Anyone who enjoys television medical dramas will surely relish this medical thriller, the first in a promised series.

The protagonist, Dr. Kate Downey, is a doctor with heart that is very easy to like and relate to. Her life has not been easy. Her beloved husband, Greg, is in a comatose state after an accident. For the past year he has been kept alive with the aid of machines in a nursing home. While her husband was deployed overseas, Kate herself suffered a miscarriage of her baby daughter.

Kate lives with her German, octogenarian Aunt Irm, and her adorable dog Shadow, a black lab.

Kate is a teaching physician who works as an anesthesiologist. When two of her patients die after returning home following minor surgery, it raises alarm bells. As Kate investigates, she learns of more and more deaths with similar scenarios. An older or infirm patient, with little quality of life, undergoing minor surgery, released with everything looking well, then, a day or two later, dies at home.

A lawyer and the son of one of the victims, Christian O’ Donnell, offers to help her discover who is responsible. Kate wrestles with her growing feelings for Christian and feels more than a little guilt as she still loves her husband. Along with Kate and Christian, a keen medical student, and Kate's Aunt Irm band together to seek justice.

A mystery novel with medical ethics at its core, this was a fast paced and intriguing read. A serial killer or a mercy killer? A physician that is striving for justice, one who is forced to risk everything she holds dear in order to apprehend the culprit. As she has little in the way of 'proof', the higher ups dismiss her theories, and her career is at stake.

Hospital hierarchy puts up road-blocks in Kate's investigation. Red tape and fear of tarnishing the hospital's reputation seem to be more important that discovering who is taking innocent lives.

A thought provoking and gripping read, that will cause the reader to question their own beliefs. When someone has no quality of life, who if anyone, should decide to end that life? This would be an excellent choice for a book club read as it would spark some lively and impassioned debate. Written with obvious medical expertise, while maintaining a story that is easy for the lay person to understand. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series, entitled "Misfire". Recommended!

It has been a very long time since I have read a medical thriller. I used to devour Robin Cook and it felt like meeting up with an old friend.

It's very interesting when an author and their main character share the same profession. The author can use their own experience to make it all more real. Of course, everybody can do research and talk to someone to gain more info, but it's always a lot more comprehensible when someone with the knowledge can clarify things. 

On the other hand, there is always the risk there will be a few parts that are too complicated and too technical for a layman like me, but I have to admit I did learn a thing or two as well. :)

I liked Kate a lot. She refuses to be a push over even though quite a few people have it in for her. She won't give up before she gets to the bottom of it.

Once again this story confronts us with the cruelty of certain people. My heart went out to Kate for what she was forced to do. 

A very enjoyable read. 5 stars

Thank you

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

The book is written from Kate’s perspective. She narrates the story and tells of how it unfolds.
Kate gets concerned when patients who are considered “burdensome” begin to die and have procedures carried out that would be considered not necessary before they meet their untimely death. She goes around asking questions that seem to actually get her into trouble. This does happen until the last minute when her husband who was in a vegetative state gets caught up in the same whirlwind.
Kate has a good support social system and did not once question her rationale when she begins chasing for the truth. The institutions came hard on her with her conjectures of why people were dying but she pushes through. Aunt Irm and Christian were the silent unsung heroes in her pursuit of truth.
The book has a good pace and keeps you reading as the story unfolds. The end has some good surprises that came out of left field. I was close but not close enough (Chuckles). Strong storyline and characters as well as a good plot. Anyone who loves a good medical suspense title should read this one.
Tammy Euliano is an author I would definitely read once again. Can’t wait to get my hands on the new book, “Misfire”, the title should be a hit seller.

This one was not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Medical mysteries are hard for me to pick up because I fear that I am going to be drowning in terminology and using all my time to google. This was a big surprise for me, it was written for everyone to understand and I did not feel like I was missing out on the plot at all. Authors take note, this is how a medical mystery is done

Anesthesiologist and protagonist of this novel, Kate, thinks that too many of her elderly patients are dying. Because this is a medical thriller, of course her colleagues do not believe her and give her a hard time. However, Kate will not let go despite professional setbacks and she investigates. Along the way she is helped by her great aunt and a lawyer. There will be excitement and danger before everything is resolved.

The author of this first novel knows whereof she speaks. This is a medical thriller written by a physician; this lends a sense of authenticity to what follows.

Those who enjoy stories that combine medicine and suspense will enjoy this title. Note that there is a second book coming out by this author. It is titled Misfire and will be released in January.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

📖My Thoughts📖

I love a good thriller. Throw in a huge medical theme and to me, you have yourself a winner. This book really blew me away. The authors knowledge and precise descriptions on the extensive medical terminology and incidences really helped make the story in my opinion. Everything was completely spot on. I do work in an OR and have been in healthcare for over 20 years, so the terminology was easy for me to follow, but some may need to look some of the terms up. I loved the way everything flowed and kept me wanting more. This was such a gripping story. The main theme is a trigger or touchy subject for some people, but this is classified as a thriller, so it seems to go without warning that there will be triggers. Overall this was a really compelling book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Fatal Intent is a fast-paced thriller full of suspense. As patients start to die on days after seemingly minor surgeries, anesthesiologist Dr. Kate Downey begins to search for answers. Has someone decided to play God and end the lives of people with different medical issues? There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing, all opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a typical medical thriller, doctor notices patients die after minor surgeries and decided the investigate it only to find out too much info. Great read!

this was a really interesting take on a mystery novel, I enjoyed that it was in a different setting from other mystery novels.

Dr. Kate Downey’s suspicions are aroused when two patients who had undergone surgery were released in stable condition and died within days. As an anesthesiologist, she had attended both surgeries and everything had gone well. Attending the funeral of one of the patients she is approached by the deceased’s son Christian, who was not satisfied with the explanation given for his father’s death. Kate begins to investigate but is told by the hospital’s chief of staff to drop her inquiries. She continues and discovers similar deaths. She suspects one of the new surgeons, but he had no contact with two of the cases. While she still believes the surgeon is somehow tied to the deaths, she also discovers another member of staff was present for procedures on each of the patients. It is someone who came recommended, but was never properly vetted and whose background is questionable. Kate’s questions have triggered actions taken to stop her, including a malpractice suit and an attempt on her life.

Tammy Euliano’s tense medical thriller is built around end-of-life issues. At what point is life no longer worth living and who has the right to decide? Kate’s husband Guy was involved in an accident and has been on life support for over a year. While Christian is there for her throughout her investigation and offers her support, she can not let go of Guy. Christian lost his wife and child and understands her reluctance to let go, but there are feelings developing between them. Kate also receives support from her Aunt Irm, an elderly German woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. Fatal Intent takes you behind the scenes in the day-to-day workings of a hospital through both patient care and the administration. It raises issues that stay with you long after the story has ended and provides a thriller that will keep you glued to the pages. I would like to thank. NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing this book for my review.

Being a Registered Nurse whose favourite book genre is thriller, I was really excited to dive into this medical mystery/thriller, I loved the whole setting being in hospital and mainly in the operating room or surgical suites. I personally really enjoyed all the medical terminology throughout the story, but I could also definitely see other readers finding it a tad heavy on that aspect. I enjoyed the main character and thought she had great development, but unfortunately the story just fell a tad flat for me as a whole. I found there was quite a bit of repetition / reading the same thing over and over. I felt like this story just needed more scare factor or suspense. I also felt the ending came super abruptly and left me unsatisfied. I appreciate the authors note at the end explaining how the story is to also shed light on living wills and makes you question prolonging life of those who are in a coma state or who are terminally ill. I thought it was super interesting taking this topic of discussion and turning it into a fictional thriller, I just don’t know if it fully worked to its best advantage. The author, Tammy Euliano, is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology which is extremely impressive. I will definitely still be interested in reading more of her work in the future.

Patients are dying a couple days after minor surgery. Kate is the anesthesiologist that has noticed a pattern.in the deaths and who is part of the surgical team in each case. Kate's family and friends become involved in figuring out what happened. The book is fast paced with twists and turns. There are side stories for each character which makes the story even more interesting. I thought the book was interesting and hard to put down. Great reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an ARC of this book. The following review is my own.

Fatal Intent is a medical thriller. Doctor Kate Downey is an anesthesiologist working at an university hospital in Florida. She has a husband who has been in coma for about a year, after being in an explosion while overseas. Dr. Downey notices that patients in the hospital are dying after simple surgeries. She begins to investigate., as she was involved in many of these surgeries. Her questions are not well received by hospital administrators and she is suspended. Why are these seemingly otherwise healthy patients dying after they leave the hospital? Kate gets assistance from one of the victims' son, an attorney, Christian O'Donnell.

The book also discusses end of life decisions, how hard it is to make these decisions.

This was a very good debut novel. I look forward to more of Dr. Kate Downey.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Fatal Intent in exchange for my honest review! I love thrillers, this was my first medical thriller and now I’m hooked. Give me more!!!

I was up late into the night which turned early morning reading this book because I was absolutely hooked and couldn't wait to get to the ending to find out what was going to happen! An absolute page turning, well-paced, suspense that had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen!

My thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy of the book.

Fatal Intent is a fast-paced and exciting medical mystery/thriller which also brings into focus an issue that can impact us all.

The story is narrated in the voice of Kate Downey, an anesthesiologist working at a university hospital in Florida. Her husband Greg, a military doctor, has been in a coma for nearly a year after an explosion and consequent brain injury when he was deployed. Kate lives with her loveable but slightly eccentric great-aunt Irm and lab, Shadow. At work, she has been placed on probation by the Chief of Staff, Dr Walker, for an incident involving some wrong medication which impacted an organ donation case.

Attending the funeral of a friend of her aunt’s one day, and a little later the same day, that of Dr O’Donnell, former president of the University, Kate’s suspicions are roused for both were cases on which she had worked. Both patients had undergone minor procedures and were fine when discharged, yet both died within two days of their surgery. Finding that both had been operated on by Dr Charles Ricken, an arrogant and unpleasant surgeon who has nearly everyone’s hackles up, she decides to at least bring up the matter with him. But he reacts strongly and she finds herself at the receiving end of a reprimand from Dr Walker, who is already against her. Her Chair professor, James Worrell supports her but asks her to tread carefully. But she soon finds herself blamed for malpractice and the subject of an inquiry.

Meanwhile Kate runs into Dr O’Donnell’s son Christian, a lawyer, who tells her that he and his brother Luke (a doctor) are also looking into their father’s death. Christian and Kate, her bright intern Jenn and great-aunt Irm (also remotely, Luke), begin to look into the matter piecing together clues, and finding more such cases along the way.

Alongside, there is also further trouble at the hospital for Kate as a student who isn’t up to the mark with his work tries to pin the blame on her raising all sorts of false allegations; while at home, Greg’s brother Adam is fighting her to put an end to Greg’s life support, something Kate is unwilling to do, for it would involve literally starving him to death.

This was a thrilling and engrossing read which kept me hooked all through. From the point when Kate pretty much stumbles upon the two suspicious deaths, to piecing together the few clues she has, to being joined by Christian and the others in her investigation, discovering other cases and the whole journey of tracing down the killer to prevent him from causing any further harm, I enjoyed the mystery at every step. This is not so much a whodunit in that one has clues to the possible who/whos fairly early on, and the why begins to make sense too, some way into the story. But despite this, the author kept me reading to see how they would catch up with the killer and whether they’d be able to stop him in time; there are surprises and events that one didn’t expect all the way. Also interesting was watching Kate work out the ‘how’. Some of the scenes at the end though I found to be a touch too dramatic (though this might be just me because I often have this reaction in mystery thrillers).

Reading the story, one can tell that it is written by a person who has experienced the pressures of working in a hospital, and in situations the characters deal with, and dilemmas they must face. Even before I read the author’s note at the end confirming this, it was evident. She conveys well, how working in a hospital isn’t in some ways, very different from other human institutions for besides the pressures of work, and the split second decisions that doctors are so many times faced with, there is also the inevitable politics of things, and being on the wrong side of the powers that be is never a good place to be, as poor Kate soon realises.

The characters in the story I found to be really likeable—Kate herself is a character one really feels for (and roots for) and she displays great strength and tenacity considering all that she has been going through in her personal and professional life. Christian too, carries baggage, but proves to be a good friend and partner in the investigations (there is also a line of possible romance explored which was quite nicely and subtly done). Jenn is enthusiastic but also naïve, while Dr Worrell is a great person to have backing one. My favourite character though was probably great-aunt Irm, who not only always supports and has great meals (there’s plenty of food) for everyone, but who seems to be able to gauge people’s personalities, even when she has not met them. Aunt Irm is spot on every time about who can be trusted and who can’t. And of course, I also loved all the doggos in the story (4 of them)—but that goes without saying.

The issue that Euliano tries to discuss through the mystery is as I said a really relevant one—the prolonging of the life of those who are terminally ill or in a vegetative state, and relatedly the issue of living wills. This throws up so many questions in terms of who is or should be the right person to take that decision (particularly when one leaves no living will), and whether the kind of death a patient will undergo (not always peaceful) is justified by relieving the patient of longer term suffering? More so when one can’t be certain the person taking the decision has the patient’s best interests at heart.

This was a really great read, and even before I finished I was already wondering if the author is working on any other books, as I for one will be excited to read them!

4.5 stars

Fatal Intent was a very interesting medical thriller. I loved the characters. They had great chemistry with each other. I especially enjoyed Aunt Irm. She was one of my favorite aspects in this book. This book has an interesting discussion of end of life decisions that I felt was handled very well. These topics can be very difficult and I don't believe that there is a single correct answer to how end of life decisions should be handled. These decisions are often very personal and everybody will view these decisions based upon different factors and life experiences. The medical aspect of this book is very easy to understand and follow along with, which I greatly appreciate. Overall, I really enjoyed in this book and I look forward to any future books by this author.

I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing for providing me with an ARC.