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Crematorium: A Psychological Thriller
Maggie Bennett is a devoted and experienced emergency department nurse who works at a hectic level one trauma center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although the work is constantly demanding, she gives everything she has to the patients in her care.One night, while working overtime on the night shift to cover a nursing shortage, Maggie returns from her meal break to find the homeless patient she was treating is dead. Worse than that, a homicide detective is on the scene, and he has decided; she is the number one suspect.With her reputation and liberty on the line, Maggie is determined to uncover who killed her patient, but with the tenacious Detective Hanes merely a step behind her, there is no room for error.A week later, when she finds her patient's body still lying in the morgue unidentified, she realizes that discovering who they are is crucial to her case.But the deeper Maggie digs, the more immersed she becomes in a game of cat and mouse with a killer who is prepared to do anything it takes to silence her. As people close to her start dying, she is suddenly confronted with the reality of her situation.Can she solve a murder and clear her name before she loses all that she cherishes? Or will she, too, succumb to the relentless pursuit of a killer on the rampage?
474 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2021
58 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 2, 2022
Based on her own vast experience as a Hospital Emergency Nurse, Crematorium by Marilyn Benner Sowyak is a standalone psychological thriller. Maggie Bennett is working a double shift at a level one trauma centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon her return from a break, she discovers her homeless patient dead and a homicide detective present who sees her as the main suspect. Maggie is determined to uncover the murderer but needs to identify who the homeless man was. Then her husband’s car accident leaves her wealthy but raises further suspicions. As she investigates, the body count mounts, and will she be next? An enjoyable read, if not so gripping suspense, making it a three star rating. With thanks to Independently Published and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
September 23, 2021
This was a book I could not put down. The title was a bit stretched out I think. Maggie was a great nurse then one day her husband up and left. Maggie had the worst of luck I dont know how she survived everything she went thru. Next one of her patients strangely died one night. Then her husband died in a car crash. Then she was a millionaire. Next she was a suspect in it all. Then she started dating Sam a helicopter man at the hospital. She seemed to go round in circles with all that was going on. She had Benny at work who was a really good friend of hers. They suspected her of the death of this patient. She decided to try to find out what really happened. She kept finding more things about her husband and his friends. Nothing made sense. Others were dying but why and who was doing all this. She dated a friend of her deceased husband then a real rich man and she ended up dating him too. I couldnt figure out who was doing all this and had everyone thinking it was her that did it all. Ah then popped up someone else. Maggie got thrown out the hospital and lost her license. She thought it was a nurse called Sandra who didnt like her . Was it her doing all this ????
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February 10, 2025DNF, so won’t rate or review.
August 1, 2022
Wow! I’m an avid thriller reader so I was excited to jump right into this one and it did not disappoint! One of the best thrillers I’ve read. Maggie is an accomplished ER nurse who is used to the pressure and demands of working traumas. Her most recent patient, an unidentified homeless man, suddenly dies while she is on her lunch break. What is clearly a tragedy quickly escalates into a full on murder mystery as the police get involved and Maggie spirals as she tries to uncover the truth of both the identity of the victim and his death. There are so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. The author is extremely talented in developing the story and leaving her reader guessing. I could not put this book down!
One of the best things about this book is the medical expertise that went into this book. Sowyak is clearly a talented writer and put lots of research into this book. It is incredibly well-written and a phenomenal read. The book is super detailed as well. I’m confident that I need to read this a few more times. I know that I missed nuances and foreshadowing. To me, that amount of detail is the mark of a superb author. Grab this book immediately if you are looking for a fantastic, fast paced, well written thriller that you won’t be able to put down!
One of the best things about this book is the medical expertise that went into this book. Sowyak is clearly a talented writer and put lots of research into this book. It is incredibly well-written and a phenomenal read. The book is super detailed as well. I’m confident that I need to read this a few more times. I know that I missed nuances and foreshadowing. To me, that amount of detail is the mark of a superb author. Grab this book immediately if you are looking for a fantastic, fast paced, well written thriller that you won’t be able to put down!
August 6, 2022
2.5 - While the plot of this thriller was in constant motion, there were too many other things going on at the same time that made so much get lost in the jumble.
Maggie gets caught in a string of murders, many of them people she was close to. Worse, she is a suspect. This is the main focus of the plot and is interesting, especially where so many scenes take place in a hospital. Unfortunately, there is a lot of buzzing around it. Romances that feel forced, different characters coming and going, and frankly, some unrealistic scenarios. Toward the end of the book, a character even mentions people thinking it's going to be a soap opera. This is exactly how it reads right down to the most cliche tropes. When I got to the 'About the Author' page, the first credits mentioned being a medical consultant for two major soap operas which explained it all. If you enjoy these kinds of busy plots, it will be an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy to read and review.
https://oceanwriterreads.com/2022/08/...
Maggie gets caught in a string of murders, many of them people she was close to. Worse, she is a suspect. This is the main focus of the plot and is interesting, especially where so many scenes take place in a hospital. Unfortunately, there is a lot of buzzing around it. Romances that feel forced, different characters coming and going, and frankly, some unrealistic scenarios. Toward the end of the book, a character even mentions people thinking it's going to be a soap opera. This is exactly how it reads right down to the most cliche tropes. When I got to the 'About the Author' page, the first credits mentioned being a medical consultant for two major soap operas which explained it all. If you enjoy these kinds of busy plots, it will be an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy to read and review.
https://oceanwriterreads.com/2022/08/...
July 15, 2023
This book is kind of all over the place. Random things happen that have nothing to do with the plot and big important events get glossed over in a sentence or two. I mean, yeah, its a psychological thriller but only because a mentally ill guy murders people. But otherwise, it needs more detail or less information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2022
There is a lot going on here! From time to time, the story gets a bit messy and I had to back track a bit but generally, the author holds it all together well. It’s a cracker of a story and well worth investing the time and attention.
June 7, 2022
predictable guessed about1/4 into book so
Ended up skimming towards the end
Still can’t get over the name Kale if they had a kid would they have named him romaine
Ended up skimming towards the end
Still can’t get over the name Kale if they had a kid would they have named him romaine
June 12, 2022
What a Thriller! There is a lot of twists and turns in this book, and it gave a good insight into life as an ER nurse. I really liked Benny a lot. Maggie made some questionable choices, though.
September 11, 2022
Wow this is a compelling read and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It really had me engaged trying to work out the mystery and I was frustrated trying to work out what was up with Sandra. The ending was a completely heartbreaking shock. Highly recommend this! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Maggie Bennett is a devoted and experienced emergency department nurse who works at a hectic level one trauma center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although the work is constantly demanding, she gives everything she has to the patients in her care.
One night, while working overtime on the night shift to cover a nursing shortage, Maggie returns from her meal break to find the homeless patient she was treating is dead. Worse than that, a homicide detective is on the scene, and he has decided; she is the number one suspect.
With her reputation and liberty on the line, Maggie is determined to uncover who killed her patient, but with the tenacious Detective Hanes merely a step behind her, there is no room for error.
A week later, when she finds her patient's body still lying in the morgue unidentified, she realizes that discovering who they are is crucial to her case.
But the deeper Maggie digs, the more immersed she becomes in a game of cat and mouse with a killer who is prepared to do anything it takes to silence her. As people close to her start dying, she is suddenly confronted with the reality of her situation.
Can she solve a murder and clear her name before losing all she cherishes? Or will she, too, succumb to the relentless pursuit of a killer on the rampage?
#netgalley #crematorium
My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Maggie Bennett is a devoted and experienced emergency department nurse who works at a hectic level one trauma center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although the work is constantly demanding, she gives everything she has to the patients in her care.
One night, while working overtime on the night shift to cover a nursing shortage, Maggie returns from her meal break to find the homeless patient she was treating is dead. Worse than that, a homicide detective is on the scene, and he has decided; she is the number one suspect.
With her reputation and liberty on the line, Maggie is determined to uncover who killed her patient, but with the tenacious Detective Hanes merely a step behind her, there is no room for error.
A week later, when she finds her patient's body still lying in the morgue unidentified, she realizes that discovering who they are is crucial to her case.
But the deeper Maggie digs, the more immersed she becomes in a game of cat and mouse with a killer who is prepared to do anything it takes to silence her. As people close to her start dying, she is suddenly confronted with the reality of her situation.
Can she solve a murder and clear her name before losing all she cherishes? Or will she, too, succumb to the relentless pursuit of a killer on the rampage?
#netgalley #crematorium
July 21, 2022
This book is a 5 starts read!!. From the first chapter it already hooks you and you want to know what will happen next!
There’re so many mysteries, our main character Maggie spends surrounded by deaths, but lately things in her life are starting to get out of control, what was the real reason for the death of one of her patients? why Kale, her husband abandoned her from one moment to another? what happened to him? We will follow Maggie in this adventure full of secrets, and plot twists that you could not imagine.
There's something so captivating on the writing. The author does magic when narrating the story, she manages to immerse you in the events wanting to know more, and wanting to get answers, there’s tense, drama-infused mystery and I’m so here for it!. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The characters are interesting, we’ll meet Hanes, Willow, Sam and more, and we’ll want to understand the reasons for their actions, how can they help Maggie, does any of them know something that can change everything? I think the best thing about this book for me were the reveals. It feels organic and not predictable which is often an issue with mystery thriller. The twists just keep on coming. Those last chapters were a roller coaster of emotions.
For lovers of the thriller genre or if you are looking for a story that hooks you from beginning to end, this is undoubtedly your book. It was such an enjoyable and captivating read full of mysteries to solve.
There’re so many mysteries, our main character Maggie spends surrounded by deaths, but lately things in her life are starting to get out of control, what was the real reason for the death of one of her patients? why Kale, her husband abandoned her from one moment to another? what happened to him? We will follow Maggie in this adventure full of secrets, and plot twists that you could not imagine.
There's something so captivating on the writing. The author does magic when narrating the story, she manages to immerse you in the events wanting to know more, and wanting to get answers, there’s tense, drama-infused mystery and I’m so here for it!. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The characters are interesting, we’ll meet Hanes, Willow, Sam and more, and we’ll want to understand the reasons for their actions, how can they help Maggie, does any of them know something that can change everything? I think the best thing about this book for me were the reveals. It feels organic and not predictable which is often an issue with mystery thriller. The twists just keep on coming. Those last chapters were a roller coaster of emotions.
For lovers of the thriller genre or if you are looking for a story that hooks you from beginning to end, this is undoubtedly your book. It was such an enjoyable and captivating read full of mysteries to solve.
September 5, 2022
The romantic suspense genre is just not for me. One of my least favorite things about it? One or the other of the partners in the relationship decides they know what's best for the other one, so to "protect" them, they lie, when if they told the truth and the two worked together it would be so much better and just as exciting without all the lies! The story was good and held my interest for the most part, even though it felt very formulaic. I kept thinking it sounded like the basis for a soap opera. And once the subject of twins was introduced I could have written the majority of the story myself. Once I read the About the Author section I understand why it felt like a soap opera: Ms. Sowyak spent a great deal of her time as a consultant on some major soap operas.
I really liked most of the characters I was supposed to and very much wish I had a friend like Benny in my life. He was the best. And the characters I wasn't supposed to like? Ms. Sowyak made sure I REALLY didn't like them. There was plenty of action and having it set in a hospital was a lot of fun for me. (Retired RN here.) As you would expect from Ms. Sowyak's background, all of the medical details rang true, and not once did I roll my eyes (which is saying something.)
So, would I read another of the author's books? I don't think so. While the writing is good it's just not for me. Others may enjoy it. I rated it 3.5 stars.
I received a review copy from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I really liked most of the characters I was supposed to and very much wish I had a friend like Benny in my life. He was the best. And the characters I wasn't supposed to like? Ms. Sowyak made sure I REALLY didn't like them. There was plenty of action and having it set in a hospital was a lot of fun for me. (Retired RN here.) As you would expect from Ms. Sowyak's background, all of the medical details rang true, and not once did I roll my eyes (which is saying something.)
So, would I read another of the author's books? I don't think so. While the writing is good it's just not for me. Others may enjoy it. I rated it 3.5 stars.
I received a review copy from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
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September 21, 2024There comes a time when you've read enough books in your lifetime to know when it's time to DNF a book.
Dnf'd on page 141.
This book was just doing too much, and none of it enhanced the plot. We start off with the FMC (Maggie-ER nurse) losing a patient while she's on her meal break, as well as finding out her estranged husband died on the same day... and somehow, there's a connection.
I was intrigued up until the author tried to introduce a romance between Maggie & her co-worker and then another possible romance with her estranged husband's "best friend" whom she just met at his funeral.
✋🏽STOP right there, I thought we were trying to figure out the connection between the dead people, but now we are over here trying to create another situation. Then Maggie was over here trying to save her co-worker from an abusive relationship, which made no sense to me if you really paid attention to the steps she took to get her "out" of the situation. It was just doing too much and not DELIVERING on the plot. Maybe some of this stuff does tie in together 🤷🏾♀️. I'll never know.
It's like buying something on Amazon Prime with the expectations of receiving it in 2 days when really they USPS that shit from China. 😩👌🏾 I've waited long enough, honey.
Dnf'd on page 141.
This book was just doing too much, and none of it enhanced the plot. We start off with the FMC (Maggie-ER nurse) losing a patient while she's on her meal break, as well as finding out her estranged husband died on the same day... and somehow, there's a connection.
I was intrigued up until the author tried to introduce a romance between Maggie & her co-worker and then another possible romance with her estranged husband's "best friend" whom she just met at his funeral.
✋🏽STOP right there, I thought we were trying to figure out the connection between the dead people, but now we are over here trying to create another situation. Then Maggie was over here trying to save her co-worker from an abusive relationship, which made no sense to me if you really paid attention to the steps she took to get her "out" of the situation. It was just doing too much and not DELIVERING on the plot. Maybe some of this stuff does tie in together 🤷🏾♀️. I'll never know.
It's like buying something on Amazon Prime with the expectations of receiving it in 2 days when really they USPS that shit from China. 😩👌🏾 I've waited long enough, honey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2022
Crematorium (Marilyn Sowyak) could have been better if it hadn't been so busy. Situations were in the story that did nothing to advance the story line. Maggie's dog (Dover) was mentioned a lot, but when Maggie was away for a few days (no spoilers as to why/where) nothing was said about anyone taking care of him. Certain evidence doesn't make a lot of sense as to why it wasn't already in the hands of the police. I want to thank NetGalley for a copy to review.
August 27, 2022
Not sure where to start with this review. Mixed feelings.
The storyline although good it slowly becomes a little far fetched for my liking but I did enjoy it overall. The characters however were great and extremely relatable.
I enjoyed the journey but I was disappointed by the final destination.
Sorry not for me.
The storyline although good it slowly becomes a little far fetched for my liking but I did enjoy it overall. The characters however were great and extremely relatable.
I enjoyed the journey but I was disappointed by the final destination.
Sorry not for me.
January 25, 2023
I loved the narration of Laura Clark, she makes a great listen. You can feel all the twists and turns. Perfect.
Maggie is an experienced emergency department nurse, one of her patients strangely died one night. Then her husband died in a car crash. Then she was a millionaire. Next she was a suspect in it all. This book has plenty of twists to keep me guessing what would happen next.
Maggie is an experienced emergency department nurse, one of her patients strangely died one night. Then her husband died in a car crash. Then she was a millionaire. Next she was a suspect in it all. This book has plenty of twists to keep me guessing what would happen next.
August 18, 2023
soooo the author of this thriller was at one point a nurse in the ED where I work 🤭 I consider myself a member of the grammar police and there were quite a few errors that I had to overlook with this read. despite that, it was a good little book! a good handful plot twists that kept me engaged, and the last page brought a tear to my eye!
January 27, 2024
Very dramatic book with twists that will keep you guessing after every chapter. Gave soap opera vibes, but understandable since the author helped write for soap operas. I was able to figure out most of plot and who did it about 75% of the way through. And accurate descriptions of the healthcare setting which I greatly appreciated!
August 7, 2024
Though this was a good murder mystery, I was continually upset at how dumb and unthinking the MC Maggie was. For a person with her background and knowledge, she did not appear to have any common sense. The story was done well otherwise and keep the reader guess. Narrator does a Great job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.
September 13, 2021
Couldn't put this book down
I truly enjoy this book. It kept me in suspense and trying to help Maggie. I work at the hospital, so it was easy to relate to some of the events in the ED. Definitely a book I couldn't put down.
I truly enjoy this book. It kept me in suspense and trying to help Maggie. I work at the hospital, so it was easy to relate to some of the events in the ED. Definitely a book I couldn't put down.
June 13, 2022
Not bad
An interesting look into different aspects of life in the medical sense. A look at the nursing shortage, the intensity of working in an E.R., but also how one bad apple with mental illness can cause so much mayhem.
An interesting look into different aspects of life in the medical sense. A look at the nursing shortage, the intensity of working in an E.R., but also how one bad apple with mental illness can cause so much mayhem.
August 9, 2022
I ended up not liking Crematorium, which honestly I was bummed out because this sounded so good in the description. There is a lot going on in this one too, making it a bit muddy.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 15, 2021
Good story
If you like medicalstories,this will be for you. It is that and fast moving and very enjoyable. Lots of possible villians
If you like medicalstories,this will be for you. It is that and fast moving and very enjoyable. Lots of possible villians
July 16, 2022
Twisted plot. Stayed up to read it. I see why it was named Crematorium. Great characters. Hope there is another one.
October 26, 2022
I didn't liked it.
It was very slowly, boring sometimes, and I didn't look for it to read.
Also the ending was kinda predictable, but at the same time too much complicated.
It was very slowly, boring sometimes, and I didn't look for it to read.
Also the ending was kinda predictable, but at the same time too much complicated.
August 25, 2023
Loved the characters and the story. A number of typos and inconsistencies with sentences took away from the story.
March 20, 2024
The story was a good idea, the writing of it not so much. It took over half the book to finally get into it and then a bunch of action thrown into the end.
November 5, 2022
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I hated when I had to put it aside to go to sleep. Great read!
September 24, 2022
4.5 stars to be exact.
How are more people not talking about this book?! It was such a great thriller, twists and turns every direction.
When Maggie’s husband leaves her out of no where, over 20,000 in debt she picks up extra shifts at the hospital to help pay down the debt, and move on from her husband, hoping it will ease her mind, but when her John Doe patient dies mysteriously she finds herself wrapped up in a world of lies and deceit.
This book was a tad slow in the beginning as the author was introducing characters and background stories, but once it started picking up it was really picking up! I really enjoyed this and it was a great fall read.
How are more people not talking about this book?! It was such a great thriller, twists and turns every direction.
When Maggie’s husband leaves her out of no where, over 20,000 in debt she picks up extra shifts at the hospital to help pay down the debt, and move on from her husband, hoping it will ease her mind, but when her John Doe patient dies mysteriously she finds herself wrapped up in a world of lies and deceit.
This book was a tad slow in the beginning as the author was introducing characters and background stories, but once it started picking up it was really picking up! I really enjoyed this and it was a great fall read.
August 9, 2022
I ended up not liking Crematorium, which honestly I was bummed out because this sounded so good in the description. There is a lot going on in this one too, making it a bit muddy.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews