Review of Diagnosis Death: A Prescription for Murder
Posted: 28 Sep 2021, 20:49
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Diagnosis Death: A Prescription for Murder" by Gracie Fawlings.]
In Gracie Fawlings’ sensational crime novel Diagnosis Death: A Prescription for Murder, four medical practitioners are perturbed by a series of unexplained deaths at the university hospital, where three of them work. Of the three, two are medical doctors from prominent families in Alder City, who renounced plush positions in their family-owned businesses to pursue a career in primary care at the Randelsburg County University Hospital (University Hospital), Alder City. Despite administering the correct medication to their patients, both Dr. Chuck Hueston III and Dr. Angela Menendez observe a cycle of erratic medical developments in the patients, before they eventually succumb to their illness.
Not wanting to stir up a hornets' nest, both doctors, with the help of a pharmacist and a chemist, quietly launch an investigation of their own. Since the not-for-profit hospital was founded primarily for the underprivileged, Angela, Chuck, and their friends selflessly take on the role of championing the cause of the poor. In the process, they discover more about themselves than they could ever have under different circumstances.
I liked how the characters of Angela and Chuck were contrasted to that of Todd Christopher III, the grandson of University Hospital founder, Todd Christopher Jr. Even though they were all the same age and descended from well-heeled families, the oafish Todd was unable to execute the noble mandate that had been handed down to him through his father, Todd Sr. I, however, thought that Todd’s ineffectiveness may partly have been attributed to the age-old custom where some rich families identified suitors for their children (as was the case with Todd). As an elitist, judgmental, and selfish woman, Jennifer Ashley’s—Todd’s wife’s—character was a stark contrast to that of her husband. Unsurprisingly, as the CFO of University Hospital, Todd found himself unable to pick his wife’s mind on financial matters touching on the hospital.
In summary, I didn’t find anything dislikeable with this book. I came across only two editing errors, which did nothing to diminish my enjoyment of the novel. I, thus, rated the book 4 out of 4 stars. On a more personal note, Fawlings’ story hit me close to home because I recently lost a friend under unclear circumstances.
Lastly, with such varied themes as the right of parents to approve a marriage partner, terminal illness, premeditated murder, migrant workers in the workplace, homosexuality, inheritance, and medical insurance, this book is likely to attract a diverse readership. As a result, I recommend the book to a reader looking for a crime novel with a broad and diverse group of characters. At the same time, it’s less suited to a reader disinterested in a book featuring overt references to homosexuality.
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Diagnosis Death: A Prescription for Murder
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Gracie Fawlings’ sensational crime novel Diagnosis Death: A Prescription for Murder, four medical practitioners are perturbed by a series of unexplained deaths at the university hospital, where three of them work. Of the three, two are medical doctors from prominent families in Alder City, who renounced plush positions in their family-owned businesses to pursue a career in primary care at the Randelsburg County University Hospital (University Hospital), Alder City. Despite administering the correct medication to their patients, both Dr. Chuck Hueston III and Dr. Angela Menendez observe a cycle of erratic medical developments in the patients, before they eventually succumb to their illness.
Not wanting to stir up a hornets' nest, both doctors, with the help of a pharmacist and a chemist, quietly launch an investigation of their own. Since the not-for-profit hospital was founded primarily for the underprivileged, Angela, Chuck, and their friends selflessly take on the role of championing the cause of the poor. In the process, they discover more about themselves than they could ever have under different circumstances.
I liked how the characters of Angela and Chuck were contrasted to that of Todd Christopher III, the grandson of University Hospital founder, Todd Christopher Jr. Even though they were all the same age and descended from well-heeled families, the oafish Todd was unable to execute the noble mandate that had been handed down to him through his father, Todd Sr. I, however, thought that Todd’s ineffectiveness may partly have been attributed to the age-old custom where some rich families identified suitors for their children (as was the case with Todd). As an elitist, judgmental, and selfish woman, Jennifer Ashley’s—Todd’s wife’s—character was a stark contrast to that of her husband. Unsurprisingly, as the CFO of University Hospital, Todd found himself unable to pick his wife’s mind on financial matters touching on the hospital.
In summary, I didn’t find anything dislikeable with this book. I came across only two editing errors, which did nothing to diminish my enjoyment of the novel. I, thus, rated the book 4 out of 4 stars. On a more personal note, Fawlings’ story hit me close to home because I recently lost a friend under unclear circumstances.
Lastly, with such varied themes as the right of parents to approve a marriage partner, terminal illness, premeditated murder, migrant workers in the workplace, homosexuality, inheritance, and medical insurance, this book is likely to attract a diverse readership. As a result, I recommend the book to a reader looking for a crime novel with a broad and diverse group of characters. At the same time, it’s less suited to a reader disinterested in a book featuring overt references to homosexuality.
******
Diagnosis Death: A Prescription for Murder
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon