Serenity

by Harry Kraus

Nobody in Serenity, North Carolina, knows that Adam Tyson isdead. Nobody except his former physician's assistant who hasassumed his identity. Serenity was to be a fresh start and the fulfillment of a vowmade years ago. Being a doctor there is supposed to be a quiet,non-descript job. But it is in this touristy, seaside town wheredrugs flow, insurance is defrauded and people are dying. As the mystery around these suspicious activities and deathsunfolds, so does the new doctor's false identity. If the pretendercan survive the allegations and keep the unconditional love he'sdiscovered, he just may find the serenity he was seeking.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2002

About the author

Harry Kraus, M.D. is a board-certified surgeon, medical missionary to East Africa, and accomplished writer of both non-fiction and fiction. Medical realism and gripping plotlines distinguish his writing, as he gets most of his ideas with a scalpel in hand. Dr. Kraus resides in Virginia with his wife Kris and the youngest of his three sons.

Reviews

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an awesome novel. It's suspenseful, often funny, and the author has a keen insight into human nature. It's a medical mystery laced with the innocence of first love.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just recently discovered that many of our fellow readers have an abandoned shelf. What joy!
I am a compulsive reader. I read for pleasure: to learn something; to be transported to somewhere I can not take myself; for entertainment.
I came to love reading late. As a child, I loved going to the old Kansas City, Kansas, public library. I loved the gold fish pond covered with lily pads, I loved the rose garden, I loved the smell of the waxed hardwood floors, I loved checking out books. But, I didn't love to read. It wasn't until college that I learned to love to read.
Thank you Tibbie Shades for introducing me to Faulkner and American Literature; thank you Alan Baharlou for introducing me to geology; thank your Dr. Rose for taking me on an archaeology dig; thank you to all who were part of the college experience. It was there I was encouraged to open my mind, my heart, and my soul, and learned to think for myself!
With a passion for reading, I've become more discerning. I no longer feel the need to finish a book just because I started it. If the book is going nowhere, if there is nothing to be gleaned, if the author's purpose, characters, or dialogue are offensive, I'm through. Bookshelf: abandoned!
When I pulled Serenity, from the library shelf, I couldn't wait to be transported to the North Carolina seaside cottage porch. I didn't notice the genre Christian fiction, my mistake. Author Harry Kraus, MD's, intent may have been mystery, but he just couldn't hold anything back. All was disclosed in the first few chapters. No mystery here, just misogynistic and male chauvinistic depiction of female characters. Book closed; I'm finished; abandoned shelf.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a bit of everything - young teenage love, romance, mystery, medical detail, police detective work and things to make you smile. Characters were well-developed and the author did a great job of describing them and Serenity environmental detail. Even with all the strange things happening in this fictional book, Serenity sounds like a nice place to visit.

There was one part of the story which I found quite confusing involving some police detective work - it just did not seem realistic to me; however, it was only a small part of the overall story and didn't really spoil it. Also, I really got drawn into the main character, Dr. Adam Tyler, and would like to know a little more about how his life "turned out" in the end. Thanks Harry Kraus for a great read!

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

Kraus always does a good job !! I love his books. Slightly dated in some ways because all the medical world now uses electronic records not paper charts but the plot and character development and biblical world view are timeless. It was a great book

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed

[Mindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to suspend my credibility more than I wanted.

[Karol]

A lot about the plot of this book seemed completely ridiculous.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover alone made me want to read the book--it portrays serenity. I like medical mysteries. Lots of twists and turns that kept me wondering and reading. It kept my interest and I enjoyed the character development. Themes of true identity, honesty, character, trust and belief all come into focus in the little town of Serenity.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story with themes of finding true identity, ethics, relationships. Seems to be out of print, but available in the library. It has a Christian theme woven through it, but not to excess. Totally enjoyed this one!

[Elaine]

4.17 am
4.24/

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for better on this one. It is a medical mystery, written by an M.D. It was long and cumbersome, and a chore to get through.

[Cheryl Blevins]

Exciting and kept my interest!

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little unbelievable.

[Catherine Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had started reading this book before but quit for some reason. It was OK.