Do No Harm by Jack Jordan #paperbackbook #libraryloan @JackJordanBooks @SimonBooks #DoNoHarm

 

Do No Harm by Jack Jordan

Published by Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 30th March 2023

Book Description:

MY CHILD HAS BEEN TAKEN.
AND I’VE BEEN GIVEN A CHOICE . . .
KILL A PATIENT ON THE OPERATING TABLE
OR LOSE MY SON FOREVER.

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?

My Thoughts:

Do No Harm is my first experience of Jack Jordan's writing. And it won't be my last. That's not to say that I don't have my criticisms of the plot - I work in a hospital setting and some of the scenes are perhaps a little far-fetched. But this is the world of fiction! The stories wouldn't be as enjoyable if our authors didn't inject a few "flexible boundaries" would they? 

So, the concept of the book is that Anna, a highly esteemed cardiac surgeon with an exemplary record, is required by some decidedly unsavoury characters to ensure the non-survival of a high-profile patient during his heart surgery. This goes against everything she believes in - so to persuade her it's the right thing to do, the same band of characters has abducted her young son and murdered the pensioner neighbour of Anna's who was providing her childcare. In order for Zack's safe return, Anna must not only do what they ask but also make sure there are no suspicious circumstances. Just a statistical loss on the operating table. 

The author takes us on the rollercoaster ride that is Anna's life while she battles her demons - the plot gathering layers as each day passes. She doesn't know who she can trust as she tries to plan how on earth she can possibly do what they are asking of her, and every time she thinks she got things sorted, the goalposts move again.

The tension created by the author is excellent, and there were times when I literally held my breath through some of the scenes. Would Anna do what the kidnappers wanted? If so, would she get away with it? Then the aftermath: a hospital enquiry and a possible police intervention were all potential stumbling blocks to consider. Could she even trust them to return Zack if she did carry out their wishes? 

This book will certainly have your heart racing throughout, so much so you might need a cardiac specialist by the time you close the cover!  But would you trust Anna to be that professional after everything you've read about her?

About the Author:

Jack Jordan is the global bestselling author of Anything for Her, My Girl, A Woman Scorned, Before Her Eyes, Night by Night, Do No Harm and Conviction, and an Amazon No. 1 bestseller in the UK, Canada and Australia.Do No Harm was described as 'chilling' by Sarah Pearse, 'brilliant' by Lesley Kara and 'pulse-racing' by Louise Candlish. It was an instant Times bestseller on first publication and a Waterstones Thriller of the Month pick.