Death by Placebo


Fiction - Thriller - Medical
294 Pages
Reviewed on 05/05/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In Death by Placebo by Nelson K. Foley, Viktor Rachmanil, the President of Balarutan, exhibits symptoms of worsening liver disease and requires a liver transplant. Liver transplants were not commonly performed in Balarutan, so Rachmanil collaborated with his doctors to explore solutions. Rachmanil ultimately opted against receiving a partial liver from one of his children, preferring a complete organ from a healthy donor. Rachmanil was determined to find the best possible donor. The doctors from Balarutan were attending a liver congress in Vienna, and Rachmanil wanted his daughter, Danica, to accompany them. During lunch, the doctors informed Andrea Mancini about the liver transplant and mentioned Rachmanil's preference for a surgical team from abroad with extensive experience. They invited Andrea and his team to do the transplant in Balarutan.

Death by Placebo by Nelson K. Foley was an intense medical thriller that captivated me immediately. The storyline moved quickly, and I could not turn the pages fast enough. The writing style was compelling, and the tension kept me fully absorbed. The detailed descriptions made it easy to feel involved in all the preparations. The characters were well-crafted and relatable. Rachmanil was extremely self-serving and would do anything to secure the liver he believed he was entitled to. The chemistry between Andrea and Danica offered a refreshing distraction amidst all the planning related to the transplant. The story was excellently written and maintained my focus throughout. The conclusion, featuring a significant twist, took me completely by surprise and was something I never anticipated.