The Fish

by Joe Wise

When newly married Dr. Tom Winfohr moves to Santa Fe, New Mexico to start his new life, he has no reason to suspect the trouble that awaits him as Medical Director at the state penitentiary. Unwittingly lured into a surprisingly large prison drug trade, Tom finds himself seriously threatened by a conflict involving his honor, his love and his safety. This fast moving novel will keep you engrossed in a horrifying situation from which there seems to be no solution. Award-winning author Joe Wise served for two years as the Medical Director of the New Mexico Penitentiary. His first novel, Cannibal Plateau, was judged Best Historical Novel at the Southwest Writer's Workshop. He received an award for fiction from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association for In the Moro, his second novel.

Paperback

Published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sherry]

This is a feisty little novel which I chose because it is set in Santa Fe, NM. Essentially the book is about a cardiac specialist who marries late in life and due to circumstances leaves his practice in New Hampshire to come to New Mexico. He believes his options are limited and he takes a position at the State Penitentiary. Since the author is also a physician who worked for a stint at the Pen in Santa Fe, we can assume that some of the insights into life in prison and the faux pas committed by neophytes working in the system and the working conditions are accurate. The story itself is intriguing regarding the means of "hooking" the doctor into committing illegal acts. Two things nagged at me regarding the book. First, the ending to the story was a bit too contrived (if you read it you will see what I mean) and second, it felt like the author tried to throw in every "touristy" tidbit and description of the area he could. Almost a travel brochure for the Santa Fe and surrounding areas. Quick read, so try it for yourself.