Dead Certain

In her latest Kate Millholland mystery, Hartzmark offers a suspenseful account of a hospital's takeover by a crooked HMO. Prescott Memorial--a charitable institution, founded by Kate's family, that serves Chicago's most needy citizens--is about to be purchased by the dubious Health Care Corporation (HCC), which has been buying up hospitals around the country. Kate, a corporate attorney, doubts her flaky, socialite mother's commitment to the cause, but she reluctantly agrees to help her block the sale, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the hasty purchase and rumors of mysterious deaths at the hospital draw her deeper into the case. She learns from her roommate, Claudia Stein, a surgeon at Prescott, that several patients have died of unexplained respiratory arrest after being operated on by the same doctor. The situation hits home when Claudia is accused of negligence after one of her own patients dies following routine surgery. Running on caffeine and adrenaline, Kate keeps her cool as she races to clear her friend's name and thwart HCC's efforts. Kate is a witty and quick-witted protagonist, and she is joined by an interesting, well-developed supporting cast. Hartzmark (Rough Trade) weaves multiple plot threads into a complex and satisfying thriller as deftly as her heroine juggles cases. (Feb.)