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The Stain
A high-tech researcher determined to disprove Christianity. A caring doctor in a state of panic. A young woman deceived and dying. They all bear the wounds of darkness. At what cost comes the cure? The newspapers in and around town are shouting the Is he a hero, a murderer, or a fool? Dr. Seth Berringer is wondering himself. In desperation he tried to take things into his own hands--and now those hands are stained with blood. He's caught in a cover-up with worldwide scientific and spiritual implications. And only the truth can set him free. Fiction as real as the dark impulses of the human heart "The Stain is as current as today's headlines, yet as eternal as God's truths. Surgeon Harry Kraus has combined his medical expertise with a gripping tale of modern medical mayhem that will keep you up tonight!" -- Angela Elwell Hunt, Best-selling author
432 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 1997
6 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Harry Kraus
20 books112 followersHarry 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.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 14, 2024
A satisfying Christian medical thriller (4 stars)
Author Harry Lee Kraus Jr is a medical doctor and a Christian. This is the first I've read of several thriller novels he's written, and it's a good one.
The two main characters are doctor Dr. Seth Berringer and Christian nurse Kerri Barber. Seth is accused of murdering Kerri's friend Lisa Dale, after coming across her body. He must uncover the truth if he's going to defend his innocence, but the truth proves to be more terrible than he could have ever imagined. Soon both he and Kerri find themselves in a deadly web.
It's a very satisfying story-line, and the author's medical background surfaces in numerous occasions, and adds authenticity to aspects of a plot that involves doctors and hospitals. Genetics and cloning also play an important role, after a DNA sample of Jesus' blood is supposedly obtained from the Shroud of Turin.
The author's Christian background also plays a central role in the story. Kerri finds herself falling in love with Seth, and I was pleased how she recognizes that she cannot be unequally yoked with a non-Christian; although it's not hard to guess how things work out in the end.
I appreciated the clever double meaning given to the word "stain" used in the title, which produces some great quotes. At first Seth is convinced that the blood sample from the shroud is the cause of all his problems. "Part of me thinks that what you say makes sense. I'd like to believe his blood is powerful enough to do everything you say ... Part of me says the blood on the shroud is what caused all my misery in the first place. I had a good job, respect, money until someone found that stain."
But eventually his perspective changes: "That stain isn't the problem. It represents the only solution." And: "I tried to blame my problems on that bloodstain, Father, not realizing it was the only way to bring me to you." And: "I'm not afraid to die! My sin is gone! My stain is gone!"
I'll be looking out for more books like this by Mr Kraus!
Author Harry Lee Kraus Jr is a medical doctor and a Christian. This is the first I've read of several thriller novels he's written, and it's a good one.
The two main characters are doctor Dr. Seth Berringer and Christian nurse Kerri Barber. Seth is accused of murdering Kerri's friend Lisa Dale, after coming across her body. He must uncover the truth if he's going to defend his innocence, but the truth proves to be more terrible than he could have ever imagined. Soon both he and Kerri find themselves in a deadly web.
It's a very satisfying story-line, and the author's medical background surfaces in numerous occasions, and adds authenticity to aspects of a plot that involves doctors and hospitals. Genetics and cloning also play an important role, after a DNA sample of Jesus' blood is supposedly obtained from the Shroud of Turin.
The author's Christian background also plays a central role in the story. Kerri finds herself falling in love with Seth, and I was pleased how she recognizes that she cannot be unequally yoked with a non-Christian; although it's not hard to guess how things work out in the end.
I appreciated the clever double meaning given to the word "stain" used in the title, which produces some great quotes. At first Seth is convinced that the blood sample from the shroud is the cause of all his problems. "Part of me thinks that what you say makes sense. I'd like to believe his blood is powerful enough to do everything you say ... Part of me says the blood on the shroud is what caused all my misery in the first place. I had a good job, respect, money until someone found that stain."
But eventually his perspective changes: "That stain isn't the problem. It represents the only solution." And: "I tried to blame my problems on that bloodstain, Father, not realizing it was the only way to bring me to you." And: "I'm not afraid to die! My sin is gone! My stain is gone!"
I'll be looking out for more books like this by Mr Kraus!
September 3, 2018
PROFOUNDLY AMAZINGLY EXCELLENT!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!
There are just NO WORDS to describe the way I feel about this story!!!! It took about a week to finish it, but oh my goodness I can't remember reading anything like it that affected me so deeply. This is Harry Kraus' BEST WORK....and I cannot express my grateful the reverence and honor he wrote about the PRECIOUS HOLY BLOOD of our Savior Jesus Christ! It will give you a deeper appreciation of that BLOOD and the POWER and LIFE that only His Blood has and nothing or no one can dare desecrate or manipulate!
This is a VERY POWERFUL novel that I will never forget!
WOW!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!
There are just NO WORDS to describe the way I feel about this story!!!! It took about a week to finish it, but oh my goodness I can't remember reading anything like it that affected me so deeply. This is Harry Kraus' BEST WORK....and I cannot express my grateful the reverence and honor he wrote about the PRECIOUS HOLY BLOOD of our Savior Jesus Christ! It will give you a deeper appreciation of that BLOOD and the POWER and LIFE that only His Blood has and nothing or no one can dare desecrate or manipulate!
This is a VERY POWERFUL novel that I will never forget!
July 9, 2018
Barbara, North River patron, July 2018, 5 stars:
Another very good read by Dr. Kraus. All of his books are Christian based.
Another very good read by Dr. Kraus. All of his books are Christian based.
September 2, 2012
Dr Seth Berringer is accused of murdering a young woman, Lisa Dale. In order to prove his innocence, he and nurse Kerri Barber go on the hunt for the truth about Lisa's death, all under the watchful eyes of both the town sheriff and two men who will do whatever it takes to make sure the good doctor doesn't uncover what really happened.
There were times where I just wanted to reach into the book and slap Seth across the head for the stupid decisions he makes along the way!! But other than this, the story was well-written and it was really hard for me to put it down!
3.75 out of 5
There were times where I just wanted to reach into the book and slap Seth across the head for the stupid decisions he makes along the way!! But other than this, the story was well-written and it was really hard for me to put it down!
3.75 out of 5
September 18, 2007
In this fast-paced novel by Harry Lee Kraus, M.D., we are introduced to a high-tech researcher, a caring doctor, and a dying young woman. All bear the wounds of darkness. At what cost comes the cure?
May 9, 2008
Character made such stupid decisions it made me want to scream aloud at the ridiculousness of the action! Anyways, the book was ok, not quite what I was looking for in a "genetic thriller" but I'm willing to try a few more of his novels.
January 29, 2015
An excellent read.
I truly enjoyed this book. There is a lot of suspense. It was hard to put down. I especially like the way that trusting in God was brought into the story. Dr Kraus is Ann excellent author.
I truly enjoyed this book. There is a lot of suspense. It was hard to put down. I especially like the way that trusting in God was brought into the story. Dr Kraus is Ann excellent author.
July 12, 2015
I didn't get into this book so after three chapters I quit.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews