Surgical Risk
 Robert I. Katz
 (Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan)
 2002 Willowgate Press
  ISBN: 1930008058

Richard Kurtz enjoys the fine life of a successful surgeon, but when his ex-girlfriend, an ob-gyn doctor nobody liked, is strangled after her shift at the hospital, he is desperate to find out why.

Sr. Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan writes:

Robert I. Katz's Surgical Risk is a medical mystery whodunit with an unusual ending--I hate to be a spoilsport, but let me just reveal one clue of the ending--there is nothing “medical-ish” in the final solution to the mystery.

The author takes us right into the action from the first page itself. The first chapter is rich in amusing medical anecdotes and makes a “piercing” read--for those who read the book you know what I mean; and for those who haven’t read it--read it, you will know what I mean--& yes, pun is intended.

Surgical Risk is the story of Richard Kurtz, a busy & successful surgeon at Easton Hospital & Investigator Barent who jointly investigate the murder of Dr. Sharon Lee, Dr. Kurtz' erstwhile girlfriend. Sharon Lee was unpopular, & topped the “I Hate List” of many a doctor & nurse at the hospital. Evidence points to Bill Mose, a schizophrenic patient who has been found with a bloody knife in his hand & his fingerprints on the body of the deceased. It seems to be an open-&am;-shut case, except that Kurtz & Barent think otherwise & slowly they follow the clues into the matter, which makes for a thrilling whodunit with the duo trying to find out the real killer & secure justice for Mose.

Surgical Risk reminds me a lot of the early Robin Cook novels. Like Cook, Katz also is a doctor & he puts his medical knowledge to good effect in this thriller. If you like Robin Cook, you sure will enjoy Surgical Risk.

A good whodunit & for a quiet evening read, Surgical Risk is recommended. The blurb informs us that the author has started work on a sequel, I look forward to it.

More from Robert I. Katz: Edward Maret: A Novel of the Future.
(02/23/03)

Narayan
2003©Narayan Radhakrishnan
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I am a 26 years old lawyer practicing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Along with my legal practice, I have finished post-graduate studies for both Business Law & Human Rights. I am a self proclaimed numero-uno legal thriller lover & am the proud owner of all of Grisham's & Turow's novels. I enjoy John Mortimer's Rumpole & relish an occasional Martini & a rare Scot(ch)t-oline with a Patterson on the side.

My work A FICTION OF LAW is now about 500 pages in length & features 500 lawyer authors & 2000 legal thrillers covering a 300 year period - inclusive of entries from the USA, UK, Asia, Europe, China, Middle East etc. Still in search of a publisher.
www.keralatourism.org