Bitter Medicine: Two Doctors, Two Deaths, And A Small Town's Search For Justice

by Carlton Smith

Two Deaths
Port Angeles, Washington, is a small town of pretty houses and smiling people, surrounded by acres of pristine wilderness. Everyone thought it was the perfect place to live...until two local doctors made headlines.

Two Doctors
On a chilly January night, Dr. Eugene Turner hastened the death of a three-day-old baby boy who had been pronounced brain-dead. Six weeks later, ER physician Dr. Bruce Rowan hacked his wife to death with an axe, then tried to kill himself--claiming he snapped after witnessing Dr. Turner's euthanasia.

A Small Town Rocked by A Shocking Fatality
What really happened? What drove Dr. Bruce Rowan--a man who was entrusted to heal the sick--to so savagely take the life of his own wife? Acquitted by reason of insanity, Dr. Rowan was committed to a mental institution. And though the trial is over, some fascinating ethical and legal questions have been raised by its outcome.

Now, bestselling true crime writer Carlton Smith reveals the never-before-told facts and the stunning truth behind two doctors, two deaths, a surprising trial, and the picturesque town standing in the shadow of a ghastly killing.

Genres: True Crime, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Crime

299 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[♥ Marlene♥]

I am not going to rate this book because I did not read it as I normally do, meaning reading ever word. I do not know the English word for it,(probably because I hardly do it, but I breezed through this book,still not the right words. Let me try again, I read what happened to the baby and that was so hard to read.Then I read about the killing and after that by accident I discovered by accident the outcome so because of that I just skimmed a bit, is that the right word? through the rest of the book.

It pissed me off to learn what was the outcome of the case against the one doctor who pleaded insanity and to find out what happened to him

[Tammie Lagimodiere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep me very interested in it until it got to the court proceedings then it got boring but when it finished and Turner got his case dismissed without prejudice I didn't think that was right I thought he had killed that baby but that's just my opinion

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was two very appealing cases that were intertwined by the death of a 3 day old child. One doctor killed said child, the other witnessed the aftermath and went insane - killing his own wife. The details are appalling and the results are equally so. One was never fully charged and the other was going innocent due to insanity. What a load of baloney. I find that this seriously makes me wonder about the US justice system. I’m annoyed now and need to find a new kind of murder book.

[Lauretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should have the title of crazy medicine.

This was a very good and well written novel. I do believe that Dr. Taylor didn't give the baby a chance. I've been to many neonatal births. You have to give the baby a chance. If it's having problems breathing you assist with the breathing. You don't smother the baby. That's criminal.
The second story was unbelievable. I think the psychiatric resident pretended he had mental problems. With the behavior he exhibited it was all an act. Overall it was a very good book.

[Rik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I bought it cheap just because i'd enjoyed a few of the authors other books without knowing anything about it and not even reading the blurb so went in blind. Was initially disappointed thinking it was a malpractice/medical thing as opposed to actual murder but the author draws you in. Was expecting an average read after the opening chapters but the authors knack for combining tonnes of detail into a smooth narrative is the definition of succinctness. I feel like i've watched a stunningly produced and acted mini series that's immersed me in these peoples world. The case was very interesting too, much more so than i'd have thought.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical true crime book. I was shocked when I read of the baby’s death and despite all the medical reasoning behind the decision that the doctor did not contribute to the death, I disagree.

I was overcome with sadness while reading of the crime caused by the baby’s death. That poor guy! He suffered greatly in his life with extreme mental illness that was never acknowledged.

This book provided a brief look at the circumstances of the two deaths, the mood of the community and the outcome of the trials. It was not a deeply researched and wordy replay of the events.

[Krista Traill Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the heck did I just read? And how on earth did they come to the conclusions they did. It seems insanely wrong on so many levels. Off topic, why are there so few news stories on Google to do outside research? -KM

[Sheila Lien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written. Lots of trauma.

[Joe Stafura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doctor Death Duo

This was a strange one for sure, coincidence or con?

It provides an interesting look into the process of determining if a person is “insane”.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with the ER death of a three day old baby, and with the subsequent whitewash, cover-up, and political posturing. When the press and police finally confront the (popular) doctor in charge, the community circles the wagons around him. Meanwhile, another doctor (and future prosecution witness) who had also been present at the death, goes nuts and kills his wife. The ultimate resolution is unsatisfying through no fault of the author. Bizarre and unpleasant but definitely thought-provoking.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

You imagine that doctors of any type would be the people to protect you, heal you when you are ill, and look out for your best interest. You do not expect them to be the ones doing the killing. Well, I suppose you should, as history has shown us plenty of doctors who were involved in all sorts of horrible of things. It is even more revolting when it happens to children though. This book presented the facts in an order that was extremely captivating. I read this book in one day, and would recommend for anyone who is a fan of true crime.

[sallie]

Hardback

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, heartbreaking subject matter.

[Angie Horn]

Good book!

I think the Doctors were guilty. Both of them. I was disappointed especially that this Dr Rowan wasn't found guilty especially after he cleaned up after the crime. He also went outside to get the murder weapons. All in all GOOD book!