Stress Test, book review
From retired physician-turned-writer Dr. Richard Mabry comes his latest novel of medical suspense, Stress Test–which boasts endorsements by heavyweight novelists Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen. Mabry himself is the award-winning author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. He and his wife live in North Texas.
About this book: Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt’s only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU…where he awakens to discover he’s being charged with murder.
Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can’t walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.
Matt’s career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he’s a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.
Genre: Fiction/Christian suspense
Judge this book by its cover? The story has a wider audience appeal (i.e., female readers) than the cover may suggest.
Reminds me of… John Grisham’s novels, or Tess Gerritsen’s minus the knife’s edge.
Buy or borrow? Buy.
Why did I read this book? As a Litfuse blogger, to review for Thomas Nelson.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
My take: I found a lot to recommend about this novel, my first of Dr. Richard Mabry’s. I liked his straightforward, no-frills, multiple-point-of-view narratives. I liked his plotting, which, though I thought I had it figured out about three-quarters of the way through, kept me guessing until the end. I related to his main characters, and I especially enjoyed Sandra Murray and the romantic spark her character provides.
Though it’s more of a lightweight than, say, a Tess Gerritsen, it’s still enjoyable, particularly if you like the genre. It actually provides an appealing alternative to many mainstream suspense novels as this one contains absolutely no sex, graphic violence or foul language. The faith message is not as nuanced as I prefer, but it is woven tightly into the story and its characters.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing me a copy of this book to review. All opinions are mine.
Want to know what other bloggers are saying? Click here. AND… Richard Mabry is celebrating the release of Stress Test with a Nook HD Giveaway! Enter today.
One winner will receive:
- A brand new Nook HD
- A $15 gift certificate to BarnesandNoble.com
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 27th. Winner will be announced on 4/29/13 at Richard’s blog.
