Customer Reviews

Stigma

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's an exciting feeling when a debut novel appears out of nowhere and dazzles you with such strong writing and storytelling that you can't believe the author has never done this before. That's the case with Philip Hawley, Jr.'s "Stigma," one of the best debut thrillers I've read in a long time.

Hawley is a pediatrician in Los Angeles, so naturally his main character, Luke McKenna, is, too. McKenna is also a former Navy SEAL and a real tough guy. (No word on whether Hawley, too, has a black ops background. I suspect not.)

The plot starts off with a bang when a boy from Guatemala is rushed into McKenna's emergency room and dies a mysterious death. The doctor begins to investigate what really happened, and discovers a plot involving high-tech science and low-grade greed.

You expect a book like "Stigma" to have wall-to-wall action and suspense. And it does. What might surprise you is that this is also a smart book, one that makes you think while entertaining you. "Stigma" probes interesting ethical questions about the role of technology in medicine, and the ages-old dilemma of where we draw the boundaries of medical science.

For a first novel in particular, "Stigma" shows tremendous polish and poise. If this book is any indication of the kind of talent Hawley possesses, it won't be long before he ascends to the top ranks of thriller authors. Fans of Michael Crichton or James Rollins in particular will find much here to enjoy.

This book excels on so many levels it's hard to know where to begin ... but fortunately the author knows exactly what he's doing in this thrilling, all-out adventure.

Start with a great story, inject realistic, multi-dimensional characters, then weave multiple thematic elements together seamlessly and what you have in Stigma is a first-rate thriller. For good measure, the dialogue includes some well-timed humorous exchanges that make the story all the more enjoyable. By the end of the first chapter you feel you're in the hands of a seasoned professional; it's hard to believe this is a debut novel.

This story quickly grabs hold of you and then takes off. Sit back and enjoy the ride!

As a pediatrician I was a little skeptical about whether this book would interest me but Hawley delivers in spades. The protagonist is far from a mild mannered pillar of society! As he battles mysterious malevolent forces and his own inner demons you find yourself cheering for him and his memorable compadres. Hawley spent well invested time in the first half to develop these characters and the last half the pace quickens to a mad race that keeps you guessing until the last page. Plus there is some subtle but intriguing social commentary embedded in the plot that I think will resonate more and more as the effects of the genome project are felt. If you go to crimefictionblog.com there is a great interview with Hawley, and he says there is a sequel in the works! I'll be first in line to buy it!

Once you've picked the book up and begun reading, it's awfully hard to put down - the action and puzzles keep demanding that you keep reading. It's really a great plot and terrific writing of it !!! When will Hawley's second book come out - can't wait !!!

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of STIGMA a few months ago, and since finishing it, I've been excited for the day everyone else has a chance to read it.

Phil Hawley has a smooth, engaging style that just sucks you in. He writes like he's been doing this for years and years. If you love a great ride, then I would highly recommend this book.

At the University Children's Hospital in California, a Guatemalan Mayan child dies in the emergency room in spite of pediatric Dr. Luke McKenna's efforts to save the boy. Luke is confused as the child's illness is unknown to him. However, he is stunned when Guatemalan officials abetted by hospital administrators take the young corpse away before he can perform the required postmortem exam.

However, the former SEAL is not one to ignore a mystery so he continues to ask questions, which leads to killers needing to silence him. They do that by cleverly framing him for the murders of a former girlfriend and a football player, which energizes Luke further to exonerate himself while learning the entire truth. On the lam, he realizes he must go to Guatemala to find out what killed the child, not realizing the horror that awaits him if he can stay alive with thugs trying to kill him and elude the law as cops want him arrested for the two homicides.

This action-packed medical thriller grips the audience from the onset and never slows down until the final confrontation. The fast-paced story line is fun to follow as the hero uses his military training to endure his ordeal although the strain on his mind is enormous as horrible memories from those days in uniform engulf and albeit endanger him. Though the climax seems weak, readers will want to run along side McKenna as he struggles to survive and uncover the truth.

Harriet Klausner

What a great debut novel !
I couldn't'stop reading this one. This fast paced story keeps you sitting in your chair and jumping by the sound of a mosquito.
Keep breathing, this story's more then breathtaking and frightening at the same time.

Hawley, definitely a name one should keep in mind.

I found out about this new author from his sister's sister-in-law. I bought it to show support for a new author, not realizing that I was going to love the book! As a fan of Michael Crichton (go figure) and Tom Clancy, I found Stigma to have many of the elements I love: a strong yet vulnerable hero, a new challenge to ethics to contemplate, and characters for whom I felt compassion. I'll be buying everything Philip Hawley, Jr. writes in the future!

I enjoyed reading this new medical thriller. Philip Hawley, Jr.'s main character is a former Navy Seal turned pediatrician. Hawley uses his medical knowledge to add scientific facts about vaccines, DNA, drug companies & research to make the plot plausible & interesting. Very well done!

A boy is flown in to a children's hospital from South America with some mystery disease and dies shortly after arriving. What follows is a cover up of epic proportions. Luke McKenna, former super top secret special ops and now in pediatrics, gets caught up in finding what really happened.

The start of the novel is slow. The author is setting up the characters and Luke is maybe a little wonderful. Once the stage is set, we get what turns into a compelling story where Luke is framed for a crime he didn't commit and has to go to extraordinary lengths to save himself with Bond movie type intensity. I really enjoyed the overall experience of this novel and would recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers.