A Gripping Medical Thriller for Fans of Robin Cook & Tess Gerritsen

A homeless man.
A suspicious IV mark.
A rogue physician who may be helping—or harming—the vulnerable.

When Medical Examiner Dr. Kenzie Kirsch discovers a puncture wound with no medical record to explain it, she finds herself drawn into a chilling mystery. Her investigation leads to rumors of a “Night Doctor” treating patients outside the system. But is he saving lives—or silencing them?

If you love page-turning forensic thrillers that explore medical ethics, underground medicine, and dangerous secrets, you don’t want to miss this latest installment.

Why You’ll Love Healed to Death

• Fast-paced and emotionally compelling
• Smart, neurodivergent female lead
• Can be read as a standalone
• Inspired by real-world healthcare challenges
• Part of the bestselling Kenzie Kirsch Medical Thriller series

Tropes Featured in This Book

• Strong Female Protagonist: Kenzie is a smart, capable woman, not a one-dimensional stereotype. Just what you are looking for!
• Moral Ambiguity: What happens when healthcare fails—and someone takes matters into their own hands?
• Hidden Secrets: What’s being covered up, and why?
• Forensic Intrigue: Love CSI and Bones? Get your fill of forensic science.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ P. D. Workman has penned yet another captivating mystery that had me ignoring all else in favor of reading this book to see what was going to happen next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoy all medical thrillers as a rule, but I have to say that this series stands out for me because of the compassion and understanding that always shines through in each and every story. This is top shelf entertainment with a heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thriller is definitely the right description for this book. As Kenzie works to get to the truth behind a death, there are more and more questions. A real page turner, for sure.

🙋‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Healed to Death part of a series?

Yes, it’s Book 12 in the Kenzie Kirsch Medical Thrillers series by P.D. Workman.

What genre is Healed to Death?

It’s a character-driven medical thriller with forensic mystery and psychological suspense elements.

What is Healed to Death about?

Healed to Death follows Assistant Medical Examiner Kenzie Kirsch as she uncovers the shocking truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man. What begins as a routine case soon spirals into a gripping investigation involving the homeless, mental illness, and maverick medicine.

Do I need to read the previous books in the Kenzie Kirsch series first?

No. While Healed to Death is the 12th book in the series, each book presents a standalone mystery. However, returning readers will enjoy the continuing character arcs.

Who would enjoy Healed to Death?

Fans of medical thrillers, forensic mysteries, crime fiction with strong female leads, or character-driven suspense stories will love Healed to Death. Think Patricia Cornwell, Tess Gerritsen, or Kathy Reichs with emotional depth and social realism.

Is there a crossover with the Zachary Goldman series?

Yes. Kenzie’s partner, private investigator Zachary Goldman, plays a role in the story. If you’re familiar with P.D. Workman’s other series, you’ll enjoy the added dimension this brings.

What themes does Healed to Death explore?

In addition to forensic investigation, the book touches on themes like mental illness, homelessness, alcoholism, and maverick medicine.

Is Healed to Death appropriate for younger readers?

This book is intended for mature readers. It contains realistic portrayals of crime scenes, psychological trauma, and adult themes, but does not rely on graphic violence or explicit content. It is “clean” with no f-bombs, on-page sex, or excessive gore. But there are autopsy scenes!

Buy now and uncover the truth that could cost everything.

“P.D. Workman has done it again. she has managed to write a book that will push your buttons. If it doesn’t then you need to take another look.”

“This is a brilliant read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story. Can’t wait to see what the author brings us next!”

“Absolutely fabulous as always.”

Author Notes may contain spoilers

When I sat down to brainstorm Healed to Death, I didn’t know I was about to go down a rabbit hole of ethical gray areas and overlooked societal struggles. What started as a plot-first idea quickly grew into something more personal and socially layered.

At first, I imagined the “Night Doctor” character as someone performing underground surgeries. But realistically, that would require an anesthesiologist and a sterile operating environment—not sustainable for a rogue provider. As the story evolved, it became less about dramatic back-alley procedures and more about quiet, deeply human decisions. What does it mean to give care when the system has given up on someone? What kind of person breaks the rules to help?

My research brought up some difficult realities: how illness—not just addiction or mental health—can be a major driver of homelessness in the U.S. Many people lose their jobs due to health issues, and without a support network, they spiral quickly. That spiral became the backdrop for the mystery Kenzie unravels.

One particularly eye-opening fact that stayed with me: nearly one-third of the homeless population in the U.S. lives in California.

Kenzie’s case starts with the death of an alcoholic man presumed to have died as a result of his late stage alcoholism, but when she finds an unexplained IV mark on his arm, it launches her into a world of underground care, moral ambiguity, and institutional blind spots. It also touches on a deeply human question: Should people be allowed to make choices that might kill them if they believe it’s the best they can do?

Researching this book meant diving into medical licensing, malpractice law, and side effects and complications of various illnesses and treatments to figure out not just how Jack died—but how Kenzie would find the truth.

A small but meaningful thread in this book—and a few recent ones—is how Zachary Goldman’s past is slowly revealed. He aged out of foster care and carries his own trauma, but here, he becomes a critical part of the investigation. He reaches out to old contacts, people who know what it means to survive on the margins. His quiet resilience is one of my favorite parts of the story.

• The 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report
• Street Medicine: Barrier Considerations for Healthcare Providers in the U.S.
• A man is walking the streets in New Haven to bring medical care to unhoused patients
• America’s homeless doctor brings health care to streets
• Homelessness Is A Healthcare Issue. Why Don’t We Treat It As One?

“Every single one of [P.D. Workman’s] books has spoken to me … And I have found strength in the books I’ve read.”

“This is one author I certainly will be looking out for, I can’t recommend her enough.”

“I’ll read anything by P. D. Workman that I can get my hands on.”

“Every book by PD Workman that I’ve read has been a gripping one, however different the genres are, going from lighter mysteries to really dark ones… this is one of my favourite, most dependable authors.”a

“P.D. Workman is an incredibly versatile writer. No matter which of her books I read I am drawn into a great story and honestly, I don’t think I’ve followed another author that could go from cozy mystery to YA to a PI series dealing with mental health issues. Really enjoy her books!”

“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”

“P. D. Workman, does not shy from probing the deep psychological scars of childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Also characteristic of this author, these extremely sensitive issues are explored with extensive empathy, described with incredible clarity, and portrayed with profound insight.”

“Once again P.D.Workman has created an intense psychological mystery that impacts a wallop of thought induction. The writing is so well developed and draws you into the characters story.”