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New York Times-bestselling author Robin Cook takes on the ripped-from-the-headlines topic of harnessing DNA from ancestry websites to catch a killer in this timely and explosive new medical thriller.
When the body of twenty-eight-year-old social worker Kera Jacobsen shows up on Chief New York City Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery's autopsy table, at first it appears she was the victim of a tragic yet routine drug overdose. But for Laurie and her new pathology resident, the brilliant but enigmatic Dr. Aria Nichols, little things aren't adding up. Kera's family and friends swear she never touched drugs. Administrators from the hospital where Kera worked are insisting the case be shrouded in silence. And although Kera was ten weeks pregnant, nobody seems to know who the father was--or whether he holds the key to Kera's final moments alive.
As a medical emergency temporarily sidelines Laurie, impulsive Aria turns to a controversial new technique: using genealogic DNA databases to track down those who don't want to be found. Working with experts at a start-up ancestry website, she plans to trace the fetus's DNA back to likely male relatives in the hopes of identifying the mystery father. But when Kera's closest friend and fellow social worker is murdered, the need for answers becomes even more urgent. Because someone out there clearly doesn't want Kera's secrets to come to light . . . and if Aria gets any closer to the truth, she and Laurie might find themselves a killer's next targets.
When the body of twenty-eight-year-old social worker Kera Jacobsen shows up on Chief New York City Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery's autopsy table, at first it appears she was the victim of a tragic yet routine drug overdose. But for Laurie and her new pathology resident, the brilliant but enigmatic Dr. Aria Nichols, little things aren't adding up. Kera's family and friends swear she never touched drugs. Administrators from the hospital where Kera worked are insisting the case be shrouded in silence. And although Kera was ten weeks pregnant, nobody seems to know who the father was--or whether he holds the key to Kera's final moments alive.
As a medical emergency temporarily sidelines Laurie, impulsive Aria turns to a controversial new technique: using genealogic DNA databases to track down those who don't want to be found. Working with experts at a start-up ancestry website, she plans to trace the fetus's DNA back to likely male relatives in the hopes of identifying the mystery father. But when Kera's closest friend and fellow social worker is murdered, the need for answers becomes even more urgent. Because someone out there clearly doesn't want Kera's secrets to come to light . . . and if Aria gets any closer to the truth, she and Laurie might find themselves a killer's next targets.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
Robin Cook
201 books4,738 followersLibrarian Note: Not to be confused with British novelist Robin Cook a pseudonym of Robert William Arthur Cook.
Dr. Robin Cook (born May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York) is an American doctor / novelist who writes about medicine, biotechnology, and topics affecting public health.
He is best known for being the author who created the medical-thriller genre by combining medical writing with the thriller genre of writing. His books have been bestsellers on the "New York Times" Bestseller List with several at #1. A number of his books have also been featured in Reader's Digest. Many were also featured in the Literary Guild. Many have been made into motion pictures.
Cook is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia University School of Medicine. He finished his postgraduate medical training at Harvard that included general surgery and ophthalmology. He divides his time between homes in Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts where he lives with his wife Jean. He is currently on leave from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce a succession of bestselling books. Cook's medical thrillers are designed, in part, to make the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the ensuing ethical conundrums.
Cook got a taste of the larger world when the Cousteau Society recruited him to run its blood - gas lab in the South of France while he was in medical school. Intrigued by diving, he later called on a connection he made through Jacques Cousteau to become an aquanaut with the US Navy Sealab when he was drafted in the 60's. During his navy career he served on a nuclear submarine for a seventy-five day stay underwater where he wrote his first book! [1]
Cook was a private member of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Board of Trustees, appointed to a six-year term by the President George W. Bush.[2]
[edit] Doctor / Novelist
Dr. Cook's profession as a doctor has provided him with ideas and background for many of his novels. In each of his novels, he strives to write about the issues at the forefront of current medical practice.
To date, he has explored issues such as organ donation, genetic engineering,fertility treatment, medical research funding, managed care, medical malpractice, drug research, drug pricing, specialty hospitals, stem cells, and organ transplantation.[3]
Dr. Cook has been remarked to have an uncanny ability to anticipate national controversy. In an interview with Dr.Cook, Stephen McDonald talked to him about his novel Shock; Cook admits the timing of Shock was fortuitous. "I suppose that you could say that it's the most like Coma in that it deals with an issue that everybody seems to be concerned about," he says, "I wrote this book to address the stem cell issue, which the public really doesn't know much about. Besides entertaining readers, my main goal is to get people interested in some of these issues, because it's the public that ultimately really should decide which way we ought to go in something as that has enormous potential for treating disease and disability but touches up against the ethically problematic abortion issue."[4]
Keeping his lab coat handy helps him turn our fear of doctors into bestsellers. "I joke that if my books stop selling, I can always fall back on brain surgery," he says. "But I am still very interested in being a doctor. If I had to do it over again, I would still study medicine. I think of myself more as a doctor who writes, rather than a writer who happens to be a doctor." After 35 books,he has come up with a diagnosis to explain why his medical thrillers remain so popular. "The main reason is, we all realize we are at risk. We're all going to be patients sometime," he says. "You can write about great white sharks or haunted houses, and you can say I'm not going into the ocean or I'm not going in haunted houses, but you can't say you're n
Dr. Robin Cook (born May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York) is an American doctor / novelist who writes about medicine, biotechnology, and topics affecting public health.
He is best known for being the author who created the medical-thriller genre by combining medical writing with the thriller genre of writing. His books have been bestsellers on the "New York Times" Bestseller List with several at #1. A number of his books have also been featured in Reader's Digest. Many were also featured in the Literary Guild. Many have been made into motion pictures.
Cook is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia University School of Medicine. He finished his postgraduate medical training at Harvard that included general surgery and ophthalmology. He divides his time between homes in Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts where he lives with his wife Jean. He is currently on leave from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has successfully combined medical fact with fiction to produce a succession of bestselling books. Cook's medical thrillers are designed, in part, to make the public aware of both the technological possibilities of modern medicine and the ensuing ethical conundrums.
Cook got a taste of the larger world when the Cousteau Society recruited him to run its blood - gas lab in the South of France while he was in medical school. Intrigued by diving, he later called on a connection he made through Jacques Cousteau to become an aquanaut with the US Navy Sealab when he was drafted in the 60's. During his navy career he served on a nuclear submarine for a seventy-five day stay underwater where he wrote his first book! [1]
Cook was a private member of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Board of Trustees, appointed to a six-year term by the President George W. Bush.[2]
[edit] Doctor / Novelist
Dr. Cook's profession as a doctor has provided him with ideas and background for many of his novels. In each of his novels, he strives to write about the issues at the forefront of current medical practice.
To date, he has explored issues such as organ donation, genetic engineering,fertility treatment, medical research funding, managed care, medical malpractice, drug research, drug pricing, specialty hospitals, stem cells, and organ transplantation.[3]
Dr. Cook has been remarked to have an uncanny ability to anticipate national controversy. In an interview with Dr.Cook, Stephen McDonald talked to him about his novel Shock; Cook admits the timing of Shock was fortuitous. "I suppose that you could say that it's the most like Coma in that it deals with an issue that everybody seems to be concerned about," he says, "I wrote this book to address the stem cell issue, which the public really doesn't know much about. Besides entertaining readers, my main goal is to get people interested in some of these issues, because it's the public that ultimately really should decide which way we ought to go in something as that has enormous potential for treating disease and disability but touches up against the ethically problematic abortion issue."[4]
Keeping his lab coat handy helps him turn our fear of doctors into bestsellers. "I joke that if my books stop selling, I can always fall back on brain surgery," he says. "But I am still very interested in being a doctor. If I had to do it over again, I would still study medicine. I think of myself more as a doctor who writes, rather than a writer who happens to be a doctor." After 35 books,he has come up with a diagnosis to explain why his medical thrillers remain so popular. "The main reason is, we all realize we are at risk. We're all going to be patients sometime," he says. "You can write about great white sharks or haunted houses, and you can say I'm not going into the ocean or I'm not going in haunted houses, but you can't say you're n
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 792 reviews
December 14, 2019
3.75*
I’ve come across Robin Cook’s novels numerous times over the years...but never had an opportunity to read one. So, thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for dropping this latest release right into my hands!
This is book twelve of the Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series. Robin Cook managed to provide ample background on all the primary characters, so at no time did I feel I was missing anything essential. This book can strongly stand on its own.
A children’s social worker is found dead in her apartment, with a syringe stuck in her arm. The rumor mill now spinning at full-speed, everyone is quick to chalk it up as another tragic overdose. But during her autopsy certain evidence come to light that will question the means to her death.
In the time of genetic testing, this latest release delves into how DNA labs may play a vital role in solving crimes.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first Robin Cook novel. I am now a new fan of Mr. Cook’s and looking forward to reading more of his novels.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways
I’ve come across Robin Cook’s novels numerous times over the years...but never had an opportunity to read one. So, thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for dropping this latest release right into my hands!
This is book twelve of the Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series. Robin Cook managed to provide ample background on all the primary characters, so at no time did I feel I was missing anything essential. This book can strongly stand on its own.
A children’s social worker is found dead in her apartment, with a syringe stuck in her arm. The rumor mill now spinning at full-speed, everyone is quick to chalk it up as another tragic overdose. But during her autopsy certain evidence come to light that will question the means to her death.
In the time of genetic testing, this latest release delves into how DNA labs may play a vital role in solving crimes.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first Robin Cook novel. I am now a new fan of Mr. Cook’s and looking forward to reading more of his novels.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways
September 17, 2021
WOW, this is such an entertaining medical thriller! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way. Despite it being 12th in the series, I didn't feel lost listening to it - also my first book by Robin Cook.
Genesis is about using ancestry companies to find a suspect in an "overdose" case. The characters have depth even supporting characters like Aria. Isn't she something?
Genesis is about using ancestry companies to find a suspect in an "overdose" case. The characters have depth even supporting characters like Aria. Isn't she something?
February 10, 2020
An excellent well written thriller by Robin Cook. 9 of 10 stars
December 6, 2022
I returned to Robin Cook after long. I like his books as they move smoothly and are engrossing. This one was good as well – quick and easy.
Kera Jacobson, a social worker is found dead in her apartment with a needle still stuck into her. With many drug overdose deaths every day, it is not a surprise. Laura Montgomery, now the Chief New York City Medical Examiner decides to do the autopsy herself so as not to avoid leaks and bring unwanted media attention to the case as requested. Aria Nichols is a new obstinate pathology resident. Laura asks her to join hoping this will kindle her interest and motivation. The autopsy reveals that Kera was pregnant making it a double tragedy. Aria thinks the father of the unborn child should be traced. Kera’s friend Madison Bryant suggests that companies dealing with tracing ancestry offer a good way to go about this (such as in the case of the Golden State killer). Madison Bryant soon after suffers a train accident and is hospitalized. Aria is not one to give up though. Laura is under some personal stress herself, and her husband ME Jack Stapleton also assists in some of her cases.
The plot is decent, though in the later stages of the book it is not difficult to guess the trajectory the story will take. Some aspects of the plot are novel, though there are some elements of luck allowing for uncovering of the plot. This is a book you can read quickly and is a page turner.
Kera Jacobson, a social worker is found dead in her apartment with a needle still stuck into her. With many drug overdose deaths every day, it is not a surprise. Laura Montgomery, now the Chief New York City Medical Examiner decides to do the autopsy herself so as not to avoid leaks and bring unwanted media attention to the case as requested. Aria Nichols is a new obstinate pathology resident. Laura asks her to join hoping this will kindle her interest and motivation. The autopsy reveals that Kera was pregnant making it a double tragedy. Aria thinks the father of the unborn child should be traced. Kera’s friend Madison Bryant suggests that companies dealing with tracing ancestry offer a good way to go about this (such as in the case of the Golden State killer). Madison Bryant soon after suffers a train accident and is hospitalized. Aria is not one to give up though. Laura is under some personal stress herself, and her husband ME Jack Stapleton also assists in some of her cases.
The plot is decent, though in the later stages of the book it is not difficult to guess the trajectory the story will take. Some aspects of the plot are novel, though there are some elements of luck allowing for uncovering of the plot. This is a book you can read quickly and is a page turner.
January 29, 2020
I have read all 35+ Cook novels and by far this one feels the least like his writing. It is so unlike a Cook I’m going to hazard the following guess...he supplied the plot (which is excellent) but everything else was written by someone else.
1-star for dialogue- stilted, uncomfortable and forced.
2-stars for vocabulary- in this case there are too many errors (right-click synonym does not work) for example: a colleague leaves an office of a character who has riled her all the way to page 300 and then the statement is “following the highly auspicious meeting...” it happens throughout the novel - just weird.
2-stars for grammar, syntax and realism
5-star plot (but not sure how you’d read the rest without wanting to pull your hair out)!
Really disappointed ☹️
1-star for dialogue- stilted, uncomfortable and forced.
2-stars for vocabulary- in this case there are too many errors (right-click synonym does not work) for example: a colleague leaves an office of a character who has riled her all the way to page 300 and then the statement is “following the highly auspicious meeting...” it happens throughout the novel - just weird.
2-stars for grammar, syntax and realism
5-star plot (but not sure how you’d read the rest without wanting to pull your hair out)!
Really disappointed ☹️
November 18, 2019
In his latest medical thriller Robin Cook turns to the topic of using DNA and ancestry websites to catch a killer. The story opens with the murder of Kera Jacobsen, a twenty-eight-year-old social worker. During the autopsy it is discovered that she was ten weeks pregnant. First appearances seem to indicate that it is a tragic, but all too common, drug overdose.
The autopsy winds up on Chief New York City Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery's autopsy table. Her office has a new pathology resident, Dr. Aria Nichols, who is not the typical resident. Laurie decides to do the autopsy with Dr. Nichols as a means of meeting her and learning more about her. The autopsy of Kera Jacobsen appears to awaken a passion in Aria that she had not exhibited previously and Laurie encourages her to follow up on the autopsy results.
While a medical emergency sidelines Laurie, Aria enlists the help of a start-up ancestry website. She hopes to trace the fetus's DNA back to likely male relatives as a means of identifying the mystery father. Controversial and something that may not be condoned from an official standpoint but Laurie is sidelined and Aria is not one who cares about rules.
When Kera's friend, and a co-worker at the hospital where she worked, is murdered things take on a new urgency. It is clear that someone out there will stop at nothing in order to prevent the truth from coming out and Aria's work to identify the father using DNA puts several people at risk. Can they identify the father? Or will there be more victims?
The autopsy winds up on Chief New York City Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery's autopsy table. Her office has a new pathology resident, Dr. Aria Nichols, who is not the typical resident. Laurie decides to do the autopsy with Dr. Nichols as a means of meeting her and learning more about her. The autopsy of Kera Jacobsen appears to awaken a passion in Aria that she had not exhibited previously and Laurie encourages her to follow up on the autopsy results.
While a medical emergency sidelines Laurie, Aria enlists the help of a start-up ancestry website. She hopes to trace the fetus's DNA back to likely male relatives as a means of identifying the mystery father. Controversial and something that may not be condoned from an official standpoint but Laurie is sidelined and Aria is not one who cares about rules.
When Kera's friend, and a co-worker at the hospital where she worked, is murdered things take on a new urgency. It is clear that someone out there will stop at nothing in order to prevent the truth from coming out and Aria's work to identify the father using DNA puts several people at risk. Can they identify the father? Or will there be more victims?
February 20, 2020
Robin Cook’s latest medical suspense story includes cutting-edge DNA database techniques to find the murderer. Kera Jacobsen’s married boyfriend decides that she must die when Kera refuses to terminate her pregnancy. Of course, the pregnancy is revealed during Kera’s autopsy by anatomical pathology resident Dr. Aria Nichols. Aria believes that the fetus’ father may have played a part in the expectant mother’s death and seeks to find him through DNA sleuthing. The technique she uses is similar to that used in the real-life Golden State Killer case. Enjoy this fast-paced thriller.
August 8, 2021
Won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and so glad I did! Thank you, Goodreads. :)
A solid medical thriller by Robin Cook, a physician, with huge emphasis on genetics, genealogy, the new research methods used in both, as well as forensic science. If you're a medical-science geek, who also likes a bit of mystery on the side, with a good selection of strong female characters, then this might be the book for you.
A young woman shows up dead, found in her apartment with a needle in her arm, another victim of the continuing and tragic opioid crisis. A social worker, newly moved from California and who lately seemed unhappy or depressed, her death looks like either accidental or a suicide. The police do a cursory look into it, but it doesn't appear to be a homicide. They move on.
However, a new young doctor doing some of her final classwork, and who is required to do a forensics rotation - assisting in autopsies, viewing autopsies, etc. - and who has a difficult, antagonistic personality to boot, finds the death interesting, both medically and otherwise. She starts out on her own investigation, with permission from superiors, to ask around - neighbors, friends, co-workers - to see what she can find. This sets off a roller coaster of...
More deaths. Complex medical intrigue. The involvement of Drs. Stapleton and Montgomery, who feature in other mysteries written by Dr. Cook. A married couple, these two have more than a few things going on in their lives: an autistic daughter, a son who might have ADHD, an upcoming crucial surgery for one of them, and so on. In this story they are the backdrop to the bigger picture, which was still an interesting one.
This was a fast read, full of technical medical-ese, the most complex of which the author is able to explain without 'dumbing-down' the info for us less-than-medically educated. The story moves right along and I learned a little here and there as I read. The fact that genealogy is lately being used to solve a few cold cases IRL also brought home how current and realistic the whole story could actually be. Fascinating stuff.
Four stars.
A solid medical thriller by Robin Cook, a physician, with huge emphasis on genetics, genealogy, the new research methods used in both, as well as forensic science. If you're a medical-science geek, who also likes a bit of mystery on the side, with a good selection of strong female characters, then this might be the book for you.
A young woman shows up dead, found in her apartment with a needle in her arm, another victim of the continuing and tragic opioid crisis. A social worker, newly moved from California and who lately seemed unhappy or depressed, her death looks like either accidental or a suicide. The police do a cursory look into it, but it doesn't appear to be a homicide. They move on.
However, a new young doctor doing some of her final classwork, and who is required to do a forensics rotation - assisting in autopsies, viewing autopsies, etc. - and who has a difficult, antagonistic personality to boot, finds the death interesting, both medically and otherwise. She starts out on her own investigation, with permission from superiors, to ask around - neighbors, friends, co-workers - to see what she can find. This sets off a roller coaster of...
More deaths. Complex medical intrigue. The involvement of Drs. Stapleton and Montgomery, who feature in other mysteries written by Dr. Cook. A married couple, these two have more than a few things going on in their lives: an autistic daughter, a son who might have ADHD, an upcoming crucial surgery for one of them, and so on. In this story they are the backdrop to the bigger picture, which was still an interesting one.
This was a fast read, full of technical medical-ese, the most complex of which the author is able to explain without 'dumbing-down' the info for us less-than-medically educated. The story moves right along and I learned a little here and there as I read. The fact that genealogy is lately being used to solve a few cold cases IRL also brought home how current and realistic the whole story could actually be. Fascinating stuff.
Four stars.
January 5, 2020
I hadn't read a Robin Cook novel in quite some time, I grabbed GENESIS right away; I love medical thrillers. Lucky for me that I was already familiar with the author because the prologue would have discouraged me from getting to chapter one. Basically, the prologue is the scientific description of human conception told in some of the most flowery, purple prose I have ever read. So if you already know about the birds and the bees, skip to chapter one. The rest of the book however is very well written and thankfully stylistically does not resemble those first pages.
The setup is established very slowly and in great detail - like everything else in this laborious novel.There is all the domestic drama regarding the Montgomery-Stapleton family, hospital politics, Laurie's job as Chief Medical Examiner. Then there are the descriptions: crisp and precise and often seemingly never-ending; do we need four pages or so for a character to enter a restaurant and reach their table? Or pages and pages on buildings, a subway ride, a bicycle ride, and a couple of autopsies irrelevant to the plot, but still accompanied by lengthy lectures? The main storyline is buried under an extraordinary amount of unnecessary details, slowed down even further by repetitions of entire events and conversations.
Then there's Dr. Aria Nichols, the most unappealing heroine I have ever read. Aria is obnoxious, rude, vulgar, unprofessional, unpleasant; she hates men, she is selfish, insensitive, and a charmless sociopath. She is supposedly extremely brilliant yet she's not the one who comes up with the DNA suggestion. Almost immediately upon meeting her, I wished for her swift and very painful demise. My hate for the loathsome Aria greatly surpassed anything else: the fate of the good guys became secondary, and I didn't even care about the uninteresting murderer, unless they obliged in offing Aria. Had Aria been remotely palatable, the book would have been way more enjoyable; not great, but decent enough; her presence ruins everything. Let's put it this way: Dr. Aria Nichols is no Lisbeth Salander or Jane Doe.
GENESIS overflows with all sorts of information on a myriad of topics, always excruciatingly detailed, except for the computer game Minecraft; I wonder why. Since the number of pages in the book was already too high by half, why not add even more pointless filler! There were some interesting plot twists: one - well, two actually, because one would have made the book shorter, perish the thought one should come to the point relatively quickly! - which was a great shame as the sole bright light was extinguished; the other twist was totally unexpected and ever so thrilling but came too late.
I identified the baddie almost the minute they were introduced, courtesy of the very unsubtle clues provided by the author. Had it not been so evident to the reader, it might have made the book slightly more compelling, because most of the characters - save one who should have seen the signs - couldn't possibly have guessed sooner than they did. The ending, unfortunately, was very predictable as well as underwhelming. In conclusion, if you're looking for an exciting medical thriller, look elsewhere, GENESIS is not it.
The setup is established very slowly and in great detail - like everything else in this laborious novel.There is all the domestic drama regarding the Montgomery-Stapleton family, hospital politics, Laurie's job as Chief Medical Examiner. Then there are the descriptions: crisp and precise and often seemingly never-ending; do we need four pages or so for a character to enter a restaurant and reach their table? Or pages and pages on buildings, a subway ride, a bicycle ride, and a couple of autopsies irrelevant to the plot, but still accompanied by lengthy lectures? The main storyline is buried under an extraordinary amount of unnecessary details, slowed down even further by repetitions of entire events and conversations.
Then there's Dr. Aria Nichols, the most unappealing heroine I have ever read. Aria is obnoxious, rude, vulgar, unprofessional, unpleasant; she hates men, she is selfish, insensitive, and a charmless sociopath. She is supposedly extremely brilliant yet she's not the one who comes up with the DNA suggestion. Almost immediately upon meeting her, I wished for her swift and very painful demise. My hate for the loathsome Aria greatly surpassed anything else: the fate of the good guys became secondary, and I didn't even care about the uninteresting murderer, unless they obliged in offing Aria. Had Aria been remotely palatable, the book would have been way more enjoyable; not great, but decent enough; her presence ruins everything. Let's put it this way: Dr. Aria Nichols is no Lisbeth Salander or Jane Doe.
GENESIS overflows with all sorts of information on a myriad of topics, always excruciatingly detailed, except for the computer game Minecraft; I wonder why. Since the number of pages in the book was already too high by half, why not add even more pointless filler! There were some interesting plot twists: one - well, two actually, because one would have made the book shorter, perish the thought one should come to the point relatively quickly! - which was a great shame as the sole bright light was extinguished; the other twist was totally unexpected and ever so thrilling but came too late.
I identified the baddie almost the minute they were introduced, courtesy of the very unsubtle clues provided by the author. Had it not been so evident to the reader, it might have made the book slightly more compelling, because most of the characters - save one who should have seen the signs - couldn't possibly have guessed sooner than they did. The ending, unfortunately, was very predictable as well as underwhelming. In conclusion, if you're looking for an exciting medical thriller, look elsewhere, GENESIS is not it.
April 17, 2017
Did not like this book at all. It was very boring, the main characters were pathetic. There were too many loose ends that never got resolved. Characters came into the picture that didn't do anything of any significance. There was no action throughout the majority of the book. Everything happened in the last 100 pages or so. The only reason I finished it at all is because I can't quit reading a book right in the middle of one otherwise I would have cast it aside. Quite a disappointment coming from such a great author as Robin Cook.
November 27, 2019
While Jack and Laurie may be the main leads of this series, it was Dr. Aria Nichols that was a huge important part of this story. In fact, I hardly knew that Jack was really a main lead as he was more of a secondary character in my mind. However, the major player is the DNA genesis that the characters used to track down the killer. DNA tracking is an important part of helping investigators solve cases. You may have even read about cold cases being solved many years later with advances in technology that was not available back when the crime was committed; this includes better DNA analysis.
This is a very engaging story with equally engaging characters. I was drawn into this story. I found myself reading for long periods of time. A fast read for sure. There was a good steady pacing to the storyline but the latter third of the story is where the story did pick up speed to an good ending. Readers of medical suspense stories like Tess Gerritsen will want to pick up a copy of this book.
This is a very engaging story with equally engaging characters. I was drawn into this story. I found myself reading for long periods of time. A fast read for sure. There was a good steady pacing to the storyline but the latter third of the story is where the story did pick up speed to an good ending. Readers of medical suspense stories like Tess Gerritsen will want to pick up a copy of this book.
December 14, 2019
Fascinating medical drama leading to an impressive discussion as to how far DNA and genealogical databases have come and its many uses apart from just finding distant relatives.
In criminal cases it is becoming more and more important and useful. A compelling read in this regard.
I don’t much care for the characters but that’s not why I read Robin Cook, however in this novel
there is a distinct reminder regarding the difference between how people of influence and/or money are treated (medically) as opposed to those who are not so fortunate.
In criminal cases it is becoming more and more important and useful. A compelling read in this regard.
I don’t much care for the characters but that’s not why I read Robin Cook, however in this novel
there is a distinct reminder regarding the difference between how people of influence and/or money are treated (medically) as opposed to those who are not so fortunate.
December 9, 2019
I used to be a huge fan of Robin Cook but got bored reading them as time went on. This was the first one I've read in a very long time. Although the story line was interesting and caught my interest immediately upon reading the plot, it was obvious (to me) very early on who the killer was. It was an entertaining, but disappointing, 3.5 stars. It'll probably be a while before I buy another of his books.
April 21, 2011
An OK book, but not one of Cook's best. I could see most of the plot twists coming a mile away, so that sort of took the suspense out of it. One of the story lines I thought was a key plot turns out to be unanswered by the end and nearly forgotten. The final pages hint that there could be a sequel, but to the best of my knowledge, there wasn't one.
I didn't feel like I knew enough about any of the characters save the main character, Cassi, and characters would reappear a couple chapters after introduction but I had already forgotten about them. It's not that there were too many to keep track of, more like the opposite, where there were so few possible suspects that there was little left for guessing.
Overall, it was a quick read, and made me think about such issues as drug addiction in doctors, the balance needed in our healthcare system between teaching cases to educate our doctors and private cases to keep the budget funded, and the motivation that results in patients dying at the hands of the ones entrusted to care for them. Glad Robin Cook's writing and stories have improved since this one was written.
I didn't feel like I knew enough about any of the characters save the main character, Cassi, and characters would reappear a couple chapters after introduction but I had already forgotten about them. It's not that there were too many to keep track of, more like the opposite, where there were so few possible suspects that there was little left for guessing.
Overall, it was a quick read, and made me think about such issues as drug addiction in doctors, the balance needed in our healthcare system between teaching cases to educate our doctors and private cases to keep the budget funded, and the motivation that results in patients dying at the hands of the ones entrusted to care for them. Glad Robin Cook's writing and stories have improved since this one was written.
November 20, 2019
I read it in 2 days!!! I work in a hospital laboratory so It immediately captured my attention all the way to the very end!! A little disappointed with the ending, answered a lot of questions very briefly. I guess I didn’t want it to end. I would highly recommend if you are into Medical thrillers.
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 7, 2019*DNF*
Copy kindly received from PanMacMillan Australia in exchange for an honest review.
Not for me. Not my kind of writing style, so I couldn't get into this one. The blurb of the story sounds great, it just turned out not to be my kind of book.
Copy kindly received from PanMacMillan Australia in exchange for an honest review.
Not for me. Not my kind of writing style, so I couldn't get into this one. The blurb of the story sounds great, it just turned out not to be my kind of book.
December 18, 2019
Over it
I’ve been a fan of Robin Cook since Coma, but I’m tired and over it now. His storylines are becoming repetitive, and his medi-splaining is annoying. No one, especially in the medical field, has dialogues like in his books.
I’ve been a fan of Robin Cook since Coma, but I’m tired and over it now. His storylines are becoming repetitive, and his medi-splaining is annoying. No one, especially in the medical field, has dialogues like in his books.
September 4, 2021
This book was very good. We lean a lot of forensic pathology, a murderer who plays an innocent pathologist. He gets a social worker pregnant. He married. So he kills her and drugs her. He winds up getting arrested at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2020
The chief medical examiner of the City of New York, Laurie Montgomery, is boss to 40 medical examiners and more than 1000 employees. A social worker is found dead in an apparent drug overdose. Laurie and a resident, Dr Aria Nichols, handle the autopsy.
If you're looking for a team player, don't look Aria's way. She's so anti-social, she has a hard time getting along with dead people. But she has a definite interest in this corpse and she's determined to find the father of the baby.
Gosh, it seems like I started to read books by Robin Cook over 30 years ago, but I've never read one in this particular series. Since this is #12, I've been missing out. This one is fine as a standalone but I think I would like the earlier books better where Laurie is not mostly an administrator but more hands on in taking cases. Since it's a medical thriller, there are a lot of medical references but I didn't think anything was too complex. I like books where medical examiners assist in solving crimes and there are quite a few series like that out there.
If you're looking for a team player, don't look Aria's way. She's so anti-social, she has a hard time getting along with dead people. But she has a definite interest in this corpse and she's determined to find the father of the baby.
Gosh, it seems like I started to read books by Robin Cook over 30 years ago, but I've never read one in this particular series. Since this is #12, I've been missing out. This one is fine as a standalone but I think I would like the earlier books better where Laurie is not mostly an administrator but more hands on in taking cases. Since it's a medical thriller, there are a lot of medical references but I didn't think anything was too complex. I like books where medical examiners assist in solving crimes and there are quite a few series like that out there.
October 28, 2024
Update added below.
This is my second Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery book. Like the other Robin Cook medical thrillers I've read, sometimes you can't believe what is happen. And you gotta turn that page because if you don't .... somehow you feel like you have to so that Jack and Laurie are safe or can solve the problem.
You will not like Dr. Aria Nichols. But you aren't alone. Turns out no one likes her. She is brilliant and like a dog with their favorite toy -- determined to get what she wants and keep it. Laurie wonders how Dr. Nichols made it this far in the medical program. Capable, yes. Offensive, yes. Does Aria care? No.
I figured out whodunit shortly before it was revealed. You probably will too, but for this reviewer, it didn't weaken the story. I don't think it will be for you either.
Update:
I forgot to include what for me was fascinating. The use of genetic DNA to solve a crime. With some of the BEST succinct explanations of specific DNA terms I've seen. I find DNA to be terribly confusing. It was exciting for me (the family genealogist) to read something I could actually understand.
This is my second Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery book. Like the other Robin Cook medical thrillers I've read, sometimes you can't believe what is happen. And you gotta turn that page because if you don't .... somehow you feel like you have to so that Jack and Laurie are safe or can solve the problem.
You will not like Dr. Aria Nichols. But you aren't alone. Turns out no one likes her. She is brilliant and like a dog with their favorite toy -- determined to get what she wants and keep it. Laurie wonders how Dr. Nichols made it this far in the medical program. Capable, yes. Offensive, yes. Does Aria care? No.
I figured out whodunit shortly before it was revealed. You probably will too, but for this reviewer, it didn't weaken the story. I don't think it will be for you either.
Update:
I forgot to include what for me was fascinating. The use of genetic DNA to solve a crime. With some of the BEST succinct explanations of specific DNA terms I've seen. I find DNA to be terribly confusing. It was exciting for me (the family genealogist) to read something I could actually understand.
September 12, 2018
This was by far one of the worst books I ever read. But this is what happens all the time. Good writers start out writing some great books, become rich, well known, and then start authoring bad books, figuring their readers will buy them. This book made no sense at all. I could go on and on but I won't. I will give you one of the preposterous scenarios..if you were a psych MD in a hospital and your good friend was a pathologist, and the two of you were investigating unexplained deaths in seemingly healthy surgical patients in that same hospital, would the two of you elect to have your simple surgeries in that same hospital???? So absurd a plot, ridiculous.
December 18, 2019
The question over here is why was the book written. I mean sure I enjoyed it but it's plot is lighter than ether. You could guess what's going on from page one. I love Laurie and Jack, they have given me amazing hair splitting thrills that's why when they were confronted by this novice killer, I was disappointed. They deserve better, they are better. Anyways it's light fluffy reading, not much eye opening science as well. Only character given a lot to do is Aria but her ending is unsatisfactory. All in all, ya I read this but I don't know why.
March 7, 2022
2.5
This was kind of boring, with few thrilling aspects. It was kind of obvious from the start who was responsible for all that happened.
This was kind of boring, with few thrilling aspects. It was kind of obvious from the start who was responsible for all that happened.
January 23, 2020
Profanity made this book receive 2 stars. So unnecessary.
June 3, 2015
This book made me very very angry.
Here's the thing: Someone is killing patients at Boston Memorial, and the reasons are confusing - but two people might be starting to figure out that something is going on. One, Cassi Kingsley, is a former pathology resident who has switched to psychiatry, and the other is her friend Robert, who is still in pathology. They've noticed a pattern in deaths that don't have proper explanations. Cassi's husband, Thomas, is a superstar of the cardiology ward, and a surgeon of top class - he wants her to stop, as if these deaths have a medical reason, it will bring down the hospital.
Sounds neat, right? Well, it is. Except that the book was written in the 80s, and here's the 'getting mad' part.
Thomas is annoyed that Cassi is associating with a 'known homosexual' like Robert. Other homosexuals in the book are likened to AIDS as a sort of causal result of their lifestyle (this from a doctor, *sigh*). Oh, and when Cassi starts to wonder about her husband's sanity, everyone tells her to calm down, stand by her man, etc. She also constantly thinks things like, "If my husband left me, my life would fall apart! What would I do?!" He's emotionally abusive, and she takes it as if it is her due. Sexism is rampant throughout the book, Cassi has all the resolve of a wet noodle, never trusts herself without her husband's opinion, won't schedule necessary eye surgery because her husband hasn't chatted it over with her yet, and dear criminy I'll stop now, before I blow a vein or something. Urk.
Here's the thing: Someone is killing patients at Boston Memorial, and the reasons are confusing - but two people might be starting to figure out that something is going on. One, Cassi Kingsley, is a former pathology resident who has switched to psychiatry, and the other is her friend Robert, who is still in pathology. They've noticed a pattern in deaths that don't have proper explanations. Cassi's husband, Thomas, is a superstar of the cardiology ward, and a surgeon of top class - he wants her to stop, as if these deaths have a medical reason, it will bring down the hospital.
Sounds neat, right? Well, it is. Except that the book was written in the 80s, and here's the 'getting mad' part.
Thomas is annoyed that Cassi is associating with a 'known homosexual' like Robert. Other homosexuals in the book are likened to AIDS as a sort of causal result of their lifestyle (this from a doctor, *sigh*). Oh, and when Cassi starts to wonder about her husband's sanity, everyone tells her to calm down, stand by her man, etc. She also constantly thinks things like, "If my husband left me, my life would fall apart! What would I do?!" He's emotionally abusive, and she takes it as if it is her due. Sexism is rampant throughout the book, Cassi has all the resolve of a wet noodle, never trusts herself without her husband's opinion, won't schedule necessary eye surgery because her husband hasn't chatted it over with her yet, and dear criminy I'll stop now, before I blow a vein or something. Urk.
July 6, 2012
Although this book ended up being fairly predictable, it was suspenseful, and I couldn't put it down. The story follows a woman named Cassi who works at Boston Memorial. Her husband is a famous surgeon who definitely has a God-complex. Cassi and her friend in pathology are looking into a number of mysterious cases that exhibit what they believe is death with no cause. As they get closer to the cause, Cassi's friend becomes a victim of the mysterious death, and the mysterious killer. The puzzle starts coming together much more clearly during this time, which is also when Cassi is in the hospital as a patient for her own surgery. After several murder attempts, which Cassi survives, she goes to the chief surgeon for help with her husband (the killer), who thinks that she is just going crazy, since the attempts on her life made it look like she was trying to commit suicide. Her husband confesses that he needs help, and whisks her away, while really planning to kill her once and for all. They get in a car wreck, and her negligent husband, who drove like a maniac and refused to wear his seat belt, was killed and survived by his resilient wife. Great book and great author. I look forward to reading more of Robin Cook's work in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
Predictable plot. Unrealistic dialogue. Mistakes in grammar and vocabulary abound. I gave it two stars because I finished it to make sure there was no final twist, otherwise it would be one star. I used to like Robin Cook's books for a fun read but something has gone wrong.
November 3, 2024
Der Klapptentext versucht das Buch als medizinischen Horror-Thriller zu verkaufen. Eigentlich ist es über weite Strecken eher eine Charakterstudie.
Während ich die ersten paar Dutzend Seiten recht gut fand, hatte ich später etwas Mühe. Das lag eben an den 2 Hauptcharakteren, dem brillianten aber arschlöchrigen Herzchirurgen Thomas und seiner duckmäuserischen und von Minderwertigkeitskomplexen beladenen Ehefrau Cassie.
Beide gingen mir etwas auf den Keks - aus ganz verschiedenen Gründen - , was es schwierig machte, das Buch zu genießen.
Später wurde es dann doch noch recht spannend und war letztendlich doch eine halbwegs runde Sache mit ordentlichem Schluss.
3.5/5
Während ich die ersten paar Dutzend Seiten recht gut fand, hatte ich später etwas Mühe. Das lag eben an den 2 Hauptcharakteren, dem brillianten aber arschlöchrigen Herzchirurgen Thomas und seiner duckmäuserischen und von Minderwertigkeitskomplexen beladenen Ehefrau Cassie.
Beide gingen mir etwas auf den Keks - aus ganz verschiedenen Gründen - , was es schwierig machte, das Buch zu genießen.
Später wurde es dann doch noch recht spannend und war letztendlich doch eine halbwegs runde Sache mit ordentlichem Schluss.
3.5/5
June 30, 2014
I liked it a lot, Cook is one of my favourite writers in the pure entertainment department. Obviously the medical side of the story looks a bit updated, but the mad scientist is always an engaging character. Cassie, the protagonist, is a little too princess-y for my taste but she turns out ok in the end.
December 13, 2019
From mass murdering biotech to immoral pharma, Robin Cook ventures into the territory of the whodunit.
Unfortunately not a hard one to guess and no clever clues all over. Just add another death when the story line feels like slacking off.
Nothing worth writing home about.
Unfortunately not a hard one to guess and no clever clues all over. Just add another death when the story line feels like slacking off.
Nothing worth writing home about.
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