A physician uncovers a hospital’s dark secrets in this debut medical thriller in the tradition of Tess Gerritsen and Karin Slaughter.

An OB-GYN in rural Appalachia, Dr. Randi Jewell had built her life around saving others. She never considered who might be watching.

Still reeling from her husband’s murder and her sister’s unexplained disappearance, Randi buries her grief in her medical career, and her suspicions even deeper. When her thirteen-year-old daughter Alaina begs her to help Nora, a pregnant teen with secrets, Randi agrees. What begins as a simple act of compassion quickly unravels into something far more dangerous. Nora’s evasiveness reads at first as the wariness of a girl who has learned the hard way that people cannot be trusted. But as Randi digs deeper into her patient’s guarded world, she begins to see a pattern that stretches far beyond Nora’s situation and into the darkest corners of the institution she serves.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Mysterious Press, February 2027

“A dark story laced with hope and courage . . . Knapp’s background as an OB-GYN in rural communities lends authenticity to this disturbing yet uplifting tale. Don’t be complicit in overlooking this terrific medical thriller. Knapp has a long career as a gifted storyteller ahead of her.”
— FirstCLUE

“What a terrific and powerful debut! With profound insight and a twist around every corner, Renda Knapp’s riveting Complicit is brimming with expertise, insight, and compassion—and her fully-formed and relatable characters reveal a world only a medical insider could know. Shocking surprises, imminent peril, and the consistent determination of a strong and independent protagonist inform this taut and heartbreaking medical thriller—and the oh-so-talented Knapp will have you turning the pages as fast as you can. In the final diagnosis, you will never look at the medical world the same way again. Fans of Tess Gerritsen—and isn’t that all of us?—will stand and cheer.”
— Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of All This Could Be Yours

“I raced through Renda Knapp’s Complicit in one breathless sitting. This novel is such a deft, complicated, and deeply emotional thriller, it’s hard to believe this is a debut. Knapp’s medical knowledge elevates and informs the story but never overwhelms it, and her deep understanding of the challenges faced by independent women trying to make their way in a male-dominated world make this insightful, action-packed novel a real standout. I loved this book!”
— Karen Dionne, author of the #1 international bestsellers The Marsh King’s Daughter and The Wicked Sister

“Knapp delivers a masterfully crafted thriller that combines authentic medical detail with heart-stopping suspense. Complicit is both a gripping page-turner and a powerful exploration of maternal love, institutional corruption, and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we cherish most.”
— Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite series

“From the first pages of Renda Knapp’s work, it was clear she had a natural instinct for suspense, emotional depth, and scenes that crackled with momentum. Renda is brimming with talent and an emerging writer to watch!”
— Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author

“Watch out book community, Renda Knapp is about to explode on the scene with her brilliant debut medical thriller. Expertly paced with all the tension and nail biting scenes, Complicit takes you deep into the emotionally charged OB-GYN world with the most delicious and satisfying ending. You won’t be disappointed.”
— Lyn Liao Butler, bestselling author of Someone Else’s Life

“Gripping from page one, Renda Knapp’s Complicit is written with taut and empathetic prose by an author who knows her craft as both a physician and a writer. Methodical and heartbreaking, but never without hope—a first-rate medical thriller.”
— Tosca Lee, NYT bestselling author of The Line Between

“The moment I read Complicit by Renda Knapp, I was drawn to the resilience of OB/GYN Dr. Jewell as she steps beyond the delivery room to fiercely protect a young mother in danger and is determined to uncover the deep and dangerous secrets surrounding the death of her husband, disappearance of her sister, and Randi’s own daughter caught in the crossfire of powerful figures who’ll do anything to keep their secrets buried. That Renda Knapp works in the same field makes this story all the more authentic, hard-hitting and thrilling.”
— Yasmin Angoe, author of the critically acclaimed Her Name is Knight and Not What She Seems