Deadly Rhythm

Philip Sarkis Mystery #2

by Peter R. Kowey

Al Romanzo is a World War II veteran living out his days in a nursing home in the coal- mining region of northeastern Pennsylvania. A nasty fall prompts an admission to a Scranton hospital where, a few days later, he dies after an unexpected cardiac arrest. His two children, who had abandoned him years earlier upon leaving for Southern California, decide to bring a malpractice claim against his doctors. Dr. Paul Wilson, the defendant cardiologist, requests a case review by Dr. Philip Sarkis, a brilliant academic who lost his career, his family, and nearly his sanity in a messy malpractice case years before. Philip now lives on a lake in the Pocono Mountains with attorney Dorothy Deaver and their two Portuguese water dogs. He’s practicing medicine in a humble outpatient clinic, looking for ways to make some money and restore his psyche.

With the help of his lover and attorney Dorothy and her private detective father, Dick, Philip dives into the case and comes to believe that Al’s death may not have been what it seemed. In fact, Philip and Dorothy are horrified to find that dozens of old German and Italian men in the region, including a childhood friend of Philip’s, have died in other hospitals in the region under remarkably similar circumstances. As the three begin to uncover a murder conspiracy, they are intimidated and even attacked until some familiar friends enter the scene.

Deadly Rhythm is a sequel to Lethal Rhythm. Both books are fictionalized versions of real malpractice cases in which I participated as an expert witness. I wrote these stories to entertain, but also to help make the public aware of the extremely negative effect the American tort system has had on medical care. Doctors who have been sued practice defensively, willing to do whatever is necessary to avoid another courtroom appearance. Even worse, the vast majority of harmed patients and their families are not properly compensated, nor does the tort system provide the resolution of conflict that doctors and patients seek and deserve.

My fervent hope is that these novels will motivate us to find a better solution for patients and families who have been harmed by a medical error.

Genres: Mystery

302 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2012

Reviews

[Patrice Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently decided it was time to get back to actual paper books so the novel Deadly Rhythm by Peter Kowey MD arriving in the mail was a good place to start... initially. The novel begins with an old man, Al Romanzo, having a fall in a nursing home that eventually leads to his death at a hospital. In an effort to squeeze the hospital for money his children file a malpractice lawsuit when there were questions of how someone comes to the hospital for a fall but leaves dead by reason of cardiac arrest. Dr. Phillip Sarkis is called in by the insurance lawyer to investigate whether the claim has any merit and what their liability is.

Dr. Phillip finds evidence of foulplay and other victims which sets him on a crusade to find who is the person murdering old men. He enlists the help of his girlfriend Dorothy and her P.I. father Dick. They soon unravel more than they want to and are placed in harms way.

Now! The premise for this novel seems like a winner. I am a fan of Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen so I didn't hesitate to put a bid in to win this novel. I was stoked upon hearing I'd won and after waiting for it for two months, it arrives and I crack it open. After reading a few pages my excitement level dropped tremendously. I wanted to like this book so much but I can't honestly say that I do. The story is actually an interesting story and I think it's really sad that someone is knocking off old men who have something exceptionally good in common. And Kowey's writing style doesn't make it seem that all the medical terms are intimidating.

My gripes with this book are that the story doesn't seem to be unfolding. It's almost like I'm listening to someone dictate a story as opposed to being right where the action is. He uses a lot of "later this evening" or "a few days later" as if we aren't to know that time has moved forward. And his description of the malpractice lawyer makes him seem like the scum of the earth. There was a scene in the beginning that the lawyer seemed like he was going to assault another lawyer in the middle of the boardroom and the rookie lawyers were just going to let it happen. The guy was so cliche and exaggerated that I actually found him comical.

I hope this review wasn't too harsh but I have to be honest. If the read wasn't fast paced or have an interesting premise I may have chucked it out of window. But I did want to know why and who were killing these helpless old men and the ending was a twist I did not see coming and I actually did like it. That is the only reason I finished the book. I'm sure with this being only Kowey's second novel, a few writing quirks will be ironed out in future novels. Until then...

[Erica Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start out with I am trying something new on my blog called Book Review Weekend. My hope is every weekend-at least over the summer-post a book review for my readers. I am also hoping to find others out there who are review books who can link up there posts underneath my main post.
So my weekend review was a book written by a cardiologist Peter R. Kowey. Dr. Kowey weaves a very interested story about his main character Dr. Sarkis and life after having to leave a prestigious practice due to huge scandal. This whole scandal can be found in Dr. Kowey's first book called Lethal Rhythm. In this novel the main character Dr. Sarkis is called in on a consult of a suspicious death of a World War II veteran. What he is discovers is more than a possible malpractice cause, but what might be a serial killer. The story contains lots of interesting medical facts and data as well as well written characters and plot. In fact at one point in the story I was suspecting one of the main characters of some shady business (won't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything). For me I love when that happens because it means the author has done a good job of not making the story line too obvious. That being said I do have one small critique of the book and it is small-There was a tie into world war II and Nazi's and I wish this had been explored a bit more than it was in the story line. Then again the book wouldn't have been such a quick read if that was the case.

I would give the book 4 out of 5 stars and say it is a good summer beach read for those who like thrillers/mysteries.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this autographed book freely as a result of a first-reads giveaway.

I began the book reading about 10 pgs each night before sleep. When I got to about halfway through, the book grabbed me and I found myself opening my "nighttime read" during the day. So, there you have it! I read the remaining 50% all in one sitting yesterday afternoon.

The book was interesting. I'm still processing it. The book was more about the main characters, Dorothy (an attorney) and Philip (a cardiac physician), than the elderly patients who died from digitalis poisoning.

Since Dr. Kowey has extensive knowledge in heart function, this book was extremely interesting and scientific in details. I will read the next book in the series just to see what happens next since I still have questions regarding Philip and Dorothy's father, Dick. I'm also so curious as to the police department involved in the area.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got it on a giveaway, can't wait to read!

- Will be editing this review as soon as I get the book. :)



It took awhile, but I finally got the book couldn't wait to read it.

The book is such a page turner, made me stay awake though the night to just finish it.

My mom is on the medical field, so needles to say that I loved it, used to read lots of Cook. Could not get enough of the whole medical, I really do think was spot on. Makes the plot that much believable, its so easy to get immerse in the story.

The pacing is great, not too many ups and downs, everything is just right.

Plot is also really good, all the healthcare system and lawyer developments were great.

It would be so good on TV, maybe a miniseries?

Anyway, loved it and recommend it. :)

[Betsy Hover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive this book as Goodreads giveaway! The author of medical murder mystery, Peter Kowey, has written another great book incorporating the medical field intertwined with a mystery. The stage is an investigation of a mal-practice claim of elderly man who dies after being admitted to the hospital from a nasty fall. During the investigation, other patients have been involved in the same fate.

[Lorri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read his previous book, but found this one to be interesting. I thought I had the story all figured out, but was I wrong! Philip gets involved in the case and can't let go, knowing that it could cause him problems. With the help of his girlfriend and her father, they finally put together the details and find the killers. It kept me reading through the night to find out what would happen!

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my opinion.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the start it is obvious that the author knows what he is talking about when it comes to the medical jargon. It was written in a way that those of us without this knowledge can understand what is going on, without the words being dumbed down. Although the start of the book is a bit slow to get going, it does pick up the pace at the end. The characters are well written and enough backstory is given to flesh them out. Worth a read.
*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway*

[Rena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this from Goodreads. This is a very interesting medical mystery. I love this genre since I was pre-med in college (but didn't end up going to med school). Anyway, while the mystery and sinister aspects of the story were good, I didn't find it super thrilling, as in the usual way a novel is considered a thriller. But it's a great story and I loved the scientific aspects of it.

[Lynnett Palindat · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very simplistic writing style, an interesting story but a disappointing ending. If this is based on a true story and the actual result of the crime committed was that it was not investigated or taken seriously and that the real ending was a massive fire that killed 20 bad guys then I really suffer a crisis of faith for the American justice system.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Peter Kowey for my copy.

Great read, a well written story full of twist and turns that will keep you interested in the story. I would recommend this one to anyone wanting a good murder mystery, a must read.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. More twists and turns than a telemetry strip. Philip Sarkis is the type of doctor I like, committed to the best for the patient and doing what is right. I've already recommended it to other nurses I work with.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

This book was ok. It was an interesting mystery, but some parts were a little too technical for my taste. Also, the writing was not quite as fluid as I'm used to, which made it difficult to get lost in the story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing thriller. The medical aspects of the story are particularly well done. The book would be better if the author had spent less time on a previous case and instead tied up some of the loose ends in this one.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved this book as a First Reads Giveaway, and I quite enjoyed it. Great characters, intriguing plot (with a scientific/medical side), and lots of twists.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

i recieved this free from good reads first reads. it was ok depends on the person reading it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought I had this book figured out but it had a great twist at the end.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed review coming soon. Received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Mary Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Great characters and a twisted clever plot.