cover image Diagnosis Death

Diagnosis Death

Richard L. Mabry, Abingdon, $13.99 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-4267-1021-6

Personal drama and spooky circumstances permeate this third and final installment of the physician-author's "Prescription for Trouble" series. When her husband is taken off life support in the hospital where she works, Elena Gardner becomes a grieving widow who must still perform her duties as doctor. A procedural blip complicates the circumstances of her husband's death and, to make matters worse, the emotionally devastated Gardner cannot recall her actions at the time of his death. Did she pull the plug on her husband? Her colleagues seem understanding, but when another patient in her care mysteriously dies, the hospital staff become suspicious. All the while, Gardner gets cryptic, threatening phone calls that follow her even when she relocates to Texas. Is Gardner at the center of these mercy killings or is someone close to her trying to sully her name? Mabry (Medical Error) crafts a tight medical drama that will have readers guessing. For fans of the gory, gritty details of patient trauma and hospital gossip, this book certainly will be an enjoyable page-turner. (Apr.)