I’m not taking these antipsychotic pills anymore. They make me sleepy and confused. Since the psychiatrist prescribed them, I can’t remember…

As a board-certified pediatrician and chief of pediatrics in Goleta, I have too many responsibilities and cannot function while medicated. This wasn’t the life I carefully constructed. All that time and effort I invested in my future, destroyed by disease and trauma.

The demise of my structured life began with a cancer diagnosis, which condemned my husband Jean to a protracted death. Nursing him, burying him, caused me to stumble. For months I struggled to restructure a life for myself and Evens.

Then Evens died, and I broke down. A serial drunk killed my son and sent me into a spiraling pit of sorrow and depression. If not for my best friend Camile and my parents, I would have been institutionalized.

Camile’s calling again. She and my parents insisted I seek treatment—and I did. Unfortunately, my psychiatrist appeared more interested in my murderous dreams than in my mental health. Part of healing involved dismissing her and getting treatment from a reliable practitioner.

Damn. If I don’t hurry, I’ll be late for work. Once free of the medication haze, I resigned as chief of pediatrics in Goleta and moved to San Luis Obispo. However, the fresh start I desire has been tainted by my new boss. A narcissistic bully unable to keep his pants zipped.

There are greater problems in my life than a harassing sociopath, though. A Santa Barbara cop is blackmailing me. He has hinted that I participated in the death of the woman who killed my son. Why would he suspect me?

Out of principle, I refuse to pay—but also because I can’t remember what occurred. Many of the details around Evens’ death remain foggy. Especially the time following his killer’s conviction. Perhaps I’m simply avoiding the truth. Suppressing what happened to protect myself—or someone else.

With a new job in a new city, I have started over. Despite everything else, I’ve made a new friend and adopted a stray dog. Things are improving. And if that Santa Barbara cop or my degenerate boss get in the way…

Bad habits can be tempting. But if I resort to prior customs, people will die.

Hollow Voices
Genre: Thriller
Release: November 2023
Format: Digital
Purchase Link

The Surgeon meets The Coworker

Following her husband’s death from cancer, Dr. Julia Toussaint rebuilt a comfortable life with her son, Evens. But when he’s murdered, she’s devastated. Months of psychiatric treatment leave her confused and alienated from her former life. Julia struggles with the past. With the support of friends and family, she pieces things together, but the world has changed. Her aging parents want her to return home to North Carolina, but Julia has unresolved business in California.

After resigning her position as chief of pediatrics for a position at a new medical center, Julia makes new friendships. However, the past refuses to be ignored. Suddenly, a police officer blackmails her about the suspicious death of the woman who killed her son. Using Julia’s relationship with a former drug addict, he increases the pressure, forcing Julia to examine what happened long ago.

A narcissistic boss has Julia considering if murder can solve problems. With the happiness of the people she loves at stake, Julia must remember who she was and define who she will become.

About the author
After over twenty years in clinical medicine, Michelle now works as a medical consultant. As a member of Crime Writers of Color, Sisters in Crime and Capitol Crimes, her writing interests cover many genres—mystery, paranormal, and thrillers. If not writing, you can find her outside gardening or bicycling.