This is a fast paced suspense thriller. While it is part of a series featuring Montgomery and Stapleton, it can be read as a standalone novel. Information from prior novels in the series has been skillfully written into the back story. Ryan Sullivan is a new character for the series. He is unlikable and, at first, seems to be the villain. He is not. Laurie takes him under her wing to force him to take his pathology internship seriously. Ryan cannot bear the graphic nature of performing an autopsy. He finds a way to get out of doing them by offering to study suspicious deaths that he feels were not due to suicide. During this study he finds his footing and begins to take the internship seriously. Here is where the thriller takes off. Fans of Robin Cook will probably like what he has done at the end of the story concerning Montgomery and Stapleton. I think it is the right step. While I do not want to spoil it for anyone who is going to read Manner of Death, note that something new is on the horizon for the series. ( )

Laurie Montgomery is the NYC chief medical examiner; her husband, Jack Stapleton, a pathologist recovering from an attack by a serial killer. Ryan Sullivan is a pathology resident who, due to his significant personal history, is very unsettled performing autopsies during his rotation in the morgue. Laurie tries to take him under her wing and when she mentions that there have been some recent suicides that were somewhat questionable as perhaps really having been homicides, he, with her consent, decides to review the cases. Both Laurie and Jack warn him to only investigate within the department as they are still reeling from the murder of another reluctant resident who decided to look into a suspicious case. When Ryan finds a commonality among the deceased involving a medical practice and early cancer diagnostic testing, more lives including his own are in danger.

Cook weaves an engrossing, fast paced tale; I did not want to put it down. Told from multiple points of view, he taps into the very real fear some have of doctors benefitting financially from the tests they order. I liked reading some of the not overly technical medical explanations involving forensic autopsies and testing for cancer.

I used to enjoy reading Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, but somehow got away from them. When I saw this ARC being offered, I jumped at it and am glad I did. This is actually the fourteenth novel by Cook featuring Jack and Laurie. Although it worked as a stand alone, I now want to go back and read the other thirteen!

Thanks to #netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC. ( )

Laurie Montgomery is the NYC chief medical examiner; her husband Jack Stapleton a pathologist recovering from an attack by a serial killer. Ryan Sullivan is a pathology resident who, due to his significant personal history, is very unsettled performing autopsies during his rotation in the morgue. Laurie tries to take him under her wing and when she mentions that there are been some recent suicides that were somewhat questionable as perhaps really having been homicides, he, with her consent, decides to review the cases. Both Laurie and Jack warn him to only investigate within the department as they are still reeling from the murder of another reluctant resident who decided to look into a suspicious case. When Ryan finds a commonality among the deceased involving a medical practice and early cancer diagnostic testing,
more lives including his own are in danger.

Cook weaves an engrossing, fast paced tale; I did not want to put it down. Told from multiple points of view, he taps into the very real fear of doctors benefitting financially from the tests they order. I liked reading some of the not overly technical medical explanations involving forensic autopsies and testing for cancer.

I used to enjoy reading Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, but somehow got away from them. When I saw this ARC being offered, I jumped at it and am glad I did. This is actually the fourteenth novel by Cook featuring Jack and Laurie. Although this worked as a stand alone, I now want to go back and read the other thirteen!

Thanks to #netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC. ( )

Another hit in this medical mystery thriller series!

This is the 14th book featuring the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Jack Stapleton and Dr. Laurie Montgomery. Both work at the OCME in NYC where Laurie is the chief medical examiner. When Laurie tries to motivate a pathology resident by agreeing to let him do some research into several recent suspicious suicide deaths, she unknowingly spurs him to uncover a plot to cover up the nefarious activities of a medical practice that performs cancer testing.

It's hard to keep a long-running series fresh and entertaining but Cook always manages to do so. I like his writing style and have really developed a relationship with his main characters after all these years having read all the installments. I feel as if I know them. The plots are always interesting, and I enjoy the medical detail. Always look forward to the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. Definitely start at the beginning. ( )