Lie Still: A Novel of Suspense

by David Farris

A prominent physician debuts as a gifted storyteller in Lie Still, a dazzlingly suspenseful and compulsively readable trip through the dark underbelly of the OR -- where reputations, careers, and lives are on the line. In a sleepy, small-town Arizona hospital, a thirteen-year-old boy lies in a coma after inexplicably suffering a cardiac arrest. His doctors are perplexed. Although emotionally disturbed Henry Rojelio was a frequent visitor to the emergency room -- often for bouts of asthma, but usually just for attention -- no one ever anticipated a battle with death. Surgical resident Malcolm Ishmail began his medical career months before at a busy Phoenix hospital -- a far cry from the small ER deep in the silent heart of the desert, where Henry Rojelio lies. There, Malcolm fell into a secret, exhausting affair with one of his professors, Dr. Mimi Lyle, a beautiful, charismatic brain surgeon who had subtle difficulties in the operating room. In a moment of weakness "Dreamy Mimi" confessed to him her failings as a neurosurgeon; Malcolm reported her to his superiors . . . and promptly lost his job. Now, miles away from Phoenix, Dr. Ishmail struggles to save his young asthmatic patient's life and his future as a surgeon. And with little time and few clues to the cause of Henry Rojelio's sudden collapse, the impressionable doctor wonders whether his former lover may have exacted a disturbing revenge.Rich in medical detail and written with stylish, razor-sharp action and dialogue, Lie Still is a gripping, emotional drama of human failings and devastating consequences that marks the debut of a remarkable new voice.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Medical, Mystery

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kathleen Hagen]

Lie Still, by David Farris. A.
A cassette book borrowed from the LIbrary for the Blind
Okay! This is a medical thriller that I couldn’t put down. But I don’t usually read medical thrillers because I already can’t stand the thought of hospitals, general anesthesia, and now brain surgery. Farris is in fact a doctor, mainly an anesthesiologist. This book is about a hapless young resident who, while doing his six weeks in neurosurgery, becomes sexually involved with his attending neurology professor. He learns that she has a great deal of trouble performing brain surgery because she doesn’t think well when three-dimensional puzzles are involved. Of course, this is pretty essential in brain surgery. He finally allows himself to file a report against her. Dr. Mimi Lyle is nothing if not vengeful. She begins to make his life as a doctor hell and attempts to have his medical license revoked. In doing this, we learn about horrendous things that can go wrong in an operating room. Not for the faint of heart! This is definitely a page turner until the end which falls a little flat. I’ll definitely look for something else by this author.

[Mary MacKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stick to doctoring

Poorly written.The medical parts were interesting but there was no real story to the whole thing. Sounded more like a teenager on his first stages of maturing. Too much accent on the sex. Not really much about patient care and too much childish stupidity in his actions of trying. to exonerate "poor me".

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. Yes, there were parts that were slow but the medical suspense plot, and the details of working in a hospital seemed very well done. Yes., some people may read it and think “ Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water” – sorry , “hospital”, but this is not really a story of medical malpractice, but of revenge. I will certainly read more novels by this author.

[Betty Jean Cogley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Done!

I have two TVs to watch, a Kindle fire and an iPad. I started to read Lie Stil by David Farris on my phone in the doctors office. I’ve ignored everything else except my phone to read and finish this amazing and complicated story with what I think is an awesome ending. I’ll be looking for more stories by this author. I intend to reread this one again.

[Ron Turker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and accurate medical whodunnit. It twists and weaves its way to a very satisfying conclusion. Characters to root for, and some to despise, but they all have layers, just like the people all around us. Well done.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise was medical suspense touted as equal to Robin Cook. No way.

[Christine E Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I struggled in the early chapters to get into this book, but once I did, oh my goodness! There was no putting it down!

I initially started Lie Still several months ago and got bored. I admit it. I decided to set it aside for a while and moved on to other books. But just a few days ago, I ran across it in my library and realized something in the description had made me want to read it. So I started again, and less than a week later, I'm happy to have stuck it out.

It's a twisting, turning tale of deception, gross incompetence, and lies. It's a tale filled with more terrifying mysteries than even the best horror novel. Why? Because medical mistakes happen (Mimi Lyle), people want revenge (Robin), and people end up under the figurative bus (Malcolm and Henry).

Give it a chance. Even if you struggle early, don't give up...The unexpected ways everything comes together are worth reading to the end.

[Linda Gosslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The author's style is a little unusual. I had to refer back to the beginning a couple of times to verify where I was in time. Maybe that's just me.
The medical cases presented were very interesting, and all true from the author's experience. The behind-the-scenes hospital atmosphere rang true - I worked in one for 24 years.
The surprise ending was a surprise - it hadn't occurred to me, anyway.

[Sheila Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired nurse, I love thrillers and in particular, medical thrillers. Dr. Farris kept me turning the pages. I loved the voice and the complex characters. I thought he did a wonderful job describing medical procedures, and patient conditions. What I thought he did exceptionally well was weave the politics within every hospital and a very important ethical issue into the story. One of the few books that kept me rooted in my seat and turning pages. Well done.

[J&B Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lie Still.....not with this novel!

Lie Still.....not with this novel!

I was anesthetized by this book. A promising young doctor blindsided by a jilted so called brilliant neurosurgeon because he cares about the patient first when it comes to medical ethics. Great characters. Great plot. Great dialogue. Great twists. Great stuff!

[Deirdre Skaggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good in the middle but the ending was pathetic. 2.5 stars

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is good; very memorable, but the writing is confusing at times.

[Toesnorth's mom]

medical suspense, good plot but explicit sex

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow

[Jim Merkelt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had trouble getting into the story. I had put it aside and read other Kindle books from Amazon and Philly's Free Library on Overdrive. Finally got back to it but still have put it aside.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portland resident.