Customer Reviews

Code 15

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

CODE 15 is another great medical thriller from Gary Birken. The story centers around a young emergency room doctor, Morgan Connolly. After her father is murdered, she soon becomes suspicious his death is linked to a series of disastrous hospital errors that have been made to look unintentional... they are anything but. The plot grabs you right from the beginning, remains fast-paced and has a totally unexpected ending. The book also gave me a sobering education regarding hospital mistakes and how to avoid becoming one. If you like reading medical mysteries, you'll love this one.

At Dade Presbyterian Hospital in North Miami, Florida, Chief of Emergency Medicine Dr. Morgan Connolly wonders if her personal life issues are impacting her medical judgment at work as a physician. There has been an alarming sudden rise in Code 15 deaths that were caused by unacceptable preventable mistakes.

Pregnant and alone as her spouse left her just when her father was murdered, Morgan ponders over the rise and decides to investigate so that she can change procedures if necessary. She is stunned when hospital administrators blame her for the deaths calling her incompetent and wanting her fired and disbarred. Morgan is further shocked with how they react to her inquiries as if they are covering up for someone. Still she knows someone wants to destroy her and collateral damage of the innocent is acceptable by her unknown adversary. Instead of wallowing, Morgan turns determined and goes after her enemy planning to destroy her foe with the precision of a surgeon before he or she can further devastate her.

This is an exciting medical thriller starring an intriguing heroine who seems numb by all that is going on in her personal and professional life. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down until the mile high final confrontation. Although the villain is over the top of Mount Trashmore, sub-genre readers will root for the beleaguered lead protagonist as so much has happened to her in a short time including her father's murder, her husband leaving and the Code 15 deaths along with the medical review of her have left her anesthetized yet obstinately resolute.

Harriet Klausner

... interesting characters, cool medical scenes, surprise ending, learned about scary stuff that can happen to you in a hospital.

This is a medical thriller so plot is the major reason that we read it. The plot is actually pretty good and does keep you interested. Specifically, a woman emergency room chief doctor loses some patients due to no fault of her own. However, one of the parents of a lost patient blames her and targets both her and the hospital as his victims as he progressively loses his mind. I did not guess who the bad guy was. I thought I had picked the right person but I was off. This is unusual for me.

Code 15 comes from medical error deaths when some error within the hospital setting and/or by the medical people occurs causing death. It is reported to the state of Florida as a Code 15. Almost a year later Code 15s hit her hospital like wildfire and the errors are not only extreme but bizarre. One is a patient who is killed by a magnetized cross put around her neck which resets her pacemaker and kills her. All of this is very interesting and keeps you turning the page.

Less interesting are all the characters you encounter, none of them very well developed. Some of the character's, like the soon-to-be ex-husband, could have been eliminated completely. He added absolutely nothing to the story.

There are a number of people writing these medical thriller now. None of them particularly stand out from the others. I think the best books of this genre were written years ago. I haven't read a five star medical thriller in years. For those who are looking for 5 stars: early Michael Crichton can't be beat nor can Robin Cook's first book, COMA.

I've followed Gary Berkin's books since the first one out. I love mysteries/thrillers from professionals writing about their industry. Although I really enjoyed the story in each and every book, I was floored with such a remarkable improvement in writing style.

This book nails it. The story held my attention throughout and I completely bought into the characters. I still find myself wondering how a particular event happend, so the story line has stayed with me, which to me doesn't happen often.

I hope Dr. Berkin's next medical thriller comes out soon!

I love medical thrillers, so you can probably guess I loved this book! It had plenty of action and suspense and the ending was a surprise. Morgan finds out she is pregnant and is excited about it even though her and her husband are separated and he is with someone else. She has no intentions on telling him either. Not long after, she is told her father has died and the police won't tell her much at all. She then finds out that it was a well thought out and executed murder. She has no idea who would kill her father, a well respected doctor about ready to go into full time retirement. After her father's death, patients start dying-all a Code 15-medical errors. Will Morgan and her baby be safe from this cold blooded killer? Read the book to find out.

Another wonderful book by Gary Birken! Must read! Thrilling! Scary things can happen in hospitals!

Like his other books he has hit this one straight out of the park. The attention to detail he achieves in his medical sequences and the edge of your seat thrills that come from reading this book will have you racing through the pages. I look forward to Dr. Birken's next novel! This is a must buy in my opinion.

Another great medical thriller from Gary Birken, MD.
This book makes you think hard and long about what can go on in hospitals! Knows the inside of hospitals! Scary, believable, great twists and an easy/fast read!!