Average grade thriller with some good characters. The lead character, Jake Merlin, is a surgeon who performs magic tricks. He uses this to advantage with his patients. There are the usual cast of heavies. Some of these are written so well, you can hear their voices before you are told where they are from. Good scenery of some of Pittsburgh's less likely tourist spots.

Very inconsistent writing quality, however, mars this story. Sadly, James Tucker is no Michael Crichton. This is a medical murder mystery and you can tell it was written by someone in the medical profession. In real life the author is pediatrician. For the sake of his patients, I hope he is a better pediatrician than he is an author. This work is just average, with maybe a little boost for the sense of local flavor you get along the way. I know I'd want someone way above average treating my family. ( )