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Medical Judgment
Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They've stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. Her late husband's best friend and a recovering alcoholic detective are trying to solve the mystery before it's too late, but both appear to be vying for her affection as well. Sarah finds herself in constant fear as the process plays out.
As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?
As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2016
39 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Richard L. Mabry
30 books520 followersDr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, past Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and the author of twelve published novels of medical suspense and six novellas. His books have been finalists in competitions including ACFW’s Carol Award and Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year, and have won the Selah Award from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference.
Richard’s non-fiction book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse (Kregel Publishers), has ministered to multiple thousands of grieving individuals. His meditations and short pieces have appeared in The Upper Room, In Touch, and several other periodicals.
When Richard is not writing, he spends his time reading, working fruitlessly to improve his golf game, and defending his title as the world’s best Granddad. He and his wife live in north Texas and are active members of Stonebriar Community Church, pastored by Dr. Chuck Swindoll.
Richard’s non-fiction book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse (Kregel Publishers), has ministered to multiple thousands of grieving individuals. His meditations and short pieces have appeared in The Upper Room, In Touch, and several other periodicals.
When Richard is not writing, he spends his time reading, working fruitlessly to improve his golf game, and defending his title as the world’s best Granddad. He and his wife live in north Texas and are active members of Stonebriar Community Church, pastored by Dr. Chuck Swindoll.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 15, 2016
This suspense novel was just o.k. for me. I liked the main character Sarah and found the actions she took to be believable. I also enjoyed the medical details included in the story.
What fell short for me was the writing and it was tough to believe who the villain turned out to be. The writing was not bad. It was just a bit simplistic.
I would read other novels by this author.
What fell short for me was the writing and it was tough to believe who the villain turned out to be. The writing was not bad. It was just a bit simplistic.
I would read other novels by this author.
June 19, 2016
Dr. Richard Mabry’s latest blend of mystery/suspense and medical drama – with a touch of romance – had me on the edge of my seat, trying to stay ahead of Sarah’s stalker and fend off all of her unwanted suitors for her!
The plot and the suspense remained steady throughout – not so intense that you might find yourself in need of Dr. Sarah Gordon’s ER before it’s over but with enough twists and turns that it will keep you guessing. It was the right combination (for me) of a puzzle to solve, dramatic events to keep the blood hopping, and police procedural to calm things down and help with that puzzle. And the insights into Sarah’s stalker (scene snippets written from his perspective) successfully added to the thriller-creepiness quotient!
Don’t relax while you’re reading Medical Judgment! I mean, if Sarah can’t, you really shouldn’t either out of solidarity. But even if you wanted to abandon poor Sarah since she lives in the book and you don’t, you still shouldn’t relax. Fires and gunshots and creepy stalkers. And then there are the emergency room scenes. Not to mention the trail of twitterpated men that Sarah leaves in her wake. From chapter one to “the end”, Richard L. Mabry’s latest novel may have you seeking medical attention for a raised pulse and insomnia, but it’s totally worth it!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
The plot and the suspense remained steady throughout – not so intense that you might find yourself in need of Dr. Sarah Gordon’s ER before it’s over but with enough twists and turns that it will keep you guessing. It was the right combination (for me) of a puzzle to solve, dramatic events to keep the blood hopping, and police procedural to calm things down and help with that puzzle. And the insights into Sarah’s stalker (scene snippets written from his perspective) successfully added to the thriller-creepiness quotient!
Don’t relax while you’re reading Medical Judgment! I mean, if Sarah can’t, you really shouldn’t either out of solidarity. But even if you wanted to abandon poor Sarah since she lives in the book and you don’t, you still shouldn’t relax. Fires and gunshots and creepy stalkers. And then there are the emergency room scenes. Not to mention the trail of twitterpated men that Sarah leaves in her wake. From chapter one to “the end”, Richard L. Mabry’s latest novel may have you seeking medical attention for a raised pulse and insomnia, but it’s totally worth it!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
June 7, 2016
This is the first book I've read by this author and there were a few things I liked and a few things I didn't care for.
I felt like the mystery was fairly well done with plenty of situations and characters introduced that could be the stalker. And I liked the character of Dr. Sarah Gordon, who is struggling to move on with her life after the tragic death of her husband and daughter. After somewhat restoring her relationship with God, she also gets fed up with her stalker and shows her own strength by making a stand. I admired that about her character.
However, I really didn't like the two main male characters. They both thought about having feelings for Sarah but the one was pushy about it and the other character was still thinking about getting back with his divorced wife. And the romance that happened toward the end of the book was almost unbelievable. It would have had more depth if it had started earlier in the book.
There are a lot of 5 & 4 star reviews for this book so others obviously enjoyed it more than I did but all in all, I guess this writing style just didn't appeal to me.
*Thanks to Litfuse and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*
I felt like the mystery was fairly well done with plenty of situations and characters introduced that could be the stalker. And I liked the character of Dr. Sarah Gordon, who is struggling to move on with her life after the tragic death of her husband and daughter. After somewhat restoring her relationship with God, she also gets fed up with her stalker and shows her own strength by making a stand. I admired that about her character.
However, I really didn't like the two main male characters. They both thought about having feelings for Sarah but the one was pushy about it and the other character was still thinking about getting back with his divorced wife. And the romance that happened toward the end of the book was almost unbelievable. It would have had more depth if it had started earlier in the book.
There are a lot of 5 & 4 star reviews for this book so others obviously enjoyed it more than I did but all in all, I guess this writing style just didn't appeal to me.
*Thanks to Litfuse and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*
January 12, 2018
Dr. Sarah Gordon is being targeted and she has no idea why. She's still grieving the loss of her husband, Harry, and their daughter, Jenny. Both died in a car accident nine months ago. She lives alone and keeps busy with her work in the Emergency Room of a local hospital. Harry's best friend, Kyle Andrews, has been helping her cope with the aftermath of her family's deaths and she's called on him a couple of times since the trouble started. First, when a fire was deliberately started in her garage while she was sleeping. Second, when someone took a shot at her as she was entering her home.
Detective Bill Larson, a recovering alcoholic, is assigned to investigate Sarah's case. He begins by looking into anyone who might have a grudge against her. Sarah can't think of anyone who might want to hurt her. Sure, she's upset a few people over the years she's been practicing medicine, but up until now she's never had anyone seeking revenge against her. And her personal life is the same. She doesn't have a lot of friends and gets along well with her coworkers.
As things begin to escalate, both Kyle and Bill scramble to protect Sarah. Both have feelings for her, although Bill still holds out hope his wife and daughter will come back to him once they see he's staying sober. He's still tempted to take a drink on occasion and often calls his pastor when that happens. The man is also Kyle's and Sarah's pastor as all three attend the same church.
There is a strong spiritual element to the story which only added to its appeal for me. I liked the fact the characters were vulnerable and sometimes needed help sorting through their feelings and emotions, as well as their circumstances.
This was very well written. Its obvious the author did his research given his knowledge of police procedure and all it involves. There was also a very slight bit of romance towards the end that fit right into the flow of the story. I would love to see more of Detective Larson and am hoping he'll one day have his own story. All in all, a very enjoyable book, one I'm glad I took the time to read.
Detective Bill Larson, a recovering alcoholic, is assigned to investigate Sarah's case. He begins by looking into anyone who might have a grudge against her. Sarah can't think of anyone who might want to hurt her. Sure, she's upset a few people over the years she's been practicing medicine, but up until now she's never had anyone seeking revenge against her. And her personal life is the same. She doesn't have a lot of friends and gets along well with her coworkers.
As things begin to escalate, both Kyle and Bill scramble to protect Sarah. Both have feelings for her, although Bill still holds out hope his wife and daughter will come back to him once they see he's staying sober. He's still tempted to take a drink on occasion and often calls his pastor when that happens. The man is also Kyle's and Sarah's pastor as all three attend the same church.
There is a strong spiritual element to the story which only added to its appeal for me. I liked the fact the characters were vulnerable and sometimes needed help sorting through their feelings and emotions, as well as their circumstances.
This was very well written. Its obvious the author did his research given his knowledge of police procedure and all it involves. There was also a very slight bit of romance towards the end that fit right into the flow of the story. I would love to see more of Detective Larson and am hoping he'll one day have his own story. All in all, a very enjoyable book, one I'm glad I took the time to read.
December 5, 2016
I do so love a creepy stalker story even if it leaves me feeling like I need to resurrect my childhood nightlight habit. Mabry has woven a clever suspense with plenty of potential suspects and a criminal with an imaginatively evil mind. There's an equal dose of sinister danger and police procedural along with the occasional menacing point of view courtesy of Sarah's stalker. Shudder. I had a great time trying fit the pieces of the puzzle together and eventually succeeded....sort of. :-)
Then there's Sarah's 'ordinary' life. Her ER doctor persona is self-assured and decisive but that doesn't carry over into her off-duty hours. Not since she was widowed nearly a year ago. I loved the way she comes into her own as the story progresses. That old saying, "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger" seems to take on a whole new meaning when it comes to Sarah. And there's some great faith exploration as well, involving several characters. A captivating suspense that will keep you turning pages right to the end.
Then there's Sarah's 'ordinary' life. Her ER doctor persona is self-assured and decisive but that doesn't carry over into her off-duty hours. Not since she was widowed nearly a year ago. I loved the way she comes into her own as the story progresses. That old saying, "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger" seems to take on a whole new meaning when it comes to Sarah. And there's some great faith exploration as well, involving several characters. A captivating suspense that will keep you turning pages right to the end.
October 25, 2016
Good Suspense story, I really liked the main character and the parts about her dog. He was sweet. I could not guess who the stalker/tormentor/attempted murderer was and I liked all of the secondary characters and how you knew what the stalker/tormentor/attempted murderer was thinking by the way it was italicized in the book.
January 10, 2018
I have read two other books by this author that were fast-paced and easy to read. I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. It was supposed to be a suspense but I felt like the book got bogged down by the feelings of the 3 main characters. It felt like most of the book was them thinking about their lives. It felt heavy and hard to get through. By the end, I was glad that the reveal of the whodunit was quick, yet it left a lot of questions about the characters, especially the 2 male characters. If you like a book that delves into the emotions of three people who are trying to move on with their lives through counseling of a pastor, you will like this book. I am not giving up on this author, but I hope he goes back to fast-paced suspense novels.
June 2, 2016
Medical Judgment by Richard Mabry is a Christian thriller and I loved it. I always love Richard Mabry's novels as they keep me guessing to the end. I never can correctly predict the 'baddie'.
Medical Judgment deals with the theme of loss and grief. Dr Sarah Gordon has suffered a double bereavement. Police chief Bill Larson has been through a divorce. Lawyer Kyle Andrews suffered a bereavement. All of them handle loss differently. Grief makes Sarah angry at both God for failing to prevent the tragedy and husband Harry for dying (before the book opens). In her grief Sarah turned away from God and stopped going to church. "It is important after a loss... to let God back into your life." Kyle immersed himself in work. And Bill is trying to be good and earn both the respect of his ex wife and God.
This links in with the theme of grace versus good works. Bill cannot ever be 'good enough' for God. None of us can. It is not about working your way into heaven. It is all about grace. Jesus has already paid the price for our sins so we don't have to. It is by grace that we don't deserve that we have been saved, not by good works.
Forgiveness ties in with grace. "She couldn't bring herself to forgive God." Sarah is hurting and lashes out at God. She is angry at being left alone, at her dreams dying. She needs to let God back into her life so He can minister to her hurt. "No matter what we experience, God's still in control." Whatever life throws at us, God never leaves us. He walks alongside us in our pain and grief.
Within the novel there is also the theme of survivors guilt. Sarah feels guilty for living. She feels guilty for thinking about moving on. She needs confirmation that it is ok to live and be happy.
Richard Mabry shows the importance of the role of a pastor in people's lives. Pastor Steve leads his flock well, dispensing advice when asked and giving support when needed.
The novel deals with the topic of alcoholism. "God is always there to help us when that baggage tries to drag us down." Being a Christian does not make us immune to temptations. When they come, it is important to have godly people around you to support you.
Medical Judgment is a fast paced thriller with more than a hint of menace. Richard Mabry writes the story from several viewpoints, including that of the 'baddie'. This allows the reader to get into the cold and calculating head. The reader wonders what has happened to drive this person to act in the way they do.
Within the novel there is a wonderful bond between a person and their dog. The loyalty of man's best friend is unwavering and beautifully written. It is a motif for God Who will never leave us nor forsake us. He is totally loyal to us and we can depend on Him completely.
I absolutely loved Medical Judgment. I loved the characters. I loved the storyline. Richard Mabry puts in just enough medical details for the untrained reader to follow. His plot is well constructed. The reader has questions, all of which are answered in the end.
Thank you Richard Mabry. Please keep writing as I want more, more, more!
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.
Medical Judgment deals with the theme of loss and grief. Dr Sarah Gordon has suffered a double bereavement. Police chief Bill Larson has been through a divorce. Lawyer Kyle Andrews suffered a bereavement. All of them handle loss differently. Grief makes Sarah angry at both God for failing to prevent the tragedy and husband Harry for dying (before the book opens). In her grief Sarah turned away from God and stopped going to church. "It is important after a loss... to let God back into your life." Kyle immersed himself in work. And Bill is trying to be good and earn both the respect of his ex wife and God.
This links in with the theme of grace versus good works. Bill cannot ever be 'good enough' for God. None of us can. It is not about working your way into heaven. It is all about grace. Jesus has already paid the price for our sins so we don't have to. It is by grace that we don't deserve that we have been saved, not by good works.
Forgiveness ties in with grace. "She couldn't bring herself to forgive God." Sarah is hurting and lashes out at God. She is angry at being left alone, at her dreams dying. She needs to let God back into her life so He can minister to her hurt. "No matter what we experience, God's still in control." Whatever life throws at us, God never leaves us. He walks alongside us in our pain and grief.
Within the novel there is also the theme of survivors guilt. Sarah feels guilty for living. She feels guilty for thinking about moving on. She needs confirmation that it is ok to live and be happy.
Richard Mabry shows the importance of the role of a pastor in people's lives. Pastor Steve leads his flock well, dispensing advice when asked and giving support when needed.
The novel deals with the topic of alcoholism. "God is always there to help us when that baggage tries to drag us down." Being a Christian does not make us immune to temptations. When they come, it is important to have godly people around you to support you.
Medical Judgment is a fast paced thriller with more than a hint of menace. Richard Mabry writes the story from several viewpoints, including that of the 'baddie'. This allows the reader to get into the cold and calculating head. The reader wonders what has happened to drive this person to act in the way they do.
Within the novel there is a wonderful bond between a person and their dog. The loyalty of man's best friend is unwavering and beautifully written. It is a motif for God Who will never leave us nor forsake us. He is totally loyal to us and we can depend on Him completely.
I absolutely loved Medical Judgment. I loved the characters. I loved the storyline. Richard Mabry puts in just enough medical details for the untrained reader to follow. His plot is well constructed. The reader has questions, all of which are answered in the end.
Thank you Richard Mabry. Please keep writing as I want more, more, more!
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.
September 23, 2018
Medical Judgement is a standalone medical thriller, but the focus is definitely on the thriller side rather than the medical (which is good news for all those who turn away from the gory parts on TV shows like House).
Dr Sarah Gordon has recently lost her husband and daughter in a car accident, and is having trouble getting past the grief. She's woken one night by smoke in the house--someone has lit a pile of oily rags in her garage. It's more annoying than dangerous, but it's the start of a chain of events: someone is after her.
As with all good thrillers, we get an early insight into the mind of the perpetrator so we know what he's planning while Sarah--his intended victim--doesn't. What we don't know is his identity, which means the tension ramps up every time a new male character is introduced and we ask if this is the whacko. Sarah is an excellent character, weak at first but who gradually grows stronger as she decides she's going to get past her grief and not let this guy win.
There are some excellent supporting characters as well: Bill Larson, the recovering alchoholic detective with a broken marriage. Kyle Andrews, a friend of Sarah's husband who seems to want to get a little too close to Sarah. Steve Farber, Sarah's pastor and another recovering alcoholic.
And the plot made sense (thankfully. The last Richard Mabry novel I read left me feeling confused as to the identity and motive of the perpetrator), and I enjoyed the subtle Christian themes woven into the story.
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Dr Sarah Gordon has recently lost her husband and daughter in a car accident, and is having trouble getting past the grief. She's woken one night by smoke in the house--someone has lit a pile of oily rags in her garage. It's more annoying than dangerous, but it's the start of a chain of events: someone is after her.
As with all good thrillers, we get an early insight into the mind of the perpetrator so we know what he's planning while Sarah--his intended victim--doesn't. What we don't know is his identity, which means the tension ramps up every time a new male character is introduced and we ask if this is the whacko. Sarah is an excellent character, weak at first but who gradually grows stronger as she decides she's going to get past her grief and not let this guy win.
There are some excellent supporting characters as well: Bill Larson, the recovering alchoholic detective with a broken marriage. Kyle Andrews, a friend of Sarah's husband who seems to want to get a little too close to Sarah. Steve Farber, Sarah's pastor and another recovering alcoholic.
And the plot made sense (thankfully. The last Richard Mabry novel I read left me feeling confused as to the identity and motive of the perpetrator), and I enjoyed the subtle Christian themes woven into the story.
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
May 29, 2016
Dr. Mabry has done it again, and I had to page turn just to keep up with all that is going on. The story has a really sad happening with the deaths of Dr. Sarah Gordon’s husband and two year old daughter.
We find a woman angry with God, and trying to move on, but also trying to hang on to the past. While doing this something or someone so evil is stalking this poor woman, will anyone be able to help her before it is to late?
As this story goes one, I found myself not wanting to trust anyone, even her pastor; everyone is suspect to doing these horrible things to her. We have fires, gunshots, leaving the form of a body in her bed, a doll just like her daughters on her doorstep, on and on. Are they trying to drive her mad, or are they looking to kill her.
There are also men who you suspect to being the perpetrator, that seem to want to have a relationship with her, almost to a possessive nature. All I found myself wanting was peace for her, and a new life, but is that even going to be possible?
If you like to read books that keep you stomach in your throat, don’t miss this one!
I received this book through Litfuse, and the Publisher Abingdon, and was not required to give a positive review.
We find a woman angry with God, and trying to move on, but also trying to hang on to the past. While doing this something or someone so evil is stalking this poor woman, will anyone be able to help her before it is to late?
As this story goes one, I found myself not wanting to trust anyone, even her pastor; everyone is suspect to doing these horrible things to her. We have fires, gunshots, leaving the form of a body in her bed, a doll just like her daughters on her doorstep, on and on. Are they trying to drive her mad, or are they looking to kill her.
There are also men who you suspect to being the perpetrator, that seem to want to have a relationship with her, almost to a possessive nature. All I found myself wanting was peace for her, and a new life, but is that even going to be possible?
If you like to read books that keep you stomach in your throat, don’t miss this one!
I received this book through Litfuse, and the Publisher Abingdon, and was not required to give a positive review.
June 1, 2016
Eight months ago Dr. Sarah Gordon lost her husband and daughter in a tragic car accident. Since then she's been receiving prank calls and thinks someone may be watching her. As if her grief isn't enough, her stalker has decided to set fire to her home. Now she's in fear of her life and is staying one step ahead of them with the help of her husband's best friend and a detective. Everyone seems to be at a loss as to who has Sarah in their cross hairs and why.
This book started off in the middle of the suspense and didn't let up. I love this author's ability to pull the reader into the action with the descriptive details and real to life characters. The rawness of the emotions and the tiny clues that help solve the mystery are all part of a great plot. The author also does a great job of showing authentic faith and what it means for each person. He had quite a few secondary characters that I can see easily going on to have their own books later. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and eagerly look forward to his next one.
I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
This book started off in the middle of the suspense and didn't let up. I love this author's ability to pull the reader into the action with the descriptive details and real to life characters. The rawness of the emotions and the tiny clues that help solve the mystery are all part of a great plot. The author also does a great job of showing authentic faith and what it means for each person. He had quite a few secondary characters that I can see easily going on to have their own books later. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and eagerly look forward to his next one.
I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
June 10, 2016
The mind-chilling scenario of being a widowed young professional and finding yourself the victim of various types of stalking, threats, and with harm seemingly awaiting your every turn strikes fear into the hearts of readers as they plunge into Medical Judgment by beloved author Richard L.Mabry, M.D.
Lovely Dr. Sarah Gordon has the protection of a law enforcer and an attorney but she doesn't feel protected. She feels threatened and all are seeking to find the source of her horrors.
She refuses to leave her home which is the location of all these horrific events to seek a protected location at which to live until these threats on herself cease. She continues to go to work in the Emergency Room of the local hospital even though it puts her in danger to do so.
What a roller coaster of a read. Dr. Gordon resolute strength is to be admired but one wonders if such resolution will be her eventual downfall.
A super good read from Dr. Mabry. Can't wait for another!
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine & I was not compensated.
Lovely Dr. Sarah Gordon has the protection of a law enforcer and an attorney but she doesn't feel protected. She feels threatened and all are seeking to find the source of her horrors.
She refuses to leave her home which is the location of all these horrific events to seek a protected location at which to live until these threats on herself cease. She continues to go to work in the Emergency Room of the local hospital even though it puts her in danger to do so.
What a roller coaster of a read. Dr. Gordon resolute strength is to be admired but one wonders if such resolution will be her eventual downfall.
A super good read from Dr. Mabry. Can't wait for another!
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine & I was not compensated.
September 7, 2016
This is a well-written and exciting thriller with a Christian message. I really like that! The author does a fine job of incorporating Christian concepts into every day conversation, which is something I try to do. In this book, Dr Sarah Gordon is being targeted by an unknown evil-doer, for unknown reasons. He started out with crank phone calls at midnight, then escalated to setting her garage on fire, then took a shot at her outside her home. The police are frantically trying to figure out who it is before he can kill her. She is also dealing with the death of her husband and daughter 10 months prior in a car accident and doesn't know if she can really trust the motives of the men who are trying to help her. Along the way we learn a little bit about emergency room medicine. I'll read more from this author.
June 13, 2016
A good, clean, suspenseful medical drama! Full of red herrings, I had no idea who was behind the stalker's mask until the end. Multiple characters dealing with loss from traumatic events, divorce, death, and alcoholism. Looking at grief from different angles, using Biblical counselling, made some of the dialogue seem therapeutic. Accurately portrayed hospital scenarios and medical term use makes this author's writing educational too. Recommend!
(Book provided by NetGalley and publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
(Book provided by NetGalley and publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
September 5, 2016
I really enjoy Dr. Richard Mabry's books. A retired physician, Richard Mabry writes Christian fiction in a medical setting. Thoroughly enjoyable, with the right amount of suspense, true to life medical drama, I'm never disappointed in his work.
*I was provided a free copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
*I was provided a free copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
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March 22, 2016You can read my review in the May 2016 issue of RT Bookreviews magazine.
May 14, 2017
Someone is stalking Dr. Sarah Gordon. Recently widowed and living alone, Sarah lost more than her husband. She also lost her baby daughter, Jenny. Why then, would someone compound her grief this way? It started with hangup calls, then a fire was set in her garage while she was sleeping. As the danger escalates where can she turn for help?
Kyle Andrews was Harry Gordon's best friend. An attorney, he knows about grief from the inside since his fiancee died in a freak accident while doing mission work in Guatemala. When Sarah calls him for advice on speaking to the police about the fire, he drops everything to rush to her aid. The more he's with her, the deeper his feelings for her run.
Detective Bill Larson is called to the scene of the fire at Sarah's. As he questions the beautiful, articulate doctor, his interest is piqued. Recently divorced, Larson hopes to reconcile with his ex but that won't happen unless he can remain sober. As the pressure mounts and the incidents aimed at harming Sarah increase, can he find the strength to withstand his addiction?
This story had so many intertwined threads that it was sometimes tough to keep them separated. I loved how each of the main characters looked to their pastor for Godly counsel during their time of deepest distress. I also appreciated Mabry's emphasis from each character that inner peace has more to do with their relationship with God than on external factors. I also loved how obvious it was that the author is himself a medical doctor - the scenes in the ER where Sarah works pop with authenticity! I could almost feel the pressure they are under.
Readers who enjoy a good mystery or police procedural will enjoy Medical Judgement. There's a touch of romance for the romance loving reader but the main thrust of the book is in the mystery. I definitely recommend this!
Kyle Andrews was Harry Gordon's best friend. An attorney, he knows about grief from the inside since his fiancee died in a freak accident while doing mission work in Guatemala. When Sarah calls him for advice on speaking to the police about the fire, he drops everything to rush to her aid. The more he's with her, the deeper his feelings for her run.
Detective Bill Larson is called to the scene of the fire at Sarah's. As he questions the beautiful, articulate doctor, his interest is piqued. Recently divorced, Larson hopes to reconcile with his ex but that won't happen unless he can remain sober. As the pressure mounts and the incidents aimed at harming Sarah increase, can he find the strength to withstand his addiction?
This story had so many intertwined threads that it was sometimes tough to keep them separated. I loved how each of the main characters looked to their pastor for Godly counsel during their time of deepest distress. I also appreciated Mabry's emphasis from each character that inner peace has more to do with their relationship with God than on external factors. I also loved how obvious it was that the author is himself a medical doctor - the scenes in the ER where Sarah works pop with authenticity! I could almost feel the pressure they are under.
Readers who enjoy a good mystery or police procedural will enjoy Medical Judgement. There's a touch of romance for the romance loving reader but the main thrust of the book is in the mystery. I definitely recommend this!
May 10, 2017
I love a good mystery, don't you? And this one is definitely good. However, don't trust my opinion. You should get this and make your own decision.
Sarah Gordon is an emergency room doctor struggling with grief after losing her husband and two-year-old daughter in a head-on collision. As if that weren't enough, a stalker has begun terrorizing her. First a fire, then a doll left on her doorstep (identical to her baby's favorite, one still sitting on her daughter's bed). She takes steps to protect herself, but it seems every step she takes, her persistent stalker is one step ahead. The stalking escalates until the detective, her lawyer friend, and her pastor are sure the final goal is to kill her.
Worse, there seem to be no clues--no fingerprints, nothing in her history that would seem to be worthy of this menacing prowler's ire. He seems to have planned everything out to perfection.
You should get this one so you can help them out. Maybe you can uncover the secret in time.
Sarah Gordon is an emergency room doctor struggling with grief after losing her husband and two-year-old daughter in a head-on collision. As if that weren't enough, a stalker has begun terrorizing her. First a fire, then a doll left on her doorstep (identical to her baby's favorite, one still sitting on her daughter's bed). She takes steps to protect herself, but it seems every step she takes, her persistent stalker is one step ahead. The stalking escalates until the detective, her lawyer friend, and her pastor are sure the final goal is to kill her.
Worse, there seem to be no clues--no fingerprints, nothing in her history that would seem to be worthy of this menacing prowler's ire. He seems to have planned everything out to perfection.
You should get this one so you can help them out. Maybe you can uncover the secret in time.
May 22, 2017
I received a free copy of this book, from the publisher and author, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher, Abingdon Press, the author, Richard L. Mabry M.D., and NetGalley.
I don't know if it was the time that I read this book, but it was not my cup of tea. It read much like an unbelievable movie. The main character is trying to move on from the death of her husband and daughter, and dealing with a stalker. The relationships in this book need work. They just aren't developed enough to be believable. the best relationship by far was the human animal bond.
Overall this was a good novel, not my favorite, but no where near my least favorite.
I don't know if it was the time that I read this book, but it was not my cup of tea. It read much like an unbelievable movie. The main character is trying to move on from the death of her husband and daughter, and dealing with a stalker. The relationships in this book need work. They just aren't developed enough to be believable. the best relationship by far was the human animal bond.
Overall this was a good novel, not my favorite, but no where near my least favorite.
September 22, 2017
This story was good but not as exciting as I thought it would be. Someone is stalking Dr. Sarah Gordon. They are threatening her and trying to scare her. Will the police be able to find out who is trying to scare and possibly kill her? Will she be able to move past the loss of her husband and child?
January 13, 2021
Action, emotions, and faith all in one book. After losing the two people she lives the, Sarah doesn't think it can get any worse. But, it can. Other than a little bit of "corniness ", an overall good book.
December 12, 2018
This was an interesting book and was suspenseful!!!
June 9, 2021
Who is after Sarah? After losing her husband and daughter Sarah must deal with a stalker and find out who he is.
Read
April 11, 2023Na
August 31, 2024
It was good but I’ve read better by this author before!
October 22, 2025
It was good but I’ve read better by this author before!
Read
March 23, 2017Didn't like the ending.
June 15, 2016
I’ve read several of Richard Mabry’s novels and looked forward to reading his newest book Medical Judgment. I like suspense and books where Christian writers include faith as part of the character’s development. Richard Mabry includes the element of medicine which is drawn from his years of experience as a medical doctor. Unfortunately, I have some mixed feeling on this book.
I liked and appreciated faith of not only the main character, Dr. Sarah Gordon, but also the several other characters including Detective Bill Larson who was investigating the threats against Sarah, her friend Kyle Andrews and Pastor Steve Farber. I liked the character Connie, a nurse in the ER. She seemed like solid Christian who truly cared about people. She was honest and open with her faith.
The narrative at the end the chapters, from the perspective of the stalker, was effective in creating a suspense. I also appreciate that the author doesn’t resort to filthy language or sexually inappropriate scenes. Also, I really liked the character towards the end of the book veterinarian, Dr. Brad Selleck, he seemed like the most well-adjusted and healthy of the bunch.
Now to some of the things that I didn’t care for.
The main character Dr. Sarah Gordon got a little irritating after a while. She seemed slow to admit she had a serious problem and that she needed to take steps to protect herself. She whined about setting her security system just about every time she set it. Enough already! It was a little repetitive. It surprised me that the security system did not include cameras. At times Sarah seems scatterbrained which doesn’t really seem in sync with someone who is an emergency room physician. It didn’t ring true to me that Sarah could have had a dog at home for less than a day and she misses him so much when he’s being treated at the vet’s office.
I struggled with the character Kyle Andrews who seemed very presumptuous, obsessive and bordered on creepy at times. He talked about his faith, but not until the end did he seem to recognize that perhaps his actions were not done with the purest motives. At times I wondered if Kyle was really a true Christian. When he is obviously sinning he didn’t have the Holy Spirit reining him in.
Theologically, there were a couple things that were off. On page 181, Kyle is recalling what Pastor Steve told him about grief and when bad things happen. Specifically, I take issue with this sentence, “He’d assured Kyle that God didn’t cause bad things to happen, but after they did, God would provide the help needed to get through them.” This doesn’t quite square with the sovereignty of God. Also, on page 184, Detective Bill Larson prayed for someone who was dead.
I think this book could have been a little shorter and left off some of the repetitive actions and thinking of the characters. The ending seemed to occur really quickly after a longtime getting there. There were a lot of potential suspects and I couldn’t figure out who done it. I would like to have seen the Pastor not included in the list of suspects, and instead just been a stable and good solid influence.
Medical Judgment by Richard Mabry is not great and not horrible, it’s okay. While this book wasn’t his best, I still look forward to reading future books by author Richard Mabry.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Abingdon Press for the opportunity to read Medical Judgement by Richard Mabry in exchange for an honest review.
I liked and appreciated faith of not only the main character, Dr. Sarah Gordon, but also the several other characters including Detective Bill Larson who was investigating the threats against Sarah, her friend Kyle Andrews and Pastor Steve Farber. I liked the character Connie, a nurse in the ER. She seemed like solid Christian who truly cared about people. She was honest and open with her faith.
The narrative at the end the chapters, from the perspective of the stalker, was effective in creating a suspense. I also appreciate that the author doesn’t resort to filthy language or sexually inappropriate scenes. Also, I really liked the character towards the end of the book veterinarian, Dr. Brad Selleck, he seemed like the most well-adjusted and healthy of the bunch.
Now to some of the things that I didn’t care for.
The main character Dr. Sarah Gordon got a little irritating after a while. She seemed slow to admit she had a serious problem and that she needed to take steps to protect herself. She whined about setting her security system just about every time she set it. Enough already! It was a little repetitive. It surprised me that the security system did not include cameras. At times Sarah seems scatterbrained which doesn’t really seem in sync with someone who is an emergency room physician. It didn’t ring true to me that Sarah could have had a dog at home for less than a day and she misses him so much when he’s being treated at the vet’s office.
I struggled with the character Kyle Andrews who seemed very presumptuous, obsessive and bordered on creepy at times. He talked about his faith, but not until the end did he seem to recognize that perhaps his actions were not done with the purest motives. At times I wondered if Kyle was really a true Christian. When he is obviously sinning he didn’t have the Holy Spirit reining him in.
Theologically, there were a couple things that were off. On page 181, Kyle is recalling what Pastor Steve told him about grief and when bad things happen. Specifically, I take issue with this sentence, “He’d assured Kyle that God didn’t cause bad things to happen, but after they did, God would provide the help needed to get through them.” This doesn’t quite square with the sovereignty of God. Also, on page 184, Detective Bill Larson prayed for someone who was dead.
I think this book could have been a little shorter and left off some of the repetitive actions and thinking of the characters. The ending seemed to occur really quickly after a longtime getting there. There were a lot of potential suspects and I couldn’t figure out who done it. I would like to have seen the Pastor not included in the list of suspects, and instead just been a stable and good solid influence.
Medical Judgment by Richard Mabry is not great and not horrible, it’s okay. While this book wasn’t his best, I still look forward to reading future books by author Richard Mabry.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Abingdon Press for the opportunity to read Medical Judgement by Richard Mabry in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2016
Sometimes no matter how much we want to put the past behind us, it keeps rearing its ugly head. For Dr. Sarah Gordon, as much as she wishes each morning that her nightmare isn't real with the death of her daughter and husband, reality comes each morning when she realizes her bed will always remain empty. Work for now at the hospital is the only solace she can find to keep moving forward. She has all but given up on church, believing that God doesn't care enough about her, because if He did, why didn't he stop that accident that took her life from her? She is angry, and bitter even blaming her husband if that were at all reasonable, but that is what grief does. It keeps you in a senseless bondage at times and nothing seems rational.
She had thought perhaps the noise she heard and the subsequent smell of smoke, might just be in her imagination, but when she goes to investigate, she realizes that someone has attempted to set her house on fire, leaving behind some oily rags to be the catalyst. Good thing for her, quick thinking and a rapid response from her local fire department prevented any real damage from happening. She can't imagine not living in the house where so many memories of her previous life are still ingrained. But who could have deliberately set her house on fire? Those of the questions Detective Bill Larson has for her when he has her come into the station, but for the life of Sarah, she can't think of anyone who would want to do that.
Kyle Andrews, attorney and best friend to her former husband, understands what it is to lose someone you love. He vows in his mind that even if Sarah doesn't ask, he will step up and do the right thing and that means being there for her, when her husband can't. It is what he knows he would of wanted so as both her attorney he offers his legal and personal advice to keep Sarah safe. He helps makes arrangement with a local friend and contractor to help get her home restored from the smoke and fire damage so she doesn't have to move out. He offers to help with a security system and even a suggestion she might want to have a gun, but all those are not options Sarah is willing to consider. For now, she just wants the person/s caught so she can move forward in her life, without the attentions of two men who simply are looking out for her best interests. But things are about to escalate in the worst possible way and it will make you wonder who can you really trust in the end!
I received Medical Judgment by Richard L Mabry, MD compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and personal review. I've been a huge fan of Richard L Mabry's novels for quite some time, because they are realistic in their core pertaining to medical procedures without being cheesy like Grey's Anatomy. There is always a mystery behind the facade and you just never know what you are in for each time, but you know it will be exceptional. I loved this one as well because during the entire novel, I kept trying to figure out who it might be. Richard does a great job at keeping it concealed until just the right moment and then you are hooked to the very end to see how it will all play out. Nothing like a great cat and mouse suspense thriller and this one garners a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my mind.
She had thought perhaps the noise she heard and the subsequent smell of smoke, might just be in her imagination, but when she goes to investigate, she realizes that someone has attempted to set her house on fire, leaving behind some oily rags to be the catalyst. Good thing for her, quick thinking and a rapid response from her local fire department prevented any real damage from happening. She can't imagine not living in the house where so many memories of her previous life are still ingrained. But who could have deliberately set her house on fire? Those of the questions Detective Bill Larson has for her when he has her come into the station, but for the life of Sarah, she can't think of anyone who would want to do that.
Kyle Andrews, attorney and best friend to her former husband, understands what it is to lose someone you love. He vows in his mind that even if Sarah doesn't ask, he will step up and do the right thing and that means being there for her, when her husband can't. It is what he knows he would of wanted so as both her attorney he offers his legal and personal advice to keep Sarah safe. He helps makes arrangement with a local friend and contractor to help get her home restored from the smoke and fire damage so she doesn't have to move out. He offers to help with a security system and even a suggestion she might want to have a gun, but all those are not options Sarah is willing to consider. For now, she just wants the person/s caught so she can move forward in her life, without the attentions of two men who simply are looking out for her best interests. But things are about to escalate in the worst possible way and it will make you wonder who can you really trust in the end!
I received Medical Judgment by Richard L Mabry, MD compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and personal review. I've been a huge fan of Richard L Mabry's novels for quite some time, because they are realistic in their core pertaining to medical procedures without being cheesy like Grey's Anatomy. There is always a mystery behind the facade and you just never know what you are in for each time, but you know it will be exceptional. I loved this one as well because during the entire novel, I kept trying to figure out who it might be. Richard does a great job at keeping it concealed until just the right moment and then you are hooked to the very end to see how it will all play out. Nothing like a great cat and mouse suspense thriller and this one garners a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my mind.
June 18, 2016
I received this book for no charge from Litfuse Publicity for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Book Description:
Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. Her late husband’s best friend and a recovering alcoholic detective are trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late, but both appear to be vying for her affection as well. Sarah finds herself in constant fear as the process plays out.
As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?
My Thoughts:
Medical Judgment is the latest medical thriller by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. and it is exciting! I have had the pleasure of reading some of Richard L. Mabry's books and I am so glad I got to read this one. Since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Suspense/Thriller books and I have come to be a huge fan of Medical Thriller/Suspense stores so Richard L. Mabry is one of my must read authors. Richard L. Mabry, M.D. writes with authority about medical procedure, police procedures, hospital policy, dog training, and various elements of crime. Medical Judgment is a thrilling book that grabbed ahold of me from the start and kept me guessing until the end. I could NOT put this book down. I found the characters in this book very well written, whose lives are messy and everyone, including the Pastor in this book struggled with different things. I truly enjoyed the characters in this book but I really enjoyed Dr. Sarah Gordon's character and her journey. Sarah truly struggled with loss and worked to find her way in the world. Her tough outer exterior was a coping skill but underneath was someone who truly amazing, she didn't give up no matter what she faced. Her journey truly stayed with me. This book really touched on a little bit of everything, Suspense, Loss, Action, Love, and finding Faith in midst of adversity. The lost and found faith in this book really spoke to me, the struggles of the characters throughout including the Pastor of the church really showed how we all struggle no matter who we are or our faith. I found myself laughing in parts of this book, crying in others, and holding my breath through most of it. This story really kept me guessing until the end and weaved a web of deception. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Suspense books, you will NOT be disappointed. I look forward to reading more from Richard L. Mabry, M.D.. I give this book 5+ STARS.
Book Description:
Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. Her late husband’s best friend and a recovering alcoholic detective are trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late, but both appear to be vying for her affection as well. Sarah finds herself in constant fear as the process plays out.
As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?
My Thoughts:
Medical Judgment is the latest medical thriller by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. and it is exciting! I have had the pleasure of reading some of Richard L. Mabry's books and I am so glad I got to read this one. Since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Suspense/Thriller books and I have come to be a huge fan of Medical Thriller/Suspense stores so Richard L. Mabry is one of my must read authors. Richard L. Mabry, M.D. writes with authority about medical procedure, police procedures, hospital policy, dog training, and various elements of crime. Medical Judgment is a thrilling book that grabbed ahold of me from the start and kept me guessing until the end. I could NOT put this book down. I found the characters in this book very well written, whose lives are messy and everyone, including the Pastor in this book struggled with different things. I truly enjoyed the characters in this book but I really enjoyed Dr. Sarah Gordon's character and her journey. Sarah truly struggled with loss and worked to find her way in the world. Her tough outer exterior was a coping skill but underneath was someone who truly amazing, she didn't give up no matter what she faced. Her journey truly stayed with me. This book really touched on a little bit of everything, Suspense, Loss, Action, Love, and finding Faith in midst of adversity. The lost and found faith in this book really spoke to me, the struggles of the characters throughout including the Pastor of the church really showed how we all struggle no matter who we are or our faith. I found myself laughing in parts of this book, crying in others, and holding my breath through most of it. This story really kept me guessing until the end and weaved a web of deception. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Suspense books, you will NOT be disappointed. I look forward to reading more from Richard L. Mabry, M.D.. I give this book 5+ STARS.
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