Dr. Craig Bowman thought that he had escaped the Sisyphean drudgery of modern medical practice when he accepted a job as an physician for well-heeled patients with special needs. His joy turns to anxious bewilderment when he is served with papers for medical malpractice. As Bowman's legal problems deepen, his medical examiner brother-in-law, Dr. Jack Stapleton, arrives to offer his forensic services to the beleaguered legal team. But his presence does not bring calm. On the contrary, when he makes what appears to be a routine suggestion, all hell breaks loose.
Publishers Weekly
Guidall's experienced reading brings a pleasant touch of class to Cook's latest thriller. A distinguished and self-confident physician, Craig Bowman is delivered an ego-shattering blow when he is sued for malpractice by the husband of one of his patients, hypochondriac Patience Stanhope, who died while under his care. The trial takes up the bulk of this wordy novel. Bowman's wife asks her brother, medical examiner Dr. Jack Stapleton, to use his expertise to help with her husband's defense. Stapleton agrees, but what should be a routine forensic exercise quickly turns into a dangerous trail of lies, deception and murder. While it takes some time to get to the story's climax, Cook eventually ties up all the loose ends, although the denouement feels more gimmicky than surprising. Guidall exhibits admirable vocal talents as he manages to keep this overwritten novel moving at a satisfying pace, and the ease with which he works his way through the mounds of legal and medical jargon throughout the book is a testament to his skill as a narrator. Fans of Cook's writing should enjoy this dignified presentation. Simultaneous release with the Putnam hardcover (Reviews, May 29). (Aug.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
What's even scarier than a medical thriller by Cook? A medical malpractice suit-at least if you're a doctor. Dr. Craig Bowman is pretty shocked when he gets slapped with one, since he's in the position to handpick his patients. Then brother-in-law Jack, a medical examiner, flippantly recommends exhuming the corpse that occasioned the suit, and big trouble comes out of that grave. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.