A medical thriller I couldn't put down. There was ample medical information (which only got slightly overwhelming at times) and an interesting plot. I'm a sucker for anything about serial killers - they just interest me to no end. What makes someone so messed up like that? In this case, it was the drugs.

Addiction, Mystery, Murder! What an interesting story. There were plateaued moments but overall dark with many twists. I would recommend reading if you are interested in medical field, but perhaps not so much if addiction is one of your triggers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Sometimes People Die</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

Simon Stephenson's <i>Sometimes People Die</i> is a thought-provoking and haunting novel that masterfully blends elements of mystery, medical drama, and philosophical reflection. Set in a beleaguered hospital in London, the book provides a gripping and unsettling look at life and death through the eyes of a young doctor navigating a series of unexpected and suspicious patient deaths.

<h4>The Details</h4>

Stephenson provides a critical look at the systemic issues plaguing modern healthcare systems. The overworked staff, inadequate resources, and bureaucratic hurdles paint a grim picture of the challenges faced by hospitals, particularly those serving vulnerable populations.

The unnamed doctor is a compelling and relatable protagonist, marked by his vulnerabilities and introspective nature. His personal journey, marked by past mistakes and a desire for redemption, adds depth to the narrative. His perspective offers an authentic and often heart-wrenching glimpse into the life of a medical professional.

The novel features a diverse cast of characters. Each character is well-developed and adds layers to the story, reflecting the various facets of the hospital ecosystem. The interactions between these characters enrich the narrative and provide a comprehensive view of the hospital's environment.

Simon Stephenson's writing is both eloquent and accessible, characterized by its clarity and emotional resonance. He adeptly balances medical jargon with thoughtful prose, making complex medical issues understandable without oversimplifying them. The narrative is interspersed with moments of dark humour and philosophical musings, adding depth and nuance to the story.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Sometimes People Die</i> is a compelling and intellectually stimulating novel that challenges readers to confront the complexities of life, death, and ethical decision-making in the medical field. Simon Stephenson's skillful storytelling and nuanced characterizations create a haunting and memorable reading experience. This book is a must-read for fans of medical dramas, mysteries, and anyone interested in the moral intricacies of healthcare. It stands out not only as a gripping story but also as a profound exploration of what it means to save lives—and what it means when we can't.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

I loved the flawed main character, who struggles with being an opioid addict while a stressed practicing doctor in a poor London hospital. I found it odd that the main character wrote down the events twenty years after things happened--why?

So funny! Loved the black humor everywhere--reminded me of House. I didn't mind the insertions of the historical medical folks who murdered, although I hope they are more set apart by design than in the ARC.

I’m not really a fan of medical thrillers such as this one. I found I was bored and my mind started to wander. Sometimes I had to read a paragraph or sentence a few times because I wasn’t absorbing what I was reading.

#SometimesPeopleDie #SimonStephenson #GeorgeMillerBurns #HarlequinTradePublishing,#HanoverSquare Press #NetGalley

This is a medical thriller that takes place in a busy Scottish hospital where a string of mysterious deaths occur. As the deaths pile up, a junior doctor who is a resident there, tries to make sense of it while battling his own demons and coping with the death of his friend.

The story is told convincingly. The ABCs of the ER, the admonishment to DFTG (Don't forget the glucose!), the long hours, the perpetual fatigue, the over-work, and the under-appreciation that make up a resident's life is conveyed with authenticity.

The book is narrated by George Miller Burns, whose Scottish brogue adds a special flavor to the story. The protagonist is charming and relatable, and the well-defined characters breathe life into the novel.

Overall, this is an engaging medical thriller that draws on the author's experiences as a physician to take readers into the brooding underbelly of a hospital. If you're a fan of medical thrillers, this book is definitely worth checking out.

This was an advance copy and I enjoyed listening to it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Quick read with a ton of plot twists I never saw coming! Some seemed a little far fetched but it was an enjoyable read that kept you guessing.

I wanted to like this book, but I think it was a case of the wrong subject/plot at the wrong time. The writing was really good, but the medical mystery part was just not something I wanted to read when I sat down with this book. I may try to pick it up again when I am in a better mind space to read it.

I enjoyed the premise but found that it didn't live up to what I was expecting. It was full of medical jargon that went waaay over my head to the point that it was unenjoyable. On top of that it was waaay too slow.

The author does a fantastic job describing a rundown hospital with over worked staff. The story was a little to slow for me. I liked the ending but overall it was just ok.

Sometimes People Die is like if Grey's Anatomy and James Patterson co-created a novel. I liked the setting of this mystery set in a hospital. I also liked the readability of the plot causing for a quick read. At times, it felt a little too detailed in ways that slowed down the book but it was unique and I think for the right audience, it would be an asset.

The language in this book is so straightforward that I thought I was reading a memoir. Ostensibly a murder mystery, the deaths take a back seat to a doctor who wants to serve his patients while fighting his addiction. Great work.

Truly dark and fascinating. Also using this as a place to show my support for the Harper Collins union. Thank you to Harper for the gifted ARC my honest review.

This is a well-written, if rambling page turner that veered at some points too in-depth with medical details and jargon.
Lovers of Robin Cook will appreciate this read!

Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, medical, opioid addiction, serial killer

I like medical thrillers and serial killers, but this was slow and just okay for me. I didn't really find it to be much of a thriller either to be honest. I had to go back and confirm this was fiction because it read sort of like non-fiction with an overload of medical information. There were real life murders that were thrown in, too, which really I didn't mind since I do read true crime from time to time, but it just added to it being over informative.

Overall, an obviously well researched book that might be your cup of tea. It's currently highly rated here at 3.97 and 4.3 on Amazon, so I seem to be in the minority.

I was able to listen to the audio as well, so I went back and forth reading and listening. It was narrated by Greg Miller Burns for an awfully long time at 12 hours and 28 minutes. His Scottish accent is quite thick, so I couldn't listen to it much over 2x. Reading was the better option for me.

This book was quite slow and tedious for ever so long. The intermittent stories of other serial killers, and an abundance of medical jargon threw the story off its tracks. It finally came together for the last 20%. My only wish was that the momentum seen at the end had started much sooner! Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Unfortunately, I have been locked out of my netgalley account for a few months and was not able to see which books I had on my list, in order to properly read and review. I do apologize and am doing a 3 for neutral. Will update once I’m able to obtain a copy and read!

Made it over halfway through this one and still couldn’t connect to it. I kept hoping things would pick up and capture my interest but it never happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes People Die reads partly as a medical memoir, partly as a trivia manual on murderous medical professionals, and as a bonus has a medical mystery woven throughout. While it doesn't read exactly as the medical thriller it is billed to be, there are plenty of twists and turns that make this book enjoyable. Readers are definitely rewarded with an unexpected and satisfying ending!

Sometimes People Die is a recommended read for fans of mystery and suspense and also those interested in medical oddities and serial killers.