Scan barcode
iamlaura's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
4.0
Dr. Kate Downy is about to have her world turned upside down. When deaths start happening at her hospital, she is concerned. As she dives deeper, she finds something far worse, but lacks the proof she needs. But, she may just find it in the most unlikely of places.
This was a great read, and one that I highly enjoyed! I look forward to the second book in this series.
This was a great read, and one that I highly enjoyed! I look forward to the second book in this series.
carolpk's review against another edition
My sincere thanks to Edelweiss, Oceanview Publishing and most of all Author, Tammy Euliano for the privilege to read this pre-publication in ARC format.
I remember the thrill of reading Robin Cook's Coma at its release in 70's. I was hooked and a medical thriller fan was born.
Though I have enjoyed others, my wait for one that grabbed me like this was a long time coming. My wait is over. Fatal Intent is a solid entry into this genre. Detailed with medical authenticity, it's a thriller with interesting characters and the promise of a "can't wait for the next" series. Welcome, Tammy Euliano.
I remember the thrill of reading Robin Cook's Coma at its release in 70's. I was hooked and a medical thriller fan was born.
Though I have enjoyed others, my wait for one that grabbed me like this was a long time coming. My wait is over. Fatal Intent is a solid entry into this genre. Detailed with medical authenticity, it's a thriller with interesting characters and the promise of a "can't wait for the next" series. Welcome, Tammy Euliano.
hugbandit7's review
5.0
The topic of this book is a great one for book clubs or discussion in general. How do you feel about end-of-life issues especially when one is terminal or in a vegetative state? Why are they forced to suffer? This book will possibly have you thinking twice about how you feel on this subject.
Dr. Kate Downey is a strong protagonist but not without her own flaws. Her husband is in a vegetative state which weighs heavily on her emotions. Is she doing the right thing? This becomes very important as the book progresses as Dr. Downey works to uncover the mystery of why patients are dying after simple surgeries.
I was pulled into the story right from the start. I found the mystery intriguing and wondered if I would be able to decipher the clues and figure out how this was happening. Of course, I didn't. But the journey was a roller coaster that kept me engaged. From Kate's life as an anesthesiologist, teaching future doctors in anesthesia, a complicated situation with her husband and his family, and battling the Chief of Staff at the hospital. I felt a range of emotions, much like Kate. Sorrow for her family situation, curiosity about the recent deaths, compassion for her patients and students, and relating to the love she felt for her husband despite his situation.
There are many likable characters including her eccentric Aunt Irm, her student Jenn, a deceased patient's son Christian. These characters helped round out the story and added an additional dimension to the various situations. I really liked Aunt Irm and her love for Kate and wanted to assist with solving this puzzle.
This book had the perfect blend of characters and situations to keep a reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. There will be some revelations at the end that might surprise you, I know I was not expecting them and it took the book in a new direction.
We give this book 5 paws up!
Dr. Kate Downey is a strong protagonist but not without her own flaws. Her husband is in a vegetative state which weighs heavily on her emotions. Is she doing the right thing? This becomes very important as the book progresses as Dr. Downey works to uncover the mystery of why patients are dying after simple surgeries.
I was pulled into the story right from the start. I found the mystery intriguing and wondered if I would be able to decipher the clues and figure out how this was happening. Of course, I didn't. But the journey was a roller coaster that kept me engaged. From Kate's life as an anesthesiologist, teaching future doctors in anesthesia, a complicated situation with her husband and his family, and battling the Chief of Staff at the hospital. I felt a range of emotions, much like Kate. Sorrow for her family situation, curiosity about the recent deaths, compassion for her patients and students, and relating to the love she felt for her husband despite his situation.
There are many likable characters including her eccentric Aunt Irm, her student Jenn, a deceased patient's son Christian. These characters helped round out the story and added an additional dimension to the various situations. I really liked Aunt Irm and her love for Kate and wanted to assist with solving this puzzle.
This book had the perfect blend of characters and situations to keep a reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. There will be some revelations at the end that might surprise you, I know I was not expecting them and it took the book in a new direction.
We give this book 5 paws up!
rashmipmenon's review
4.0
Fatal Intent by Tammy Euliano is a fast-paced medical mystery thriller. The story follows the main character Dr. Kate Downey who starts looking into the unexpected deaths of elderly patients after minor surgeries, which shouldn’t have killed them. Kate is an anesthesiologist and was part of the team involved in the surgeries. While she suspects the surgeon Dr. Charles Ricken, she does not have any evidence to prove it. The Chief of Staff is quick to blame Dr. Kate Downey as she is already under probation for a previous error, she committed during a heart transplant. Kate now has to prove her innocence to not only save her job but her career as well. And she must do it while caring for her husband who’s in a vegetative state after an accident while on duty.
When Christian O’ Donnell, a lawyer and the son of one of the victims, offers to help her, she finds herself with an accomplice and a good friend. Kate wrestles with her growing feelings for Christian while she feels guilty for her feelings when her husband is in such a state.
The whole story takes place within a two-three weeks window and is paced very well. Clues that lead to the original killer are placed throughout the book, plus one to the author for managing to do this in as subtle a manner as possible. One of the most annoying things I find in thriller novels is when clues end up becoming spoilers. Tammy Euliana has managed to provide the readers with enough to keep it interesting, but at the same time keep us guessing. Dr. Kate Downey is a lovable character and as a reader, I felt an instant connection to her. She goes through a variety of internal emotional conflicts during the two weeks of traumatic events as the story unfolds. It culminates by leading her to an impossible decision where she must make a choice on who to save among all her loved ones. An impossible choice for any human let alone a Doctor who has taken an oath to protect all lives.
The Climax of the story reveals the killer and the figure behind the killer. While I was able to guess who it might be, I was pleasantly surprised by the manner in which it was revealed. It kept me on the edge of my seat and had me turning the pages without missing a beat. The only aspect that I did not like was the stereotyping of POC. The author describes a Black Man for the security guard role, an Asian Ph.D. researcher, and a Latina Housekeeper. I would’ve preferred it if the author hadn’t done that and left their ethnicity out of the descriptions for these very minor roles that are a blink and you miss roles in the book. Religion and the right to live or die is a big concept of this book. However, the author has managed to base the mystery on this concept without making it controversial.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to everyone who loves a good mystery thriller, especially those who love medical mysteries.
I give it a solid 4/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When Christian O’ Donnell, a lawyer and the son of one of the victims, offers to help her, she finds herself with an accomplice and a good friend. Kate wrestles with her growing feelings for Christian while she feels guilty for her feelings when her husband is in such a state.
The whole story takes place within a two-three weeks window and is paced very well. Clues that lead to the original killer are placed throughout the book, plus one to the author for managing to do this in as subtle a manner as possible. One of the most annoying things I find in thriller novels is when clues end up becoming spoilers. Tammy Euliana has managed to provide the readers with enough to keep it interesting, but at the same time keep us guessing. Dr. Kate Downey is a lovable character and as a reader, I felt an instant connection to her. She goes through a variety of internal emotional conflicts during the two weeks of traumatic events as the story unfolds. It culminates by leading her to an impossible decision where she must make a choice on who to save among all her loved ones. An impossible choice for any human let alone a Doctor who has taken an oath to protect all lives.
The Climax of the story reveals the killer and the figure behind the killer. While I was able to guess who it might be, I was pleasantly surprised by the manner in which it was revealed. It kept me on the edge of my seat and had me turning the pages without missing a beat. The only aspect that I did not like was the stereotyping of POC. The author describes a Black Man for the security guard role, an Asian Ph.D. researcher, and a Latina Housekeeper. I would’ve preferred it if the author hadn’t done that and left their ethnicity out of the descriptions for these very minor roles that are a blink and you miss roles in the book. Religion and the right to live or die is a big concept of this book. However, the author has managed to base the mystery on this concept without making it controversial.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to everyone who loves a good mystery thriller, especially those who love medical mysteries.
I give it a solid 4/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
spikedtonic87's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book took a long time to get going, but when it did, it definitely made up for lost time.
eherold's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mgunn78's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
_alyssabrown's review
4.0
I actually surprised myself with how much I enjoyed this book! I work in healthcare & I love it so much, so I really enjoyed that whole aspect of the book. I’m not a rule breaker by any means so when Kate wasn’t doing what she was told (even to help others), I got anxious and annoyed