Customer Reviews

Donor: Steven Dunbar Series, Book 1 (A Dr Steven Dunbar Thriller)

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Donor is not my usual genre, womens fiction being my natural home.... But I so enjoyed reading this book: I read it in the space of 48 hours, the suspense kept me gripped! The plot is intricate, full of twists and turns, just as you think you know what's going to happen, something new happens throwing you back into the suspense. Against the sinister medical plot backdrop, the human interest stories of Amanda and her family, and Dunbar's relationship with Lisa maintain the emotional engagement of the reader. A great read, thank you! This book would make a brilliant film!

McClure's character from earlier novels, Doctor Stephen Dunbar of the British Home Office's 'Sci-Med' Directorate is called on to investigate kidney transplant problems in an exclusive Glasgow private hospital.

This novel has all the warmth of his earlier books, and you are easily drawn to Dunbar and his exploits to solve the mystery, and save the life of a young potential transplant patient.

McClure writes along the same topic lines to author Robin Cook.

This book will not disappoint, and will keep you wanting to turn the next page. Nicely paced, and with other characters thrown in along the way. I've just finished it. Phew - Well Done.

Expecting not too much because the book was less than £1, I was pleasantly surprised. Unusual story, interesting side-plots and good momentum. OK, so the book doesn't stand beside Karin slaughter or Lee Child but, then again, very few do. Blessedly for a medical thriller the author doesn't try to prove how clever he is by introducing convoluted medical terminology and processes (I'm a Dr already, I don't need a textbook disguised as a thriller!), rather the medical aspect is kept plain and simple but still conveys the necessary jeopardy of the plot.

Rather well executed, I thought.

This is the second Ken McClure novel I have read and I was not disappointed. The theme of the novel centres around organ transplantation and the possibility of unscrupulous dealings, motivated by both financial greed and the approbation of peers in the medical profession. The reader may find that this idea touches reality too closely but it does result in a powerful but rather disturbing novel.

The storyline has a logical, clear style, without too much medical jargon and the novel is a real page turner. I did not guess the why's and wherefore's until near the end of the book...something I find a great treat in a medical thriller.

I also enjoyed the way the author unfolded the character of Dr Steven Dunbar and his blossoming relationship with Lisa. This was neatly done without impacting the narrative at all.

I look forward to the next novel in the series

This is an intense thriller with an over-riding sense of impending doom as Dr Dunbar investigates the secretive goings on in a private hospital. Suspicions are aroused when a young patient is admitted and things don't appear to be quite right. The author obviously knows people as well as how to write a riveting story and has a great empathy with the characters, which is passed on to the reader. Alongside the suspense are likeable characters with real relationships and motivations. There is also a good balance between the medical goings on, the characters lives and the action that drive the plot forward at an excellent pace. Not only is this the beginnings of what I hope will be a collectable series, but also could be adapted well to TV. Dunbar as the central character in different pathological crimes definitely appeals to me, as I'm sure it will to other readers. Looking forward to Number 2!

This is the first of Ken McClure's books which I have read - won't be the last. It is a tight thriller with a medical background - but doesn't get unduly bogged down in medical detail. The reader will begin to realise quite early on in the book that there is a dreadful denouement lurking - I got the gist of it, but not the full detail until the final chapters. I read this in a couple of days - might have been shorter if I hadn't got sidetracked with New Year's celebrations! I will look forward to reading more of the 'Steven Dunbar' books by this author.

Scottish writer Ken McClure produces another classic medical thriller that will have you eagerly turning the next page to see what will happen. Set in Glasgow, the story dissects the darker side of organ transplantation but does not confuse the reader with masses of technical medical jargon.

For those that like the Inspector Rankin type books, this is on a similar vein.

Donor struck a chord with me from the very beginning. A punchy start, it hits at the very heart of every parent's nightmare - the sudden loss of a young child through illness. Highly emotive, the prologue sets the tone for the entire book.

The narrative is sharp and the plotlines well defined. I found the story believable which made it slightly uncomfortable in parts - purely for the fact that my imagination got the better of me! I won't mention when or how for fear of spoilers but needless to say McClure knows how to write engaging and atmospheric prose!

A combination of descriptive and dialogue driven narrative, the pace is excellent - finishing the book in two sittings, "Donor" is a veritable page turner and an excellent introduction to Dr Steven Dunbar - the final thirty pages were a blur!

Although laden with scientific facts and medical jargon I never once felt bogged down in industry talk, McClure clearly taking care not to overwhelm the reader with unnecessary use. His experience as a scientific researcher and knowledge in microbiology is there for all to see and is certainly put to good use in "Donor".

Called in by Sci-Med to investigate Médic Ecosse precarious financial situation, Dunbar discovers the state of the art facility and accommodating staff hide disturbing secrets. Doctor James Ross's highly successful transplant department is at the centre of his investigation and as he delves deeper into its history he uncovers questionable practices that threaten its very existence.

Running alongside Dunbar's investigation is the tale of Sandy and Kate, loving parents of seven year old Amanda, who have to come to terms with their daughter's sudden renal failure. As they face a desperate race against time to find a suitable donor we find Dunbar working tirelessly to unravel the mystery behind two deaths.

A wonderful and fluid novel, "Donor" introduces us to the dynamic Dr Steven Dunbar. A thoroughly likeable and intelligent character who benefits from a well-researched and fact ridden novel. Highly recommended, I can't wait to read the next instalment.

This is another cracking page turner from Ken McClure involving the suauve and stoic Doctor, Steven Dunbar. Yet again the twists and stratagems in this book keep you guessing till the very end. In addition, there is a real heart swelling under plot that will leave the reader both anxious and yet comforted at times. Couple this with the usual scientific low down from McClure and you will not notice the time passing as you read it. I read this on holiday, I took it for beach reading but unfortunately, I started it on the plane and had it finished by the time I got to the beach the next day! I advise if you are going on holiday, take this, Hippocrates Isle and Past Lives. Should keep you occupied for about 5 days.

I haven't read anything by Ken McClure before - but feel sure that I will be on the lookout for more. I was immediately gripped by the story, it was full of suspense and very well written. the main characters were likeable - which always means a lot to me, as then I do care what happens to them. Yes - WELL worth a read.