Dr. Frasier couldn’t save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she’s fighting for her own life.
It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier’s colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.
Her “almost-fiancé” Dr. Mark Gilbert’s support only adds to Shannon’s feelings of guilt, since she can’t bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he’s just been diagnosed with leukemia.
Shannon thought it couldn’t get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, “What did he say before he died?”
With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.
A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.
Dynamic Uno here: If you've been following my blog or book reviews for any length of time, you know that I love suspense, action, and romance. Critical Condition has all three of these elements and more!
The action grabbed me from the beginning when we learn about Dr. Shannon Frasier's sad loss which inspired her to become a doctor and help save others. Then to have the situation, although with a stranger, repeated during a dinner party--I could only imagine the shock that would have been to her, but it didn't stop there. Situation after crazy situation continued to happen leaving Shannon with only one place to go--God's loving and open arms.
I really enjoyed reading about Shannon's life in the hospital community. I'd never really thought about how doctors learn to be doctors after medical school, so seeing how she mentored the new ones and offered advice was eye-opening. Plus, she seemed to be very well connected. (Yes, I realize this is fictionalized, but it's nice to think that there are still doctors out there who actually care about their patients' welfare instead of being run over by the insurance companies. *stepping off soap-box*)
Putting myself in her place and having to deal with the craziness that her sister brought into her life, I don't think I'd be as graceful as Shannon. I probably would have told my sister to find other lodgings so I didn't have to put up with her shenanigans--especially after Mark, Shannon's boyfriend, ends up in a fight with Megan's ex when they go back to his house to get her things. I know she thought this on occasion, but then guilt made Shannon change her mind and let Megan off the hook because of all she's been through in life. I think I would have thrown in the towel and booted her out. (I enjoy reading drama, I just don't enjoy living with it.)
Then, to find out that her dad is fighting for his life, a crazy man is trying to kill her for information from the guy who was shot in her front yard--the very same one who may have caused her to have a life-threatening virus, and a detective who flirts with her--Shannon has an awful lot to deal with on a daily basis. Not to mention the twist of events towards the end. I would have curled up in the corner and rocked back and forth until the nice men in the white coats came to take me away.
Overall, Critical Condition will having you biting your nails and making sure the doors and windows are locked up tight. If you enjoy suspense, action, a lot of drama, and a touch of romance, then this is the book for you!!
Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!!
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