I can't quite believe this is the first novel I've read by J.M. Dalgliesh – it definitely won't be the last! This is a seriously addictive psychological thriller and so I strongly advise making sure you set aside some time to read it because it's a very difficult book to put down!
Family Doctor opens with a chilling prologue which sets the scene perfectly for what happens next. A young woman is on the verge of leaving her island home, musing that she needs to get away from her suffocating environment. It's immediately clear that something bad happened to her in the past and that her mother is still trying to protect her but exactly what took place isn't revealed until later in the book. However, her desire to strike out on her own is swiftly curtailed when a brief conversation with a stranger takes a terrifying turn...
Although the identity of the young woman isn't mentioned in the prologue, it is soon obvious that she is Lauren, the daughter of Jura's only medical practitioner, Kelly. Most of the novel is told from Kelly's first person perspective; her increasing desperation after she receives the devastating news that Lauren has been abducted and that she must make a dreadful decision to secure her release feels almost palpable. She is also clearly still haunted by a secret from her past which cleverly adds another layer of intrigue to proceedings.
Lauren's kidnapper sets her three rules if she wants to see her daughter alive again.
"You must murder one of your patients.
You must not tell another soul.
You must not get caught.
If you fail, your daughter dies…"
She is given just three days to decide what to do and if she so chooses, who to kill. It's the sort of impossible dilemma which will strike fear into the heart of everybody. In a hypothetical situation, most of us would say that we would do anything to protect our loved ones but could we really kill another innocent person? This is a really unnerving read throughout, particularly as it becomes evident that the person who has taken Lauren is watching Kelly and seems to know everything about her.
She has to try to act as normally as possible in order not to raise suspicions among the small island community but that's no easy task, especially when she attempts an investigation into who may have had cause to abduct Lauren.
With the clock ticking, the sense of tension is unbearable and it seems as though Kelly will have no choice but to become a killer herself. The insights we are given into her patients are grimly fascinating and it's uncomfortable to realise that readers are nearly as manipulated as she is into making a moral choice about who most deserves to die. It might appear as though the decision should be straightforward but there are practical as well as emotional considerations to be made and it's never obvious what she will eventually elect to do. Meanwhile, as the feeling of community on Jura which gave Kelly and Lauren some of the solace they so badly needed is cruelly taken from them, the vivid descriptions of this remote island and the atmospheric sense of place engendered is particularly impressive.
Although Kelly is a sympathetic character thrust into the most unimaginably horrific situation, there are indications throughout that she remains tormented by something terrible she did a few years ago. Alongside the main narrative, there are occasional chapters set in the past which gradually reveal the tragedy that changed everything for her family. Further dramatic revelations and horrific discoveries ensure the dynamic, pacy storyline is utterly compulsive, with a breathtakingly exciting, emotional and shocking conclusion.
J.M. Dalgliesh's first-rate thriller is packed with dark secrets and unsettling ethical quandaries from start to finish; Family Doctor is a riveting, nail bitingly suspenseful read and one I highly recommend.

This book was so good I really enjoyed the story line and it had so much suspense, the characters were written so well

A great read! J.M had me flipping page after page way into the night - I needed to know what happens next! When Lauren's daughter gets kidnapped, she has 3 days to do what's asked of her and make sure she follows the rules! The pace is fast and there isn't a dull moment through the whole "operation". Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for an honest review. Highly recommend!

Rules are meant to be broken—unless breaking them costs you your child. Family Doctor by J.M. Dalgliesh is a masterclass in tension, trapping you on a remote Scottish island with Kelly, the only GP in town and a mother in crisis. Her daughter, Lauren, is kidnapped, and Kelly receives a chilling set of rules she must follow if she wants to see her again. No police. No mistakes. No time.

The novel plays out over a taut three days, filled with psychological pressure, red herrings, and emotional landmines. Dalgliesh ramps up the intensity with every chapter, deftly balancing Kelly’s professional responsibilities with her increasingly frantic attempts to outwit a faceless adversary. I felt Kelly’s desperation. I lived her fear. And the reveal? Let’s just say I audibly gasped.

The windswept island setting adds a delicious sense of claustrophobia, and the emotional beats hit hard. This isn’t just a race against the clock—it’s a gut-punch of a thriller that forces you to question how far you’d go for the one you love.

Gripping, atmospheric, and emotionally raw, Family Doctor proves that J.M. Dalgliesh knows exactly how to twist a plot—and your stomach.

I need a cup of tea and a lie down.

This book is such a pageturner! The plot is intense and so fast paced, I struggled to put it down and practically read it in one sitting. The setting of the book only makes the plot more intense. Our main character is so well written throughout this book, you can really feel the desperation she has to get her daughter back but also the inner moral conflict that comes with being asked to take a life. I’ll definitely be reading whatever this author writes next!

This is a really good read, for me it was more like a film I had seen before and I found that it made the book predictable

A really frightening physiological thriller. It is set in a remote Scottish island where a single mother doctor lives with her daughter, Lauren. All seems fine until she is sent a video stream of her daughter looking terrified and a voice telling her she must kill three patients in three days if she wants to keep her daughter alive.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Family Doctor by J.M. Dalgliesh is an absolutely gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. For those of you who enjoy a well-crafted, tense, and atmospheric read, I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Set on an isolated Scottish island, the setting itself becomes a character—bleak, remote, and full of secrets. The author masterfully builds a sense of unease that lingers throughout, making the twists and turns hit even harder. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a fantastic twist completely turned everything on its head.

The pacing was perfect, the characters felt real and layered, and the emotional depth added so much more than I expected. This is a standout read that lingers long after the final page.

The book was very good if all this doctor on a remote island who is asking to choose between her daughter and one of her patients and she has to decide it's just going to kill one of her patients to save her daughter

The Family Doctor was a fast paced page turner that grabbed my attention from the description alone and never let go. I loved the setting of the remote Scottish Island and it was packed full of twists and turns, most of which I did not see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

The Steadfast Beacon: Reflections on J.M. Dalgliesh, The Family Doctor J.M. Dalgliesh, the family doctor. The very words evoke a sense of familiarity, trust, and unwavering support. More than just a purveyor of medical diagnoses and prescriptions, the family doctor, like Dalgliesh, represents a cornerstone of community health and well-being. They are the first port of call in times of illness, a confidante in moments of vulnerability, and a constant presence throughout the ever-changing tapestry of family life. Dalgliesh, in embodying the role, likely understood the deep connection between physical health and emotional well-being. The family doctor isn't just treating symptoms; they're treating people. They witness the progression of lives, from the joyous arrival of newborns to the inevitable challenges of aging. This intimate knowledge allows them to offer personalized care that goes beyond the textbook definitions of disease. They understand the anxieties that contribute to physical ailments, the stresses that exacerbate existing conditions, and the unique needs of each individual within the context of their family and community. The impact of a dedicated family doctor like Dalgliesh resonates far beyond the confines of the consulting room. They are preventative caregivers, educating families on healthy lifestyle choices and promoting early detection of potential problems. They are advocates for their patients, navigating the often complex and impersonal healthcare system. They are a calming presence during times of crisis, offering reassurance and guidance when families are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. In a world increasingly dominated by specialized medicine and impersonal technology, the enduring value of the family doctor remains undeniable. J.M. Dalgliesh, like all those who dedicate themselves to this vital role, serves as a steadfast beacon, guiding families through the sometimes turbulent waters of health and illness, and reminding us that genuine care and compassionate understanding are the cornerstones of true healing. Their contribution to the health and well-being of the community is immeasurable and a testament to the profound impact of a dedicated, caring, family doctor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

Another twisty thriller from J M Dalgliesh. I really fell for the isolated Scottish setting. It felt dark and gloomy, perfect for a thriller. All the characters, including our MC, were unreliable and dodgy which made it so much more suspenseful. It was full of the twists and turns which caught me off guard

I really loved this book. It completely kept me gripped and I was so invested in the doctor, their family and ultimately her daughter's safety. I was so keen to find out how she dealt with the situation and I loved learning about the doctor's moral compass. I felt like I really got a passport into her mindset. Although something like this is hopefully very unlikely to happen as it's quite farfetched and unrealistic, somehow it felt very real and that is testament to Dalgliesh's talent as a writer.

This book asks important questions about family, work ethic, morality and whether it is ever OK to kill someone. How far do you have to be pushed before you'll break?

An outstanding and memorable read.

It was an easy enough read, but i struggled at times with it being a bit slow and somewhat predictable.

This book started off great, and I love the premise, but it became slow moving to me. It got good in the end and I didn’t guess the reveal.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author did an excellent job with both the characters and the story line. This was a fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my set. I was hooked early one, and I couldn't put it down. It was filled with twist and turns that I never saw coming. I really can't wait to read more from this author. I highly recommend this novel to other thriller readers.

Thank you Net Galley, Bookouture, and JM Dalgliesh

Well this was unexpected. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one but it was a pleasant surprise and truly edge of your seat thriller!

A remote Scottish island where Kelly is the only doctor. Faced with kill a pairent within a certain time or I'll kill your daughter.. A binge fest of tention and action. I loved the way Kelly's history and reading for being there was dripped throughout the story. Full of red herrings as Kelly desperately tries to find out who has her daughter. Realistic but graphical action perfect for a film. The final reveal perfect and a possible sequel I hope.. everything made sense and this could have been reality. Thanks so much netgallery, publisher and author for this highly recommended 5 star binge feast.

“Family Doctor” by J.M. Dalgliesh is a gripping psychological thriller set on the remote Scottish island of Jura. Dr. Kelly Howlett faces an unthinkable ultimatum: kill a patient within three days or lose her daughter. The novel is packed with suspense, unexpected twists, and a haunting atmosphere. Fast-paced and emotionally charged, it keeps readers on edge until the shocking conclusion. A must-read for thriller fans.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.