Day: March 8, 2023

I love a cinematic psych thriller – one that I can picture as a tv episode or movie – and The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe fits the bill perfectly!

I was drawn in from the beginning and stayed up late (really late), turning pages to find out how everything in the intricate plot fit together.

And while I did guess a couple of connections early on, I didn’t catch a big one. Overall, it didn’t matter, though, because even though I was right, I still didn’t know how it all related.

Without giving anything away, motives play a big part in the plot. But if you think you know what a character’s motive is, you probably are wrong. The author does a great job of giving the reader enough to form opinions but withholds little bits that ultimately lead to the truth.

Did I mention I love that?

The setup, a heart surgeon with a secret and an ambitious ASA with an axe to grind, was also intriguing. I kept picturing an episode of “The Wire” or “Law & Order.”,

The main characters, Anne and Paula, were clear and fully realized. I got a feeling for both of them through their actions and words.

If I had to pick at anything, it would be Anne’s obsession over what happened during the operation. I can understand that a good surgeon would want to know exactly why something occurred, but it became a bit repetitive.

Also, I don’t think Derreck was as fleshed out as the women. We know about his ambition because we are told about it, but I didn’t see it from him. He seems to be more of a pawn in the story instead of an equal character. Maybe that is the point.

The Surgeon had everything I enjoy in a psych thriller: compelling main characters, hidden agendas, long-held secrets, and surprise twists. Leslie Wolfe has been added to my one-click author list.