Winterbourne

by William Lynes

Winterbourne is an evocative tale of murder, revenge, and love. Here is a riveting account of crime, murder, and madness that terrorizes the small-town surgeon and his family in the formerly innocent California community, known as Winterbourne. Set in the early 1960's, this is the story of a family-oriented community, surrounding a winterbourne stream, in Northern California. It is full of average law-abiding citizens who live in picturesque equestrian properties with white, three rail fences. A violent motor vehicle accident and the attempted resuscitation of the victim, a homeless drug addict, by surgeon Doctor Franklin Carson and his Labrador, Winston, begins a fast-paced story of deception and lies. The event calls attention to a problem in the small community. Something is wrong, evil is about, and the society's innocence is at risk. A crime ring is rumored, centered around a violent resident of Winterbourne. The man is a ruddy complexioned man with a distinctive disabling appearance. His father is the corrupt, politically powerful resident of the community. It is the search for a young innocent runaway that reveals a secret scandal which will tear apart the very substance of Winterbourne.

Genres: Thriller

217 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2022

About the author

William Lynes (born 1953) is a retired Stanford-trained physician, author, and speaker. He was born in San Diego and attended the University of California San Diego, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology. Here, he met and married his wife, Patrice. Dr. Lynes attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, obtained his medical degree, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary medical society. A urologic internship and residency were completed at Stanford University Medical Center. He practiced general urology for 16 years at Kaiser Permanente in Riverside, California, and is board-certified by the American Board of Urology.

Since retiring in 2003, Dr. Lynes has written primarily fiction, including short stories and full-length novels. He is also an active speaker and advocates for physician burnout and suicide prevention.

He and his wife live in Temecula, California.

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--His latest book is A Surgeon's Tale, a sequel to A Surgeon's Knot. Read reviews of A Surgeon's Tale:
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In William Lynes's gripping sequel to A Surgeon’s Knot, readers are again immersed in the intense world of surgical training at the fictional University Medical Center in Northern California.

For fans of Lynes's previous works and enthusiasts of medical thrillers alike, A Surgeon's Tale is must-read. It not only captivates readers with its thrilling narrative but also offers a poignant exploration of the human experience in the demanding world of medicine.

Website: GinaRaeMitchell
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This brilliant work of fiction shows the intersection of conflicted healthcare professionals with desperate people who are critically ill, mentally ill, or are dangers to society. Told by a compassionate physician, the reader will deeply care about the characters who are not always as they initially appear and who have nearly impossible circumstances to surmount.

Rebecca Farnbach, Author of Dancing With Prayers in My Feet.

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“A Surgeon’s Tale” by William Lynes, a riveting sequel to the captivating novel “A Surgeon’s Knot,” grips readers from beginning to end. In this tale, every cut tells a story, and every suture holds determination. Prepare to be enchanted by the cut-throat world of surgery from the first page to the final stitch. -

Cyra A. Blogger & Owner @ The Literary Vault

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I just finished another fine read by Wm. Lynes, MD as he pulls you into his world.
His uncanny talent of spot-on word descriptions of people is akin to a blue ribbon chef concocting another fine meal. You’ll find this to be an irresistible book from cover to cover. Enjoy your meal.

WD Stauffer, retired printer

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--Reviews for A Surgeon's Knot

A SURGEON'S KNOT is a novel's worth of education in medicine and its tough extremes, and a no-holds-barred glance at a grindingly harsh reality, something we could all benefit from appreciating.
Indie Reader

"5 Stars! A magnificent page-turner! Lynes pens a remarkable story in A Surgeon's Knot.
Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.

A Surgeon's Knot is a tragic but hopeful story that illuminates the importance of recognizing stress and reaching out for help.-Linda Duong, License Marriage and Family Therapist

For readers who would enjoy an intimate look inside the overly stressed life of an intern and the medical profession, this is the book for you.-Pascal Imperato, M.D., Author of Truth Wars.

It is a gripping story that moves the reader with compassion and understanding-Rebecca Farnbach, Author of Dancing with Prayers in My Feet.

Jackson is inserted into the psyche of the bibliophile and you are living as him! I strongly recommend this gripping tale.- W.D. Stauffer, Printer, retired.

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Franklin Carson was the first man on the scene when a long-haired hippie was hit by a car while tending to the man’s wounds he noticed a gas in his bottom bicep and right before the man would fall unconscious for good he begged The doctor quote please help ‘Em!” And handed the doctor an ID card. This was 1962 where people looked out for the neighbors and done the right thing so the doctor quickly got on the phone to look for a relative in the vicinity of the school the card belong to this would lead the doctor down the Robin hole front with drugs in danger and the more Dr. Carson knew the more dangerous it would be for him. While reading the summary for the book and the authors notes I was so anxious to read it when I learned it was published in 1969 in a definitely lived up to my hopes for this historical crime drama. It’s about a nice neighborhood were bad habits and even worse people were moving in quickly and without remorse I truly enjoyed this book and if you’re a fan of crime fiction you definitely need to read this one it is so good a definite five star read. I received this book from NetGalleyShelf the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grand Thrilling Read

What a thrilling story in Winterbourne by William Lynes, MD. I've read work from Lynes before, and really enjoy his storytelling style. His stories are well written, and well told, which are two different things, but I like them both. This is a thrilling tale of corruption, survival, and murder. There are different layers to the story and it's all taking place in this small town, in the 1960's, but then something amazing and unexpected happens, and it affects the town. Winterbourne is the stream that the town is settled near, and things are just getting to seem like the perfect community, and then ... I am a definite fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I want to read. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. Both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. The characterizations are engrossing and dynamic. This read is so engrossing that it brings you right in the middle of the story. This read is more than just words on a page. I hope to read more books by this author. Winterbourne is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.

[kathleen r. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Winterbourne

Just not the book for me. The ending is entirely obvious from the second chapter. The action is minimal and the prose seems stuck in some sort of clumsy style of run on sentences and laborious hard to connect paragraphs.
I finished it quickly because it's very short.
I can't recommend it because I just couldn't get excited about the drone and drag of the plot.
I'm sure there is an audience for this style of fiction but it doesn't include me.
It is not a bad book but I'd rate it for older teens rather than adult readers.