The Woman from the River

by Peter Clement

During the darkest winter, two disparate lives intersect through the mysterious woman in the river. In 1975 Montreal is changing. Dr. James McKnight, wunderkind of the ER in a prestigious hospital, is finding it difficult to play well with others. He works hard at delivering medical miracles. When a beautiful suicide ends up in his morgue, things start to spiral out of control for him and her only friend Benny, a mentally ill recluse. Benny holds the key to the identity of the woman and the two men must trust each other to stop a crooked cop, a brutal gang, and the evil voices inside Benny, before they both lose everything

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2022

Reviews

[Gillian Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Categorized as a medical thriller, the novel lives up to its description with the tension of the story beautifully sustained. The characters emerge as people with whom the reader identifies strongly. Only one who has experienced life as a physician and the workings of a hospital and clinic could have ground the novel in such an enthralling way. The use of language is complex and articulate. The setting in Montreal during the era of the FLQ adds another fascinating dimension to the tale. As well, the issue of mental health is cleverly woven into the narrative. Flipping the pages to reveal the next twist in the plot was a delight. I highly recommend Clement’s engaging story.

[Peter Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleased to report that the initial reviews on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca have been mostly five stars and one equally appreciated four star rating. Just wanted to let readers know, i.e. I'm not reviewing my own story. FYI, the books I have read lately and am giving five stars to are Crow Lake, The Other Side Of The Bridge, and Road Ends, all by the marvellous Mary Lawson.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Clement is one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint. It kept me on my toes until the very end, beautifully written and all the characters have a depth I didn't expect, no matter if "good guys" or not. I don't think anyone who is not in the medical field could have had this perspective into the inner workings and politics that guide any hospital, especially of that caliber. I loved the 70's Montreal winter depictions, I could picture things exactly down to feel and smell. I loved the story as well and the way all separate threads came together towards the end, very tense but extremely engaging. Also, portraying mental illness from inside was astonishing, I've often wondered how that would seem like and we got a glimpse of it here, with lots of feelings but no judgement. Loved the book!

[C.r. Harland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good story that brings Montreal in the 1970s to life. The easy authority with which Clement writes about medical matters is one of the strongest aspects of the book. The story is a real page turner, but also a moving exploration of mental illness. I also really like the characters' dialogue and the protagonist's ability to see himself through the eyes of others. This riveting novel could be the beginning of a whole series.