Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

★★★★★

“Deep Trauma is more than a thriller. It’s a story about integrity, empathy, and the courage to confront trauma head-on, both in others and within ourselves.” —City Book Review

I“[A] vivid read…. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys an action-packed read that captures the suspense and intensity of well-crafted medical fiction, and I look forward to the next in this series.” —Readers’ Favorite

“…a thoughtful, brisk, and entertaining thriller that foregrounds real social issues in modern America.” —IndieReader

“Slick series starter pits a surfing ER doctor against shocking highway murders.” —BookLife by Publishers Weekly

“…page-turning intrigue…. A solid thriller and a promising series debut.” —Kirkus Reviews

Deep Trauma
By Kat Edwards
Sugar Pine Publishing, $4.99, 336 pages, Format: eBook

RATING 5/5

I approached Deep Trauma with both curiosity and a sense of wariness. Thrillers set in emergency rooms often walk a fine line between drama and sensationalism, but Kat Edwards strikes the right balance. From the first chapter, when Dr. Riley Brighton stumbles across a grisly body on the freeway, we are plunged into a world of trauma medicine, corruption, and personal demons that feels both raw and real.

Riley is a compelling protagonist: a talented ER physician, a survivor of her own painful childhood loss, and a woman caught between duty and conscience. The early chapters reveal her natural instinct to help, even in the middle of chaos, yet also highlight the toll her work takes on her humanity. I found myself drawn to her inner conflict; she’s capable and tough, but she’s not immune to grief or fear. As a mother, I felt a pang when the case of little Leroy Williams, a child lost under suspicious circumstances in the ER, surfaced. Riley’s anguish over his death is palpable, reminding us of the human cost behind every clinical statistic.

The novel tackles weighty themes that linger after the final page. Edwards weaves in the systemic failures of healthcare: administrators protecting the wrong people, misogynistic superiors exploiting power, and the silencing of voices that dare to question authority. Riley’s clashes with “Jackass” Jackson, her department head, capture the frustrating reality many women face in male-dominated professions. As a professional woman myself, I found those passages both infuriating and validating.

Another central theme is identity and acceptance. Riley’s interactions with Holly, a transgender surfer she befriends, and her dawning realization that the freeway victim may also have been transgender, bring nuance and heart to the story. Edwards doesn’t treat this subplot as a token gesture; instead, it becomes a driving force in Riley’s search for truth. Watching Riley stand up to bigotry, whether it’s casual prejudice in a coffee shop or something far more sinister, was one of the most powerful parts of the novel.

Edwards also explores the intersection of violence, hate, and marginalized lives. The skull decal linked to extremist groups, the brutality faced by the homeless, and the indifference of institutions all create a chilling backdrop. Yet within this darkness, there’s resilience: Riley’s dogged determination, her compassion for patients like Shorty and Paula, and her belief that one person can still make a difference.

For me, the novel resonated on both an emotional and professional level. It reminded me of the fragility of life and the importance of speaking out, even when it’s uncomfortable. Deep Trauma is more than a thriller. It’s a story about integrity, empathy, and the courage to confront trauma head-on, both in others and within ourselves. Deep Trauma is a gripping, thoughtful debut that blends medical realism with social commentary, leaving readers unsettled but deeply moved.

Reviewed by Samantha Olsen

OUR STAR RATING SYSTEM
1 star: Reviewer wouldn’t recommend this book at all.

2 stars: Reviewer wouldn’t read it again. Needs work.

3 stars: Reviewer enjoyed the book.

4 stars: Reviewer liked and would recommend the book to friends/family.

5 stars: Reviewer considers the book to be something that everyone should read. Reviewer would definitely read it again.