreciate about this book. Healthcare is supposed to be built around trust, compassion, and the responsibility to protect human life. The idea that lies, greed, and powerful interests could interfere with those responsibilities is both disturbing and fascinating. Angela is not simply searching for the truth about her family. She is stepping into a world where uncovering the truth could cost her career, reputation, and whatever remains of the life she once knew. That makes her fight feel personal while also raising bigger questions about accountability and justice.
I also like that the story appears to explore the spiritual side of healing. Angela's encounters with spiritual beings add an unusual dimension to the mystery and create room for themes of forgiveness, redemption, and peace. I find this interesting because recovering from loss is rarely a straightforward process. Sometimes a person must confront anger, guilt, and painful memories before they can begin to move forward. The combination of suspense and spiritual reflection gives the story an added layer beyond the search for answers.
Another aspect that stands out to me is Angela herself. She is a woman with professional experience and knowledge, but she is also someone who can be broken by circumstances beyond her control. I think that makes her relatable. We often admire people for their strength without considering what they may be carrying privately. Watching Angela struggle with her personal pain while challenging powerful people gives her character a compelling sense of vulnerability and determination.
What I find most meaningful about Devil's Grace is the possibility of finding purpose in the middle of suffering. It does not mean that pain suddenly disappears or that justice can bring back everything that has been lost. Rather, it suggests that even after devastating experiences, there may still be something worth fighting for. I appreciate stories that allow characters to struggle, question themselves, and gradually discover what they are capable of when life becomes unbearable.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries with emotional depth, complicated characters, and a medical setting that explores more than the work happening inside a hospital. The combination of family tragedy, healthcare corruption, unexpected revelations, and the search for redemption makes Devil's Grace an intriguing story. At its heart, it raises a question that feels deeply human: when everything you believed in has been shaken, how do you find the courage to keep searching for the truth and rebuild a life worth living?
December 27, 2020
In the prologue we meet protagonist Dr. Angela Brennan as she digs up the gun she’d buried near her home. We learn “the pistol was as pristine as the day she’d purchased it. First, do no harm—a line from the Hippocratic oath she’d taken when she’d earned her medical degree from Dartmouth. And she wouldn’t do any harm. Not any more harm than she’d already done. Not just yet."
Angela takes a break from her hectic hospital routine as a cardiac surgeon to enjoy a rare day away at the beach with her husband, son, and daughter. It's a perfect day—the kind you want to press into your memory scrapbook and preserve forever. The perfect day turns into the worst day of her life on the drive home. Her world is shattered when a truck slams into their car, instantly killing her husband and son. Angela turns her focus to willing her daughter to survive. When her daughter dies from injuries sustained in the crash, Angela’s will to live also dies.
Then Angela gets an anonymous note suggesting her daughter’s death could have been prevented. This information gives her a new purpose in life. Determined to know the truth, she takes on healthcare power brokers, putting her reputation and hospital privileges in jeopardy. However, she doesn't fight the system on her own—she's accompanied by spiritual beings only she can see and hear.
Splaine introduces readers to a behind-the-scenes tour of health care policies, power struggles, and politics that occasionally cost helpless patients their lives. Angela deals with desperate circumstances with dogged determination to follow the clues about what really caused her daughter’s death, and works through her own crushing grief to give hope to others.
The story includes a few plot twists that keep the pages turning. Splaine does a masterful job of introducing us to characters who convincingly prove first impressions are not always accurate: People Angela thought were her friends betray her, while others she seldom thought about at all befriend her. Splaine also introduces spiritual beings in a way that make their appearances seem plausible.
Readers who enjoy trying to solve a mystery will enjoy this story, as will those curious about hospital culture beyond a patient’s room.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Kathryn Haueisen for this review.
Angela takes a break from her hectic hospital routine as a cardiac surgeon to enjoy a rare day away at the beach with her husband, son, and daughter. It's a perfect day—the kind you want to press into your memory scrapbook and preserve forever. The perfect day turns into the worst day of her life on the drive home. Her world is shattered when a truck slams into their car, instantly killing her husband and son. Angela turns her focus to willing her daughter to survive. When her daughter dies from injuries sustained in the crash, Angela’s will to live also dies.
Then Angela gets an anonymous note suggesting her daughter’s death could have been prevented. This information gives her a new purpose in life. Determined to know the truth, she takes on healthcare power brokers, putting her reputation and hospital privileges in jeopardy. However, she doesn't fight the system on her own—she's accompanied by spiritual beings only she can see and hear.
Splaine introduces readers to a behind-the-scenes tour of health care policies, power struggles, and politics that occasionally cost helpless patients their lives. Angela deals with desperate circumstances with dogged determination to follow the clues about what really caused her daughter’s death, and works through her own crushing grief to give hope to others.
The story includes a few plot twists that keep the pages turning. Splaine does a masterful job of introducing us to characters who convincingly prove first impressions are not always accurate: People Angela thought were her friends betray her, while others she seldom thought about at all befriend her. Splaine also introduces spiritual beings in a way that make their appearances seem plausible.
Readers who enjoy trying to solve a mystery will enjoy this story, as will those curious about hospital culture beyond a patient’s room.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Kathryn Haueisen for this review.
April 25, 2021
So this woman lost her family because some guy was texting while driving and crashed their car. I'm at about 3/4 in the book and this utterly irrationally stupid woman is driving and reading a text and almost crashes into another car and then later says to herself "This is the text that almost killed me?" WHAT? Killed yóu?!?!? You almost killed someone else, another family, but it doesn't even cross your mind. I couldn't read another word after that and I'll never read anything else by Elizabeth B. Splaine. Never!
Want to Read
January 18, 2026In an instant, tragedy changes the trajectory of a highly regarded cardiac surgeon's life with despair and grief. Challenged by catastrophic loss, Dr. Angela Brennan confronts personal and professional impediments that could devastate her career and reputation. Instead, she chooses to turn her pain into purpose by exposing deceit and corruption among healthcare power brokers at the highest levels.
Cleverly crafted, Devil's Grace delivers a pendulum of emotion through relatable personalities, familiar circumstances and believable motives.
Ann Higbee
Cleverly crafted, Devil's Grace delivers a pendulum of emotion through relatable personalities, familiar circumstances and believable motives.
Ann Higbee
Read
March 12, 2021I just finished reading Devil’s Grace and it was an excellent, exciting read! The storyline (and character development) evolved effortlessly, as the plot became more complex with several unexpected turns. As I was reading, I found myself truly embodying the emotions of each character through the descriptive writing. Specifically, Angela as she tried to balance love, heartbreak, anger, grief, worry and so much more. Overall, a really wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone!
December 4, 2023
I have not cried so much over a book in a long time. As always, I have to call into question some of the medical lingo and hospital jargon, but overall I think it was fairly accurate, if not pretty cheesy. And I wouldn’t go basing your theology on this one. But the plot is captivating and the message so good. Would have appreciated a bit more rage and despair instead of the melancholy Angela displays, but that’s just personal preference. Overall really enjoyed this one.
August 13, 2025
A captivating read about a cardiac surgeon who loses her family in a dreadful accident. Also a chilling depiction of the money-driven, corporate-run health care industry. Elizabeth B. Splaine weaves in her background working in health care to develop a sympathetic protagonist, a woman who has spent years relying on her scientific knowledge only to question it in the midst of a spiritual journey. This would be an excellent book club selection.
April 2, 2021
Just finished up the Audible version and really enjoyed it! Loved the New England setting with its salty characters . The plot was very engaging and I could not have predicted the outcome. It was great listening to the author read her own work, as it really adds to the experience. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Splaine's work!
April 28, 2025
A good book for a book club discussion... so many questions about Angela,the main character, after a tragic accident. Is she? or Not? Is she being gaslighted? What would I do in her place? Elizabeth Splaine has chosen an interesting plot written so well, I stayed up way too late last night to finish.
April 2, 2021
Devil's Grace, written by Elizabeth B. Splaine, is an intense and gripping book that is hard to put down. One late night, I read it until 5:30 in the morning and wanted to keep going but, try as I might, I was asleep with my eyes open and could comprehend no more.
The story is a tale of success, happiness, tragic loss, bottomless despair and in the her arduous attempt to overcome a plethora of obstacles to find truth and redemption. There are many sub plots, dead ends, twists, turns, returns and surprises with an amazing reveal at the end so it is well worth the read. Note: I am still assessing, and emotionally invested in, the ending.
The story is a tale of success, happiness, tragic loss, bottomless despair and in the her arduous attempt to overcome a plethora of obstacles to find truth and redemption. There are many sub plots, dead ends, twists, turns, returns and surprises with an amazing reveal at the end so it is well worth the read. Note: I am still assessing, and emotionally invested in, the ending.
December 19, 2020
A realistic look into the power, politics, and posturing behind the scenes in modern hospital complexes. The plot is action packed, with several unexpected twists. The characters are believable, with some showing the destructive grip of power and others showing that first impressions can be very, very wrong.
March 24, 2021
Awesome Read!
This book was great. It was well written and kept me up late reading. This is the second book (Blind Order) by Elizabeth Splaine that I have read and I am looking forward to reading Blind Knowledge next.
This book was great. It was well written and kept me up late reading. This is the second book (Blind Order) by Elizabeth Splaine that I have read and I am looking forward to reading Blind Knowledge next.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews