"𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐫𝐞 - 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 - 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐬. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬.”

Daniel Kalla returns with another high-octane medical thriller.

Although I only read Kalla's writing for the first time in 2023 with Fit To Die, I fell in love with the way he uses the thriller genre to approach interesting topics in the medical world; his latest focuses on Dr. Holly Danvers and her innovative use of psychedelic therapy to cure addictions. As Holly's small group of VIP clients who are piloting her research challenge her methods, the members begin to die in strange accidents - but who is to blame?! Kalla's work as an emergency room doctor allows him to use his medical knowledge, alongside scientific research, and write it in a super accessible and approachable way. I found the idea of using psychedelics in a controlled manner in conjunction with therapy for a finite amount of time fascinating. This novel is less a procedural and more thriller-like than Kalla's previous, especially with its main focus on Holly, and I found myself quickly turning the pages to see just what was happening with this group that have "𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐩 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐟𝐟." Each group member, and Holly herself, are flawed, while (by design) being hard to get to know, adding to the sense of uncertainty around the truth. Although the culprit wasn’t a total shock (Kalla planted the seeds well in a few places), one particular reveal with one character at the end left me shook at its boldness.

High Society is another solid addition to Kalla's writing. I highly (no pun attended!) look forward to his next book. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the ARC!

Back with another winner from local Canadian ER doctor Daniel Kalla. This novel might be one of my favourites from this author. He just has a way of writing terrible people really well. I enjoyed this fast paced book and couldn’t put it down.

I’m not sure what it was exactly that made me dislike this book so much, but primarily I think it’s because I didn’t care for a single character. It was hard to relate to, and I just didn’t feel a connection to the story. This wasn’t for me!

Thank you @simonschusterca and @netgalley for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The most interesting thing about the recent Daniel Kalla books is that Daniel Kalla is actually an Emergency Department doctor in Vancouver (yay Canada!) and he brings his medical questions and exploration into his novels.
In High Society, Holly has spent years grieving her father’s death, when her grandfather introduces her to the psychedelic therapy of ayahuasca, and it’s the only thing that helps her start to come to terms with her loss. Twenty years later, Holly is a psychiatrist in L.A., determined to use her expertise with psychedelics to treat patients suffering from addictions. She gathers a group of seven individuals, all addicted to different things, for ketamine-enhanced therapy combined with a second psychedelic that isn’t exactly legal.
The problems start when members of her therapy group start dying and disappearing. Holly is desperate to find out what’s happening to her patients, and save herself from getting in legal and professional trouble from her experimental therapy.
I enjoyed this book and I was curious to see where it was going to go. I love books about groups of people who are trying to find out what’s happening with the other members of the groups. However, I did find it a bit difficult to keep all seven members of her therapy group and their various addictions and professions straight. I didn’t really understand why Holly was seen as such an amazing therapist. I guess she was helping the people in her group but she seemed pretty unsure of herself. I guess I’ll give her the benefit of the double since she was attempting a new, non-traditional, and extremely risky, form of therapy.
Overall, the book kept me guessing and reading and wanting to know what was going to happen next.
3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Daniel does it again! This medical thriller had me hooked from the beginning, the short chapter kept the pace quick while being told from multiple points of view, and the twists at the end were shocking!

Highly recommended!

I really didn't like this book. I've enjoyed a lot of Kalla's other books but not this one. I didn't care about any of the characters and didn't have empathy for the main character. She (and many others) made really bad decisions. I honestly couldn't wait for the book to be done.

This was a good read it just was not my favorite. Something was missing for me to make it memorable.

I thoroughly enjoyed. In the novel we follow Holly a psychiatrist who is taking an unconventional route and treating a group of patients struggling with varies addictions with psychedelic drugs. The book does of course take a turn for the worst and I was suspecting all the wrong people and my mind was trying to solve the mystery, however Daniel did it again and through a twist I didn’t see making for a great read. It was a very interesting and insightful read into the world of psychedelics and how they work, Daniel Kalla is an absolute pro when it comes to medical thrillers, how he has time to research, write and be a doctor is beyond me, but I hope he continuesbecause I can’t wait for his next novel. Overall an enjoyable medical thriller that keeps you entertained up to the last page.

Holly uses ketamine, and drug therapy in her practice to help addicts finally quit their addictions. She is out to help prove psychedelics as a viable options for addiction treatment. However, after a bad trip, one of her patients makes a disastrous accusation that could bring her entire practice down. How will Holly move forward, how will the group move forward.

Things aren’t always as it seems as one thing leads to another, are bad things happening to the group because of the drugs, or for other reasons? The coincidences are too strong to ignore and Holly won’t stop until she finds he answers.

I really enjoy Kallas writing and his controversial and real topics. If you’re looking for something that is still a mystery story, but with real life topics and interesting talking points, I suggest giving any of Kallas books a go.

I am a big fan of Dr. Kalla’s medical thrillers, so I was very pleased to receive High Society prior to publication. As always, Kalla writes about an extremely timely medical topic and is able to weave suspense through an engaging plot. I read this book very quickly and truly couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to his next book!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC!

The thing I love most about Daniel Kalla’s books is that they tackle topics that are so unique and that you won’t find in many other books.

High Society explores the use of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders and wow I found this so fascinating.

I couldn’t stop reading because I couldn’t wait to find out what else was going to happen to this eccentric cast of characters. The short chapters and multiple storylines really kept the plot moving.

A dark twisty deep dive into the world of drug therapy that went places I wasn't expecting but kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Linwood Barclay. This might be my new fav from Canadian ER doctor Daniel Kalla. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

always know to expect something a little different from @ books - and this one didn’t disappoint. Full of unlikeable characters ( from our resident psychiatrist to her husband to her patients) you want to learn more about and an “An Then There Were None” type of a murder mystery as members of “The Tribe” , this one is hard to put down !

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Daniel Kalla wrote about pandemics before COVID ever existed, so his books are always medically informative

This one is no exception. Written in a way that a layperson can easily understand, but also tinged with suspense and I could not wait to get to the next chapter.

So engrossing, this author is excellent and delivering unseen punches when you least expect it.

I absolutely loved this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
I just loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book.

𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 is a psychological thriller that revolves around Dr. Holly Danvers, a psychiatrist with a traumatic past and a controversial present. The novel begins with Holly using groundbreaking psychedelic therapy to treat addiction, a method that is both innovative and risky. The plot thickens when her clients - an heiress, an attorney, a psychologist, a fashion designer, a rock star, a CEO and an opioid crisis activist - begin to relapse and die, turning Holly’s world upside down. The narrative is gripping, with twists and turns that explore the complexities of trauma.

Holly Danvers is a well-crafted protagonist whose personal journey is as compelling as her professional one. Her character is fleshed out through her interactions with her grandfather, Walter, estranged husband and mentor, Dr. Aaron Laing, and her patients. The supporting characters each add depth to the story and present Holly with challenges that test her resolve and ethics.

Daniel Kalla’s writing is sharp and engaging. His background as an ER physician lends authenticity to the research aspects of the book, while his skillful prose ensures that the narrative flows smoothly. The dialogue is realistic, and the descriptions are vivid, immersing the reader in the world he has created.

Kalla employs flashbacks and unreliable narration to build suspense and keep the reader questioning what is real. The pacing is brisk, with short chapters that maintain momentum. The structure is well-organized, allowing for a clear progression of the plot.

𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 invites reflection on the ethical implications of cutting-edge addiction treatment. If you’re a fan of medical thrillers and interested in the human mind’s mysteries, 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 is a book that you should not miss.

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada, for the #gifted print copy and to @Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC.

Holly is a psychiatrist specializing in psychedelic therapy to treat addictions. Holly forms a therapy group, relying on unconventional and unproven methods. However, soon after starting the program, Holly's patients begin to die. Is the therapy the problem? Or is something else going on? Holly must determine the answer in order to save her practice.

The first half of the book is a bit slow - it relies way too much on the therapy sessions. I found myself skimming parts. It really picks up after the halfway point, though. I was leaning towards of 3 star rating, but the latter half of the book changed my mind. The author also does a great job tackling deep ethical issues.

The author does a great job with character development. Nonetheless, I didn't really care for any of the characters. I did not guess "whodunit" so that was a big win for me!

If you liked Nine Perfect Strangers, then this one will definitely be up your alley! This has more of a mystery element, so I greatly preferred it over Nine Perfect Strangers.

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada | Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Holly barely survived a traumatic car accident that killed her father when she was 16. Her grandfather took her to the jungles of Peru, where she took an ayahuasca treatment (a plant-based psychedelic) to emotionally recover. Now, twenty years later, Holly is one of the most sought after psychiatrists who is determined to use her expertise in psychedelics to treat patients suffering from addictions. She embarks upon an unproven new protocol that delivers miraculous results. Holly's world is quickly turned upside down when one of her clients goes public with his recovery and another overdoses after accusing Holly of improprieties. With her career on the line, Holly reaches out to her mentor, (and estranged husband) Dr Aaron Laing, for comfort and advice. It soon becomes clear that it is up to Holly alone to figure out what's going on with her clients.

HIGH SOCIETY is a story that I very much enjoyed. It is told primarily in Holly's POV with some short chapters in other characters' POVs. I loved Holly's narrative, while some of her choices crossed a line, I was still thrilled to see her growth and how she worked through some of her own realizations. This is the third book I've read by Kalla and I absolutely love his writing style and that he uses his own medical knowledge and expertise to write about 'hot' topics.

I really liked that this story takes a closer look at mental health, addictions, and how past traumas can continually influence our choices. I thought it was really interesting to learn about psychedelic treatments in conjunction with talk therapy (both one-on-one and in a group) as it is not something I had any knowledge of coming into this story.

HIGH SOCIETY is a highly interesting read with short, pithy chapters that make you want to keep reading. There are several twists that serve to shift the focus as well as up the ante, leaving me with no clue how all the pieces of this story would come together. I was truly surprised by how the story came to the end, in the best way. The ending was really well done, tying up many of the loose ends.

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

Thank you Netgalley, Simon &Schuster Canada and Daniel Kalla
I have read a few of Daniel Kalla's novels and he never disappoints.
A well-researched novel about psychedelic therapy and its aftermath on different people.
I could not put this novel down and will continue to read from this great author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

As someone who is interested in the subject of hallucinations to aid or cure mental illnesses I was very excited to read this book. Sadly as someone with cognitive issues, I did not know what was going on in most of the book. The book had mystery and was entertaining when I understood and I highly suggest you try it for yourself.