Sleight of Hand

Hart and Drake #2

by C.J. Lyons

From New York Times and USA Today Bestseller CJ Lyons: "There's an oath doctors take," Detective Mickey Drake said. "Primum non nocere," the shrink supplied. "First do no harm." Her award-winning medical suspense series, featuring Hart & Drake: Two months ago Dr. Cassandra Hart was forced to kill a man. The man who murdered her best friend, almost killed Drake and seriously wounded her. Now she's back at work in her Pittsburgh ER, but nothing seems the same. When she fears that a young boy is being abused by his "perfect" mother, her friends and colleagues worry that she's returned to work too soon, imagining dangers that don't exist. Others accuse her of trying to cover up her own alleged mistakes in the boy's treatment by making a false report of abuse. Drake's facing problems of his own, trying to cope with the aftermath of the night two months ago when his passion for Cassie led to a confrontation with a killer. He's on desk duty, reviewing cold cases, and delves into the homicide case that killed his father seven years ago. But after so long, what good can he do, a cop without a gun? The stakes escalate when Cassie is almost killed and Drake finds evidence that the killer his father was tracking might be planning to strike again--this time targeting a young boy. With the lives of two children at stake, how can they walk away? Download your copy of SLEIGHT OF HAND today! Haven't fallen in love with Hart and Drake yet? Check out NERVES OF STEEL, their first book. Praise for CJ Lyons and her bestselling Thrillers with Heart: "Everything a great thriller should be--action packed, authentic, and intense." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child "Compelling...I love how the characters come alive on every page." --New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver "A pulse-pounding adrenaline rush."--Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author "The perfect blend of romance and suspense. My kind of read."--Sandra Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author "A high-stakes adventure with dire consequences."--Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author "Packed with adrenaline."--David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author "Tense, whip-smart medical scenes ... gripping."--Tess Gerritson, New York Times bestselling author "Harrowing, emotional, action-packed and brilliantly realized ... an irresistible read."--Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author "Exciting ... engrossing, intriguing."--Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author "An adrenaline rush and an all-around great read."--Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author "Breathtakingly fast-paced."--Publishers Weekly "Delves deep into the human soul." RT Book Reviews

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Contemporary

424 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2011

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels, former pediatric ER doctor CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

Two times winner of the International Thriller Writers coveted Thriller Award, CJ has been called a "master within the genre" (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as "breathtakingly fast-paced" and "riveting" (Publishers Weekly) with "characters with beating hearts and three dimensions" (Newsday).

Learn more about CJ's Thrillers with Heart at www.CJLyons.net

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got off to a slow start, but the overall plot did manage to grip me and keep me wanting to read on and finish it to see how it ended. Were the characters believable? No. Was the whole story bordering on the rediculous? Yes. But somehow, despite it all, I couldn't put it down, even though I can't put a finger on why. I enjoyed this book, and I will read the next one too.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always feel rather sad when I see that an author is "a former physician," since I have personal knowledge of places in this country where someone (with insurance) can wait over two years for a personal care physician. On the other hand, this experience in an author does make for good reading when s/he writes about a medical setting. This second outing for Dr. Cassandra Hart, ER physician, and Michael Drake, police detective, is excellent in conveying the excitement and adrenalin of trying to save a patient in an emergency situation. I was riveted through much of the book (except for the sex scenes -- which didn't add much). Although it's quite melodramatic (as in the protagonists undergoing one damned thing after another), it never quite reaches the level of not being believable. I will definitely read the next books in the series.

[Jo Ann Reinhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this series and I find it as compelling as the first! I love C.J. Lyons writing style and have read several of her books, I am always ready to grab the next one as soon as I finish!
Hart is facing the loss of everything she holds dear. How do you fight back when your words and actions are under the microscope and are being twisted to be used against you? As Drake fights to finish and close his fathers final case, a cold case where children are the victims, he pulls further away from Hart, just when she needs him the most.
Can these two win their battles and make it back to each other?
These characters have heart and a passion!

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential but it was so OTT that I just kept rolling my eyes. I'm not sure I liked Cassie Hart. She didn't treat the people she works with all that well and when just about everyone has an issue with you maybe it's you not them. I liked Drake more than Hart but some of the ways he treated Hart drove me crazy. The back and forth between these two was never ending and got very frustrating. The suspense plot was good but all the drama that went with it and the easy solution at the end was unbelievable. I won't be reading anymore of this series.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyons has a very readable writing style; this book held my interest throughout. Again, the grammatical and structural errors were distracting and required frequent looking back to follow the plot and understand the dialogue. Lyons does tend to overstress her themes too - she just about beat the dead horse of trust to death in this one. Hart and Drake's constant back and forth misunderstandings became annoying at times.

[Tulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book.

Loving, caring and crusading characters. But one just completely opposite sycophantic mother. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, many innocent children. Also Drake trying to finish his father's case. At the end after so many twists and turns you'll be feeling good about reading this book.

[Julie Born · Rating 3 out of 5]

OMG 3 stars might be too high

Where to start? Not a good book on so many levels. First the absurdity of this women fooling everyone but Cassie. Also, the relationship between Cassie and Drake is so up and down to be ridiculous. They get angry very quickly when given wrong information and never take the time to find out the truth and then in the next sentence they make up. Over and over - really!?!
The number of people acting so far from reality is amazing. From nurses to doctors - that an head of a Pediatrics Department would act this way is so unbelievable. I did finish th the book only to see the mother get caught. No spoilers here, it's pretty obvious early on that she would, just a matter of how.
I purchased this quite a while ago and apparently read the first book in the series. Now I know why I hadn't read the 2nd. I for sure won't read the3rd.

[James Malcolm Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good yarn which held my interest most of the time. I must admit I became a bit tired of all the emotional baggage between Carrie and Drake. While I am not a prude some of the sex scenes did not ring true to me - went on and on. On saying that it was still a gripping story.
Jim Thomas - North Turramurra NSW.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleight of Hand

In book 2 the thrill and suspense continues for Cassie and Drake. They have their ups and downs. They both have issues with getting over their near death experience in book 1. This time Cassie faces potential loss of her medical career and Drake is on desk duty until he’s cleared by the department shrink. Very good storyline.

[Patti Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PHARMACIST 'S VIEW



A lifetime career in the medical profession has rendered me a love of medical mysteries. And who. among us can resist romance? The best of both written by C J Lyons! Always unputdownable! Trust me!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to read this book but that's rather unusual for me. The book was very engaging and interesting. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the author had A great writing style.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleight of Hand review

Sleight of Hand is the excellent second medical/ police thriller in the Hart and Drake series written by author C. J. Lyons.

[E Sano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, told pretty well. The series is beginning to find its legs.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one hell of ride for Hart & Drake!!!!Loved it:)

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

The medical drama was very compelling, but the physical relationship between Drake and Hart is very cringey.

[Sweedle D'souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful chemistry between Drake and Cassandra. Love the way both go through their difficult situations with courage and presence of mind.

[Barbara Lalumiere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleight of Hand

Lots to like about this book but I was disappointed with the lack of closure at the end with the characters that gave Hart the worst time

[Sarah Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok - not a page turner

[Dick Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review contains spoilers, so don't read further if you want to read the book and be surprised. This book is the second in the series of Hart-Drake mysteries. This one is a little different that the first (Nerves of Steel), in that Hart and Drake are sleuthing two different cases related only by the fact that injury/death to children are involved. In Hart’s case, she is the only one who suspects that the pregnant woman Virginia Ulrich has caused the death of her previous children through a phenomenon called “Münchausen syndrome by proxy.” Throughout most of the book, it appears that she will be unable to prove this, and indeed gets into professional and legal trouble trying to do so. I think the last-minute resolution of the problem in her favor is a little too easy and unrealistic. Drake’s case stems from his digging into old, unsolved cases, and involves a man murdering young boys. Again, I think he solves the mystery too easily. I’m tired of Hart and Drake, and don’t think I’ll read any more of them. I give this book a 5 out of 10.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting read featuring Hart and Drake. Hart and Drake spend way too much time confused about their relationship. But each has a story with challenges to oevercome.

When she fears that a young boy is being abused by his "perfect" mother, her friends and colleagues worry that she's returned to work too soon, imagining dangers that don't exist. Others accuse her of trying to cover up her own alleged mistakes in the boy's treatment by making a false report of abuse.This was such a frustrating story, I just wanted to scream at the people who didn't believe her.


Drake's facing problems of his own, trying to cope with the aftermath of the night two months ago when his passion for Cassie led to a confrontation with a killer. He's on desk duty, reviewing cold cases, and delves into the homicide case that killed his father seven years ago. But after so long, what good can he do, a cop without a gun? He does plenty and cleverly is able to solve the cold case.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.J. Lyons continues the Hart/Drake magic. I have to admit that the beginning of the book didn't have alot of the romance between Hart & Drake that I would have liked, it was very cold between the two of them. However, I understood the circumstances, we all have "stuff" within our relationships.

Overall, great book, great climax and great ending.

[Selenis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard to wait to finish this one.
I have to say I was surprised - even if it was not surprising - how Drake and Hart grew apart at first.
The whole book had a darker mood than the last one, but things kind of worked out. Not the end I was expecting, nonetheless often in real life what you get is partial justice, at best.
Already starting on book 3!

[Gjbates · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I liked this one a little less than the first book. I think it was because Drake and Hart were apart more in this book with different stories going one. They also were making me crazy with them blaming themselves for what had gone wrong and then blaming each other. I was especially annoyed when Drake believed that Hart still had feelings for her awful ex-husband.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical CJ Lyons novel.... Suspense ratchets up from the beginning 'til. You have to finish it. Some situations may not be totally realistic, but the book is so intense that it really doesn't matter. If you want perfect, no-stretch stories, stick with non-fiction. I read for entertainment and this book absolutely fills the bill.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga of Hart and Drake continues, and it's a great read. Occasionally I get frustrated because the two of them are too human and create some of their own problems, but then I think of people I know well (who shall remain nameless), and I sigh. lol
Once again I did not want to put this book down until I finished. Thanks for another great read, CJ.
I have book 3 in my reading queue...

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not thrilled where this book went, Hart and Drake were infuriating and annoying. The book finally started to get good half way through. I have to say, Richard is my favorite. I feel out of all the characters he was written well. You hate him and feel bad for him all the same.

[Sarah Welch]

Oh My Goodness... Just when you think maybe Hart can get her career back on track and maybe get something good going with Drake... More craziness happens. I was very enthralled to see how the drama played out. Reading this one took two days top...

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read. Cassie's character is not realistic in the sense that she would be able to continue to practice medicine the way she does. In teal life she wouldn't be able to treat patients while being suspended.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Hart and Drake's series. This time the two had overcome the aftermath from the first book and Hart is trying to save a little boy's life and Drake is trying to solve his father's last case. I like the chemistry between the two main characters and the mystery was good.

[D.B. Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I like Drake, not sure about Hart. I think she might in the wrong business, or at least the wrong hospital. The plot on this book is similar to the first, with only the details slightly rearranged. I'm hoping her next book will be something different, because the series shows potential.