“Scalpel” Explores Justice and Retribution in a Medical Thriller at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

A series of meticulously staged murders places New York City homicide detective Septimus “Mac” McClymonds at the center of a complex investigation in “Scalpel: Vengeance Is the Only Justice” by Joel Berman. The medical thriller follows Mac’s pursuit of the person responsible for the deaths of prominent medical malpractice attorneys, whose bodies are discovered in public view bearing post-mortem surgical alterations and cryptic notes attached to each victim’s big toe. The novel will be displayed by The Maple Staple at the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair, taking place October 7–11, 2026, at Messe Frankfurt, Hall 5.1, Stand D86.

As Mac works to identify the perpetrator, conflicting eyewitness accounts offer few leads beyond two recurring details: unusually large hands and striking blue eyes. Further investigation points toward a surgeon whose personal grief and perceived injustice may be connected to the killings, drawing Mac into a mystery that reaches beyond the crime scenes. The increasingly intricate case challenges his ability to understand both the killer’s methods and the forces driving the violence.

Berman explores the uneasy boundary between justice and retribution, examining what can emerge when personal conviction replaces established systems of law. Combining forensic intrigue, investigative deduction, and psychological suspense, “Scalpel: Vengeance Is the Only Justice” may appeal to readers of medical thrillers, crime fiction, and morally complex mysteries.

A practicing surgeon, Joel Berman brings professional experience in medicine to a diverse literary career spanning fiction, plays, historical novels, biographies, medical books, and short stories. His early academic interests included Theatre Arts, English, and American Literature before he pursued medicine, influenced in part by his father, a professor of surgery. Berman later developed a sustained writing practice alongside his surgical career, drawing on both disciplines across his body of work.

At the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair, “Scalpel: Vengeance Is the Only Justice” will introduce international readers and literary professionals to the novel’s exploration of crime, medicine, grief, and retribution. Free copies of the book will be distributed at The Maple Staple booth throughout the five-day event.

The wider Frankfurt selection is available through The Maple Staple’s Frankfurt Connect profile and its Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 online feature. The book can also be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading book retailers worldwide.

About The Maple Staple:

For bookworms, by passionate writers.

At The Maple Staple, books come alive beyond mere pages. It’s more than a bookstore—it’s a community hub for book enthusiasts and budding authors. Celebrating diversity, they curate books from up-and-coming independent writers, and offer a platform to underrepresented voices. With captivating events and book clubs in the heart of Toronto, they foster a vibrant literary community, igniting inspiration and transformation through the enchanting power of words.

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