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Dr Steven Dunbar #1
Donor
The first Dr Stephen Dunbar thriller. When seven-year-old Amanda Chapman is admitted to hospital with acute renal failure, her parents are in despair. Their hope is renewed when Amanda is accepted for treatment in a pioneering, state-of-the-art dialysis unit in an exclusive private hospital in Glasgow, but behind the lavish hospital corridors, private rooms and friendly staff lies something much more sinister. Dr Dunbar goes undercover to find out in the first of Ken McClure's gripping thrillers featuring the ex-Special Forces medic.
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
58 people are currently reading
1027 people want to read
About the author
Ken McClure
71 books124 followersKen McClure is the internationally bestselling author of over twenty medical thrillers such as The Lazarus Strain, The Gulf Conspiracy, White Death and Dust to Dust. His books have been translated into twenty-five languages and he has earned a reputation for the accuracy of his predicitions. McClure's work is informed by his background as an award-winning research scientist with the UK's Medical Research Council. He lives in a small village in the Lammermuir Hills of Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 23, 2016
Donor by Ken McClure is one of the best medical thrillers I have read I have just finished reading it & still trying to get my head around it. The plot was well written & was compelling from start to finish, I thought Steven Dunbar was strong & very clinical he never stopped until he found out what happened to the children & put his life on the line to do so.
Amy Chapman was diagnosed with Renal failure she was very close to death her Parents Sandy & Kate were desperate to help find a donor for their dying daughter they were advised to send her to a Medical facility in Glasgow Scotland Ecosse Medic where she may get a new donor Kidney.
All of a sudden Former patients of the hospital died in terrible circumstances Dr Steven Dunbar a former marine goes undercover to look into the case what he finds is that the doctors are getting kidneys on the black market & putting them in as a transplant knowing that the kidneys will fail.
As Dunbar goes further into the case he turns up at vane medical facility treating animals he finds that the doctors are using animal kidneys in the patients then taking out their hearts leaving the parents devastated not knowing what the doctors have done, I found this novel very compelling & could not put it down have the 2nd book on wish list for further down the track, whatever you do this year read this!! it wont disappoint I hope I haven't give away spoilers but trying to tell the plot right am now a fan of Ken McClure 5 stars
Amy Chapman was diagnosed with Renal failure she was very close to death her Parents Sandy & Kate were desperate to help find a donor for their dying daughter they were advised to send her to a Medical facility in Glasgow Scotland Ecosse Medic where she may get a new donor Kidney.
All of a sudden Former patients of the hospital died in terrible circumstances Dr Steven Dunbar a former marine goes undercover to look into the case what he finds is that the doctors are getting kidneys on the black market & putting them in as a transplant knowing that the kidneys will fail.
As Dunbar goes further into the case he turns up at vane medical facility treating animals he finds that the doctors are using animal kidneys in the patients then taking out their hearts leaving the parents devastated not knowing what the doctors have done, I found this novel very compelling & could not put it down have the 2nd book on wish list for further down the track, whatever you do this year read this!! it wont disappoint I hope I haven't give away spoilers but trying to tell the plot right am now a fan of Ken McClure 5 stars
April 12, 2023
Ciekawy temat na medyczny thriller, ale za krótkie!!! I jeszcze romans tu wcisnęli omg
August 23, 2012
The more I read by Ken McClure, the more I enjoy his well written and thought provoking books.
I eventually gave in and decided to purchase Donor, thinking that it would open a whole can of worms; If I enjoyed it, I would be compelled to purchase the rest of the Dr Steven Dunbar novels, one after the other, until I had finished. Good news for my bookshelves (digital, of course), bad news for my bank balance.
The Character of Dr Steven Dunbar is incredibly well written; he is both human and clinically concise, compassionate and driven, talented and down to earth. I cannot wait to see how the character progresses and grows, and how he will react in the different situations he will undoubtedly find himself in.
I eventually gave in and decided to purchase Donor, thinking that it would open a whole can of worms; If I enjoyed it, I would be compelled to purchase the rest of the Dr Steven Dunbar novels, one after the other, until I had finished. Good news for my bookshelves (digital, of course), bad news for my bank balance.
The Character of Dr Steven Dunbar is incredibly well written; he is both human and clinically concise, compassionate and driven, talented and down to earth. I cannot wait to see how the character progresses and grows, and how he will react in the different situations he will undoubtedly find himself in.
September 16, 2012
Doctor Steven Dunbar is sent by the Home Office to investigate the possible sinister events at Médic Ecosse, a private hospital in Scotland. Of course, there is no doubt from the outset that the possibilities will soon become probabilities.
The two nurses who try to expose the corruptness are silenced: well, almost. Doctor Dunbar manages to get to them, but how much truth lies behind their suspicions.
There is heartbreak as parents struggle with coming to terms with their children needing organ transplants to survive. Imagine how you would feel. If there is something going wrong behind the scenes, you would want to know about it.
Dr Dunbar puts himself in real danger as he continues his investigations. Even his own bosses are challenging him.
The pace of the story is great, and the tension is high, but what makes me like this book so much is that it is believable. That is scary!
The mystery rolls on until the closing pages, and the ending is worth it.
Highly recommended.
The two nurses who try to expose the corruptness are silenced: well, almost. Doctor Dunbar manages to get to them, but how much truth lies behind their suspicions.
There is heartbreak as parents struggle with coming to terms with their children needing organ transplants to survive. Imagine how you would feel. If there is something going wrong behind the scenes, you would want to know about it.
Dr Dunbar puts himself in real danger as he continues his investigations. Even his own bosses are challenging him.
The pace of the story is great, and the tension is high, but what makes me like this book so much is that it is believable. That is scary!
The mystery rolls on until the closing pages, and the ending is worth it.
Highly recommended.
December 15, 2010
I can’t remember the last time I sat down to read a medical based novel but I do remember the title because it had a great impact on my desire for reading in my schooldays – A.J. Cronin’s “The Citadel” first published in 1937. If you haven’t read it please do take the time to read one of the best literary authors of the 20th century - I digress! – And no I didn’t read it when it first came out!
“The Citadel” finds newly qualified Scottish doctor Andrew Manson travelling to a small mining community in South Wales and is shocked to see how people struggle day after day. Dedicating hours of private time to become a specialist in lung disease he moves to London working for a government department before taking on a private practice. It ironically shares a number of traits with “Donor” not least the battle to make medicine affordable to all.
“Donor”, my first introduction to Ken McClure’s work, struck a chord with me from the very beginning. A punchy start, it hits at the very heart of every parent’s nightmare – the sudden loss of a young child through illness. Highly emotive, the prologue sets the tone for the entire book.
Available from Book Depository & Amazon
The narrative is sharp and the plotlines well defined. I found the story believable which made it slightly uncomfortable in parts – purely for the fact that my imagination got the better of me! I won’t mention when or how for fear of spoilers but needless to say McClure knows how to write engaging and atmospheric prose!
A combination of descriptive and dialogue driven narrative, the pace is excellent – finishing the book in two sittings, “Donor” is a veritable page turner and an excellent introduction to Dr Steven Dunbar – the final thirty pages were a blur!
Although laden with scientific facts and medical jargon I never once felt bogged down in industry talk, McClure clearly taking care not to overwhelm the reader with unnecessary use. His experience as a scientific researcher and knowledge in microbiology is there for all to see and is certainly put to good use in “Donor”.
Called in by Sci-Med to investigate Médic Ecosse precarious financial situation, Dunbar discovers the state of the art facility and accommodating staff hide disturbing secrets. Doctor James Ross’s highly successful transplant department is at the centre of his investigation and as he delves deeper into its history he uncovers questionable practices that threaten its very existence.
Full review on my blog -- http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/14...
“The Citadel” finds newly qualified Scottish doctor Andrew Manson travelling to a small mining community in South Wales and is shocked to see how people struggle day after day. Dedicating hours of private time to become a specialist in lung disease he moves to London working for a government department before taking on a private practice. It ironically shares a number of traits with “Donor” not least the battle to make medicine affordable to all.
“Donor”, my first introduction to Ken McClure’s work, struck a chord with me from the very beginning. A punchy start, it hits at the very heart of every parent’s nightmare – the sudden loss of a young child through illness. Highly emotive, the prologue sets the tone for the entire book.
Available from Book Depository & Amazon
The narrative is sharp and the plotlines well defined. I found the story believable which made it slightly uncomfortable in parts – purely for the fact that my imagination got the better of me! I won’t mention when or how for fear of spoilers but needless to say McClure knows how to write engaging and atmospheric prose!
A combination of descriptive and dialogue driven narrative, the pace is excellent – finishing the book in two sittings, “Donor” is a veritable page turner and an excellent introduction to Dr Steven Dunbar – the final thirty pages were a blur!
Although laden with scientific facts and medical jargon I never once felt bogged down in industry talk, McClure clearly taking care not to overwhelm the reader with unnecessary use. His experience as a scientific researcher and knowledge in microbiology is there for all to see and is certainly put to good use in “Donor”.
Called in by Sci-Med to investigate Médic Ecosse precarious financial situation, Dunbar discovers the state of the art facility and accommodating staff hide disturbing secrets. Doctor James Ross’s highly successful transplant department is at the centre of his investigation and as he delves deeper into its history he uncovers questionable practices that threaten its very existence.
Full review on my blog -- http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/14...
June 17, 2012
This is a really interesting medical thriller. It focuses on a new private hospital which is losing money and costing the taxpayers in government funding. The transplant unit is the only department in profit but there are concerns about 2 unexplained deaths so Dr. Steven Dunbar is called in to conduct an undercover investigation. There are 2 whistle blowers, both ex-nurses, a sub-plot of murder and a new transplant patient to protect.
The style is very descriptive and flows nicely, there are clues dropped in everywhere that lead you to think that you know what the outcome will be from very early on in the book. The conclusions you draw will be wrong though as there are 2 very clever twists at the end which once you know what they are make perfect sense. There is also a love story sub-plot element which adds a little extra.
I really enjoyed this book and found myself working along with Dr. Dunbar to try and unravel the mystery whereas sometimes with other similar books I find myself just following along rather than feeling actively involved.
McClure has a very clever writing style with some good characters, I intend to read more of his books.
Personal read 5/5
The style is very descriptive and flows nicely, there are clues dropped in everywhere that lead you to think that you know what the outcome will be from very early on in the book. The conclusions you draw will be wrong though as there are 2 very clever twists at the end which once you know what they are make perfect sense. There is also a love story sub-plot element which adds a little extra.
I really enjoyed this book and found myself working along with Dr. Dunbar to try and unravel the mystery whereas sometimes with other similar books I find myself just following along rather than feeling actively involved.
McClure has a very clever writing style with some good characters, I intend to read more of his books.
Personal read 5/5
May 25, 2011
Very interesting book. To see that young children die after a kidney transplant is interesting in itself but to see that there is something far more cruel going on is amazing. The first chapteer grabbed me and then the book fell a little flat. I must say that the last few chapters and the ending made up for it all. I felt nervous and apprehensive for Dr. Dunbar and Amy. I was hoping another child wouldn't die. It completey immersed me in the events and I was lost in my mind as I pictured everything happening before me. It was GREAT and for my first experience with Ken McClure...I will say I am hooked!
May 6, 2012
This would probably be a three and a half star read from me, edging towards a four. A young girl is in desperate need of a kidney transplant, but strange and disturbing things are going on in the private hospital where she is admitted. It makes a lot of statements regarding NHS versus private, and the ethical dramas of organ donation which I enjoyed. Overall, a fast paced and easy to read novel which gives you food for thought!
March 21, 2013
I enjoyed this book. Well written and entertaining. I also went to hear Ken McClure speak at my local libary last week. A most entertaining evening and so interesting to hear how he gets his ideas. His science is all knowledge and he had a wonderful laid back approach to writing and very happy that his out of print books can now be read again on Kindles, e-readers etc. I shall read some more.
October 20, 2013
# 1 in the Dr. Steven Dunbar series
This book gets more and more mysterious as it moves further into the story. It's a delight to be "reading" a book that captures the attention for so long.
At first I was disappointed to discover that I had the mystery solved before Dr. Steven Dunbar but then realized I hadn't had it figured out after all.
This book gets more and more mysterious as it moves further into the story. It's a delight to be "reading" a book that captures the attention for so long.
At first I was disappointed to discover that I had the mystery solved before Dr. Steven Dunbar but then realized I hadn't had it figured out after all.
October 31, 2011
Well what a gripping story, when I started I really thought that this was another Robin Cook wannabe. How wrong was I, the twists and turns kept me engaged throughout. The human side of Dr Dunbar was very evident in the relationship with his daughter, Lisa, yet he can be so cold and clinical in the pursuit of the truth. I need to read the others to discover how Dr Dunbar develops.
July 20, 2012
Ken McClure's first in the Steven Dunbar series Donor is an easy well paced medical thriller. At times the storyline is a little far fetched. It reaches a conclusion rather too quickly and stretches the balance between fairy tale and believability a little too far for me. Having said all that it still ticks the boxes if you are looking for something to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon.
March 22, 2017
A solid medical thriller.
Dr Steven Dunbar works for the Sci-Med Inspectorate of the Home Office (I think). He has been sent to the Medic Ecosse, an exclusive private hospital in Scotland, to investigate some rather unusual deaths in their transplant unit. But he is sort of undercover, under the guise of a forensic accountant as they are seeking more public funding to keep going.
The hospital occasionally takes NHS patients for goodwill and publicity. Two of these, young children three years apart, died after kidney transplants of apparently well matched organs. In both cases theatre nurses reported that they thought there was something fishy going on. One nurse is now dying of cancer and the other was sacked. Dunbar interviews them and believes their stories so he starts his own covert investigation.
There are many suspicious things going on at the hospital but he can't put his finger on how the kids died as everything appears to have been above board. The pressure is on though when the hospital takes another NHS patient for a kidney transplant - another young child. He is concerned that she, too, will die and goes all out to find evidence of wrongdoing to stop the operation.
He puts himself in terrible danger but when he finally realises what is really going on, it is more shocking than what he could have imagined. I reckon this could be a pretty good series. It wasn't all that suspenseful, until the end of course but it was a good mystery that kept my interest. Dunbar is a likeable chap and seems quite competent. I will go for book two eventually.
Dr Steven Dunbar works for the Sci-Med Inspectorate of the Home Office (I think). He has been sent to the Medic Ecosse, an exclusive private hospital in Scotland, to investigate some rather unusual deaths in their transplant unit. But he is sort of undercover, under the guise of a forensic accountant as they are seeking more public funding to keep going.
The hospital occasionally takes NHS patients for goodwill and publicity. Two of these, young children three years apart, died after kidney transplants of apparently well matched organs. In both cases theatre nurses reported that they thought there was something fishy going on. One nurse is now dying of cancer and the other was sacked. Dunbar interviews them and believes their stories so he starts his own covert investigation.
There are many suspicious things going on at the hospital but he can't put his finger on how the kids died as everything appears to have been above board. The pressure is on though when the hospital takes another NHS patient for a kidney transplant - another young child. He is concerned that she, too, will die and goes all out to find evidence of wrongdoing to stop the operation.
He puts himself in terrible danger but when he finally realises what is really going on, it is more shocking than what he could have imagined. I reckon this could be a pretty good series. It wasn't all that suspenseful, until the end of course but it was a good mystery that kept my interest. Dunbar is a likeable chap and seems quite competent. I will go for book two eventually.
June 9, 2017
My first by the author and it had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout ! Two children dead after rejecting a kidney post transplant in a private hospital and a third about to have the same procedure . Two theatre nurses sacked for attempting to whistleblow and now the government has stepped in with a medical detective to figure out what is going on . A read full of suspense and disbelief from start to finish .
June 8, 2022
За първа среща с този автор и този вид литература, останах повече от очарована. Въпреки че е публикувана през не толкова далечната 1999, части от книгата вече са реалност. Колко оптимистично, но и плашещо дори. Науката напредва с бесни темпове, но цената, която плащаме е огромна. През 2022 вече е факт трансплантирано свинско сърце на човек. Хубаво е да има такива произведения, за да може обикновеният човек да се докосне и разбере колко труд, напредничавост, екстравагантност, смелост, но и морал трябва да се вложи в името на живота.
П.П. Жалко за слабата оценка, тази книга далеч е по-ценна от "Знахар" с привидно алтруистичните, но силно социалистическо-пропагандни мотиви.
П.П. Жалко за слабата оценка, тази книга далеч е по-ценна от "Знахар" с привидно алтруистичните, но силно социалистическо-пропагандни мотиви.
March 19, 2025
Good medical drama
It took a little to get going and maybe a little farfetched, but a good entertaining medical mystery overall. Kind of like a slow burn, which I prefer over nonsense twists and turns. I will read more in this series.
It took a little to get going and maybe a little farfetched, but a good entertaining medical mystery overall. Kind of like a slow burn, which I prefer over nonsense twists and turns. I will read more in this series.
June 25, 2019
Seems I found another Robin Cook & Micael Palmer. Fast Paceing. Happy to find out that i have many books waiting.
July 1, 2012
I have become an absolute fan of Ken McClure. This was his third novel that I read, and likely many more will follow.
Mystery, suspense and thrillers have come to be redefined over the years, and most novels of these genres tend to overdo every aspect of the story telling. So, unless there is 'edge of the seat' action, 'nail biting' thrills and overly complicated suspens, it won't do. This is where this novel (indeed, the author's story telling craft) is such a refreshing change. I had used the term 'refreshing' while reviewing one of his other novel as well, and I cannot say it enough.
The plot revolves around the seemingly natural deaths of two young children during routine kidney transplant operations. Only, both these deaths occurring over a space of more than 3 years at the same hospital had two nurses crying foul. Both these nurses, independently and unknown to each other, had alleged that the children had been transplanted with the wrong organs, and hence the deaths, despite the routine nature of these transplant operations. This leads to a specialised wing of the Government, Sci-Med to depute one of its undercover investigator, Steven Dunbar, to the hospital. Steven Dunbar, somewhat Sherlock Holme-ish in nature, goes about digging the truth. Once revealed, the truth comes out a scary.
The pace of the novel is very even, and always maintains a pleasurable tempo, and accelerates towards the last 30-40 pages when it is opportune to do so. The narrative is once again very nice, smooth, proper and polite. Character development is fantastic. The story is very believable; in-fact, even true in countries like India where we come across snippets of organ trade every now and then.
This is a genuine medical thriller, with hardly any overdose of jargons, so it ensures even the lay-reader comprehends the story. This is how a suspense/mystery ought to be!
Mystery, suspense and thrillers have come to be redefined over the years, and most novels of these genres tend to overdo every aspect of the story telling. So, unless there is 'edge of the seat' action, 'nail biting' thrills and overly complicated suspens, it won't do. This is where this novel (indeed, the author's story telling craft) is such a refreshing change. I had used the term 'refreshing' while reviewing one of his other novel as well, and I cannot say it enough.
The plot revolves around the seemingly natural deaths of two young children during routine kidney transplant operations. Only, both these deaths occurring over a space of more than 3 years at the same hospital had two nurses crying foul. Both these nurses, independently and unknown to each other, had alleged that the children had been transplanted with the wrong organs, and hence the deaths, despite the routine nature of these transplant operations. This leads to a specialised wing of the Government, Sci-Med to depute one of its undercover investigator, Steven Dunbar, to the hospital. Steven Dunbar, somewhat Sherlock Holme-ish in nature, goes about digging the truth. Once revealed, the truth comes out a scary.
The pace of the novel is very even, and always maintains a pleasurable tempo, and accelerates towards the last 30-40 pages when it is opportune to do so. The narrative is once again very nice, smooth, proper and polite. Character development is fantastic. The story is very believable; in-fact, even true in countries like India where we come across snippets of organ trade every now and then.
This is a genuine medical thriller, with hardly any overdose of jargons, so it ensures even the lay-reader comprehends the story. This is how a suspense/mystery ought to be!
September 9, 2012
My husband is a fan of McClure and had been encouraging me to read his books. Donor is the first Ken McClure that I read and I am happy to say, it won't be the last. McClure's writing is excellent, the pace and style all conducive to dragging you into the story and not letting you go, until the final page has been turned. The plot was believable, and the characters fully rounded.
Dr. Steven Dunbar has been called in to investigate a private hospital's dealings during a recession. Complaints by two of the staff concerning the death of two patients following transplant operations have raised Sci-Med's suspicions. The hospital's star transplant surgeon has had his research budget dramatically slashed, and despite everybody expecting the man to quit and find a position elsewhere, he stays. It is Dunbar's task to peel back the layers of secrecy concerning the treatment of the super rich and prove or disprove the claims of two ex-nurses that the wrong organs where transplanted into two transplant patients treated for free.
I read this book within two days, I had to reach the end. The life and death race to prevent a third child becoming a victim to organ failure and the truly callous agenda of the hospital staff involved was well described and left you hoping that such a situation could never occur in real life.
Dr. Steven Dunbar has been called in to investigate a private hospital's dealings during a recession. Complaints by two of the staff concerning the death of two patients following transplant operations have raised Sci-Med's suspicions. The hospital's star transplant surgeon has had his research budget dramatically slashed, and despite everybody expecting the man to quit and find a position elsewhere, he stays. It is Dunbar's task to peel back the layers of secrecy concerning the treatment of the super rich and prove or disprove the claims of two ex-nurses that the wrong organs where transplanted into two transplant patients treated for free.
I read this book within two days, I had to reach the end. The life and death race to prevent a third child becoming a victim to organ failure and the truly callous agenda of the hospital staff involved was well described and left you hoping that such a situation could never occur in real life.
March 28, 2012
I enjoyed Donor, but I did find myself skipping over a lot of what I thought was filler.
Although it is about a little girl needing a transplant, there wasn't very much attention paid to her.
I found the beginning to be very slow to start, and choppy at times, but the overall story was good.
Once I made it through the beginning, I enjoyed it despite my issues with the story.
Although it is about a little girl needing a transplant, there wasn't very much attention paid to her.
I found the beginning to be very slow to start, and choppy at times, but the overall story was good.
Once I made it through the beginning, I enjoyed it despite my issues with the story.
August 16, 2014
A quick and fast paced read, enjoyable for a change of pace after along day at work. The plot revolves around high tech medicine, transplants, stem cells etc. Descriptions are a bit thin and some plot points are a bit implausible (did it really take Dunbar so long to become suspicious of the goings on). I'd read another in the series when I needed good, fun escapist reading.
Doug
Doug
August 25, 2012
This book didn't take me long to read at all being on a long train journey and it being under 300 pages. It was an intriguing fast-paced story of a young girl urgently in need of a kidney transplant. The hospital that is treating her has some very strange goings on..
September 3, 2012
I could not put this book down. I would compare his keeping you in suspense to Robin Cook. I have just downloaded the next book in the series (deception) and am beginning to read it right now.
January 11, 2013
The plot was different to other medical thrillers I've read and it was a welcome change. It was nice that the story kept you guessing but still gave you enough information to work it out yourself.
Very interesting, relatively well paced and beautifully executed.
Very interesting, relatively well paced and beautifully executed.
April 9, 2012
Medical thriller - international in style but set in Glasgow, featuring greedy doctors (as well as good ones) and scary futuristic scientific techniques.
September 14, 2012
Very scary scenario.
December 10, 2012
Excellent read...hard to put down. I really enjoyed this book and have already started reading another by the same author.
January 26, 2013
What a wonderful book. Couldn't put it down finished it in a day. Cant wait to start 2nd book.
September 15, 2013
Very enjoyable. This may be an addicting series.
December 31, 2011
Easy great read. Current and thought provoking
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews