From the very first page, Dead Already grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go. The ER scenes are so vividly described, I could almost hear the beeping monitors and feel the tension in the air.

What I loved most was how Zack Winston isn't your typical infallible hero. His vulnerability makes him relatable, especially when he's haunted by his dead wife's appearances - those moments gave me chills!

The medical details are authentic without being overwhelming (kudos to the doctor-author!). I particularly enjoyed how the malpractice suit evolves into something much darker - it's like peeling an onion of conspiracy.

Bridget Larsen is a firecracker of a character. Her courtroom scenes had me holding my breath, and her dynamic with Zack adds just the right amount of personal tension to balance the medical drama.

While some plot twists were predictable, others genuinely surprised me. That moment when Zack realizes who's really behind everything? I actually gasped aloud while reading in bed!

The pacing is perfect for late-night reading sessions - just when you think 'one more chapter,' you're suddenly three chapters deeper at 2 AM. The short chapters make it dangerously easy to keep going.

Yes, there are some minor flaws (a couple plot holes, as other reviewers noted), but they're easy to overlook when you're this invested in Zack's race against time. By the end, I was immediately downloading Book 2 - that's how much I needed to know what happens next to these characters.