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Mal Practice
Joe Nelson is a pediatrician in Eastern Kentucky and is being sued for malpractice involving the death of a four-year-old girl. The child was the niece of the wealthiest man in town, and the trial is not going well. Then it gets worse. While sitting in his car outside his lawyer's office, someone shoots at Joe. The police seem convinced that he has faked the shooting, especially since the shot was fired with his own gun. The next day in court, Joe realizes that his patient's death was not an accident or malpractice, it was murder. When one of the plaintiffs is murdered, Joe becomes the prime suspect. He must use all of his medical knowledge and deductive reasoning to solve the crime-and save his own life.
238 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2013
About the author
Paul Janson
22 books11 followersPaul is the middle child of three boys, born and raised in New England. Though he is now a practicing Emergency Department physician, his formal education began at the Boston University College of Engineering. He worked briefly for NASA during the Apollo project where one of the engineers convinced him to apply to medical school. Paul went on to attend Boston University School of Medicine intending to pursue bio-medical research, but grew to like the practice of medicine too much to give it up.
While working at Boston City Hospital (now Boston Medical Center), Paul met his wife, Mary. She was his supervisor, but he somehow managed to get up the courage to ask her out and eventually, to marry him. That was 39 years ago. The couple spent their honeymoon year in Eastern Kentucky, Appalachia, because they wanted to go somewhere that really needed physicians. With breaks to return to their training, the year extended to six years. Paul and Mary understood that if they were not there, it was likely that no one else would have been. Exhausting work, but fulfilling.
Paul did end up doing research, publishing a dozen articles including three pieces in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. One of the articles outlined the response of patients with renal failure and bleeding, and became the basis for the current treatment of these patients, still in use almost forty years later.
Paul's favorite journal publication was co-authored by Deepak Chopra, who was an endocrinology fellow at the time. It was Deepak's first time being published, but certainly not his last!
Since that time Paul has certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Emergency Medicine. He practices now in Lawrence, MA, in one of the busiest ED's in the state, and in one of the most medically underserved areas in the state.
Paul is actively involved in teaching Family Practice residents, and was the director of the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians' course on board exam review and preparation until five years ago when the course was closed.
He has written several articles for traditional print publications and online sites, along with a biweekly humor column in the local Newburyport, MA newspaper, titled: The Port Planet.
In addition to being a writer, Paul is a musician who performed locally, with recorded music available online.
Paul says "Mary and I live in Georgetown, MA, on a small farm of sorts with chickens and dogs and cats... and love. My family is one of my greatest joys, especially the adoption of my two daughters from Ecuador, now twenty years ago. They have added meaning to our lives and expanded our cultural adventures."
While working at Boston City Hospital (now Boston Medical Center), Paul met his wife, Mary. She was his supervisor, but he somehow managed to get up the courage to ask her out and eventually, to marry him. That was 39 years ago. The couple spent their honeymoon year in Eastern Kentucky, Appalachia, because they wanted to go somewhere that really needed physicians. With breaks to return to their training, the year extended to six years. Paul and Mary understood that if they were not there, it was likely that no one else would have been. Exhausting work, but fulfilling.
Paul did end up doing research, publishing a dozen articles including three pieces in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. One of the articles outlined the response of patients with renal failure and bleeding, and became the basis for the current treatment of these patients, still in use almost forty years later.
Paul's favorite journal publication was co-authored by Deepak Chopra, who was an endocrinology fellow at the time. It was Deepak's first time being published, but certainly not his last!
Since that time Paul has certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Emergency Medicine. He practices now in Lawrence, MA, in one of the busiest ED's in the state, and in one of the most medically underserved areas in the state.
Paul is actively involved in teaching Family Practice residents, and was the director of the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians' course on board exam review and preparation until five years ago when the course was closed.
He has written several articles for traditional print publications and online sites, along with a biweekly humor column in the local Newburyport, MA newspaper, titled: The Port Planet.
In addition to being a writer, Paul is a musician who performed locally, with recorded music available online.
Paul says "Mary and I live in Georgetown, MA, on a small farm of sorts with chickens and dogs and cats... and love. My family is one of my greatest joys, especially the adoption of my two daughters from Ecuador, now twenty years ago. They have added meaning to our lives and expanded our cultural adventures."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 17, 2013
Mal Practice opens with action, and the excitement builds from chapter to chapter. Dr. Joe Nelson, the protagonist, is a quiet character who's depth unfolds along with the story.
My favorite character is Carolyn, Joe's witty, spunky, and ambitious wife. Too bad there's a divorce in progress!
Might Mal Practice be the first in a series? I'd love to read more about Joe, and watch his complexity continue to develop.
My favorite character is Carolyn, Joe's witty, spunky, and ambitious wife. Too bad there's a divorce in progress!
Might Mal Practice be the first in a series? I'd love to read more about Joe, and watch his complexity continue to develop.
May 25, 2013
Paul Janson's new book, his first novel, introduces a new protagonist about whom readers will no doubt want to read more. Joe Nelson, a coal miner turned pediatrician (the hard way, with years of study and family encouragement)has a calm, easy-going personality, a beautiful, equally-talented wife (also an emergency room doctor)and a practice in the small town he wants to serve ... the small town where he grew up ... the small town where almost everyone is related to almost everyone, and secrets kept are deep.
Dr. Nelson is accused of malpractice, The local police and local lawyers and local court and local jury are all looking into his life, his possible ineptitude and his character. With everything on the table and little else to lose, Joe begins his own investigation into the death of his patient, as Joe alone knows of his own innocence.
Joe's ongoing romantic involvement with his soon to be ex-wife puzzles some and intrigues the reader. Other characters develop as Joe's investigation begins; some are those who stand to lose both money and credibility should his investigating expose their motives, and some are those who see and appreciate Joe's capacity for putting the puzzle pieces together. Joe himself is then a target for those might have a motive and a means of having killed his young patient three years ago, and a recipient of benevolent assets and support from those who want him to succeed in exposing the guilty.
Family, relationships, community, enmity, greed and murder are all key elements of this engaging novel. Just enough medical detail is shared to keep the reader grounded in the story. I strongly recommend it to all readers of mysteries, and all readers of medical murder. And it is my fervent wish, as a reader, to know more of what will happen in the lives of these main characters. I see series potential.
Mal Practice
Dr. Nelson is accused of malpractice, The local police and local lawyers and local court and local jury are all looking into his life, his possible ineptitude and his character. With everything on the table and little else to lose, Joe begins his own investigation into the death of his patient, as Joe alone knows of his own innocence.
Joe's ongoing romantic involvement with his soon to be ex-wife puzzles some and intrigues the reader. Other characters develop as Joe's investigation begins; some are those who stand to lose both money and credibility should his investigating expose their motives, and some are those who see and appreciate Joe's capacity for putting the puzzle pieces together. Joe himself is then a target for those might have a motive and a means of having killed his young patient three years ago, and a recipient of benevolent assets and support from those who want him to succeed in exposing the guilty.
Family, relationships, community, enmity, greed and murder are all key elements of this engaging novel. Just enough medical detail is shared to keep the reader grounded in the story. I strongly recommend it to all readers of mysteries, and all readers of medical murder. And it is my fervent wish, as a reader, to know more of what will happen in the lives of these main characters. I see series potential.
Mal Practice
May 6, 2015
Full Disclosure: Paul Janson, the author of Mal Practice, gave me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and that in no way affects the review that follows.
After I had thoroughly enjoyed reading Paul Janson's latest mystery novel, The Ice Cream War, he gave me the opportunity to read Mal Practice, and I am so glad that I did! This (Mal Practice) was Paul's first novel and, already in it, the characters are so well-drawn and grab you right from the beginning. The protagonist, pediatrician Joe Nelson, manages to stay very level-headed despite being sued for malpractice, shot at, and accused of murder -- all while he is in the process of getting a divorce. If all of those events sound like they would not be fun subjects, don't be fooled -- Mal Practice is witty, charming, and entertaining as well as a very good mystery with a plot that kept me guessing til the end. The other characters play opposite Joe really well, and Mr. Janson writes exceptionally good dialogue. This is another winner, and I am looking forward now to reading Scratch next -- his YA novel about a pet cat with magical powers!
Thank you, Paul, and keep writing!
After I had thoroughly enjoyed reading Paul Janson's latest mystery novel, The Ice Cream War, he gave me the opportunity to read Mal Practice, and I am so glad that I did! This (Mal Practice) was Paul's first novel and, already in it, the characters are so well-drawn and grab you right from the beginning. The protagonist, pediatrician Joe Nelson, manages to stay very level-headed despite being sued for malpractice, shot at, and accused of murder -- all while he is in the process of getting a divorce. If all of those events sound like they would not be fun subjects, don't be fooled -- Mal Practice is witty, charming, and entertaining as well as a very good mystery with a plot that kept me guessing til the end. The other characters play opposite Joe really well, and Mr. Janson writes exceptionally good dialogue. This is another winner, and I am looking forward now to reading Scratch next -- his YA novel about a pet cat with magical powers!
Thank you, Paul, and keep writing!
July 16, 2013
I truly enjoyed Paul Jansen’s book, Mal Practice! It was one of those books that I just couldn’t put down and found myself looking at the clock wondering how it got to be midnight and saying, “just one more chapter.”
I admit that I had a feeling, early on in the story, about ‘who done it,’ but there are several twists and turns throughout the book that make you need to continue.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a good, page-turning, suspenseful novel.
I admit that I had a feeling, early on in the story, about ‘who done it,’ but there are several twists and turns throughout the book that make you need to continue.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a good, page-turning, suspenseful novel.
May 5, 2014
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
The mark of a good mystery is the "who done it" factor that keeps the reader guessing. This book had me guessing to the end. It's a very good read.
The mark of a good mystery is the "who done it" factor that keeps the reader guessing. This book had me guessing to the end. It's a very good read.
August 23, 2019
I really enjoyed reading Mal-Practice. Dr. Joe Nelson is the main character he gets himself into trouble someone accuses him of mal-practice after a young patient of his dies in the emergency room after given medicine. Dr. Nelson is accused and he makes it his business to get to the truth because he knows he did not make an error in the dosing he gave. The police are no friend to Joe they accuse him of staging a fake attempted murder on himself with his own gun. Someone wants him dead and does not want the truth to come out. Shady business is happening at the hospital and money is being stolen from the hospital to keep these secrets from coming out Dr, Nelson is put in the middle and all fingers are pointing at him as the culprit. His wife also works at the same hospital she works in the ER. The sad part is she is ambitious and he is not she is working towards getting a promotion to Surgeon General which will require her to move to DC and Joe is a small town doctor. So they both agree to a divorce. This is amicable and they both love each other it is just not going to work for them being in separate cities. The plot thickens as the story goes along Joe is found innocent in the end and he joins forces with a local detective who believes he is being set up.
November 24, 2014
When writing a novel - writing what you know is the best way to go. This author has done just that. He is a doctor working in a mining town in an ED, emergency room. The pace of Mal Practice is swift and action filled with plenty of twists and turns and surprises. It all begins when a four-year-old little girl dies in an emergency room supposedly from an overdose of medication that is supposed to save her life. Only one person, Dr. Joe Nelson, who treated the child, could be responsible or so it seems. When Dr. Nelson goes on trial for this death strange things come to fold and nothing is what it seems. Even his lawyer's trust is questionable. His wife, soon to be ex, comes to his aid along with a Sergeant Moore from the police department who believe in his innocence.
There are many players in this novel, some whom can be trusted, others not so much. The characters are well defined and interesting and the author makes you care about them. A thoroughly enjoyable and quick read which I could not put down. I look forward to more exciting novels from this talented author.
There are many players in this novel, some whom can be trusted, others not so much. The characters are well defined and interesting and the author makes you care about them. A thoroughly enjoyable and quick read which I could not put down. I look forward to more exciting novels from this talented author.
May 16, 2015
Medicine mystery and murder. Paul Janson's first novel is a quick read. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
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on sale now - 1.99 KINDLE http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Fictio...
March 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were people any one can relate to, the story line solid and interesting, and the mystery engaging right up to the end.
The action moves between hospital and courtroom and I admit I've never been a fan of medical mysteries but the characters in this one are o likable that the story held my interest.
Its a quick red. I'd recommend it.
The action moves between hospital and courtroom and I admit I've never been a fan of medical mysteries but the characters in this one are o likable that the story held my interest.
Its a quick red. I'd recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews