A devoted doctor becomes bedeviled by an elusive entity in this supernatural thriller.

Dr. Amir Hadad is a successful interventional radiologist in Naperville, a western suburb of Chicago, with lots to be thankful for, including John F. Kennedy Jr. looks; a loving wife, Camille; and a young daughter, Sami. Then Amir begins to hear an entity. He dismisses it until it returns with harrowing frequency and increasing vitriol. When the police are called, they discover no evidence of an intruder; even a new family dog is unable to soothe the Hadads’ growing fears. Still, the voice grows louder and, after careful research, is uncovered as the vengeful ghost of Irishman Patrick Doyle, who was hanged in 1854 for the murder of another immigrant, Patrick Tole, in Naperville. The hanging tree is located adjacent to the Hadads’ home, and it’s up to Amir to finally put Doyle’s spirit to rest. Set in 2018, Shiloah’s tense, atmospheric second novel channels the historical relevance of Irish immigrants and their exodus to North America. The result is a multifaceted tale of intrigue, eternal unrest, and ghostly retribution. Courtesy of Sami’s great-grandmother Sabiha, the story integrates aspects of Iraqi culture and superstitions, which are intriguing but cry out for greater coverage in the book. As the author demonstrated in her debut, Emergence (2020), anesthesiologist Shiloah has a distinct talent for crafting crisp characterization even as supernatural nuances dominate the narrative. Camille, for example, is French-born, stylish, and prone to depression, stemming from her inability of have more children due to a post-labor mishap. She also mulls reinvigorating the theater career she brushed aside in favor of motherhood. Another notable presence is Viva, Camille’s radiant younger sister, whom Amir and his wife hope to use as a surrogate for their second child. The author injects plenty of credible medical scenery into the story, but the eerie melodrama takes center stage. As the plot thickens, readers of paranormal fiction and suspense thrillers will find themselves engrossed in this finely paced, sinister tale of a family haunted by the spirit of a historical figure.

A thrill ride incorporating mystery, believable familial worries, and a vindictive ghost.

Physician Shira Shiloah's novel Emergence received much acclaim for its unusual blend of romance and medical thriller. Prior fans who enjoyed her approach will find Grave Intervention poses another fine medical conundrum.

It opens with Dr. Amir Hadad's unusual experience during a routine procedure. Someone has whispered to him. And nobody in the operating room was involved.

This is only the opening salvo of a situation which grows as he continues to hear voices that force Amir and radiology nurse Lexi to navigate the increasingly uncertain worlds of medical procedures and criminal justice.

Is the voice a ghost, an electrical failure, or something more sinister? The latter seems to be the case, as further conundrums rise to challenge Amir's work and home worlds.

Shira Shiloah creates a masterful story of intrigue, but couches events in Amir's personal life as well as his work world. This dual attention to different emotional landscapes lends Grave Intervention a satisfyingly diverse atmosphere as readers absorb his personal goals, values, and home life as he embarks on a search for ghosts, skeletons, and kidnappers.

As the things he loves most in life are threatened, Amir must field medical and ethical issues and the increasing influence hanged Irishman Patrick Doyle holds on his family.

Readers who want a good ghostly investigation will find Grave Intervention a compelling mystery, but it's just as strong in its medical and personal conundrums, as Amir delves ever deeper into the truth about murders and mayhem.

Readers who look for medical mystery alone will find Grave Intervention is a much more multifaceted read than most. It embraces different themes and portrays the good doctor's personal world as effectively and in-depth as it does his professional background.

Grave Intervention will thus appeal to thriller and mystery audiences, as well as those who appreciate a solid story filled with satisfyingly unpredictable twists and turns throughout.