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Rage
‘Rage is a cage without a key’
A small Cornish town; two women share a past. One a lawyer with no respect for the law, the other a doctor, with no respect for human life; both trapped by rage.
What happens when their paths cross and history catches up with them?
Can they escape the cages they have built?
Lawyer Claire McBride is a good person.
She believes in fair play and operating within the rules but when told by her consultant, the cancer she thought she’d beaten is terminal, she descends into a dark and alien place at odds with her character. Compelled to right wrongs and punish those who have caused harm and avoided justice she seeks to take back ownership of what little life she has left.
She does not know there is someone from her past, far more dangerous than her, who calls the shots. Issy Moran, Claire’s consultant; a bitter, deranged, narcissist, has for years routinely ended the lives of those patients she judges unworthy of treatment.
From childhood she has harboured a grudge against Claire and when by chance, they meet she seizes the opportunity to satisfy her twisted desire to first befriend her and then destroy her.
A small Cornish town; two women share a past. One a lawyer with no respect for the law, the other a doctor, with no respect for human life; both trapped by rage.
What happens when their paths cross and history catches up with them?
Can they escape the cages they have built?
Lawyer Claire McBride is a good person.
She believes in fair play and operating within the rules but when told by her consultant, the cancer she thought she’d beaten is terminal, she descends into a dark and alien place at odds with her character. Compelled to right wrongs and punish those who have caused harm and avoided justice she seeks to take back ownership of what little life she has left.
She does not know there is someone from her past, far more dangerous than her, who calls the shots. Issy Moran, Claire’s consultant; a bitter, deranged, narcissist, has for years routinely ended the lives of those patients she judges unworthy of treatment.
From childhood she has harboured a grudge against Claire and when by chance, they meet she seizes the opportunity to satisfy her twisted desire to first befriend her and then destroy her.
- GenresFiction
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2021
282 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 22, 2025
I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. At times I thought why I am I wasting my time reading this, and others I couldn't stop reading. I'm glad I finished it, but if I had my time again I think I'd pass. Not awful but awful characters. Interesting concept but it could have been done better.
January 19, 2025
Excellent book. Finished this very quickly as was a very easy read. Felt it was well written and good for those who just want a good twisty read. Looking forward to seeing what else Julie has to offer but as a first book of hers that I've read. I'm very happy.
May 20, 2022
I had hoped to discover an engaging crime/mystery/detective series. Fail. Is it fair, or even accurate, to state the writing lacks sophistication? Devoid in a literary sense? I’ve got to learn it’s okay to assign the dreaded DNF.
The characters in RAGE are one-dimensional stereotypes. The “bad guy” is a mad doctor that could be described as Machiavellian. The story/plot is weak and not believable, especially with all things medical. At the beginning, Dr. Moran’s “I’m sorry, but you’re dying” speech borders on comical and for some reason, I ignored that red flag. The protagonist’s cancer is vague and I can think of nothing that suggests the author backed up the story with any research that would have made it more believable. (Sophisticated?)
The whole morphine thing…”take your pain medication, Claire! Even if you’re not in pain! I’m your doctor! You can trust me!”
And David, the evil doctor’s spouse….would anyone really stand by, knowing that patients (and a few others for good measure) are being murdered by their whack-a-do doctor/spouse and do nothing? David isn’t stupid. He’s a retired oncologist. This just does not ring true.
There are many 5-star reviews, which goes to show that readers always have a wide variety of tastes. (DOH.) With apologies to the author for the low-rating. This is an honest review and obvi not a book for me. I should’ve followed my instinct from the first few pages.
I shouldn’t wrap this up without finding something positive to say. The dog, I liked the dog. Good ol’ Barney-turned-George, the Golden Retriever. Yes, they do love everybody.
The characters in RAGE are one-dimensional stereotypes. The “bad guy” is a mad doctor that could be described as Machiavellian. The story/plot is weak and not believable, especially with all things medical. At the beginning, Dr. Moran’s “I’m sorry, but you’re dying” speech borders on comical and for some reason, I ignored that red flag. The protagonist’s cancer is vague and I can think of nothing that suggests the author backed up the story with any research that would have made it more believable. (Sophisticated?)
The whole morphine thing…”take your pain medication, Claire! Even if you’re not in pain! I’m your doctor! You can trust me!”
And David, the evil doctor’s spouse….would anyone really stand by, knowing that patients (and a few others for good measure) are being murdered by their whack-a-do doctor/spouse and do nothing? David isn’t stupid. He’s a retired oncologist. This just does not ring true.
There are many 5-star reviews, which goes to show that readers always have a wide variety of tastes. (DOH.) With apologies to the author for the low-rating. This is an honest review and obvi not a book for me. I should’ve followed my instinct from the first few pages.
I shouldn’t wrap this up without finding something positive to say. The dog, I liked the dog. Good ol’ Barney-turned-George, the Golden Retriever. Yes, they do love everybody.
March 5, 2023
This book could have been so much better. It started well and pulled me in. I was thinking "wow this is clever". Unfortunately it didn't last.
The storyline became unbelievable and the characters a little one-dimensional. Issy had been so clever in the past, spanning many years, but suddenly developed a lack of intelligence & made stupid mistakes.
There is a lack of punctuation which also irritated me. Although supposedly set in Cornwall, there was very little mention of the area and could have been set in any generic location by the sea. There was no atmosphere of the place at all.
Disappointed.
The storyline became unbelievable and the characters a little one-dimensional. Issy had been so clever in the past, spanning many years, but suddenly developed a lack of intelligence & made stupid mistakes.
There is a lack of punctuation which also irritated me. Although supposedly set in Cornwall, there was very little mention of the area and could have been set in any generic location by the sea. There was no atmosphere of the place at all.
Disappointed.
April 16, 2022
so good
Read this in in one day
An excellent read that kept shocking me with surprises
An unhinged physician killing patients over years was only a part of the story
Claire the heroine for a better turn is told her cancer has returned and she’s terminal however instead of treatment and meds she embarks on her version of making people who’ve wronged her or her family pay before she dies
Things get complicated the end being a thrilling ride to the finish
Read this in in one day
An excellent read that kept shocking me with surprises
An unhinged physician killing patients over years was only a part of the story
Claire the heroine for a better turn is told her cancer has returned and she’s terminal however instead of treatment and meds she embarks on her version of making people who’ve wronged her or her family pay before she dies
Things get complicated the end being a thrilling ride to the finish
February 22, 2023
Well not quite what I was expecting when I chose this book. I thought I would be getting a classic police procedural but I what I got was a very interesting story of two warped women. Definitely a page turner with really good characters although why it’s part of Cornish crimes I don’t know as A. it could have been set anywhere and B. can’t see any of these characters appearing in further books to make it a series. I will however read the rest of the series as I do like this authors style.
April 17, 2024
Gripping book with lots of twists and dark humour
IA friend recommended this lovely to me, and I adored it. Read it nonstop until I'd finished. As a Cornish woman, the descriptions of the area are accurate and heartwarming. The villain is truly evil. There are twists and turns aplenty and enough dark humour to keep anyone satisfied. Enjoyable, relatable, and infinitely readable.
IA friend recommended this lovely to me, and I adored it. Read it nonstop until I'd finished. As a Cornish woman, the descriptions of the area are accurate and heartwarming. The villain is truly evil. There are twists and turns aplenty and enough dark humour to keep anyone satisfied. Enjoyable, relatable, and infinitely readable.
January 6, 2025
I'm extremely critical/suspicious of the medical world and still found the premiss unbelievable. Maybe I just don't want to believe in a psycho killer doctor choosing which patients live and which ones die but I know it's happened before and will likely happen again. I think it's more that I found the characters of the doctor and her retired doctor husband unlikely. Just not well written characters in my opinion. I liked the lawyer and saw her actions and thoughts more logical and believable.
December 20, 2021
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Wow! Sometimes, events from the past, come back. A girl, thrown out of school, eventually became a Doctor. She treated patients, and made decisions on whether or not they lived. She eventually, treated a patient, that went to the same school she did. Things happened.
Wow! Sometimes, events from the past, come back. A girl, thrown out of school, eventually became a Doctor. She treated patients, and made decisions on whether or not they lived. She eventually, treated a patient, that went to the same school she did. Things happened.
August 20, 2023
Hard to describe
I couldn't make up.my mind if this book was MEANT to be humerous ? ? ? The Issy character certainly is !
Not as poor as the majority of 'free' kindle books are and I quite enjoyed it. The plot is usual but the ending is flat and predictable.
Not convinced I would read any more by this writer, but might if it was free.
I couldn't make up.my mind if this book was MEANT to be humerous ? ? ? The Issy character certainly is !
Not as poor as the majority of 'free' kindle books are and I quite enjoyed it. The plot is usual but the ending is flat and predictable.
Not convinced I would read any more by this writer, but might if it was free.
January 17, 2023
hardly about Cornwall at all!
I bought this book because the marketing said it was set in Cornwall. It is, but could be set anywhere. Cornwall is hardly mentioned.
Otherwise it’s an OK story but a bit unbelievable.
I bought this book because the marketing said it was set in Cornwall. It is, but could be set anywhere. Cornwall is hardly mentioned.
Otherwise it’s an OK story but a bit unbelievable.
March 26, 2023
brilliant couldn’t put it down
This is the first time I’ve read a book by Julie Evans and I must say it was brilliant I actually couldn’t stop reading it as it had me hooked Thank you Julie I am now about to carry on and read the rest of your books
This is the first time I’ve read a book by Julie Evans and I must say it was brilliant I actually couldn’t stop reading it as it had me hooked Thank you Julie I am now about to carry on and read the rest of your books
July 4, 2024
Surprise Surprise
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, ‘Rage’, the first in a collection of five.
The idea of the characters having a chapter sounds odd but it works well.
Give it a go - you’ll enjoy it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, ‘Rage’, the first in a collection of five.
The idea of the characters having a chapter sounds odd but it works well.
Give it a go - you’ll enjoy it.
August 18, 2024
Brilliantly Told Book
Great story from several perspectives but I feel not enough was made of the Cornwall angle. Until I heard the word Falmouth, where I now live, I had already forgotten about the Cornish angle.
Great characters. Loved David & Ross.
Great story from several perspectives but I feel not enough was made of the Cornwall angle. Until I heard the word Falmouth, where I now live, I had already forgotten about the Cornish angle.
Great characters. Loved David & Ross.
November 10, 2024
Very good
Full of twists and turns, keeps you guessing. Really liked this, the sort of book you have to keep reading to find out what happens next. Will download the next book by this author.
Full of twists and turns, keeps you guessing. Really liked this, the sort of book you have to keep reading to find out what happens next. Will download the next book by this author.
April 6, 2025
good but not great
Honestly I floundered read this book and reviewing as I read. Started slowly and then picked up…the mystery evolving. I lost track of characters but found the last quarter of the book redeeming itself.
Honestly I floundered read this book and reviewing as I read. Started slowly and then picked up…the mystery evolving. I lost track of characters but found the last quarter of the book redeeming itself.
October 29, 2021
Intriguing
Well written story about how fine a line is between wanting to kill someone who deserves to die and actually doing it. Great read
Well written story about how fine a line is between wanting to kill someone who deserves to die and actually doing it. Great read
April 4, 2022
I loved this, especially the way it was written from different perspectives. I couldn't put it down and had to keep reading until I knew the outcome
April 10, 2022
Excellent
This book had a twist to it, around every corner. Very interesting and lots of fun to read. I highly recommend this book to people who like humorous mysteries.
This book had a twist to it, around every corner. Very interesting and lots of fun to read. I highly recommend this book to people who like humorous mysteries.
December 7, 2022
Thrilling to the last page
This is the 3rd book I've read of Julie Evans and have loved them all. Great characters and brilliant plot line. Edge of your seat stuff.
This is the 3rd book I've read of Julie Evans and have loved them all. Great characters and brilliant plot line. Edge of your seat stuff.
February 18, 2023
strange but riveting
This is a page turner and had me reading late into the night. Likeable antihero’s and despicable monsters fill the pages.
This is a page turner and had me reading late into the night. Likeable antihero’s and despicable monsters fill the pages.
July 28, 2023
Excellent
I loved this book,it drew me in from the beginning,I thought it was going to be all about revenge but it was so much more. Will definitely be reading more by this author
I loved this book,it drew me in from the beginning,I thought it was going to be all about revenge but it was so much more. Will definitely be reading more by this author
September 1, 2023
Nice easy read. A few twists. Took a few chapters to settle but worth it. Enjoy
January 17, 2024
Wonderful tale and wants me to read others by this author
February 13, 2024
I'm really sorry, but I gave up on this book.
It will appeal to readers who enjoy information about characters being drip fed to them slowly and with detail.
It will appeal to readers who enjoy information about characters being drip fed to them slowly and with detail.
April 1, 2024
Good Book. Well worth a read.
August 8, 2024
Great plot.
Loved the characters and the pacey plot. David had to be Claire,s dad, didn't he??? Would have had each other in the end at least.
Loved the characters and the pacey plot. David had to be Claire,s dad, didn't he??? Would have had each other in the end at least.
February 16, 2025
Não é o tipo de livro que aprecio !
November 20, 2022
A Good Read
When Claire is given the harrowing news that her cancer has returned and is terminal, she decides it is time to get revenge on those who have hurt her and her family in the past, including her ex husband! Little does she know, someone is doing the same thing to her. This was a good read only spoilt for me by the fact that although it is set in Cornwall, there is very little mention of any places there. Will not stop me trying the next book in the series though.
When Claire is given the harrowing news that her cancer has returned and is terminal, she decides it is time to get revenge on those who have hurt her and her family in the past, including her ex husband! Little does she know, someone is doing the same thing to her. This was a good read only spoilt for me by the fact that although it is set in Cornwall, there is very little mention of any places there. Will not stop me trying the next book in the series though.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews