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The Scarlet Cross
When the elevator lurches to a stop and the doors open, she can't help the shudder that runs through her. It's Sunday, late afternoon, and she's alone, but she never really feels alone when she's in the tunnels of the hospital.
Meredith Griffin manages the emergency department at St Jude Hospital. A specialist in psychiatric nursing, she's also an expert at hiding her own problems and solving everyone else's.
When women with the same fatal injury begin turning up in Meredith's emergency ward, their deaths are labelled as suicides. But Meredith isn't so sure. With the help of Senior Detective Leo Donnelly, she begins an investigation to prove that the women were murdered.
As pressure mounts from all quarters to stop her, questions arise about why the women were targeted and why the hospital is so desperate to cover things up.
In a battle against addiction, self-doubt and a corrupt institution that may be hiding a serial killer, Meredith finds herself in the crosshairs of a network of powerful people all of whom will stop at nothing to protect their privilege and the truth.
An atmospheric crime thriller set in a hospital where nothing is as it seems.
Meredith Griffin manages the emergency department at St Jude Hospital. A specialist in psychiatric nursing, she's also an expert at hiding her own problems and solving everyone else's.
When women with the same fatal injury begin turning up in Meredith's emergency ward, their deaths are labelled as suicides. But Meredith isn't so sure. With the help of Senior Detective Leo Donnelly, she begins an investigation to prove that the women were murdered.
As pressure mounts from all quarters to stop her, questions arise about why the women were targeted and why the hospital is so desperate to cover things up.
In a battle against addiction, self-doubt and a corrupt institution that may be hiding a serial killer, Meredith finds herself in the crosshairs of a network of powerful people all of whom will stop at nothing to protect their privilege and the truth.
An atmospheric crime thriller set in a hospital where nothing is as it seems.
359 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2022
10 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 16, 2022
This one surprised me as I thought I would be put off by the hospital/nursing setting (I'm squeamish), but I actually enjoyed it as something new for a change. it breaks up the monotony of police procedural. I was also worried at first when pills were being popped that I was in for a Nurse Jackie kind of thing (and it was a little, I suppose). Turns out, the drug addicted nurse story line wasn't actually cliche enough to put me off.
There was a decent plot and plenty of personal stories running parallel to keep me turning the page. I would definitely read this author again.
There was a decent plot and plenty of personal stories running parallel to keep me turning the page. I would definitely read this author again.
June 11, 2022
There is something about stories with unstable main characters that can either pull you into their chaos or push you away with their unreliability, it is a fine balance.
I enjoyed this read but was left a little bit underwhelmed with how it wrapped up. Although I should probably say that I’m finding with the more I read that my expectations are becoming significantly higher, especially in the last couple of years.
I enjoyed this read but was left a little bit underwhelmed with how it wrapped up. Although I should probably say that I’m finding with the more I read that my expectations are becoming significantly higher, especially in the last couple of years.
February 19, 2022
Offered so much for most of the book but disappointed in the end
June 24, 2022
Who doesn't love a crime thriller set in a psychiatric hospital overrun by secrets, lies, and corruption? I was instantly hooked on this premise and couldn't wait to devour the book.
However, as much as I loved the setting, the rest of the book fell flat for me. Merideth was such an irritating and cliched main character who I felt no connection to. Her morals and ethics were questionable, she constantly interfered in police investigations, and she was rarely fit for work which, considering the nature of her duties, was frankly unforgivable. Her relationship with Leo was also something I couldn't feel - they were more like a convenience couple and I wasn't convinced there was any actual love between them.
I found the book to be both slow and repetitive at times, making it hard to get through. I don't think I received an uncorrected proof and if that's the case, there were some pretty severe editing issues including text/character errors and random formatting near the end with dates, times, and locations noted (despite this never happening throughout the rest of the book). Things like this really impact my reading journey, especially if there is no seemingly logical reason behind it.
The story itself had a lot of potential but because everything was so slow to happen, the reveals felt underwhelming and predictable. It wasn't a bad story as such, it just didn't leave me on the edge of my seat wanting more.
Thank you to Pantera Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 2.9
Writing style/readability - 2.7
Characters - 2.7
Diverse themes - 3.1
Ending - 2.5
Overall - 2.8
However, as much as I loved the setting, the rest of the book fell flat for me. Merideth was such an irritating and cliched main character who I felt no connection to. Her morals and ethics were questionable, she constantly interfered in police investigations, and she was rarely fit for work which, considering the nature of her duties, was frankly unforgivable. Her relationship with Leo was also something I couldn't feel - they were more like a convenience couple and I wasn't convinced there was any actual love between them.
I found the book to be both slow and repetitive at times, making it hard to get through. I don't think I received an uncorrected proof and if that's the case, there were some pretty severe editing issues including text/character errors and random formatting near the end with dates, times, and locations noted (despite this never happening throughout the rest of the book). Things like this really impact my reading journey, especially if there is no seemingly logical reason behind it.
The story itself had a lot of potential but because everything was so slow to happen, the reveals felt underwhelming and predictable. It wasn't a bad story as such, it just didn't leave me on the edge of my seat wanting more.
Thank you to Pantera Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 2.9
Writing style/readability - 2.7
Characters - 2.7
Diverse themes - 3.1
Ending - 2.5
Overall - 2.8
March 12, 2022
It's hard to review a book that's just... okay.
The hook for this one was so promising - a troubled ED nurse with a cop boyfriend notices a pattern in women turning up dead with a cross cut into their body. Sounds like the recipe for a gnarly thriller.
Unfortunately it's mostly just a creative writing exercise in exploring nurse Meredith and the people in her life. The initial promise of the mystery is never delivered on. The whodunnit is glaringly obvious and the foreshadowing inelegant. There are no surprises and the stakes never feel particularly high. Even the one high stakes moment lacked any emotional connection for me and it was over in a flash.
The writing itself is quite good and I didn't dislike the actual experience of reading the book. It just all felt a bit pointless in the end. There's a side plot that in hindsight seems completely pointless. The relationship between Meredith and Leo felt cold and unconvincing. I was just kind of left with a feeling of not really knowing why I read it or what I was supposed to get from it.
I didn't hate it but I also wouldn't recommend it.
The hook for this one was so promising - a troubled ED nurse with a cop boyfriend notices a pattern in women turning up dead with a cross cut into their body. Sounds like the recipe for a gnarly thriller.
Unfortunately it's mostly just a creative writing exercise in exploring nurse Meredith and the people in her life. The initial promise of the mystery is never delivered on. The whodunnit is glaringly obvious and the foreshadowing inelegant. There are no surprises and the stakes never feel particularly high. Even the one high stakes moment lacked any emotional connection for me and it was over in a flash.
The writing itself is quite good and I didn't dislike the actual experience of reading the book. It just all felt a bit pointless in the end. There's a side plot that in hindsight seems completely pointless. The relationship between Meredith and Leo felt cold and unconvincing. I was just kind of left with a feeling of not really knowing why I read it or what I was supposed to get from it.
I didn't hate it but I also wouldn't recommend it.
March 13, 2022
Lyn McFarlane grabbed me and dragged me into her story 'The Scarlet Cross'.
I loved the concept and was kept guessing all the way through.
Meredith Griffin becomes involved in the mystery of why young females under psychiatric care have been dying with similar wounds. Wounds that could only be inflicted by someone with strong medical knowledge. Meredith is a psychiatric nursing specialist at St Jude Hospital, and in a relationship with Leo, who is the Lead Detective on the case. She shares her thoughts and suspicions with him.
As Meredith ponders the fates of the girls involved and tries hard to connect anyone that she feels was involved in some way with each girl, she also has to deal with her younger Sister who is battling with mental health issues of her own. On top of all this Meredith is battling with her own demons and a drug addiction.
I loved that Meredith wasn't portrayed as perfect and we were allowed to see her flaws. I felt her frustration as she tried to prove that her suspicions were correct.
If you love Mystery, then this is a great Weekend read.
I loved the concept and was kept guessing all the way through.
Meredith Griffin becomes involved in the mystery of why young females under psychiatric care have been dying with similar wounds. Wounds that could only be inflicted by someone with strong medical knowledge. Meredith is a psychiatric nursing specialist at St Jude Hospital, and in a relationship with Leo, who is the Lead Detective on the case. She shares her thoughts and suspicions with him.
As Meredith ponders the fates of the girls involved and tries hard to connect anyone that she feels was involved in some way with each girl, she also has to deal with her younger Sister who is battling with mental health issues of her own. On top of all this Meredith is battling with her own demons and a drug addiction.
I loved that Meredith wasn't portrayed as perfect and we were allowed to see her flaws. I felt her frustration as she tried to prove that her suspicions were correct.
If you love Mystery, then this is a great Weekend read.
April 28, 2022
I liked this book but there were just some things that didn’t make sense and the ending wasn’t what I hoped- I really wanted something more.
I found the characters in the book had weird relationships with each other. They would talk to each other in almost a blunt, uncaring manner, which I felt was odd as they were family, friends and couples. I’m not sure if it was a ploy to distract the reader into not trusting anyone in the book, which would make sense because I did have a slight hunch they could be involved.
I did eventually work out who it was behind it but I couldn’t work out the why, which had me stumped.
I did however like the eeriness of the hospital and the grounds, the role of mental health and not being able to trust anyone including the protagonist Meredith.
Overall a good story, it lacked a few things and I look forward to seeing what Lyn McFarlane comes out with next.
Thank you Better Reading and Pantera Press for providing a review copy as a part of the BRPreview campaign.
I found the characters in the book had weird relationships with each other. They would talk to each other in almost a blunt, uncaring manner, which I felt was odd as they were family, friends and couples. I’m not sure if it was a ploy to distract the reader into not trusting anyone in the book, which would make sense because I did have a slight hunch they could be involved.
I did eventually work out who it was behind it but I couldn’t work out the why, which had me stumped.
I did however like the eeriness of the hospital and the grounds, the role of mental health and not being able to trust anyone including the protagonist Meredith.
Overall a good story, it lacked a few things and I look forward to seeing what Lyn McFarlane comes out with next.
Thank you Better Reading and Pantera Press for providing a review copy as a part of the BRPreview campaign.
March 11, 2022
If you are a fan of Patricia Cornwell you will love this book! In this book we befriend psychiatric nursing specialist, Meredith, and her partner in life and in crime, Detective Leo Donnelly.
Together Meredith and Leo set out to solve the mystery of why young female victims are murdered suffering the same unusual fatal injuries. Why did the murderer select these victims? They have no obvious connection to each other except for the fact that they are young and female. What is the significance of the method of their murders? There are no self-evident answers to these questions, which must be answered before the murderer strikes again!
The content is well-researched and provides an entirely credible insight into the conditions and frustrations of the staff providing care in an Emergency department.
This book is a must-read for the lover of an interweaved mystery.
Together Meredith and Leo set out to solve the mystery of why young female victims are murdered suffering the same unusual fatal injuries. Why did the murderer select these victims? They have no obvious connection to each other except for the fact that they are young and female. What is the significance of the method of their murders? There are no self-evident answers to these questions, which must be answered before the murderer strikes again!
The content is well-researched and provides an entirely credible insight into the conditions and frustrations of the staff providing care in an Emergency department.
This book is a must-read for the lover of an interweaved mystery.
April 13, 2022
Promising debut.
The premise hooked me and it was a good plot. Meredith Griffin is a psychiatric nurse at St Jude Hospital. A patient's death due to severe lacerations is deemed suicide via self harming. When Meredith's boyfriend Leo, a police detective, comes across another young woman with similar fatal injuries, she's adamant it can't be suicide. She implores Leo to investigate the possibility of murder.
I marked this one down a little because I was expecting this to roll out more in the police procedural vein (my favourite genre), but it delved deeper into Meredith, her personal issues, her friends and family relationships. Many will like that different tack, for me some sections just dragged a bit.
The premise hooked me and it was a good plot. Meredith Griffin is a psychiatric nurse at St Jude Hospital. A patient's death due to severe lacerations is deemed suicide via self harming. When Meredith's boyfriend Leo, a police detective, comes across another young woman with similar fatal injuries, she's adamant it can't be suicide. She implores Leo to investigate the possibility of murder.
I marked this one down a little because I was expecting this to roll out more in the police procedural vein (my favourite genre), but it delved deeper into Meredith, her personal issues, her friends and family relationships. Many will like that different tack, for me some sections just dragged a bit.
October 30, 2022
I wanted to read this book as soon as I listened to Lyn's interview on "The Write Way Podcast" and I'm glad I did!
Lyn's writing style is absolutely beautiful - her descriptions and similes are so eloquent and engrossing. I could easily picture the characters and settings in each chapter.
Meredith is a flawed female lead, which I always have a soft spot for. Her struggle with addiction and grappling the responsibilities of her sister were a fitting accompanying theme to the book's overall feel and conflict. I was also really interested in the medical aspect of the book and it was clearly well-researched.
The book takes you for a ride until the very end, with red herrings that make you accuse completely innocent characters.
I really enjoyed this one!
Lyn's writing style is absolutely beautiful - her descriptions and similes are so eloquent and engrossing. I could easily picture the characters and settings in each chapter.
Meredith is a flawed female lead, which I always have a soft spot for. Her struggle with addiction and grappling the responsibilities of her sister were a fitting accompanying theme to the book's overall feel and conflict. I was also really interested in the medical aspect of the book and it was clearly well-researched.
The book takes you for a ride until the very end, with red herrings that make you accuse completely innocent characters.
I really enjoyed this one!
March 16, 2022
When nurse Meredith Griffin starts losing patients in St Jude Hospital emergency ward from severe lacerations she knows something is wrong.
This book follows Meredith and her boyfriend Detective Leo Donnelly, as together they try to discover what is going on to these women.
It was easy to read and follow.
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Lyn McFarlane and I hope to read her future books.
Thanks to Better Reading and Pantera Press for my copy to read and review.
This book follows Meredith and her boyfriend Detective Leo Donnelly, as together they try to discover what is going on to these women.
It was easy to read and follow.
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Lyn McFarlane and I hope to read her future books.
Thanks to Better Reading and Pantera Press for my copy to read and review.
April 6, 2022
It has been a number of years since I have read a suspense novel. I found this one a little confusing to begin with as it goes forwards and backwards in time but found the subject matter very interesting. There were a number of red herrings in the book. Just as I was sure I had worked out who was guilty another twist was revealed. This kept me guessing until the end - there was even another revelation within the last few pages! Highly recommended.
April 18, 2022
This one lured me in immediately with its interesting opening. I enjoyed getting to know Meredith and seeing the plot unfold. There were several different people I thought could be behind the murders. Working in health I liked seeing all the hospital politics. It covered a lot of topics in setting up the killer such as drug use, mental health, suicide, corruption and the role of the church in healthcare. Some of these plot lines were covered well, others needed a bit more time to play out.
I liked Meredith as a protagonist, she was real and flawed. However, I found her some of her relationships quite odd in that she was very over familiar with her bosses but very cold with her partner and this distracted me at times from the novel. Overall it was a solid debut with good writing and a decent pace. Will look forward to seeing what Lyn Mcfarlane comes up with next.
I liked Meredith as a protagonist, she was real and flawed. However, I found her some of her relationships quite odd in that she was very over familiar with her bosses but very cold with her partner and this distracted me at times from the novel. Overall it was a solid debut with good writing and a decent pace. Will look forward to seeing what Lyn Mcfarlane comes up with next.
July 7, 2022
The premise of this book was good, as was the raising of hospital issues and church involvement in healthcare. It was positive to read about mental health in an encouraging way. I did find the chopping and changing of time frames a bit tricky, and was glad I was reading a physical book so that I could go back and check dates. This was an interesting story about hospitals , the power structures within and what people are prepared to do.
April 20, 2022
Intricately-woven, fast-paced thriller with flawed, relatable characters. A fantastic debut. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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April 21, 2022Audiobook was totally unlistenable. I have no idea what accent the reader was trying to do but it was very very wrong.
November 14, 2022
Gave up before finishing!
November 20, 2022
Overly complicated with all the hospital hierarchy. Didn’t like the main character and couldn’t work out why her sister was targeted.
September 27, 2023
2.5 to maybe a 3 Story was okay but the narrator made a hash of the Canadian accent. Was distracting.
April 20, 2022
This book started off really good with the mystery of murder and who was capable of these similar crimes of 4 woman presented to the St Jude Hospital Emergency department. I just felt that the story was going round in circles and the story was around the nurse Meredith and no so much about the murders. It felt underwhelming and pointless. The ending was quite disappointing. Although I wouldn't recommend this book I think it was written well, I just wasn't rushing back to read it once I put it down. Thank you to @betterreading for a preview of this book.
October 10, 2022
Great debut novel from Lyn McFarlane. I had just read something that was similar but still enjoyed this read and it definitely kept you guessing.
Nurse Meredith and Detective Leo set about solving potential murders from similar patterns on patients who Meredith has tried to save in ED.
The pace of the book was good with some twists and turns. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Better Reading for the opportunity to review.
Nurse Meredith and Detective Leo set about solving potential murders from similar patterns on patients who Meredith has tried to save in ED.
The pace of the book was good with some twists and turns. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Better Reading for the opportunity to review.
February 27, 2024
The best who done it book I have read for ages.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews