I think this is my first medical thriller and I was not disappointed. Doctor Abby Dolan moves to the little town of Patience, California following her fiance in his job promotion. She starts work in the regional hospital and become embroiled in mysterious illness that have infected several members of the town. Abby is faced with small town politics and fields ideas of chemical testing and conspiracy. On top of that, issues with her fiance begin cropping up. All of these things seem centered around Colstar, the big wig company in town.I really enjoyed this one. I'm not sure why I have never read a medical thriller until now, it is right up my alley. I also really loved Abby. She is a strong female character and I always love looking for those in books. Critial Judgement really hits on some medical topics that have always had a "paranoia" factor. Are our large corporations poisioning us by their waste products? And are we really safe even though they may have passed all their environmental tests? It also addresses how money and power play a large role in whether or not things can be addressed or swept under the carpet. (view spoiler)[ Also, how does the idea of being secretly tested and experimented on NOT bother someone. I know plenty of people who don't trust medical professionals or the things they say (hide spoiler)]
I liked the way the book started (scenario setting, gradual build-up of atmosphere etc), and the integrity of the medical details (OK, the author is a doctor). However, this was a bit like gobbling down a Big Mac when you think you're starving: it seems great at the beginning, but gets steadily worse as you go on. Substitute the trans-fats and high sodium content for a convoluted and slightly out of control plot, and you get my drift. In short, there was no sense of satisfaction at the end, nor a reflection on the exercise with pleasure.BTW, as I haven't eaten a Big Mac for 20 years, I apologise to MacDonalds if they have since modified the nutritional content of the said product.
What do You think about Critical Judgment (1998)?
When a big city doctor follows her lover to small town American, she soon discovers just what being in a small town means. No matter how great of a doctor she is, she must save face and try not to burst any of the egos. Very much out of her element she soon discovers that the entire town is involved in some type of cover up that is causing mysterious diseases throughout the town. As Ally goes on a wild goose chase trying to help the one she loves, there are obstacles at every angle and the town will stop at nothing to keep things running "smoothly". A wonderful read.
—Deborah Hamilton
I had to remind myself that this book was written in 1996, or some of what would be stupid moves was actually not dumb, due to the technology not being what it is today. Dr. Dolan follows her boyfriend from the San Francsico area to a small town so he can work at Colstar, the premier battery plant in the area. After signing on for ER duties, she quickly learns some patients are presenting with symptoms that have no cause or logical reason for the sickness. As she begins to compile data to determine what is going on and find out if their is a poison in the city making people crazy or nothing is really going on in this sleepy town. Characters come into play, some want to silence her, others are red herrings to throw the reader for a loop. Towards the end when the truth becomes known, the author does a bang up job of redeeming the book. If not for the ending, this book would of been a 2. I researched the author and seems his writing grows with each novel, so I will try another.
—Teresa in Ohio
