Saving Meghan is a riveting new thriller full of secrets and lies from author D.J. Palmer. Can you love someone to death? Some would say Becky Gerard is a devoted mother and would do anything for her only child. Others, including her husband Carl, claim she’s obsessed and can’t stop the vicious circle of finding a cure at her daughter’s expense. Fifteen-year-old Meghan has been in and out of … Fifteen-year-old Meghan has been in and out of hospitals with a plague of unexplained illnesses. But when the ailments take a sharp turn, clashing medical opinions begin to raise questions about the puzzling nature of Meghan’s illness. Doctors suspect Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a rare behavioral disorder where the primary caretaker seeks medical help for made-up symptoms of a child. Is this what’s going on? Or is there something even more sinister at hand?
As the Gerards grow more and more suspicious of each other and their medical team, Becky must race against time to prove her daughter has a deadly disease. But first, she must confront her darkest fears and family secrets that threaten to not only upend her once-ordered life…but to destroy it.
Praise for Saving Meghan:
“Plenty of twists…will keep you turning the pages as you guess…and guess again.” –Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of After Anna
“An acute, sensitive portrayal of family love under extreme stress...[with] a touch of Hitchcock.” –William Landay, New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob
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This was an exceptional read that pulled me in from the first word and didn’t let me go until the end. Meghan is a young teenage girl who up until the past year has enjoyed her life and all it had to offer. School, soccer, and friends were a huge part of her life and then she started becoming ill. Symptom after symptom was look at by doctor after doctor and the diagnosis unfortunately was one that all these doctors couldn’t come up with one. Test after test came back and they each said nothing was wrong with Meghan. Becky loves her daughter and finding a diagnosis for her Meghan’s illness dominates her life. She would go to the ends of the earth for her child but after so long without any interpretation of Meghan’s illness not everyone agrees. Her father Carl thinks her mother is pushing the illness in their daughter and is ready for it all to end. After another bad episode and a visit to yet more doctors one brings up the idea that Becky might have Muchausen’s and is causing her daughter’s illness. Would a mother go to those links just to get attention? If that isn’t the cause could Meghan herself be taking everything and if so why? As time passes the Gerard family starts looking toward each other as being the culprit, how far would they each go? No one seems to be looking at Carl, but could be be the one behind it all? Becky is certain her daughter is I’ll and will do whatever it takes to show everyone she is right, but is she? This was a wonderfully intense read that had me on edge the entire time. My emotions changed throughout and I hoped that the characters I was rooting for would be on the side of good. I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the author offers up next!!!
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Becky Gerard is on a mission to find out what is wrong with her daughter Megan. Becky learned from her Mother at a very young age to manipulate the medical profession to get what she wants and right now she wants confirmation Megan has a little know rare disease. Becky’s husband Carl believes Becky has gone too far in pushing for a cause of Megan’s illness. To complicate matters, Megan is keeping something from her Mother that is adding to her distress. Is Becky making Megan sick? It makes you wonder just how far you would go if it were your child.
This is an interesting book with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until close to the end. I did like how the author tied up all the loose ends at the end of the book. The characters were well developed and rang true. The character Becky was so complex I could never tell who she really was. I did like the character Zach but I didn’t like the ending. I would have hoped for something better for the doctor! This would make a good movie.
I would recommended the book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
This was my first read from D.J. Palmer and I have to say right off the bat, I am highly impressed with the amount of medical knowledge and research the author did for this book. Going into this story, I knew what Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome was, had read multiple articles and seen specials on TV about the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and what all is involved with this particular disorder so I couldn’t wait to dive in and see exactly what was going on with Meghan Gerard and her seemingly overprotective mother, Becky.
I have to admit, I really couldn’t pick a side – #ProtectMeghan or #BelieveBecky. Being a mother myself, there were plenty of times where I empathized wholeheartedly with Becky and the determination she had to find out exactly what was going on with Meghan, but there were also plenty of times where I sat there and thought, “this lady is whack.” But I think that is exactly what the author was hoping to accomplish with this story, keep the reader off balance until the very end.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, served up with some cases of misdirection planted throughout, and even possibly an unreliable narrator, I’d say? Lots of guessing on my part, and an intense need to find out what was really going on had me glued to the book, not being able to put it down until I had the whole story laid out in front of me.
As I was reading, I formulated three scenarios in my head of what I thought was going on and where the story would end up, and one of my guesses ultimately turned out to be pretty accurate with one minor difference in detail. The author kept me on my toes, though and I changed my mind countless times before I turned the last page.
I am very impressed with D.J. Palmer’s writing, and I plan to look up other stories written by him. On occasion the medical jargon got to be a little much for me, but overall I was really fascinated with this story and will be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me an advanced review paperback in exchange for my honest review.
“Saving Meghan” written by DJ Palmer is my first book read by this author. I won’t be the last book either. I was instantly hooked, I could not put it down. It kept me turning pages late into the night, eager for more clues. It was a little slow moving in the beginning but the further I got into the story, the more hooked I became. I just had to know what was going to happen next. There were so many twists and turns, just when you thought you had it figured out somethings else comes up to change your mind. The ending was surprising and not what I expected. “Saving Meghan” is a book for people who enjoy psychological thrillers or medical mysteries. I will definitely recommend this book! Thank you to St Martin’s press for sending me an ARC.
Thank you Goodreads and St.Martins press for ARC of this book. Saving Meghan is slow going in the begining, Her Mom is convinced all the unexplained illnesses add up to some horrible disease. Dad thinks Mom over reacting. Then Dr steps in and accuses mom of munchausen by proxy. Is this the problem or something you never suspected? Does pick up midbook and glad I kept reading.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for a print version of an advanced reader’s edition.
“Saving Meghan” is about a curiously ill teenager, Meghan Gerard. But is she really ill? That’s the question and the solution. The story is told from three perspectives: Becky (mom), Meghan (in first person format) and Dr. Zach Fisher – each with their own reasons for finding the truth.
Meghan’s mother, Becky, believes she is. She is desperate to find out what is wrong with her daughter, even bordering on obsession.
Meghan’s father, Carl, isn’t so sure – even going so far as to think that his daughter is faking it to please her mom. He knows about Becky’s past and her manipulative, scheming mother. He knows the history of their other child.
Dr. Zach Fisher – he lost his son to a strange and incurable illness because he didn’t believe his wife. He’s now desperate to save other children and parents from his and his son’s fate, despite the objects of the hospital staff. They think he’s diagnosing too many cases. Meghan being one of them – although her diagnosis isn’t conclusive, he believes it is the same thing his son had.
The novel explores whether Meghan is really ill, or if it is Munchausen by Proxy – is Becky planting thoughts in her daughter’s mind to make her believe she is ill? Is Meghan faking her illness because of her mother’s suggestions? Becky seeks information and support from every source, even a Facebook group.
Meghan knows how she feels – she is ill. She knows what her body is doing to her – how it is acting, but no one seemingly believes her. She just wants to be her old self again. Even she begins to wonder if it isn’t all in her head. But, the symptoms are physical – that much she knows
Despite no medical diagnosis and no abnormalities with her medical work-ups – Meghan is sick, or seemingly sick.
When some new symptoms present themselves, another physician is called in – Dr. Amanda Nash. She has her own ideas and won’t waiver from them. Her plan to “save” Meghan ends up tearing the family apart, perhaps even permanently. And, while Meghan is in the hospital, she’s not there for medical treatment.
No longer in charge of being able to make medical decisions for their child, Becky is staunch in her belief that Meghan is sick – she needs treatment. Carl believes it is Becky who is sick and needs treatment. One thing they agree on – they need to get custody of their daughter back.
Meghan just wants her body to function again – and to go home.
Things turn south when Meghan’s psychiatrist is found dead, an apparent murder, and Becky becomes a suspect.
The Gerards face losing another child – either to a mystery illness or the system. One thing is for certain – someone needs to save Meghan.
With the court against her, Becky then launches into a desperate attempt to find something wrong with Meghan. Is she wanting Meghan to be sick for attention or is she a loving, frightened mother who just wants to know what is wrong with her daughter?
Can Zach prevent another parent from suffering the same loss he did?
What secret is Carl hiding? What is his motive in the entire scheme?
DJ Palmer successfully represents all sides of the medical quandary:
#1.) Parents worst nightmare – what is wrong with my child?
When a child is sick, the parent is the first and usually only one to notice. With the myriad of illnesses out there, some with duplicating symptoms, it is often hard to narrow it down. The parent cares about their child, and is usually their strongest advocate.
Many cancer diagnoses were the result of second (2nd) and third (3rd) opinions. Had the parents stopped, their child might’ve died without treatment or died sooner. Then, adding the suspicion of “medical child abuse” to the mix, the parent can become despondent or depressed and even more desperate for answers.
#2.) Patient’s worst nightmare – what is wrong with me?
Usually when we go from feeling super energetic to super lethargic, we just want to feel like we did. We want to be the old person we were. Even when someone says it is all in our head, the headaches are physical, the nausea is real. When cognitive abilities decline, we want to be able to concentrate again – to feel “normal”. It is frustrating when the medical tests say we’re “all right, nothing medically wrong”, but we know how our body is acting – we know what we’re experiencing. Add in the knowledge that some medical tests are perfect, even for cancer patients, the frustration mounts to find an answer and be believed.
#3.) Medical Staff’s Frustration – NOT THIS PATIENT AND/OR PARENT AGAIN?! Medical professionals – nurses, doctors, and therapists rely on proven test data to narrow down a patient’s diagnosis. While they, above anyone, should know that a “normal” test doesn’t indicate the patient is healthy – it doesn’t always play out that way.
A vigilant doctor might want more testing, whereas another doctor believes there really is nothing wrong, even in a cancer patient, and sends the patient on their way. Some cancers do not have symptoms to narrow it down until almost the fourth (4th) stage. Despite all those past and known situations, many times doctors are either forced to look away by an unwilling insurance company, or by their own insistence on the perfect results in front of them.
When a parent insists something is wrong with their child, such as in this story, the medical provider must assume the worst. However, there are times when insistence has paid off and the child gets better with treatment.
Now, for the critical assessment:
I felt this book was a bit slow in getting started – but it was intensely interesting so I kept reading. I will say I found it predictable as to what the truth was.
The plot picked up in the middle and took off. However, the way it was wrapped up was too convenient and far too short. I won’t give it away – but if you read it, you will understand it.
I’m a bit ambivalent about the ending – it wasn’t who I thought it was, but it was interesting to see how it played out. I would’ve liked to known how long “it” had been going on.
Some stated there were some clues as to how it would end, I didn’t really see them – I did know for a fact I was right about one person. It would’ve been more interesting to get some background on the other players: Carl, Dr. Nash, DCF – those characters.
With regard to the courtroom scenes they seemed rather far-fetched. Having studied criminal justice, it was a bit cringe-worthy to read. Also, it seemed that no one was really investigating the “claim”.
I also had my own questions regarding the plot –
** Wasn’t DCF brought in rather quickly?
** What probable cause did they really have to do what was done?
** If Meghan’s tests were normal – how was Becky harming her daughter? Hypnosis?
** How did the medical professionals think they were going to “prove” their case?
** Did no one question what was going on? Did no one on this team think to get a second opinion?
** Did no one think to contact other hospitals?
** Didn’t these “professionals” know other doctors they could consult with regarding this?
** (view spoiler)
I, like other reviews, also had a problem with how the writer kept describing how attractive Becky was as well. Yes, she was pretty, we understand – but I felt there was a subconscious fixation on it.
Being especially close to my mother – this book was an emotional read. I know how Meghan feels when her mother is the only one who believes her. I identified with both Meghan as the daughter, and Becky as the mother. I know the lengths my own mother would go to protect and save me, so I cannot fault Becky in her pursuit. Any parent would go to great lengths if they knew the truth and no one believed them.
This was a fairly entertaining read for the subject and genre.
This opinion is my own and was not influenced in any way.
Very well done! This book had me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t sure who to believe. And even when I thought I had it all figured out, a twist I didn’t see coming! Definitely kept me guessing right up until the big reveal!
I’m a little stingy with my 5 Star ratings but this book most certainly deserved it. Gets your attention right from the first page and keeps you engaged til the very last. Thrilling and suspenseful. Edge of your seat Someone is hurting Meghan. But who ? Herself? Mom ? Dad? You think you know who it is and what is going on but TRUST me, you do NOT !!!! Fantastic book ! Must Read. I am a huge fan of this author and he never, ever disappoints me. So glad I was able to get an ARC of this book to read from the publisher and the author. I absolutely loved this book !!!!
A great thriller that will you wondering who is telling the truth and who is lying all the way until the end of the book. I gave this book 3 stars because the middle was slow and hard to push through. I found myself not picking the book back up until the end when things really picked up pace again. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
A mother’s job is to nurture her children. However some become so involved with the need for the attention they don’t think about how they affect the children. Is Becky capable of Munchausen by proxy or is she simply being the naturally protective mother trying to help her daughter. There is enough suspense to keep you engaged all the way to the twist in the end. I received an ARC of this and volunteered to review it.
Some books that you read are really good and some books that you read are really great. This is one of the books that is really great. This is a captivating, gripping, addictive, page turner from the very first page to the very end. Carl and Becky Gerard have a 15-year-old daughter, Meghan, who has been sickly for quite a while and after seeing multiple doctors and undergoing multiple tests, there has been no definitive diagnosis found. Dr. Zachary Fisher thinks she may have a mitochondrial disorder which caused his son’s death, but GI specialist, Dr. Amanda Nash suggests that Becky may be exhibiting Munchhausen Syndrome by proxy. There are lots of twists and turns in this very addictive read. Thank you to @StMartinsPress for the ARC of this very addictive read. #SavingMeghan
Wow! I’m glad I started this on a day I didn’t have to rush around doing other things! A heart pounding, medical thriller until the end! I usually shy away from fiction books which include medical story lines, as they are sometimes too complicated for me and get in the way of my reading flow, but there wasn’t anything intimidating in this thriller when it came to medicine! A smart story line, keeping readers guessing to the end!
Readers will be connected to the characters in this novel, from page 1, when Becky, Meghan’s mother, is on a plane to California and receives a message her daughter is on the way to the hospital. Becky can’t get off the plane quick enough, causing a scene ending in headline news for the world to see. Carl, Meghan’s father, is quickly introduced to readers as well as Meghan and the hospital staff. Everyone has secrets and information to hide, but will you find out the underlying truth given the small amount of hints weaved throughout the pages of this fast paced, twisted, story surrounding love of family and the things we do to protect them? You might be surprised!
Thank you St Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this year’s upcoming, major best-selling thriller!
The plot of this excellent thriller is like trying to maintain your balance on a moving carpet only, towards the end, to have the rug pulled out from under you and be completely knocked over.
I didn’t know who to believe and was kept guessing until the very end.
Becky Gerard’s mother was a master manipulator. She used her daughter as a pawn in her scams committing disability fraud. It seems Becky learned some lessons along the way.
Meghan, Becky’s 15-year-old daughter, has been in and out of hospitals for years. No one can’t find an explanation for her illness. No diagnosis.
When Meghan’s symptoms take a turn for the worse doctors begin to suspect Munchausen by proxy, a syndrome where a mother convinces her child they’re sick in order for the mom to get attention.
Except for Dr. Zach Fisher, who believes Meghan has mitochondrial disease. It’s difficult to detect and to treat.
We will soon find that there are quite a few people with their own agendas in this case. Some for Meghan to be sick and others for her to be well.
Is Meghan really sick or is there something darker at work here?
This is one helluva shocking thrill ride and not to be missed.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. This is my unbiased opinion.
Saving Meghan by D. J. Palmer is the story of 15-year-old Meghan Gerard, who suffers from a baffling, undiagnosed illness; her mother, Becky; and her father, Carl. Over the previous two years, Meghan has gone from being an energetic, soccer-playing teenager to having no energy, quitting soccer, and barely able to attend school. Her mother Becky has given up her career to stay home with Meghan and try to find a doctor who can finally come up with a diagnosis for Meghan’s condition. We find out that when Becky was growing up, her mother taught her how to manipulate the medical system to help her mother get disability benefits. As Becky takes Meghan to another doctor for help, Carl begins to think that Becky might have the Munchausen syndrome by proxy disorder, in which a caregiver makes up an illness for a person under their care. This causes a huge rift in their marriage. Dr. Fisher believes that Meghan has mitochondrial disease (which killed his own son), while Carl and an opposing group of doctors insist that there is no proof of any disease and that it is a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Becky and Carl lose custody of Meghan, and she is placed in the hospital’s Behavioral Health Unit. Is Meghan’s illness real, or is it all in Meghan’s (and Becky’s) head? Should we believe Becky or protect Meghan from Becky?
This book grabbed my attention and interest from the very beginning. The author did a great job in placing information throughout that could make the end result go either direction. I started out believing one theory, changing my mind in the middle, and then going back to the original theory. As I got closer to the end of the book, the clues started falling into place and I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen. I admit that I was partially right, but the shocker of an ending was something that I did not expect. The term “medical thriller” is a very apt description for this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes suspenseful stories. D. J. Palmer did a wonderful job with his novel and I look forward to reading more of his work!
This was one of those books that magnetically draws you into the story from the very beginning. Becky Gerard is a mom who wants to take care of her ill daughter. Meghan is a fifteen year-old who just wants to be able to do her regular activities again, but she is hampered by mysterious symptoms that take her to the hospital frequently. Carl Gerard is the father who wants what’s best for Meghan, but he isn’t convinced that she is genuinely ill. The doctors are persuaded that something is wrong but they are not sure whether the symptoms are real or not since they have yet to come up with a diagnosis. The illness may be psychological, and the fact that the illness itself is a mystery drew me into the story so that I could discover what is really wrong with Meghan. There are few characters and all are very well-developed so that I knew that I didn’’t really know whom I could trust not to be lying. At several points in my reading, I was thinking that everyone was lying, with different levels of deception. This is a book written in such a way that it kept me reading and guessing all the way to the end.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Wow! Twists and turns again and again. An awesome book!
Saving Meghan was a very good read. The twisted childhood history of Becky, Meghan’s mother, is what really made Becky who she was and why she was the way she was. Personally I strongly disliked Becky because she was always looking for an “in”, doing what she needed to do or saying what she needed to say. Carl, Meghan’s father, was a door mat at times and at other times so angry with his wife that his character always seemed to swing from one extreme to the other.
The author did a great job making me think I knew what was going on, but placing doubts only to suddenly have me believing I was right again. The story was so interesting and ended up totally surprising me. The characters were well written, which I always appreciate.
If you like well written psychological fiction, you will likely enjoy this book. Check it out. I think you’ll be glad you did. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for approving my request for an ARC. My thoughts in this review are my own.
Best book I’ve read in the last 12 months! I was thrilled to receive an Advanced Reader Copy from Goodreads & started it right away. As a medical thriller it was suspenseful and satisfying. You can bet I will purchase new books from D.J./Daniel Palmer hot off the press. Enjoy a wonderful read!
This is a great book-will keep you wondering and guessing until the last pages. I lost track of the number of times I went back & forth-#BelieveBecky or #SaveMeghan….
This book covers a lot of bases-medical mystery, psychological thriller, and a boatload of family drama.
You won’t want to get off this roller coaster!!
I think the fact I couldn’t stop reading it and just said to heck with the rest of my day and night grants this one five stars. I knew something was going on and saw a few hints along the way but not a twist I was expecting. Great read! Thanks to St Martins Press for the ARC