Do No Harm by Jack Jordan

The book begins in April 2019 with the first few chapters written from Anna’s viewpoint. Later on, we read chapters from the viewpoints of Margot and Rachel. These are the three main characters in the story – all strong women and all survivors.

Dr Anna Jones is a cardiothoracic surgeon. She lives with her eight-year-old son Zack and their dog called Bear. One day, she comes home from work to find men in her house, who threaten her. They’ve taken her son and to get him back safe and well, she must kill one particular patient on her operating table.

Margot is Anna’s aide. Despite working hard, she is struggling. She has far too many debts and can only afford to eat if she steals money from her colleagues.

Detective Inspector Rachel Conaty works for Redwood Police, but she is also dealing with her own personal tragedy. Her team are called out to the discovery of a dead woman’s body down a well. The case takes her to the street where Anna lives. In fact, just next door.

All the main characters in the book are flawed, which makes them feel real. No-one here lives a perfect life, looking beautiful and feeling happy. Everyone has things to hide. I found Anna’s compulsive habit quite vile and sometimes had to force myself to continue reading.

The book is a tense read! The author throws loads of things at all the main characters and they don’t get much time to breathe easily. Several times, I was lamenting “BLIMEY, JACK JORDAN! HAVEN’T THEY SUFFERED ENOUGH?!” Wow! The bad stuff just keeps on coming! As the chapters are written from a first person point of view, the reader tends to sympathise with them, though none of the characters are particularly likeable. (Maybe Rachel…)

It is definitely a page-turner though, as you want to know what happens next and the stakes are high, with more than one person’s life at risk. You get drawn into the story very quickly and want to keep reading. In fact, sometimes I was very tempted to peek ahead to see what happened! (It’s okay, I managed to resist!) It felt like I was going through some of the things the characters were dealing with and I definitely needed a lie down and a glass of wine after finishing the book. Phew! What a ride!!

BLURB

My child has been taken. And I’ve been given a choice….

Kill a patient on the operating table. Or never see him again.

The man lies on the table in front of me.

As a surgeon, it’s my job to save him.

As a mother, I know I must kill him.

You might think that I’m a monster.

But there really is only one choice.

I must get away with murder.

Or I will never see my son again.

I’ve saved many lives.

Would you trust me with yours?

Don’t miss the heart-stopping thriller of 2022.

#DONOHARM