First, Do No Harm

Royal Pains #1

by D.P. Lyle

When Dr. Hank Lawson's conscience cost him his distinguished position in a New York City emergency room, he ended up losing everything he thought he wanted. Now, as a concierge doctor to the rich and fabulous in the Hamptons, he's going to get everything he never knew he needed- if he doesn't lose his patients.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 7, 2011

About the author

DP Lyle, MD is the Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winning and Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, Scribe, Silver Falchion, and USA Best Book Award nominated author of many non-fiction books as well as numerous works of fiction.

He has worked with many novelists and with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, House, Medium, and Pretty Little Liars and others

For the past 35 years, he has practiced Cardiology in Orange County, California. He is the co-host, along with Jan Burke, of Crime and Science Radio, a twice-monthly program on Suspense Radio.

Reviews

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank is trying to figure out why a bride to be is having spells where she doesn't know who she is, spells that leave her with holes in her memory. Meanwhile, a new health drink seems to have dire consequences. I enjoyed the story, although the portrayal of Evan bothered me. Still, a fun tie in.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[alexander shay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember being really into this show for the first several seasons, before it got more and more unrealistic, to the point I had to stop watching. I actually encountered the second book first, which sent me on a hunt to get this one. I was hoping these books would be original adventures with the characters, but this one for sure isn't. I remember this particular episode rather well, so this is essentially just a novelization.

I've never read anything by Lyle before, so I don't know how much is his writing style and how much is just copying verbatim what happened on screen, but this book was really boring. The majority of it is dialogue or direct description, with a result that Divya rolls her eyes a lot, Jill laughs almost constantly, and Hank says things he hope will happen, followed by a paragraph break and a single paragraph of 'I did' or 'It did'. The medical jargon was almost welcome in comparison. As a doctor, Hank probably would think in those terms, and being a medical man himself, Lyle can add those descriptions realistically. But there's next to no internal thought from Hank, no subjective introspection, etc. Things happen, the end. No growth, no change, no getting to know how the characters tick.

I also found it odd that, told in first person from Hank's perspective, it suddenly switched to third person to follow Evan and then Divya. I've encountered this in some books, but you don't generally wait until chapter 9 to introduce it. Then it didn't happen again until almost 3/4 of the way through the book, jarring every time. I've read published "fan fiction" before, like Loki: Where Mischief Lies, or Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth, but those still had story to them. This reads more like Batman Returns, a novelized version of a movie script. Will be forgoing the other book.

[Zachary Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adaption! The characters really come to life

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was total fluff but enjoyable fluff. It was PG or PG-13 - definitely tame enough for my daughter. I enjoyed it. I need fluff sometimes 🙂

[Monica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted. Brought me back to the show that I miss.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched the TV series Royal Pains, and this follows it very closely. Not my favorite book, but it is entertaining.

[Sally taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there was more in this series!

[Kristal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was good. I only had a problem with the characters. They don't have the same charm that they do on the show. Hank was a bit boring, one-dimensional. Evan was like a bratty teenager and Divya was snarky, almost bitchy.

Also there was comment made about Dale Earnhardt in passing. It was definitely made in bad taste. I might not have care so much if I did not live in the same city where he Earnhardt died. The book lost a star just for those few sentences.

[Sharron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like all fanfiction it has some trouble with characters' voice. The thing that distinguishes this book from most online stories is the author is an MD so the balance of medical/relationships is more like the show. The book of course is stuck back a few seasons while the characters have changed. It seems a bit too long.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *really* enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of the TV show then you should read this and probably other tie-ins. It felt like an episode with twists turns, medicine on the fly, romance, Evan being obsessed with a thing... and because you watch the show you read it hearing the voices of the actors as you plug along in the story, just makes it that much more enjoyable

[Mckenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love the show Royal Pains, then this is a great book of you. While reading this, I could easily picture it as if I was watching an episode. Even if you have never seen the show, it still is a good read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The show is easy summer fare. So is this book. A little mystery with a satisfying resolution. I'm most impressed with how in-character the story reads. When I can hear Mark Feuerstein or Reshma Shetty's voices clearly, you've nailed it.

[Sally Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having discovered the TV version first, I had hoped that the book would ease the withdrawal once I'd finished watching the series. I was disappointed. I found the writing to be shallow and wondered if this was a "young adult" book. Loved the TV show, but the book left much to be desired.

[Laura K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn in to the book at the start, and because I really like the TV series, I knew that I would enjoy the book.

[Brian Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny stuff. If you like the show, you'll love the book. Evan R. Lawson is even more Evan R. Lawsonish in the book.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the tv show then you'll enjoy this quick, fun read that gives a new adventure for HankMed.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is much better as a television show.

[Cynthisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute characters, but not compelling enough to keep me interested. Lost interest about a quarter of the way through. DNF

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun novelization that stays pretty much in line with the TV series (although his Evan and Divya seem a little too first season here).

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, humorous read. A doctor to the rich, who expect that their needs be cared for above everyone else's, so why not a doctor on call...anytime...24/7