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A wave of mysterious deaths hits the ER. Sociopaths, villains and abusers are dropping like flies. Is this divine retribution or another serial killer on the loose?Emma wants the truth, even if unearthing it could take her to an early grave. But a nefarious ghost from the past threatens those Emma would die to protect. Can she keep them safe, or are they doomed?POISON is the third thriller in the gritty ER CRIMES series. If you like suspense, serial killers, and a headstrong protagonist that won't quit, you'll love Rada Jones's page-turner.Read POISON today to get your heart pumping.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2019

389 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Rada Jones

21 books51 followers
Rada was born in Transylvania, ten miles away from Dracula's Castle. Growing up between communists and vampires taught her that humans are fickle, but one can always rely on dogs and books.
After she immigrated to join her husband, she went to medical school, then worked in the ER for years, but she still speaks like Dracula's cousin.
Her thrillers feature Dr. Emma Steele, a not-so-young ER doc with a moody teenage daughter and a fondness for wine. If blood, gore and serial killers turn you on, check out OVERDOSE, MERCY, and POISON. If you're into dark medical humor, check her STAY AWAY FROM MY ER. But if you're into dogs, the K-9 Heroes series is for you.
To celebrate Gypsy, Rada's beloved German Shepherd, Emma adopted a quirky, bacon-loving K-9 named Guinness who runs her life through Mercy and Poison.

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5 stars
513 (64%)
4 stars
205 (25%)
3 stars
64 (8%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Laura  Felty.
179 reviews26 followers
August 20, 2024
Excellent series

This series really strikes something in me. Emma is so strong and independent. She is very smart. I appreciate the ending but am sad to see the conflict end as it does. Excellent writing!
Profile Image for Suanne.
Author 10 books1,012 followers
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December 24, 2019
Poison is a thriller set in primarily in the Emergency Room where Dr. Emma Steele works. People who visit the ER are returning as codes or dropping dead within a few days of their initial ER visit. But only her most vile patients are dying: the child abusers, wife beaters, even a child burgeoning sociopath. As a physician, I appreciated the accuracy with which Jones presents clinical details. Her protagonist, Emma Steele, is interesting and well-rounded, strong, but flawed. She’s a divorcée, well on her way to becoming an alcoholic, the mother of a pregnant, drug-using teenaged daughter. Emma handles all these problems while dealing with the life-and-death situations that arise in her ER. As the product of an abusive mother, she finds it hard to feel any remorse over the deaths of such loathsome people. At the same time, she confronts the moral dilemma that even the wicked deserve to live. As it becomes clear that a serial killer is at work, she starts snooping, trying to solve the mystery herself. She doesn’t have a lot of sleuthing to do as there is only one contender for the role, something I found rather disappointing. This is the third and final volume in the ER Crimes, the Steele Files series, but it worked well as a stand-alone. Although some characters from earlier books make cameo appearances here, their relationships are all well-defined in book #3. This book is told in an omniscient POV with an occasional divergence in to the POV of Guinness, Dr. Steele’s German Shepherd, truly one of the best characters in the book. I found it less of a thriller and more along the lines of a cozy mystery.
Profile Image for Patty.
5,155 reviews55 followers
August 19, 2020
Rada Jones MD has my interest piqued with this series. Each book is smart, entertaining and exciting. This installment of the series has Emma in her ER with unsavory people dying for no apparent reason. She struggles with the moral dilemma of murder vs who this serial killer is targeting. Her daughter's life is in turmoil with the father of her baby coming back with threats, and her friend Vera has her own agenda. Jones intricately weaves her web, letting us work through each problem, deal with each personality and enjoy a good ear smacking. It's a mystery that makes you think, lets you work through parenting, careers and relationships. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and especially Guinness the dog! Poison wraps the series up, but leaves us still wanting more.

Meghan Kelly narrates the story and pulls me right back into the series. Continuity of voices between books and her amazing talent to raise the suspense with just inflections in her voice make it an incredible listen. As a storyteller, she enhances the book, adding so much emotion that you could feel each problem. I love her and always know it will be a listen that will stick with me.
Profile Image for Toula.
2,504 reviews
August 4, 2020
Audio book review

This is book 3 in the series. It will grab your attention from start till the very end. Lots of mystery, concise plots but also with humour. Heroine is Emma
Emma doesn’t understand why people are dying like fles , but when she sees who they are she thinks they are getting what they deserve, the dead are wife beaters , they also kill animals , the dead also abused children. Emma thinks that the almighty is getting them back , until she discovers that a human is doing the dirty deed because she was almost one of their victims. Wow what a story. Right till the end

Meghan Kelly performance was fantastic. Her voice is always strong, clear and you can tell who each character is by her tone
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,790 reviews21 followers
June 28, 2020
Wow! This book! I just love it! It’s fast paced and easily keeps my interest. The characters keep my mind engaged trying to figure them out. The story is compelling. It could easily be ripped from the headlines. I don’t really want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away. This is a good one and worth the credit.

This is the third book I have read by the author. She does a great job with the writing. It can be read as a standalone but for great listening pleasure I would suggest reading Mercy first because of some crossover stories. I did listen to this on audio. Meghan Kelly does an amazing job! Her older woman’s voice is top notch!
Profile Image for Dorothy Wilhite.
5 reviews
May 8, 2021
Loved this series

This was a wonderful series. It was an interesting experience to watch the development!moment of the characters. I really liked how Taylor developed from a spoiled entitled brat in to a beautiful and responsible adult. And Emma had a lot of growing up to do. and of course Guiness stole the show. I have a Mini Dachshund that reminds me of her. My girl has me very well trained.
I hope this is not the last book in this series.
keep up the good work and keep the books coming.
Profile Image for Audrey.
1,780 reviews81 followers
January 5, 2025
Strange deaths are once again occurring in the ER. This time, it is wife beaters, child abusers, and other socialpaths who are facing their ultimate demise. Dr. Steele is faced with an ethical dilemma. She believes in saving lives, but what about people who are a danger to society? Does she turn a blind eye to what is happening? Does she report it to the police? Does she even have evidence of what is going on? What is she going to do when someone tries to destroy her and those of her loved ones?
Profile Image for Bobirley Adams.
154 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2026
Excellent Well Written Suspense Mystery!

I enjoy conversations that flow easily as if I am a mouse in a corner hearing everything. I read a LOT of books but only give good reviews to books I know are worthy. I had to read this book twice before I could stop to write my review. Often I can predict the culprit but this book surprised me with a finale that left me happy with something unique!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THIS BOOK!
48 reviews
November 27, 2022
A Pleasure

This is not a complicated tale, but you will get to know the characters well. You may even see yourself in some of these people and their situations.

On the whole, it is a predictable, but also heartwarming story about the ER, medical world, abuse, love, dedication, mystery, evil, sacrifice, responsibility, and growing older.
I really did like this book.
5,415 reviews67 followers
April 28, 2023
Poison

This is another ER thriller and Emma has another problem patients that have done bad things are turning up dead after being in the ER and Emma finds the answer but Umber is back and tries to make Emma lie to get his medical licence but then he attacks her and dies Another good story loved reading
125 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2024
Emma Steele is an amazing character

She feels more real than most of the people I know! I find her quite admirable. It was interesting to get to know more about her extended family and friends. Her work is always fascinating. And the end of the book was lovely. Dr. Jones really needs to write many more books featuring Emma. Loved this book!
7 reviews
September 12, 2024
Fast paced medical thriller!

Emma is back in the ER with another mystery to solve. Jone’s books are easy and fast to read with this being no exception! The characters are deepened and each is relatable making this fast paced book even better. Vera’s personality is a gem in this thriller!
70 reviews
September 9, 2021
WOW

I did not read the first book in the series, but I read the last two. What an amazing character Dr. Steele is. Vera was also amazing. I highly recommend the books. Dr. Jones keep up the good work
49 reviews
December 10, 2021
Excellent series

I bought the series & was captivated. Great story line. I'm friends with several emergency room nurses & medics so I saw the stories they talk about. Excellent. Well done. I'm sorry this is the last in the series.
Profile Image for Cathy.
4 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2021
Great Read!

Have enjoyed Emma books. The description of ER life & full moon happenings with f. Trauma center are right on point. Story line is so interesting and believable.
Look forward to reading more from this author
665 reviews6 followers
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October 16, 2022
Wonderful story

A difficult one for Emma. Same for Taylor, mother of a newborn . This story is about growing . Guiness, the very smart German Shepherd, is just that. Very smart!
22 reviews
November 15, 2022
entertaining, needs better editing

The story is entertaining with never a dull moment. It felt like it needed some editing to make some of the timeline make more sense. It was a bit predictable on who the killer was, but still hard to put down.
65 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2023
Poison

I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading it. It really holds my attention and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. This time I did figure it out but had to keep reading to see if I did figure it out right. Rada Jones is an excellent author.
39 reviews
October 7, 2023
Angel of Mercy

Poor Emma, luckily she had a few great friends. The evil become more evil and no one cares. In steps the
the equalizer in a very subtle way to even the score. Great read if you like seat of your pants action.

118 reviews
June 16, 2025
so, so,good

These are among some of the best medical mysteries I have read. Knowledgeable medically and also as a wine drinker (ha). Have fun reading and I can’t wait to start book 4.
48 reviews
October 6, 2025
Great book Dr Jones!

As with all of the books she writes, I was captured by the first few pages. The characters are well written, you will like some of them and hate others. I am off to the next book.( The one about her dog! ) Hope you enjoy the series as much as I did!
Profile Image for Christine Cazeneuve.
1,477 reviews42 followers
November 22, 2025
Favorite so far

I'm positively addicted to these books with this one being my favorite so far. Great returning characters and another terrific plotline. You will not be disappointed reading this series but I will advise you to stay the hell away from this hospital!
235 reviews
December 12, 2025
Good series.

I just love reading geniuses thoughts. I would love a dog like her, but my 8lb York is is a sweetheart also. I was glad Taylor kept Hope. I think Hope will be special.. Looking forward to reading more.
268 reviews4 followers
April 24, 2020
Wonderful story

A great medical whodoneit. Bad people are getting killed in the ER and it points to a serial killer. But who?
75 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2021
Enjoyed this book

I Really enjoyed this book it had a lot going on most of the way through and it kept my attention right up until the end very good book to read.
53 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2022
Wow!

What a powerful finale to this trilogy! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry or both. If I drank, I’d have a glass of wine to this series. And a shot of vodka...
16 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2023
Rada Jones has me hooked! This book was a different spin on Emma and her friend Vera.I liked it!
Well done Rada Jones!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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