Friday, January 31, 2014

Gemini; Carol Cassella

Gemini, Carol Cassella
Simon & Schuster - 2014


Charlotte Reese and ICU doctor at Seattle Beacon Hospital, so she is no stranger to dealing with individuals struggling to beat the grim reaper of death. Sometimes she must even make the critical difference in whether a patient lives or dies.

One night a Jane Doe is transferred to her unit from a rural hospital - the apparent victim of a hit and run. As Jane Doe's condition worsens, Charlotte finds herself with many unanswered questions about the victim and how to proceed with her care. There is no one there who knows the victim, and the police have no leads. Should extraordinary means be used for an unidentified comatose patient, and if so for how long?

Meanwhile, Charlotte's biological clock is ticking and her boyfriend Eric, a scientist is not anxious to take the next step because of a genetic risk he may pass on to his offspring.

The story is told in alternating story lines, one about Charlotte, her relationship with Eric and her patient Jane Doe, and another story from an earlier time beginning about two younger children named Raney and Bo, and later Raney, her husband Cleet and a son named Jake.  The reader knows that somehow these two stories are related, but just how is a mystery for a while.

I enjoyed this story a lot. I loved the setting, the detail, the characters, and the all encompassing feel of spirit, mind and body this story conveyed. Read It!

Carol Cassella, is not only a terrific writer, she is a practicing anesthesiologist as well. What makes her novels so riveting is the fact that she infuses medical detail and in this case genetics into her stories in a way that the average reader can understand.  Also, if you haven't read her previous novels, Oxygen and Healer, please do so, I think you'll be glad you did.

4.5/5 stars
(arc /eGalley)

13 comments:

  1. I used to read a lot of medical mysteries but haven't in a while. You've made this one sound really good.

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  2. I really like the cover to this one!

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  3. I enjoyed Robin Cook's mysteries. This author is a new one for me. I think I will enjoy these books as well.

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  4. I read one of Cassella's books and liked it a lot. This one sounds great too!

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  5. That sounds like something we would like!

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  6. Sounds good... adding to my list!

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  7. Excellent review, Diane! I think a medical mystery--written by an anesthesiologist(!)---is just what the doctor ordered. All three of her novels now interest me.

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  8. Hi Diane, Thank you so much for this lovely review of my novel. No story truly comes alive until it is read and shared, and blogs like yours help that happen. I love Skyping with book clubs if anyone is interested. They can contact me at carol@carolcassella.com. Glad you are out there keeping books and readers connected. (Carol Cassella)

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  9. Wasn't Oxygen wonderful? I enjoyed Healer a lot too and now I can't wait to read this one! Glad to hear you recommend it!

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  10. I loved Oxygen (review in progress) and have this in my stacks. Glad to know it's also a winner. She's a talented writer!

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  11. So are the books she has written connected? This one sounds good but should I read her earlier ones first?

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  12. I think I'll like this one. I've always enjoyed medical thrillers especially when they are written by someone who knows medicine first-hand.

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