I do not know what to say about this book. It was just ok to me. Nothing spectacular. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

Penitence

The Last Patient is an ultimate combination of human abuse and how a spark of benevolence can light the way to resolution.

Maggie Stinson only has days to go before she retires from her social-work job when she is asked to attend to one more patient. “But Maggie … It’s complicated. … You’re perfect for this situation”. His name is Israel McKenzie and he’s living in a stinking dilapidated trailer.

They both start at opposite ends of the support system – one living in squalid conditions, dying of cancer and needing palliative care and counselling. The other an experienced social worker offering the social support infrastructure of advice and help. In the end, they both sit side-by-side helping each other come to terms with their demons and the atrocities they’ve experienced.

I loved the structure of the book, the plot and the way the story was presented. After the first chapter’s foundation was laid, the next 50% of the book took a step back in time to episodically visit Maggie and Israel as they each progress through an extremely harrowing, corrupt and brutal childhood and young adulthood. The events and experiences during their childhood are quite difficult to handle at times, and I think David Johnston dealt with it carefully and sensitively. My concern was that there was a large catalogue of issues raised during their past and I don’t feel enough time was given to properly outline the impact each had on the two characters. As a result, there was often a feeling of convenience or stretching the story to fit, which upset a natural flow at times. Some of the incidents felt unnecessary and could have been omitted to spend more time on dealing with the depth of other key problems.

When the story returns to current time and the relationship between Maggie and Israel develops it becomes very emotional. I’m sure there will be tears spilt reading this book. There is an effort between the two to seek closure, redemption and forgiveness. I’m not keen on spirituality themes but there is some consideration given to it in this book, and it works!

It is a relatively short book (which I don’t mind) but in this instance, it felt that the size came at the expense of better rendered or further developed content.

Many thanks to Kindle Press and NetGalley for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a honest review. If I had to review this book in one word, the word would be WOW! This story was about two broken people and the author did a phenomenal job of ensuring that the reader was able to empathize and sympathize with them. I am going to seek out other books by this author in the future, as this was so well-written.

The Last Patient by David Johnson sensitively portrays the long-term damage wrought by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse while simultaneously telling the compelling story of Maggie Stinsen’s last days as a social worker before retirement and her final patient, Israel McKenzie, a man dying of cancer. Told through dual narrator’s and transitioning between the present and the past, The Last Patient explores the various choices and tragedies that have led both Israel and Maggie to their fateful meeting. Filled with sadness yet lightened with humor and spunky characters, The Last Patient kept me turning the pages to find out how Maggie and Israel’s story would end.

A poor attempt at bringing a belief of god into a story that itself is not a believable. Sorry, I usually don't give such a bad review, but pandering to belief with such two-dimensional characters and their unbelievable stories is not worth a read.

David Johnson has a way of making the reader a part of the story. It is easy to visualize the area in which the story takes place and the pain and suffering endured by the characters. When I first started reading Mr. Johnson's books, I could not imagine him writing about such human atrocities but perhaps his previous and present vocations has shown him this dark side of mankind.. Even though these books aren't a "happily ever after" story, you come away with a sad but greater understanding of what some go through in life and how to survive the hardships. Thank you Mr. Johnson.

What a Story!!!
Up until I read this book, I had thought there could never be another book to equal the stories portrayed in "The Tucker Series", as well as "Toby", and also "The Woodcutter's Wife"! Well, I was wrong in that assumption, because "The Last Patient" is right up there running neck to neck with the rest of author David Johnson's finest books! This is a heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, unforgettable story that got its hooks into me and wouldn't let go from the very first chapter right up through the final chapter!! I will definitely be watching and hoping for future book releases from this author. I appreciate receiving this free advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an unbiased review.

What an incredible, heartwrenching, unforgettable story! It grabs you at the very start and doesn't let go until the very end, even then, the story will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. I could not put it down, I read on it every minute that I could! It is an emotional book filled with pain, sorrow, guilt, and the power of God's love and forgiveness. You will find yourself crying along with these two broken people harboring very deep secrets, that have filled them with guilt and regrets that they have carried through their whole lives and when their paths cross they uncover one incredible secret about each other that will change everything! David Johnson is truly one talented writer! I give this book 5 stars! A truly touching book! I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for my unbiased review.