Death’s Pale Flag by Gary Simonds

I enjoyed chatting with Gary Simonds about his debut novel, Death’s Pale Flag, a medical thriller.  

He is an amazing hero, who has saved thousands of lives as a neurosurgeon performing the most complicated surgeries imaginable on children and adults. Over his stellar career he has cared for tens of thousands of patient in trauma centers and ICUs. 

He’s written definitive medical journals and now, in retirement, Dr. Simonds has turned to fiction. Just as he has been successful in the world of medicine, he can add to his list of accomplishments becoming an Award Winning Author. Death’s Pale Flag is a Literary Titan Book Award Winner,

In this debut novel the main character is a neurosurgeon in crisis. Some might think he is burned out. Dr. Ryan Brenan thinks he might be going mad. He has started to have visions. After years of devoting himself to his job, often at the cost of neglecting his family, he is seeing ghosts.  

The author creates an atmospheric story with his descriptions of Dr. Brenan’s cases. Where the author’s writing really shines is in the operating room. He takes readers into the room and describes the work that a surgeon does in a way that is easy to understand. The almost ballet like way in which the surgical team works. Each knowing what to do. Each watching the surgeon who might have to make an instant decision that could mean life or death.

It is this pressure that has gotten to Dr. Brenan. An obsession that threatens to ruin his life as he neglects his own wife and children. 

Is that why he starts seeing ghosts. Is he being haunted by those he lost on the operating table? Or is his subconscious trying to tell him to slow down before it’s too late. But the spirits. The specters seem so real. Could there be a supernatural world? This is an emotionlly-captivating story.

When Dr. Brenan has a chance to go to a retreat in Miami with his wife, he hopes that the ghosts–or whatever they are–won’t follow him. 

Death’s Pale Flag is a fascinating medical thriller that touches on the deeper meaning of life and death. 

Dr. Gary Simonds has definitely found the ‘joy on paper’ and a bright new career as a novelist.