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Eli Branch Thriller #2
Public Anatomy: An Eli Branch Thriller
"While recovering from a career-threatening injury, surgeon Eli Branch is pulled into the turbulent world of Dr. Liza French, a colleague he hasn't seen in ten years. Liza uses their past to lure Eli into a highly-publicized debacle in a Memphis hospital that has put her own career in jeopardy. But when the murder of medical personnel at Gates Memorial appears related to Liza's surgical complication, Eli finds that more lives are at imminent risk. Eli discovers clues from the victims that match anatomical art found at the crime scenes, a connection that leads him to the manuscript of a sixteenth century anatomist whose methods of dissection are over four centuries old, but are being reenacted in the present. Aided by the expertise of forensic pathologist Dr. Meg Daily, Eli uncovers a pattern to the escalating deaths and the search begins for a killer the media and the city come to know as The Organist"
312 pages, Hardcover
First published February 12, 2011
4 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
A. Scott Pearson
4 books5 followersDr. A. Scott Pearson grew up in the Forked Deer community of West Tennessee.
Scott graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After graduating from medical school at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Dr. Pearson completed eight years of surgical training in Texas.
For the past decade, Scott has been a member of the surgical faculty at Vanderbilt University, where he combines cancer research with the clinical practice of surgery.
A member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Association of Cancer Research, and the Association of Academic Surgery, Scott has been been published in numerous scientific journals and publications. Scott is also a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and the Tennessee Writers Alliance.
Scott lives with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.
Scott graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After graduating from medical school at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Dr. Pearson completed eight years of surgical training in Texas.
For the past decade, Scott has been a member of the surgical faculty at Vanderbilt University, where he combines cancer research with the clinical practice of surgery.
A member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Association of Cancer Research, and the Association of Academic Surgery, Scott has been been published in numerous scientific journals and publications. Scott is also a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and the Tennessee Writers Alliance.
Scott lives with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 25, 2011
I have always been a lover of medical mysteries. Maybe it's because I am in the health care field or maybe it's because I like blood and am fascinated with doctors and surgery. A reason is not really necessary though is it? Public Anatomy is right up there with Michael Palmer and Robin Cook.
Reading it was scary at times because we are so close to this Robotic Surgery, it's already being preformed to some extent. And reality shows? Seems like that is all that is on anymore. Imagine a reality show where operations are streamed on the internet and can be watched live. Now imagine a horrible error, blood everywhere, OR staff scrambling to try to save the patient and ALL this is streaming across the internet! That is exactly how our story opens. Are we heading in this direction? I for one hope not. Nothing takes the place of a human doctor in my opinion.
I really connected with all the characters. Some in a good way and some not so good but every one made an impact on me while I was reading the book. How could I not root for Dr. Eli Branch, a main character, a former surgeon who was injured and can no longer operate so he works the graveyard shift in the ER. I didn't know when I started this book that it was the second one, the first being RUPTURE. In that book we get the full story on Dr. Branch and how he was injured, etc. I will for sure pick that up.
The relationship between Dr. Branch and Meg Daily, the pathologist was funny and touching. They used to be a couple but are not now. It's very obvious that the feelings are still there and I hope to see them in future books where that can be explored.
I have to say my favorite part of the book was with the detective investigating the murders, with the help of Dr Branch of course, was telling Dr Branch about how his mother used to take him all the time to visit the Victorian Mansions in Memphis because she wanted him to grow up with some class. It was a very witty conversation with Dr. Branch saying: "Did you say doilies?" You must read the book to appreciate the humor in that but it was by far my favorite sentence in the book.
Having lived in Memphis and Oxford Mississippi it was enjoyable to visit again. I loved knowing the places where the story took place. It was nice to be able to picture them while I was reading.
This book if chock full of some pretty grisly murders. Dirty doctors, amateur sleuth doctors, alcoholic professors and so much more. It is full of twists and turns and I had not figured it out until the author was revealing it. I had my suspicions but they turned out to be wrong every time.
I highly recommended this book for mystery lovers looking for an engaging and fast read that they will be thinking about long after reading the last page.
Reading it was scary at times because we are so close to this Robotic Surgery, it's already being preformed to some extent. And reality shows? Seems like that is all that is on anymore. Imagine a reality show where operations are streamed on the internet and can be watched live. Now imagine a horrible error, blood everywhere, OR staff scrambling to try to save the patient and ALL this is streaming across the internet! That is exactly how our story opens. Are we heading in this direction? I for one hope not. Nothing takes the place of a human doctor in my opinion.
I really connected with all the characters. Some in a good way and some not so good but every one made an impact on me while I was reading the book. How could I not root for Dr. Eli Branch, a main character, a former surgeon who was injured and can no longer operate so he works the graveyard shift in the ER. I didn't know when I started this book that it was the second one, the first being RUPTURE. In that book we get the full story on Dr. Branch and how he was injured, etc. I will for sure pick that up.
The relationship between Dr. Branch and Meg Daily, the pathologist was funny and touching. They used to be a couple but are not now. It's very obvious that the feelings are still there and I hope to see them in future books where that can be explored.
I have to say my favorite part of the book was with the detective investigating the murders, with the help of Dr Branch of course, was telling Dr Branch about how his mother used to take him all the time to visit the Victorian Mansions in Memphis because she wanted him to grow up with some class. It was a very witty conversation with Dr. Branch saying: "Did you say doilies?" You must read the book to appreciate the humor in that but it was by far my favorite sentence in the book.
Having lived in Memphis and Oxford Mississippi it was enjoyable to visit again. I loved knowing the places where the story took place. It was nice to be able to picture them while I was reading.
This book if chock full of some pretty grisly murders. Dirty doctors, amateur sleuth doctors, alcoholic professors and so much more. It is full of twists and turns and I had not figured it out until the author was revealing it. I had my suspicions but they turned out to be wrong every time.
I highly recommended this book for mystery lovers looking for an engaging and fast read that they will be thinking about long after reading the last page.
March 10, 2011
I'm a big fan of crime thrillers, and enjoy books with a medical slant so the synopsis of Public Anatomy definitely grabbed my attention. There's certainly no filler with this book, the plot kicks in straight away and with all the twists and turns you'd hope to find in a good thriller it's easy to get very caught up in it. I always like to try and see if I can work out the whodunnit before it's revealed, I did get it part right but there were things I hadn't picked up on that meant I was still surprised.
I didn't realise until after I finished reading this book that Eli Branch featured in Pearson's previous novel, Rupture. I felt at times like I didn't quite understand him, I think this is probably because much of his back story is covered in the previous book. I did find him an interesting character, and I enjoyed following his progress through the story. Not having read Rapture didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book, but I think it would have made it an even better read if I had.
Like most crime thrillers that involve murders there are some gory moments within the book. I found these to be well handled, I certainly didn't find myself getting squeamish at any point. The pacing of the book works well, and whilst it features technology we don't yet have (as far as I'm aware) it didn't require much of a leap of imagination to picture the scenes within the book.
I enjoyed reading this book and now plan to go back and read Rupture and find out more about Eli Branch.
I didn't realise until after I finished reading this book that Eli Branch featured in Pearson's previous novel, Rupture. I felt at times like I didn't quite understand him, I think this is probably because much of his back story is covered in the previous book. I did find him an interesting character, and I enjoyed following his progress through the story. Not having read Rapture didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book, but I think it would have made it an even better read if I had.
Like most crime thrillers that involve murders there are some gory moments within the book. I found these to be well handled, I certainly didn't find myself getting squeamish at any point. The pacing of the book works well, and whilst it features technology we don't yet have (as far as I'm aware) it didn't require much of a leap of imagination to picture the scenes within the book.
I enjoyed reading this book and now plan to go back and read Rupture and find out more about Eli Branch.
August 9, 2014
In Dr. Pearson's second novel, Public Anatomy, Dr. Eli Branch is more of a detective than a doctor. He can't perform surgery because of a hand injury sustained in his previous adventure, entitled Rupture. This novel might justifiably form the basis for an episode of the television series 'Criminal Minds'. Protagonist Eli works with Memphis PD detective Lipsky, CSI Basetti, Eli's pathologist friend Dr. Meg Daily, and his former Ole Miss anatomy professor to determine why an obviously mentally disturbed serial killer (an "unsub"?) removes a different organ from each murder victim and leaves it near the body along with a matching anatomical drawing of the same organ, similar to drawings taken from an ancient anatomy text. What relationship do the victims have to each other and to robotic surgeon Dr. Liza French and why does the killer choose to kill them? What relationship does Dr. Eli Branch have to Dr. French? Tune in to 'Public Anatomy' and find out!
Author Pearson does a great job of keeping the action moving, the unresolved puzzles mounting, and the suspense building. I liked the way he tied up the loose ends after the perpetrator (or perpetrators) were apprehended. Great book!!
Author Pearson does a great job of keeping the action moving, the unresolved puzzles mounting, and the suspense building. I liked the way he tied up the loose ends after the perpetrator (or perpetrators) were apprehended. Great book!!
January 25, 2011
I am not one for medical mysteries, but so far this book has pulled me in. I wasn't aware that there was/were a previous book by this author featuring his main character, Dr. Eli Branch. I haven't had the pleasure of getting his past history as might have been in the other book, but I think he may be a character I could like.
The story, at first didn't seem to flow, but it is now picking up momentum and I can see that this will be a great story. I have noticed a few punctuation mistake, possibly due to it being in ereader form, but nothing to toss you from the story.
The story kept me involved, it had a nice flow to it. I think that the author has done his research on the history needed for the story and the medical knowledge to get it right.
I would definitely read more of his books in the future.
His character development shows that he knows what this reader is looking for.
I'd like to say thanks for letting me read this book and post my thoughts on it here. I would recommend this book to my friends if they asked me about the story or the author.
The story, at first didn't seem to flow, but it is now picking up momentum and I can see that this will be a great story. I have noticed a few punctuation mistake, possibly due to it being in ereader form, but nothing to toss you from the story.
The story kept me involved, it had a nice flow to it. I think that the author has done his research on the history needed for the story and the medical knowledge to get it right.
I would definitely read more of his books in the future.
His character development shows that he knows what this reader is looking for.
I'd like to say thanks for letting me read this book and post my thoughts on it here. I would recommend this book to my friends if they asked me about the story or the author.
December 9, 2014
As a fan of the medical thriller genre, I have to say that Public Anatomy is an outstanding cross between this and standard crime thrillers. Whilst it is perhaps less of a true-medical thriller, it certainly competes with the likes of Tess Gerritsen in the crime thriller genre.
The writing style of Pearson is tight and concise, and the book is gripping and full of suspense, particularly near the end, where you constantly feel the ���ticking clock���. Also, there are lots of little details included in the narrative, which make the plot more complex and interesting, as does the inclusion of the robotic surgery technology.
Overall, an amazing thriller that I will happily read again. Full of suspense and with a clear, concise writing style. If there was any criticism of this book, it would be that it was perhaps slightly too easy to guess the identity of the killer, although this did not diminish the suspense for me. I am looking forward to reading his previous novel Rupture, which features the same central character.
The writing style of Pearson is tight and concise, and the book is gripping and full of suspense, particularly near the end, where you constantly feel the ���ticking clock���. Also, there are lots of little details included in the narrative, which make the plot more complex and interesting, as does the inclusion of the robotic surgery technology.
Overall, an amazing thriller that I will happily read again. Full of suspense and with a clear, concise writing style. If there was any criticism of this book, it would be that it was perhaps slightly too easy to guess the identity of the killer, although this did not diminish the suspense for me. I am looking forward to reading his previous novel Rupture, which features the same central character.
May 18, 2012
I was intrigued to pick this one up because I enjoy medical thrillers and it seemed to combine a bit of art along the side. I did end up putting this book aside a few times to read other things, but that was not due to the quality of writing, just too many books, too little time. Sometimes the transitions between scenes or characters were a bit abrupt, but the POVs switches were clear. Since this is the second book in a series and I didn't know that when I started reading, I feel like I missed out on some of the history behind the character relationships. I'm mildly interested in reading the previous book, but there was enough backstory in this novel to avoid completely confusing the reader. The medical setting was well established, and there are enough details throughout to make the story realistic without being pedantic. I could feel the Nashville summer as I read. The premise is plausible enough that it's not silly to imagine, and provides a suitably thrilling read.
I received this as a digital ARC from Netgalley.
I received this as a digital ARC from Netgalley.
August 23, 2011
2 star medical thriller (good book but below average for the genre). Robotic surgery goes very wrong during a live broadcast. Then people get murdered, their body parts extracted and put on display. Actually not as gruesome as it sounds. For my full review, see ScienceThrillers.com
September 6, 2011
Dr. Eliza French has botched a few operations, using robotics. Now the nursing staff is being murdered and extractions performed on the body. Will Eli figure out who the next victim is before the killer strikes again?
August 15, 2011
Great book! Lots of twists and turns. Pearson is masterful in bringing these together at the end. Hope there is a sequel.
August 5, 2011
predictable, but I will continue to read this series as it is written by a Vandy MD and set in Memphis.
January 18, 2016
Did not finish.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews