“Lily Parker's mundane life is forever changed when her husband becomes a surgeon at Northwind Clinic. Located on a secluded island, the clinic offers ultimate privacy for the rich and famous.

But something isn't right at her new home.
With tall walls surrounding the shore, security guards working around the clock, and cameras watching her every move, Lily becomes highly anxious, bordering on paranoid.

When Lily witnesses the tragic death of a woman working at the clinic, she questions her perfect life and the people around her. More unsettling are the words the woman whispered to Lily before she died.”


This was like short story to me. It was short and just had enough to get the story across. It could have been longer with more details but it wasn’t bad for what it was. Was it a little far fetched? Yes. Was it still a quick page turner? Also yes.

I went into this one pretty much blind, so I had no idea what surgery was being performed, or the type of surgeon Lily’s husband was. So the suspense was real!

If you’re looking for a quick, page-turning read, then I suggest picking up “Keep the Doctor Close”

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for a DRC. Keep the Doctor Close is available now.

I cannot fathom how this book has over 4 stars on Goodreads.

I was only able to get a few chapters into this before it became a DNF. I'm sorry but the MC is wimpy and the way she's written to be all adoring with her husband is really gross. But the thing that made me stop reading is the fact that the husband had to explain to her what a migrant worker is.

To the author: women are not idiots. Please don't write them as if they are. Because of this, I will never read another of your books again.

Really really enjoyed! James Caine is now an auto buy author for me. The amount of twists had me on the edge of my sit and made me not want to put the book down. I would recommend to anyone

Let me start with the positives: This was an interesting premise. I think the idea behind it and the twist are interesting, but I don't think it was executed very well, which brings me to the negatives.

Firstly, I have to say that for the first 50 or so pages I thought I was reading a book written by a woman. I'm not entirely sure why because the name is very obvious, but I guess I just missed it not looking at an actual cover all the time. While reading, I wonder what was wrong with this woman, by that I mean Lily, was acting in ridiculous ways and interpreting/justifying her husbands actions, his awful opinions and his selfishness, and then I realised she was written by a man. Maybe that was part of the issue. Anyway, I couldn't stand her husband I couldn't understand why she would have been okay moving to an island without any contact to the rest of the world....
Secondly, I don't think the author has done much research into the medical aspects of his story, especially in relation to heart transplants. I have watched 6 seasons of Grey's anatomy and I think I have a better understanding than him! This in particular made the story line unbelievable and almost ridiculous. There were also some unexpected changes in the characters, and their explanation seemed disingenuous and made to fit for the storyline.

Lastly, I don't think it was very well written. It had the potential to be a good book, but there was very little time spent to set the scene and thus it lacks atmosphere. I don't think I will read another book by this author, simply because I think there are so many other authors I rather read.

THE HOOK/APPEAL: An island where his husband is finally the doctor he always wanted to be. Should be perfect, right? Cue the paranoia, but it's founded.

THE REVIEW: Fast paced, lots of twists, the beginning was fine but could have been grippier. It did feel plausible in a nightmarish way, so points for that.

THE RATING: 3.8 rounded!

Keep The Doctor Away - James Caine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“You shouldn’t have come. You won’t be able to leave. They’ll come for you if you do.”

Keep The Doctor Away follows Lily, who relocates to a secluded island when her husband is offered a job as a surgeon. Although Lily knows something is not right about the place as soon as they arrive. But can she get out? And if she can, will she leave with her sanity intact?

I read Keep The Doctor Away in one sitting and found it to be a thrilling, fast paced psychological read. It is told predominantly from Lucy’s perspective across one timeline and gets straight into the plot from the first page. I don’t think it had anything dramatically twisty or shocking, but the psychological aspects made up for this and kept me hooked.

I liked Lily’s character and found myself rooting for her throughout. Watching her deteriorate and unravel in the midst of all the chaos, I felt empathetic towards her and it all alluded to create a tense and eerie atmosphere. I enjoyed some of the themes explored and found the concept to be not only unique, but written well.

This was my first book by James Caine, but I will definitely be reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley, James Caine and the publisher for sending this copy of Keep The Doctor Away in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow! I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put this down. A fast paced psychological thriller that brings in the trope of a secluded island and mysterious characters. It had me on my toes trying to figure out what was going on.

Loved the way the characters and supporting characters are sketched out. I could actually visualize this playing out while reading. The premise and narrative is well made. Definitely recommend!

Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This was absolutely amazing! I was totally enthralled with this story from beginning to end, I could barely put it down, and when I finally read the last page, the house was dark, I was hungry, thirsty, needed to pee and my neck was stiff. But damn, it was worth it!

Another jaw dropped from James Caine. This is probably the fourth book I’ve read from him and each time the plot reveal is absolutely insane. This book reads quickly which is always a plus for me.

Slow start but once things started happening, I couldn’t put it down! Good read! Very suspenseful. Glad everything was clear in the book and didn’t have you wondering.

I’m a sucker for books set on strange and mysterious islands, so I was excited for this one.

Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

The major issues came from the plot. I didn’t feel like anything was happening for most of the book, so I struggled to stay engaged. The initial story started off at a good pace, but it tapered and left me wanting more excitement.

I also sadly didn’t like the writing. It was boring and bland.

However, it was a quick read, and I was intrigued enough to read until the end, as I wanted to know if Lily was going crazy or whether she was right to feel so paranoid.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Keep The Doctor Away” by James Caine is a chilling psychological thriller that masterfully blends suspense, paranoia, and the eerie isolation of a secluded island. This novel takes readers on a harrowing journey through the life of Lily Parker, whose world is turned upside down when her husband, Dr. Parker, accepts a prestigious position at the enigmatic Northwind Clinic.

Lily Parker’s life seems to be on an upward trajectory when her husband becomes the new plastic surgeon at Northwind Clinic, a facility known for its discretion and high-profile clientele. However, the clinic’s remote island location soon reveals itself to be more of a prison than a paradise. As Lily settles into her new home, she begins to notice strange occurrences and unsettling behaviors among the staff and patients. 

James Caine excels in creating complex and relatable characters. Lily Parker is a well-rounded protagonist whose transformation from a supportive spouse to a determined survivor is both believable and compelling. Her growing sense of unease and determination to uncover the truth drive the narrative forward. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic Dr. Parker and the mysterious clinic staff, add layers of intrigue and suspicion, keeping readers guessing about their true intentions.

Caine’s writing is crisp and evocative, effectively capturing the claustrophobic atmosphere of the island and the mounting dread that Lily experiences. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes that allow for character development and plot progression. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, enhancing the overall tension and suspense.

“Keep The Doctor Away” explores themes of trust, deception, and the psychological impact of isolation. The novel delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets. It also raises questions about the ethics of medical practices and the vulnerability of those who place their trust in healthcare professionals.

Note: Some plot twists may be predictable for seasoned thriller readers. The ending may feel abrupt to some readers.

“Keep The Doctor Away” is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. James Caine has crafted a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with a protagonist who is easy to root for. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or new to the genre, this novel is sure to provide a satisfying and chilling read.

Really gripping and had me on the edge of my seat throughout! It’s full of jaw dropping twists!
Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

The premise and ideas behind this book have so much potential, but somewhere along the way it just fell flat for me. Without giving away too many spoilers, the twist of the story really did feel like it could be happening somewhere tucked away from prying eyes!!

I like the short, fast-paced chapters that fill the book, but the characters and dialogue felt very two dimensional and unbelievable.

I DO however think this could do excellent as a limited TV series… I feel like the suspense would translate well? Overall, this book wasn’t my favorite, but I did finish it pretty quickly. Regardless of my opinion, I am thankful to the publisher and author for this ARC!

2.5⭐️

A plastic surgeon for the elite? Yes! Count me in. The clinic is located on a secluded island. Everything is perfect, until it’s not. After a guest jumps from a balcony, questions are asked about what is really happening. A thrilling and suspenseful read.

Well this book was full of twists and turns. I was hooked from the beginning of the book to the very last page. What a read

Thank you for the opportunity to review

I think this book was his best yet! It was a page turner from the beginning to the end. The Story kept me guessing throughout.

When a new surgeon and his wife move to a secluded island for his new job, there's no way this housewife couldn't have realized the dark secrets hidden within.

Best way to describe this book is Stepford Wives meets Dexter.

Truly loved this book. It gives you just backstory enough in the beginning pages without ruining the element of surprise. I was able to finish this book in two days because it's just that damned good!

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC of #KeepTheDoctorAway by James Caine. This baby just hit shelves Sept 9th! Pour a glass of wine and cancel your plans!

Uh actually I don’t know what to expect for this book because I Was really disappointed in this because there’s so many plot holes. For an example it keeps saying,
“They are coming for you”

Coming for you for what exactly? Even though the synopsis was promising, when I started to read this it became very disturbing. But again, all the things about surgeries and all were so unrealistic, I almost stopped reading the book.

This is the first book by James Caine I have read, and it was such a treat! The plot is particularly disturbing, and sometimes I was so mad at some of these characters. I will say evoking strong emotions makes reading books so much more enjoyable. If you are looking for a quick read, that will get your blood pumping, this is the one. I know I will be looking for his other books.