Customer Reviews

Doctored Evidence: A Suspense Novel

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm lost by the STRONG reviews going on here. While the book had an interesting plot where the heck was the editor? At some point chapters would almost repeat verbatin paragraphs from other chapters. I could also do without the instructions on how to work her voicemail... "press 1 to listen to messages", so I pressed 1, "press 2 to repeat" so I pressed 2. The leaps in logic were off on how she figured out the mystery. At times the story switched between 1st and 3rd person but during the same paragraph which is very odd to read.

Lots of potential but didn't hold up. Fire your editor and let's try again.

Investigating the alleged wrongful death of the hospital's own CFO, attorney Karen Hayes uncovers a betrayal of trust, both professional and personal, evidence of criminal fraud, and hints of corruption. Now her job-and her life-are on the line. A line that a murderer is all too willing to cross. The storyline was interesting but the book was a slow read. There was too much useless information that was used to pad the book. I think the relationship between Karen and her husband could have been left out or atleast shortened. I like medical thrillers but this one just doesn't make the cut.

While this is a good, quick read, sometimes I feel like the author thinks we're stupid. He'll sometimes repeat basic information about each character...like "Dr. Caswell, the oncologist who" did this or that. What was annoying about it was that he told us that information already, and not all that long ago either.

However, the story itself is a good legal/mystery plot, with enough twists and surprises to make you keep reading. In a small Illinois city, a hospital CFO dies during surgery because of a defective piece of equipment. However, was this an accident or murder? The hospital's in-house attorney, Karen Hayes, must find out, and potentially risk her own life tracking down the evidence. She uncovers a secret file in the dead man's office, but what does it all mean? Who does it implicate?

The story is satisfying to the very end, and I'm thankful that the author finished everything so cleanly; I dislike endings that leave me wanting more. It's an enjoyable read, and I recommend it for fans of Grisham. I don't recommend it to a younger audience, however, as there is some sexual content and mild violence. The average adult though shouldn't find it too offensive.

A perky, orderly and determined hospital attorney, happily married to a laid-back jazz musician, makes for a likeable protagonist. But the real draw in this first novel by a health-care attorney is the inside view of fraud, greed, lousy doctors and covered-up mistakes in our healthcare industry.

When Shoreview Hospital's CFO dies on the operating table due to a series of equipment failures and medical judgment errors, Karen Hayes is hard pressed to keep the hospital out of the lawsuit. Especially when she uncovers evidence that the victim was on the verge of exposing a huge fraud involving a clinic affiliated with the hospital.

A variety of subplots involving surgeon arrogance, drug-addicted doctors, sexual assault of patients and greedy administrators serve to show the strange and narrow view of hospital liability as well as complicating the murder plot. There are some flaws in the resolution, but likable Karen and her professional conscientiousness bode well for future books.

Karen Hayes is in-house attorney for a small, suburban hospital. When one of the staff dies in the hospital operating room, Karen investigates his possible murder by other staff members who have been massively defrauding the insurance companies.

At first I thought the book was going to be a medical thriller, and I realized how "out" they were right now, especially when it turned out to be a very "in" legal thriller. Another unique aspect of this book is that the protagonist never develops a sudden natural skill at investigations (she makes amateur mistakes throughout). In some ways that was refreshing. However, while the crimes being perpetrated were complex enough, the technique used to unravel the mystery was amateurish.

Two other interesting characters emerged: Jake, Karen's eccentric blues-playing husband, and Anne Delaney, the gutsy but caring Risk Manager. Anne seemed like a great candidate to do her own detecting. I'd like to see her put to work in another book.

Overall, this was a good debut. I liked the legal twist on a medical thriller, but Biehl will have to brush up on his whodonit skills in future books.

Doctored Evidence is Michael Biehl's thrilling novel of suspense and foul play. A corrupt hospital, suspicious deaths on the operating table, incompetent and murderous physicians, and undercover truth-seekers putting their lives on the line charge this medical drama with ominous portent. Doctored Evidence is a gripping read that irresistibly hooks the reader's riveted attention straight through it's high tension ending.

Doctored Evidence has everything that makes for a superb mystery: engaging characters, a gripping plot, crisp dialogue, a touch of humor, and a tremendously satisfying solution. It is consistently entertaining. But beyond being a great read, it is a chilling and realistic portrayal of corruption in the medical business. Everyone should read this book before they next set foot in a hospital. Seriously.

If you are looking for a great read that is hard to put down, check out Doctored Evidence. From the opening scene to the unraveling of the evidence, it captures the imagination and leaves you wondering about your own medical and hospital experiences. With detailed information on the inner workings of large healthcare systems, Biehl presents a believable story of suspense and deception. Don't miss this one!