Michael J. McLaughlin

Michael J. McLaughlin, MD, is the award-winning author of several thrillers, including NO HARM INTENDED, FUGUE, WOODS, and EXTINCTION. Following earlier careers as a surgeon and the owner of a medical writing business, he now writes novels in New Jersey, where he lives with his family. Learn more at the mclaughlinbooks website. Follow on social media @mclaughlinbooks.

From the Author:

Welcome! I'm sincerely grateful to you for reading my books.

I’ve always loved to read and write. Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is still one of my all-time favorite books. I read all the Hardy Boys stories before graduating to Agatha Christie’s mysteries. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and her other classics remain among my most cherished books. At age ten, I wrote/illustrated a Hardy Boy-esque short story collection, THE MYSTERY LIVES OF KEN, BOB, AND COMPANY, which still makes me smile.

Though a biology major and pre-med in college, my favorite two courses were small workshops on poetry and short story writing. It didn’t take long to figure out that my poetry sucked. Really bad. Seamus Heaney even told me the poem that got me rejected (twice) from the poet laureate’s course was “disgusting.” That ended what could have been an unsuccessful career in poetry and perhaps turned my attention to thrillers, where I’m encouraged to disgust readers.

Medicine was my first career. My interest in anatomy and an affinity for blood (other people’s) left me with three possible career paths – becoming a surgeon, writing about killers, or becoming a killer. I started with surgery, nudging to the side creative writing and murder most foul. I continued to write short stories, usually at odd hours in bizarre places, while earning a living through other means. Ideas for novels piled up while I awaited my chance to write them.

When I decided to change careers, medical writing was the obvious choice – an option that combined my two life-long passions. I worked for two medical communications companies before starting my own with a partner. At Peloton Advantage, I became proficient in writing, meeting deadlines, and withstanding critics.

My first novel, EXTINCTION, was part medical thriller. Once a doctor, always a doctor, I suppose. I’ve incorporated some aspect of my medical career into my novels, often including an ailment as an obstacle or a doctor trying to save the day. My favorite example of this is in WOODS, where Tempest battles severe headaches, a medical problem my family knows all too well. I can’t wait for you to meet the doctor in my upcoming thriller, NO HARM INTENDED.

My wife and I have three wonderful daughters. They inspire my characters, who talk in my head until I share their voices with readers. The strength of my female protagonists comes from the four of them. I hope that, in return, my novels inspire my kids to rise above adversity and persevere. I also hope my stories scare the crap out of their boyfriends (and now a fiancé, and eventually husbands). Why such a sadistic desire? Someday remind me to tell you the true story about my father-in-law showing me how well he shot a gun.

Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, Tess Gerritsen, Michael Palmer, Neil Shulman, and others taught me physicians could become successful writers. I enjoy reading Stephen King, John Grisham, James Patterson, Billy Shakespeare, Dean Koontz, Gillian Flynn, Lucy Foley, and many other thriller writers. Through the International Thriller Writers, American Mystery Writers, Liberty States Fiction Writers, and other writing organizations, conferences, and events, I’ve met many authors and publishing professionals who are now friends and inspire me every day. I’m grateful to feel welcome in this community. Please continue to support these authors’ work by reading their books and leaving reviews.

Thanks again to you and everyone else who supports my writing career. I hope you enjoy my books. That’s why I write them.

Sincerely,

Michael J. McLaughlin