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The Family Doctor

By: Debra Oswald
Narrated by: Maria Angelico
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Publisher's Summary

A novel of searing emotional truth, told with the relentless pull of a thriller, from the award-winning creator of Offspring

Paula is a dedicated suburban GP who is devastated by the murder of a friend and her children by their estranged husband and father. Stacey and the children had been staying with her after fleeing his control, and Paula is haunted by the thought that she couldn't protect them when they most needed it. How had she missed the warning signs? How had she failed to keep them safe? 

Not long after, a patient with suspicious injuries brings her anxious young son into Paula's surgery. The woman admits that her husband hurts her, but she's terrified to leave for fear of escalating the violence and defeated by the consistent failures of the law to help her. 

Can Paula go against everything she believes to make sure one woman is saved, one child spared? She isn't motivated by revenge. She's desperately trying to prevent a tragedy.... 

A riveting, provocative novel about women's fury, traumatic grief, new love, deep friendship and the preciousness of life, The Family Doctor asks the questions: should you cling to faith in a flawed system, or take control the only way you can? Can a good person justify taking a life to save a life? 

©2021 Debra Oswald (P)2021 W F Howes

Critic Reviews

"The Family Doctor is a compelling thriller - fast-paced, gripping and frightening. But is more than that because it is a story that draws desperately needed attention to domestic abuse in this country, to institutional indifference, to the devaluing of women's lives. The Family Doctor is a cry for change." (Sofie Laguna, Miles Franklin Award-winning author of The Eye of the Sheep and Infinite Splendours)

"Brilliant. So compelling on so many levels." (Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands)

"Debra Oswald is always deft at capturing the nuances of female friendship and romantic attraction, but this time she brings them to a pitch of pulse-racing intensity. Delving into the dark world of domestic violence and society's abject failure to protect those most vulnerable, she has produced a gripping thriller, brimming with heart and intellect." (Geraldine Brooks, author of The Secret Chord)

What listeners say about The Family Doctor

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  • Overall
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Brilliant

Violent men and the systems that fail to protect women addressed in a unique way through characters with depth. Powerful way to depict the subject matter and a book I will not forget in a hurry.

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Pretty good

Good and easy read/listen but if you like very plausible plots this probably isn’t for you. Other than that it was very good. Great narration Angelico and character construction by Oswald.

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A must read!

So heart wrenching and raw in moments and funny and familiar in others. A must read for everyone about a topic that need the light shon bright on it - domestic violence!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great read

Interesting scenario re men who kill or injure their partners. Easy to see how somebody faced with that scenario could find themselves in Paula’s position. Great page turner. I enjoyed the book very much.

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1 person found this helpful

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Really enjoyed this

Interesting treatment of a topical and very sensitive issue. Loved the somewhat off-the-wall concept and rich characterisations. So well written and narrated!

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Enjoyed!

A great book about prevalent issues in today’s society: domestic violence and mental illness.
I enjoyed the narrative, despite finding it a little slow paced. Audio performance was spot on!

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3 people found this helpful

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Topical Story

Nicely written story highlighting the prevalence of domestic violence in all areas of our society.

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Wow! So glad I didn’t overlook this book.

This book is so well written & performed, I actually had tears in my eyes. The subject of domestic violence is a tricky subject but this was so well done & compassionate. Being a DV survivor, this book brought up some feelings but I’m so glad I found it.

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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing

the most satisfying novel I've listened to, a spell is wrapped around the listener of a possible alternate reality where justice is wreaked upon the wicked instead of the current reality where humiliation is wrought upon victim

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1 person found this helpful

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topical and moral murder mystery

loved it. captivating. Abusive husband's and their fate right or wrong? from a woman's perspective

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.