Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
Fractured Eden by Steven Gossington is a suspense thriller. Dr Rovsing has lost everything. Fired from a job he loves, attacked by the father of a patient, he finds himself moving on, having to start his life over again. A small town in East Texas should be the perfect place, but something is wrong. The people of the town are wrong. Abductions, mental illness and addiction haunt the town. Dr Rovsing may soon find himself in trouble when a serial killer sets his sights on the doctor as his next victim. How is Aaron Rovsing going to get out of this one? Will he live to tell the tale and, if he does, will he still be sane?
Fractured Eden by Steven Gossington is great story, packed full of suspense. It isn’t your average suspense thriller though, because Mr Gossington has interwoven elements of the supernatural with a masterful tale of murder, making this an original and thrilling roller coaster of a read. With action on every page, there was always something that kept me reading. It was a case of ‘just one more page’ which turned into chapters in what I can only describe as an ‘unputdownable’ book. Mr Gossington has mastered the art of holding a reader’s attention and developing his characters in such a way that you honestly feel like you know them so well. This is a real mix of genres – suspense, thriller, action, romance, mystery, and the supernatural. I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly anyone who likes a good, strong story with a great plot and plenty of twists. Excellent book, I’m really looking forward to more like this.
I really enjoyed this book. Having lived with family that suffers from mental illness, I was curious as to how the author would present it. I guess all of his years as a doctor seeing it first hand really helped him to present it in a very real way. There were also some plot twists and surprises along the way which made me want to keep reading. I read it very fast and now I want to go back and read it again. Much like watching a movie a second time and discovering things you had missed on the first viewing. I highly recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I started reading it expecting the story to unfold in a certain way, but it didn’t. There were twists and turns to the plot, and I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. I didn’t want to put it down. Very well written.
A fascinating twist on the usual conventions of thrillers and suspense novels. There’s murder and mayhem aplenty in this tale of a doctor accused of malpractice seeking a new life and maybe redemption in a small East Texas town, but the struggles and confrontations between good and evil are more spiritual than physical. I loved the way that Gossington weaves in supernatural elements that the central characters either dismiss as the colorful delusions of the mentally ill or miss altogether. Is that fleetingly glimpsed white haired woman a ghost? Maybe the dead wife of a fellow who befriends the dco? And is that guy perhaps a ghost himself? Or an angel? Beyond the entertainment value — and there’s plenty of that — the book seems to be asking us to consider the unseen forces that shape our lives. And it was refreshing to see a love story that dispensed with the bodice and boxer ripping so prevalent these days to depict a growing meeting of kindred adult souls.
Fractured Eden was a fun and fast read! I enjoyed all the different and surprising characters and the interesting and unexpected action taking place in every chapter. I came to “know” the main character and enjoyed the unraveling mystery around him, right up until the satisfying ending.
In the fast-paced opening of “Fractured Eden,” Connecticut doctor Aaron Rovsing is fired for incompetence, loses his wife to divorce and, in time-honored American tradition, heads west to try to redeem himself. He takes over an abandoned medical practice to serve as sole physician to a small East Texas town with more than its fair share of drug addicts, folks with psychiatric problems, corruption, and mysterious disappearances. Soon Rovsing is drawn into the town’s darkest secrets and finds his life doubly imperiled, by a figure from his past and a knife-wielding psychotic who spends much of his time in the dark forest bordering the town. Gossington weaves threads of gentle humor, romance, and Texas folksiness into his thriller along with the promise of redemption. There’s even a light touch of magical realism. It all adds up to a very enjoyable read.
This is an good first novel by Steve Gossington. Normally I’m a non-fiction reader, but was pulled into the book very quickly with it’s fast moving action, a diverse set of East Texas characters, and the gloomy setting of the Big Thicket. I would like to see some additional character development in future books from this very engaging author who obviously has deep knowledge of the medical profession.
This was a great read! Interesting character and plot development made it impossible to stop reading. The story was a perfect balance of real-life ER medicine combined with detective mystery and intrigue. Many of the supporting characters were well developed and I found myself wanting to know more about them. I especially loved Dr. Valorian’s character and am hoping to get to know her even better and that she will be solving more medical mysteries in the near future!
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. I sure hope he writes a sequel and soon. It was that good. If you like medical books and mysteries read this book.
Unlimited, interestingly odd all around in the one book, the other one well hospitals and doctors are weird some more than others. Noticed a 3 star that said ”good but not Agatha Christie” and my thoughts were then go read Agatha Christie. Christie today would be in mystery/cozy. Sure could maybe be tightened up in places, what book couldn’t, according to each reviewer’s personal preferences. Read them back to back, as writer only has the 2 out, so far, but that and the stars should tell you something. I believe the writer has a medical background, but didn’t overly notice any confusing medical terms so that was nice too.
Termed “Medical Thriller”, which it is, but story features character, Dr. Laura Valorian, ER physisian She is forced into being an investigator of murder. Wonderfully written but easily read. Love this character I want more of Doctor Laura. DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING STORY. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
I received this book from the author and I am voluntary providing an honest review of this book. This is a medical mystery that has many twists and turns. The story is fairly fast paced and the author brings in many interesting characters into the picture. I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end and will definitely read other books from this author. This is a quick read with a good storyline.
This story is about an emergency doctor, Dr. Laura Valorian, who suspects that one of the hospital’s doctors has been murdered. Doctor Preswick was brought into the emergency room and was non responsive. Although the autopsy doesn’t show anything suspicious, she was determined to find the real cause of his death. She meets some interesting characters during her investigation and several suspects are considered to be the killer. She found a supporter who was willing to help her solve this case. Will she put her life on the line to solve this mystery?
I was really wanting a good murder mystery to read with this one drawing my attention. Sorry but not ever heard of author before but it didn’t matter I was looking at the story. Laura takes you in right away with her as she is a ER doc that will have her time going fast. It would seem too she has a knack about things too. She also has a nose for when things are not right which will happen in this one with a death of a fellow doc. From there you are already caught up in the intrigue because this author knows how to pique your interest and capture your attention. As other characters enter the picture this is a well rounded grabbing mystery that really is hitting the spot and satisfying my craving. It will also keep you on your toes especially with the help of two characters Eric and Alec. A surprise or two will also jump out making this so thrilling. By the time this is wrapped up with it solved or caught, you will be elated with the excellent choice.
MAGPIES AND MURDER
Reviewed By: Renata Fester
Review Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed By Renata Fester for Readers’ Favorite
The title of this book intrigued me which is why I chose it. I have always been fascinated by magpies and this book certainly did not disappoint. Magpies and Murder by Steven Gossington is wonderfully written in an easy-to-read style that develops at a fine moderate pace. The brief introduction of a literary icon was unexpected and made for an interesting twist, particularly the little puzzle that Laura needed to figure out. The female characters give an interesting insight into the light and dark side in each of us and the potential we have to be pushed into either the light or the dark.
What would a good story be without a little mysticism and romance, which is always a wonderful addition to the drama, intrigue, and gentle amusement in a book? I was particularly struck by the fact that both the hero and the villain in the story were intelligent, competent, and not afraid to take a few calculated risks. We need more of these kinds of stories that reflect women as competent and intelligent heroes without coming across as brash and unlikeable. I loved the gentle strength that the author was able to portray with these ladies. Magpies and Murder will appeal to both young and older readers because it is a lovely story that is also light and enjoyable. I love happy endings, and this one did it for me. I particularly enjoyed that there were no trashy or overly descriptive scenes. Steven Gossington kept his focus on getting the story told, which was fabulous. A truly charming read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022
This second installment of Dr. Valorian’s adventures was even better than the first. The author included a perfect amount of his medical knowledge woven throughout the story. The Florida location added yet another layer of interest and nostalgia by inclusion of Cassadaga, Key West and, of course, many Orlando favorites including Disney. Hoping for a 3rd book in the series for more mystery and to find out what happens with my favorite sleuth couple, Laura and Alec. The story unfolds in layers at a nice pace to the point that you want to stay up all night and finish it. I highly recommend Magpies and Murder to the mystery lover.
“Magpies and Murder” is a great thriller. I had read the first book about Dr. Laura Valorian and this just added to my interest and intrigue about Laura. The book was most interesting and kept me in such suspense I couldn’t finish it quickly enough. Steven Gossington being a medical Doctor, adds to the authenticity of both Laura as a Doctor and a sleuth. “Magpies and Murder” was extremely suspenseful. I recommend reading and I know you’ll enjoy it.
Mr. Gossington wastes no time getting you engaged from the start — and then, he introduces so many ‘bad’ people, that you are not sure who the real bad one is until you get close to the end. This book is a quick and enjoyable read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022
Magpies and Murder – A Dr. Valorian Mystery – was such a fun book full of suspense. The action was non stop which keeps you turning the page to see what happens next! The central Florida setting with all its attractions and endless things to do added to the fun.
