A medical thriller that gets political

Michael Palmer gives us a new case for Dr. Lou Welcome of the Physicians Wellness Center. He tries to help doctors who have gotten in trouble or have situations that need assistance.

He's called by one of his clients, Dr. Gary McHugh who tells Lou that he's about to be arrested for killing powerful Congressman Elias Colston. What's more, McHugh was intoxicated and doesn't really know what happened. Lou has faith in McHugh and starts working on a case that would seem helpless to many.

As Lou gets into the investigation, he works with Dr. McHugh's attorney, Sarah Cooper, a woman with no love of doctors.

The action is nonstop and the characters are well described, the reader will like the good characters and dislike those who are out for another purpose.

The plot moves into the area of arms and military activity with a number of surprises.

Lou and Sarah grow on each other and a number of Lou's colorful friends help out.

A very enjoyable story that kept my attention throughout.

Mixing history and fiction in a political thriller

Brad Meltzer brings the Culper Ring in this story. That  is a group of spies first established by George Washington as his personal spy ring.

The story tells of fourteen attempts on the lives of the U.S. Presidents-with four being successful. It was thought that these crimes were random but what if they were part of a conspiracy and the organization responsible is in the process of a plan to assassinate the current President?

Beecher White of the National Archives leads the investigation into the conspiracy and to attempt to save the President's life.

The story is a nice mixture of history and fiction and the author makes the story seem possible.

The  characters are drawn out of the history pages and the story moves right along.

There are also a number of surprises to add to the entertainment value.

I was entertained by the story and a glance of what history might be.

A dark story with paranormal aspects

A relative of Charlie Parker's friend, Louis, is kidnapped off the streets of New York.

Louis was supposed to keep an eye on his relative and feels the guilt of her disappearance. His partner, Angel, and Charlie Parker offer their help.

Through their search, they find a link to a church of bones in Eastern Europe and an object known as the Black Angel which is worth millions but may have a life of its own.

John Connolly does a good job in making his characters come to life. In this story we observe the misery of many prostitutes in New York and how they are oppressed by their pimps and others.

There is quite a bit of violence but good descriptions of life and, in addition, Charlie Parker's humor helps offset the gloom and violence.

Not for everyone but I found the book enjoyable.

Well worth the read and a good view into East Africa

John Wells travels to East Africa to attempt to rescue four aid workers who were kidnapped after working at a Somalia refugee camp.

As usual with Alex Berenson, the writing is excellent and the suspense nonstop.

Wells shows his bravery and resourcefulness in doing much of the work on the rescue by himself.

We also get to know the kidnappers and some of their motivation.

The conclusion was well done and I highly recommend the book.

A child missing

This is a book I'd read years ago  and wanted to revisit during my cancer infusion at the Smilow Cancer Clinic.

During registration for a school reunion in Chicago, Beth Cappadora tells her seven-year-old son to watch his three-year-old brother. After being delayed in the registration, when she returns, Ben is missing.

There is a massive search and family crisis. Things change and relationships between members of the family are changed.

Finally, one day when Beth comes to the door of her home, a young boy is asking if she'd like her lawn mowed.  She's sure it's Ben.

An excellent debut novel that was made into a film, the story shows what can happen to a family's stability when a tragic event takes place.

Books while on my sickbed

Being treated for lung cancer has changed so much in my life but not the love of reading.

During my treatment at New Haven Smilow Cancer Hospital, I have continued to find books a good place to go for a change of pace and to emerse myself in the fictional world.

In "Trickster's Point," William Kent Krueger again takes the reader to the upper Minnesota American Indian Indian setting.

Cork O'Connor goes fishing with his childhood friend, Jubal Little, who is in the early stages of a run for Minnesota governor when someone shoots Little with an arrow and kills him.  Because Cork waited with his friend until Little died, he becomes a suspect.

Also in the story are Winonah Crane and her brother Willie, all characters, childhood friends.

The story is nicely told with realistic characters and a picturesque setting.

A novel that is just what the doctor ordered

James Lee Burke is one of the masters of crime fiction.

Having recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and wanting a good story to listen to, I chose "In the Moon of Red Ponies." This is a Billy Bob Holland story narrated by Tom Stechschulte in ten discs.

Holland is a former Texas Ranger who begins life in a new manner in Missoula, Montana. His first client in his Montana law practice is a politically active American Indian, Johnny American Horse. Johnny is accused of killing the two men who entered his home in an attempt to kill him.

A secondary plot involves a dramatically disgruntled character named Wyatt Dixon. Dixon was a man who was sent to prison by Holland but was released early on a technicality. He climes to have been reborn in prison and refers to Holland as Brother Holland. He is one of the most memorable characters in the story.

Stechschulte's dramatic reading of the story is extremely well done. He is an experienced actor with experience on Broadway and on TV. His expressive voice adds a dimension of tension to the story as he assumes the voice of the character in the story.

The novel is well done and highly recommended.