*Family Doctor* by J.M. Dalgliesh is a gripping psychological thriller set on a remote Scottish island. The story follows a single mother and doctor, who is forced into an unthinkable situation when her daughter is kidnapped. The kidnapper gives her a chilling ultimatum: she must kill one of her patients within three days, or her daughter will die. As the clock ticks, the protagonist navigates a web of secrets, moral dilemmas, and escalating tension. Dalgliesh masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists, making this novel a compelling exploration of love, sacrifice, and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child.

My first book from this author and if this is the standard of his stories I’ll enjoy reading more from him. This was an audiobook I listened to in one day, a gripping tale with a twist or 2 I didn’t see coming. It had a strong storyline, good characters, and the descriptions of the places the story was set were great. One of those plot lines that keeps you guessing!

Takes its time to get going despite its race-against-the-clock theme, very much a roller coaster of a listen emotionally and storywise, as not all turns enhance the plot.

2.5 stars
I have enjoyed the author’s procedural books. Domestic thrillers can be hit or miss and this one was a miss for me. I think I’ll stick to the procedurals from.now on.

A psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Finished this book in one day - would read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for a review.

The family doctor left me absolutely disturbed. How are you supposed to trust anyone ever! This was wild.

Alright, so, the story itself? Eh, it was alright. Like, you know those twisty mind-game stories? This was one of those. You could kinda see the end coming, and it didn't take long to get through.

But the listening part? That was a no-go. The person reading the book? Their voice just... rubbed me the wrong way. They talked super slow, like they were explaining stuff to a little kid, which was really annoying. And they held onto words way too long. It was like they were stretching them out. I had to speed it up just to make it listenable, and even then, it wasn't great. If someone else had read it, I probably would have liked it more.

I didn't love the audiobook narration and it was kind of slow to get going. I found the interaction between characters annoying. I didn't finish it.

My heart was pounding. I was sweating. It was everything a psychological thriller should be.

A gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of audiobook

I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrators did an amazing job bringing this story to life. 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

Kelly has three days to kill a patient. If she fails, her daughter Lauren will die…

This had such an intriguing synopsis I just had to read it, and I was definitely not disappointed! This book was packed with great character development, a solid story line, plenty of twists and turns (even a couple I didn't see coming!) and just the right amount of terror in this psychological thriller! This book kept me perched on the edge of my seat until the very last page!

Dr Kelly lives on a remote Scottish island with her daughter Lauren, moving there after an event that tore her family apart.
Lauren is due off the island to attend an interview when Kelly receives a call from Lauren's phone, 3 days to kill a patient or your daughter dies.

Switching between multiple timelines, present and past, where we delve into why they ended up on the island and whether or not this is linked.
The narrator did a good job with this story, and it was twisty enough to keep me guessing.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks to Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this audio book.

The storyline was ok, a standard psychologic thriller, a bit predictable, and a quick read.

However I disliked the audio version as I really didn't like the voice of the narrator who I found to be very slow and had a patronising tone, which just annoyed me. Eilidh Beaton reallllllllly hung on to some of her words, which put me of the book. I sped the audio up to 1..25 speed to make it more bearable and found this speed a better pace. With a different narrator I would have enjoyed it more.

2.5 stars for the book, but brought down to 2 for narration

This one sounded right up my street but I found it a slow burn that really only got going for the last 1/4 of the listen. The storyline was a little out there for the setting. I didn’t really find it believable when it came to the main characters actions. I found the main character and the narrator irritating and both together didn’t really change my mind. This one just wasn’t my cup of tea.

2.5/5 🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to read and review #FamilyDoctor

I received an early release of this book in exchange for my review. This story had a twisted plot line that kept readers engaged. Although it didn’t leave a lasting impression on my favorite books of the year, it was definitely worth reading for fans of the genre.

This book actually made me mad. It started off full force with the “event” taking place right at the beginning. Then it trailed off into all kinds of stuff that was relevant but not really important. Some could have been shortened or so.
It then went on to things that happened years ago leading up to the “event”. So went back and forth a few times. What happened in the past was pretty predictable. I figured out where it was going pretty quickly.
The ending was a surprise.
That was enjoyable and I wasn’t expecting it.

Overall good quick read.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

Huge thank you to Bookouture for the ARC!

I thought this one was easy enough to read/ listen to, but I was as captivated as I was by J's previous work, HOMEWRECKER!

I still think it was fun and a lot of people will enjoy it!

I can't wait for whatever J M Dalgiesh puts out next!

It's out now!

This is a twisty, cat and mouse thriller from J M Dalgliesh, expertly narrated by the talented (and beautifully accented), Eilidh Beaton.

I loved the setting of this novel - on a rural Scottish Hebridean Island. We soon learn that Dr Kelly has moved there with her 19 year old daughter, Lauren, sometime in the past 2 years. The story starts with Lauren leaving the island for an open day at a mainland university. All is well until Dr Kelly receives a phone call advising that if she wants to see her daughter alive again she must kill one of her patients!! The turmoil Kelly experiences is portrayed so well - I really did feel that I was living this!!

As the novel progresses we are introduced to all the main players in Kelly's life including estranged husband, Niall, and a number of her most prominent patients as Kelly ponders big questions such as who deserves to die. As the book reaches its climax the 'cat and mouse' element is played out quite spectacularly. My absolutely favourite element of the book however, was, without a doubt, the final deliciously dark plot twist executed to perfection through Eilidh Beaton's narration!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

I was not a fan of this audiobook. I found the pacing very slow and repetitive. I did like the premise of the book--a doctor on a remote island has three days to kill one of her patients to save her daughter--but the main character was unlikable to me. I enjoyed the past/present style of the book. I will absolutely give this author another listen as I think his style is excellent.

This book took a little to get into initially as at times it seemed a little farfetched but then I was hooked and eager to hear the end. It kept me guessing right until the last twist and turn.