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Fractured

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Former Naval Special Warfare Development Group orthopedic trauma surgeon Mark Thurman and preeminent scientist Claire Hodgson have discovered how to create human bones and heal fractures in days. They test their revolutionary methods on Mark's ex-SEAL Team colleague, John Bristow, who was shot and left for dead after an altercation at his farm. The search for suspects and a motive turns up hydrofracking extortionists, ex-military Special Forces, and agents of foreign governments. When things begin to go sideways it becomes apparent Bristow isn't the person he appears to be. However, Thurman owes him a debt--and he'll risk all to pay it

338 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2018

18 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

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Thomas Kelso

3 books11 followers

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5 stars
48 (53%)
4 stars
30 (33%)
3 stars
10 (11%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Greg G.
15 reviews
March 8, 2018
Quite good for a first novel. Some flavor of Brad Thor, combined with detailed but clear medical descriptions. It's apparent the author did some good research to strengthen the personal knowledge he added.

The good: fast paced, excellently written medical sections, solid descriptions of combatives. And it provides a satisfying conclusion which should lead into a good series.

The less good: I found a few irritating grammar errors, which I'll place squarely on the shoulders of the editor. One minor factual error during a description of the shooting range.

And this may be just me: The romantic sections just did not work well for me, and unfortunately, I can't quite put a finger on exactly why. They just didn't seem as realistic as the other sections of the book, which were really well done. It's a distraction, but a minor one.
Profile Image for Jacob Peled.
527 reviews11 followers
December 18, 2019
Looks like the Author was looking for a platform to insert detailed description of a surgical procedure he was dreaming of. SO we got all those detailed descriptions that should be written in a a medical magazine. Same goes for other chapters describing a romance. This book is supposed to be a thriller not a medical text book or a Romance. Bottom line. The book should have been 25% shorter. When you get to the end you realize that all that suspense was for something so trivial and banal.
I gave it 3 stars since I was able to finish it (spiked many pages though.
1,134 reviews
December 12, 2018
I liked this book for all kinds of reasons. The author is a VA Tech grad, has a PhD in Veterinary medicine, is also an orthopedic surgeon, lives and practices an hour away in Southport, NC and was a Naval medical officer and orthopedic surgeon. And he wrote an exciting (although a little out there, I think) book that may be the first in a series for our orthopedic surgeon hero. What’s not to like? If my knee acts up, I am going to get an appointment with him.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews63 followers
February 28, 2021
Thomas Kelso – Mark Thurman Series, Bk 1 – Fractured – Reviewed 2/27/21 – Read 1/28-29/21

The best way to repay a friend is to make him all better, as fast as you can!

Mark Thurman, having grown up with a father that was a General in the military, disappointed him when he decided not to join up, instead, he wanted to be a doctor like his grandfather. Medical school was expensive, so Mark applied for an Armed Forces Professional Scholarship, he was accepted, but owed four years to active duty. During that time, he was invited to work with a special elite team and become their medical officer. It was then when John Bristow, a Navy Seal saved his life. A debt that he hoped one day he would be able to repay.

Mark being an Orthopedic trauma surgeon had been working with Clair Hodgson, an extremely distinguished stem cell scientist, on a project to develop a method to heal fractures in days instead of weeks and months, sometimes even longer. Their project was successful, but so far, they had only tested on monkeys. Mark and Clair were ready for the next step.

When Mark was called in for an emergency, and the patient was none other than former Navy Seal sniper, John Bristow, severely injured with a military type of round that went through his leg, the destruction being beyond belief. It would have to be rebuilt! Hopefully, that day has come when Mark will be able to repay that debt he owed for his life?

And the story begins…

What did I like? Having had injuries to my back, neck, and arm, the type of research that our lead character was working on, extremely interested me. As it happens, I almost met this author back some years ago, when the two of us lived in Missouri. I had an injury to my arm and one of his partners operated on it. I made a full recovery, and my arm works great. Add that to the most exciting adventures of our characters and this book will take you by storm. I was super impressed with the new technology that Tom added to his book. In talking with him he explained that parts were his imagination, but some parts are True, and others that are so close to being a reality. Our future so far as injuries are concerned, will be very exhilarating.

What will you like? Wow, the adjectives are numerous with this book, but I will try. Exciting, sensational, breathtaking, rousing, moving, intriguing, mysterious, espionage, murder, life threats, injuries, rousing, and electrifying! I think you might have got the point; this book will have you reading well into the night, and you just will not be able to put it down. The characters are nothing short of amazing. The whole book takes the storyline and twists it into darn near reality, and if true would scare the pants off you. Things like these happen, we just do not hear about them. This book will open your eyes to situations, that our servicemen could possibly be put into during their military time. We do have men that serve their country every day and put their lives on the line without complaint. As many of you know, quite a few of the men in my family have served. Son, husband, brother, father, uncles, grandfather, friends, and countless others. I respect and support the military, no matter which branch, and would hope that the rest of the world does too. An excellent read that I would highly recommend to all.

• File Size: 4373 KB
• Print Length: 367 pages
• Publication Date: 1/12/2019
• Publisher: Jolly Robin Press
• ASIN: B07MMF7G72
• Genre: Medical Thrillers, Military Thrillers
117 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2018
I have received an ARC of 'Fractured' by Thomas Kelso from Kindle Press via Kindle Scout.
Thomas Kelso, a Ph.D. from Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine and medical graduate served in the US Navy, then began civilian orthopedic practice. Naturally, this book is titled 'Fractured'. This thrilling combination of adventure and medical suspense explains medical facts in simpler language, then extrapolates into what could be possible, brings in terrorism and romance. This convincing web creates a story that keeps you hooked. In short it is like Tom Clancy Meets Michael Crichton.
Profile Image for Vicki.
33 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2018
This is a very well written independently published book.

Mark Thurman is an orthopedic surgeon, former Navy Special Warfare group member and a volunteer for the local Swat team. He and Dr. Claire Hodgson have developed new technology to aid in the repair of traumatic bone fractures.

An ex-SEAL colleague is brought into the ER one night with multiple injuries including significant leg bone damage. As Thurman works on getting him fixed many things happen to lead Thurman to believe that is friend is not quite the North Carolina farmer he professes to be.

Suspenseful, intense, and fast-paced, Fractured is ultimately a very satisfying read.
1 review
March 9, 2019
THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!! It kept me up late as I couldn't put it down. There were so many twists and turns, action was so spellbinding. A great read and I am anticipating the next book.t

It is so action packed and with the potential series to be even better as the first book was definitely an attention getter for me and all that I have recommended it to have all said they are Looking forward to the next book and more to come. I couldn't put it down and re-read it because I wanted to be sure I hadn't missed anything when discussing it with my book buddies. AWESOME!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! It is with great anticipation that I wait for book #2.
5 reviews
Read
May 22, 2021
Very intriguing!

I choose to read this book because I personally have had the privilege to work in the OR with Dr. Kelso. He also put my sons leg back together after an auto accident. What talents this man has in the OR, wow what talents he has as an author. FRACTURED was an amazing read. Hated to put it down. Exciting to pick it back up. Now on the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Marcia Siedliski.
1 review1 follower
March 13, 2018
FAST PACED MULTI LEVEL STORY

A first book in a series I will continue to read. Interesting and believable characters in well written fiction. Written by a doctor, parts relating to medical field made me feel like I was in the story when the most exciting new medical discoveries were introduced. Read the book, and you will wish they were available NOW!
Profile Image for Steve.
375 reviews19 followers
March 6, 2018
For me one of this book's greatest strengths is it's medical plausibility to an ignorant reader like me. The author's medical background lends itself well to spinning a convincing web and creating a story that kept my attention from beginning to end.
28 reviews
August 13, 2020
This was an incredible book. It had me locked in at the first 10 pages. As a retired Orthopedic nurse the medical side of story was so possible. The intrigue was up there with Tom Clancy. I throughly enjoyed this book.
3 reviews
March 13, 2018
Well worth a read!

Great action novel with a lot of local knowledge of the North Carolina southeastern coast. Lots of fun to read!
1 review
July 19, 2018
Intriguing

Could put it down. Already starting on the next. It's a must have. Intrigue and mystery combined in one book
Profile Image for Linda S Townsend.
1 review
August 17, 2018
Like a rollercoaster ride.

This story started out rapidly and never slowed down. I would recommend Kelso's works to anyone who enjoys action. Tom T
3 reviews
September 4, 2018
Review

Liked the story overall. Liked how the medical research flowed with the story. At times was predictable but overall made for a good beach read.
2 reviews2 followers
Read
September 21, 2022
It is a great book, extremely interesting story, and very well written! Looking forward to more of his books!
365 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2020
I loved the book! I look forward to reading another by Thomas Kelso. The beginning had a lot of medical/scientific jargon which I guess was to be expected, but as the story progressed it became more and more interesting. I always enjoy reading about this area of North Carolina. Sorry to say we haven’t been to Bald Head Island. We had planned to go this year, but we’re in the midst of the pandemic so travel anywhere but the grocer and the doctor is on hold. Great read!
2 reviews
April 2, 2018
Can't put down

This is a great story line with a little bit of everything - suspense, action, romance. Cannot wait to read more in the series.
3 reviews
September 4, 2018
Very interesting first book

Very interesting first book by Thomas Kelso who used a lot of local points of interest from Carolina coast. Characters were well developed and I felt like I knew them. Action packed and kept interest to keep turning pages. I'm looking forward to his next book.
Profile Image for Catriona Lovett.
627 reviews13 followers
September 3, 2021
Surgery, Guns, and Romance

The plot of this novel includes several premises. At the beginning, I half-wondered whether it would develop more deeply into the science fiction genre, but it's primarily an action thriller. It's a busy story, but it works.

In real life, the author has as many skills and interests as his principal character, Mark Thurman. His real life experiences doubtlessly inform Dr. Thurman's and other characters' deeds and capabilities. The author has stretched Thurman's activities to the max, though.

I have no idea how he has the energy to do all the things he does, though it's apparent that he has plenty of drive and motivation. I admire him, but I admire Claire Hodgeson, his research partner and romantic interest, a little bit more. I enjoy how Thurman encourages and supports her, while being equally ambitious. It's a sweet love story.

There is no cliffhanger in the ending of this book, but there are a few loose ends. I hope that any unanswered questions about the exciting medical and scientific innovations featured will lead to more books.
33 reviews
April 7, 2018
Set in Carolina, USA, this fast paced, action packed thriller sees ex-navy medical doctor Mark Thurman facing two battles: one is to prove the effectiveness of his partner Claire Hodgson's research on vastly improving the healing of bones, the other is keeping his heavily insured friend John Bristow alive. The story has many surprising and interesting twists, only the ending is too typical American for my taste.

The story is enthralling from the first page to the last. The author writes with the full knowledge of his own experience as a military doctor, adding the right level of detail to make the story come alive.
12 reviews
April 14, 2018
I was entranced. I had a free day and got nothing done but read this book. I am reminded of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor. I love books with action and a patriot theme.
I am excited for more books from this author. He might fill the void left by Vince Flynn.
And btw he is my doctor!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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