Dead Med by Freida McFadden – A Review

I don’t know what’s more astonishing about this book–its events or the fact that it’s written by a physician. We always hear that science students don’t do fiction like that. That they’re all about labs, late-night anatomy cramming, and zero emotional bandwidth for storytelling and the few in my corner want nothing to do with literature. They almost say it’s for losers but they hold back because they’re not trying to hurt me. Then along comes Freida McFadden, casually reminding everyone that the brain can house both Gray’s Anatomy and psychological chaos at the same time.

This book is proof that a medical background doesn’t just add credibility, it adds precision. Surgical precision. And trust me, this plot cuts deep.

Synopsis (No Spoilers, Relax)

Dead Med follows the intense and psychologically destabilizing journey of medical students in DeWitt Medical School, navigating a system that is anything but sterile. What begins as a seemingly structured anatomy first year student setting, complete with hierarchy, and unspoken competition, morphs into something darker. These students do the most unthinkable things and they harbor secrets.

In allat chaos, there’s a mystery unraveling, from the perspective of the major characters, Heather, Mason, Abe, Dr. Conlon, Sasha and Rachel in no particular order. It’s a mystery that blurs the lines between healer and harm.

DeWitt, also known as Dead Med due to its notorious drug overdosing, isn’t just a setting. It’s a pressure chamber. And everyone inside it is either cracking or hiding something.

Now let’s talk about what truly makes this book slap.

One is the medical authenticity. You can actually feel that this was written by someone who knows their way around a chart and a code blue. The terminology isn’t forced nor does it feel in any way like Google-assisted writing. It’s seamless. There’s something deliciously ironic about a physician writing psychological thrillers this well. It’s like she understands not just the anatomy of the human body but the anatomy of fear. And the way the hospital politics are written? Accurate enough to make you uncomfortable.

There’s also psychological tension. I was completely sold when I realized that the author doesn't rely on gore but on unease. The pacing is steady but sharp. No unnecessary filler or chapters that feel like they’re on life support. Every POV feels intentional, obviously building toward something. And when the twist comes? Let’s just say my brain needed a moment to recalibrate.

The important part, characterization.

The characters are flawed, insecure, disgustingly competitive and sometimes morally questionable. Which I suppose is perfect. None of ‘em feels cartoonish. The internal monologues feel real, especially the imposter syndrome, the professional jealousy, the constant anxiety of not being enough in high-pressure environments.

Literally giving cortisol spike.

Because I’m Fair, I will tell you ahead, that at some points, the internal tension overshadows external action. If you’re someone who prefers fast, explosive plot movement over psychological build-up, you might feel slightly impatient. Also, if you’re not a fan of medical jargon, even when it’s lightly sprinkled, you might need to pause and process. But honestly? It adds flavor.

When I got to the last page of this book, I was hyperventilating. This book left my heart in smithereens and I honestly craved for more because the ending I got wasn’t satisfying enough. If the author ever thinks to make it a series, trust me, I will be sat. This book is not just a medical thriller. It’s a reminder that intellect is multidimensional. That someone can dissect a cadaver in the morning and dissect human paranoia at night.

Freida McFadden doesn’t just write suspense, she diagnoses it. And to anyone who thinks science students can’t write? Please. This book just performed narrative surgery and left no scar.

^{I think I tried with the ‘no spoiler’ thingy. Lmao. Get a copy. I highly recommend this one! Wink}