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Silicone
Millions of women around the world undergo breast implant operations every year. Which of the following statements do you think are true? A. Breast implants can make you look sexier. B. Breast implants can cause asphyxiation. C. Breast implants can save your life. D. Breast implants can cause a car wreck. It’s all of the above. Jordan Hamilton is a brilliant immunologist who works at a major teaching hospital in Sacramento, California. When a young woman dies during a routine operation to remove her ruptured breast implants, Jordan realizes that the victim reacted to a deadly element in silicone. Women are dying and Jordan is determined to find the explanation. A whirlwind tale of power, medicine, politics, and greed, this fast-paced thriller explores the seedier side of medicine, from a prestigious hospital to a sordid front for drug distribution.
- GenresMystery
270 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2010
4 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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March 16, 2011Did you know that a routine medical procedure could one day end your life? Brenda Martinez didn’t. A vibrant, young dancer, she understood the common risks associated with her breast implant procedure before undergoing the knife. The minuscule percentile risks relative to anesthesia and medical malpractice didn’t seem like much to worry about, and by surgically enhancing her breasts, Brenda could make much more money in her career.
Unfortunately, Brenda didn’t account for one risk—nobody did—and that is precisely what kills her.
A splintering headache and sudden paralysis force Brenda to lose control of her car while driving on the freeway. She plummets helplessly into cross-traffic and is rushed to the hospital. Dr. Jordan Hamilton attends to the young woman but is unable to save her. Dr. Hamilton is troubled by the strange onset of symptoms and desperately seeks to understand the cause of death.
Days later another young and seemingly healthy woman is rushed to the hospital, only to meet the same fate as Brenda. Jordan notices that both women had breast implants; her instinct tells her to keep digging for possible connections between the two deaths. Postmortem examination reveals that both women had toxic levels of the chemical platinum in their bodies. What doesn’t make sense is how the breast implants could have caused the toxicity-induced deaths.
Jordan shares her preliminary findings at a morbidity and mortality conference and journalists are quick to pick up-on the story. Suddenly more cases of platinum toxicity in breast implant patients are being reported all across the country and even internationally. When a popular US senator is also stricken with the illness, the public demands answers and looks to Jordan to provide them.
Consumed by her passion for healing and by the public’s need to know, Jordan throws herself into the research of this epidemic. It doesn’t take long for her to make some enemies. One night she is attacked within the hospital complex. Days later she is wrongly dismissed from the hospital on a trumped-up charge. Her pursuers will stop at nothing to get Jordan to discontinue her research on the breast implant illnesses. No one’s safe—not her friends, not her family, not her six-year-old daughter, not even the family dog.
What is causing platinum toxicity in breast implant patients? How can Jordan save the millions of women who are already at risk? Who is behind the attacks on Jordan and her family, and what connection do they have to the epidemic? Will Jordan survive long enough to save the others?
Silicone is a medical thriller for the new age. One part action to every part education, the reader will not only be intrigued by the events taking place but will also learn more about medical diagnosis and the health profession. The author’s own knowledge and expertise as a Board-certified internist specializing in Allergy and Immunology penetrates every layer of this novel.
Dr. Meza crosses the boundaries of race and gender to bring us a diverse cast of viewpoint characters, each of whom contributes unique insights to the story line. Silicone introduces the reader to patients, doctors, activists, police officers, journalists, politicians, and hit men—a diverse cast indeed!
Silicone takes the medical intrigue of House and combines it with the action-adventure of James Bond to deliver a satisfying and informative novel. The novel’s conclusion is so riveting that you’ll find yourself compelled to read the last 50 pages straight-through without stopping.
Upon exiting the world of Silicone, the reader will be left to ponder deeper themes. What would happen if mafia-style crime interfered with health care? How well are our medical and economic systems regulated? Is it better to pursue the truth at all cost or to protect your loved ones?
Pick-up Carlos Meza’s debut novel if you are looking for a fast, action-packed novel. Bonus points if you have an interest in the medical field. Read carefully for the chance to win a special prize from the author (more info here). You can also read the first chapter on the author’s website at www.carlosmezabooks.com
A tip: be prepared to get hungry while reading Silicone. The author describes the restaurant meals of his characters so sensually, that the reader will feel the sudden need to rush out for tapas.
Unfortunately, Brenda didn’t account for one risk—nobody did—and that is precisely what kills her.
A splintering headache and sudden paralysis force Brenda to lose control of her car while driving on the freeway. She plummets helplessly into cross-traffic and is rushed to the hospital. Dr. Jordan Hamilton attends to the young woman but is unable to save her. Dr. Hamilton is troubled by the strange onset of symptoms and desperately seeks to understand the cause of death.
Days later another young and seemingly healthy woman is rushed to the hospital, only to meet the same fate as Brenda. Jordan notices that both women had breast implants; her instinct tells her to keep digging for possible connections between the two deaths. Postmortem examination reveals that both women had toxic levels of the chemical platinum in their bodies. What doesn’t make sense is how the breast implants could have caused the toxicity-induced deaths.
Jordan shares her preliminary findings at a morbidity and mortality conference and journalists are quick to pick up-on the story. Suddenly more cases of platinum toxicity in breast implant patients are being reported all across the country and even internationally. When a popular US senator is also stricken with the illness, the public demands answers and looks to Jordan to provide them.
Consumed by her passion for healing and by the public’s need to know, Jordan throws herself into the research of this epidemic. It doesn’t take long for her to make some enemies. One night she is attacked within the hospital complex. Days later she is wrongly dismissed from the hospital on a trumped-up charge. Her pursuers will stop at nothing to get Jordan to discontinue her research on the breast implant illnesses. No one’s safe—not her friends, not her family, not her six-year-old daughter, not even the family dog.
What is causing platinum toxicity in breast implant patients? How can Jordan save the millions of women who are already at risk? Who is behind the attacks on Jordan and her family, and what connection do they have to the epidemic? Will Jordan survive long enough to save the others?
Silicone is a medical thriller for the new age. One part action to every part education, the reader will not only be intrigued by the events taking place but will also learn more about medical diagnosis and the health profession. The author’s own knowledge and expertise as a Board-certified internist specializing in Allergy and Immunology penetrates every layer of this novel.
Dr. Meza crosses the boundaries of race and gender to bring us a diverse cast of viewpoint characters, each of whom contributes unique insights to the story line. Silicone introduces the reader to patients, doctors, activists, police officers, journalists, politicians, and hit men—a diverse cast indeed!
Silicone takes the medical intrigue of House and combines it with the action-adventure of James Bond to deliver a satisfying and informative novel. The novel’s conclusion is so riveting that you’ll find yourself compelled to read the last 50 pages straight-through without stopping.
Upon exiting the world of Silicone, the reader will be left to ponder deeper themes. What would happen if mafia-style crime interfered with health care? How well are our medical and economic systems regulated? Is it better to pursue the truth at all cost or to protect your loved ones?
Pick-up Carlos Meza’s debut novel if you are looking for a fast, action-packed novel. Bonus points if you have an interest in the medical field. Read carefully for the chance to win a special prize from the author (more info here). You can also read the first chapter on the author’s website at www.carlosmezabooks.com
A tip: be prepared to get hungry while reading Silicone. The author describes the restaurant meals of his characters so sensually, that the reader will feel the sudden need to rush out for tapas.
November 5, 2020
Excellent read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2014
Before I start, I want to let everyone know that I did not finish this book.
I wanted so badly to read this book and finish it but I just could not.
Pros:
Great concept!
Good location, close to my home town :)
Good main character, I really enjoyed Jordan's strength and brains!
Cons:
Not enough character or location development. I did not always know where I was and had no idea what each place looked like. As I stated above some locations were close to my home town, but I was still just guessing about what I was seeing. Same goes for characters. I didn't know how people looked. I like to get into great detail, down to eye shape and color, silky or curly hair, so I can really see a character and this was missing for me. I was often confused about who I was reading at any time because it was just names but no strong descriptions to make them stand out.
I thought some of the transitions were too fast and unpredictable. I didn't feel like that section was really over before I was plunged into a new section.
I felt like the characters were emotionless. Lots of people were dying and although they said they were upset or unhappy, no one reacted in description. Pounded fists on the table when they found out another one of their breast implant patients had died or rubbing a head in frustration.
I am an Education and Business major so the medical jargon left me very confused. I tried to keep up but it was over my head.
I noticed there were details about characters that were insignificant, like a waiter, but not about the main characters. I could see that waiter crystal clear, but I had no idea what the main characters best friend really looked like. Also, speaking of this waiter, his name was given, but he didn't even have dialogue or a significant part in the story.
Lastly, there were some unclear time shifts. I couldn't tell how much time had elapsed from the hours to the days.
All and all, I really wanted to get into this story. REALLY. I think the story is very interesting and the characters could be great. But it was very hard to read.
I wanted so badly to read this book and finish it but I just could not.
Pros:
Great concept!
Good location, close to my home town :)
Good main character, I really enjoyed Jordan's strength and brains!
Cons:
Not enough character or location development. I did not always know where I was and had no idea what each place looked like. As I stated above some locations were close to my home town, but I was still just guessing about what I was seeing. Same goes for characters. I didn't know how people looked. I like to get into great detail, down to eye shape and color, silky or curly hair, so I can really see a character and this was missing for me. I was often confused about who I was reading at any time because it was just names but no strong descriptions to make them stand out.
I thought some of the transitions were too fast and unpredictable. I didn't feel like that section was really over before I was plunged into a new section.
I felt like the characters were emotionless. Lots of people were dying and although they said they were upset or unhappy, no one reacted in description. Pounded fists on the table when they found out another one of their breast implant patients had died or rubbing a head in frustration.
I am an Education and Business major so the medical jargon left me very confused. I tried to keep up but it was over my head.
I noticed there were details about characters that were insignificant, like a waiter, but not about the main characters. I could see that waiter crystal clear, but I had no idea what the main characters best friend really looked like. Also, speaking of this waiter, his name was given, but he didn't even have dialogue or a significant part in the story.
Lastly, there were some unclear time shifts. I couldn't tell how much time had elapsed from the hours to the days.
All and all, I really wanted to get into this story. REALLY. I think the story is very interesting and the characters could be great. But it was very hard to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2012
I probably would have given this book 3 stars if it weren't for the excessive medical jargon. Any time there was a medical procedure, it was described in painful detail (including needle size and the type of thread used for stitches), giving the impression that the author did a ton of research and really wanted to show it off. It came off very forced, and there were also a lot of cheesy abbreviations used in an unnatural way - doctors don't talk like that. I thought the plot was okay, but a little too overworked, and as I mentioned in my status update, the dialogue is really flat. There was also a formatting issue, not sure if it was just my Kindle, but it was often really unclear who was speaking. I try to be forgiving of poorly written science, but the pseudoscience combined with all of the medical/technical speak brought this one down a whole star for me. It wasn't hard to understand, just boring and often killed the pace in otherwise suspenseful situations. If you think that won't bother you, I would give this a shot because it's otherwise a pretty entertaining read.
October 6, 2011
Debut novel set in Sacramento, CA. Classic medical thriller style with female physician as protagonist, who encounters a series of patients who die unexpectedly of extreme allergic reactions. She traces the source of their problem to silicone breast implants. Though lives are at stake, vested interests fight to conceal the truth. Our heroine risks her career, friends, and family to do the right thing. A well-written indie that should appeal to Michael Palmer fans, especially those who know the Sacramento region. See my full review at ScienceThrillers.com
April 24, 2012
Silicone, the novel written by Carlos Meza, MD, is a mix of several knowledges, the author has. As a Medical Doctor, he shares his tips in several areas: medicine, goverment agencies procedures, the modus operandi of the mafia, the life in the hospitals and so on. Silicone mix fiction with a painful reality: the perils women face for using breast implants.
June 4, 2012
Medical thriller about a doctor who "discovers" a connection between breast implants and platinum illness. The medical jargon is excessive and the plot is thin. Too many major holes and its all wrapped up too quickly and neatly in the end with no real emotion. Sorry, but I don't recommend it.
September 23, 2012
Loving this medical thriller! 20% through it and can't put it down...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews