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Pennsylvania's Finest
Philip Drummer is a newly crowned physician fresh out of medical school. His surgical internship takes him to the prestigious Philadelphia General Hospital where he begins training under the famous Dr. Richard Knight. Dr. Knight is an old school cardiac surgeon whose interests include fast cars and beautiful women. Phil and his fellow classmates soon begin to experience the raw brutality of a one-year surgical internship. They quickly discover that the elder Dr. Knight is obsessed with a surgical mortality ranking that is published in the Philadelphia Chronicle every other year. This ranking compares Dr. Knight to all of the other cardiac surgeons in the region, and fuels his larger than life persona. Unfortunately for all, Dr. Knight’s patients begin to die at an alarming rate, causing his local aura to suffer. To complicate the matter Phil becomes intimately involved with the current mistress of Dr. Knight. A mistress who lives in an opulent world funded by the wealthy and distinguished Doctor Knight. Phil Drummer soon finds himself fighting for survival in the midst of his powerful mentor’s suddenly confused life. A mentor, who once swore to a Hippocratic oath, yet is inexplicably trying to cope with a series of deaths amid a crumbling reputation. For everyone involved at the Philadelphia General Hospital the situation rapidly becomes a matter of life and death - amid rising suspicions as to the exact cause of each fatal event.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 7, 2014
"Pennsylvania's Finest" by Michael Banas
First off, I love the cover of this eBook. While it really only shows a surgeon in a mask and a team of surgeons at a table in the background, it shows so much more. The look in the surgeon's eye is intense, foreshadowing things to come. The cover art was well done.
What exactly is it that fascinates us so much with hospital/doctor stories. There are literally hundreds of medical dramas, horrors and even comedies written every year, even television audiences are not immune to the draw of this genre. This can be proven by the success of such television shows as E.R. and Gray's Anatomy, and in movies such as Coma and Desperate Measures. Perhaps it is the power that doctors often hold over life and death. They have the ability to heal AND the ability to harm. Whatever it is, the draw and the fascination are alive and well.
The main character in this story is Philip Michael Drummer. "He was 6 foot 5 inches tall with a lean build and thick crop of black hair. Brown eyes adorned a tanned complexion, which was intermittently freckled in a pleasing pattern. A kind demeanor combined with a caring attitude made him one of the most popular students amongst his graduating class." Phil is what we picture as the perfect doctor, one who instantly inspires trust.
The setting is PGH or Pennsylvania General Hospital. Dr. Phil Drummer is a first year intern and starts his surgical career off with a three month rotation in cardio thoracic surgery.
Dr. Richard Knight is a talented cardiothoracic surgeon who has spent his entire thirty year career at PGH. His life is his job. He is married, but unhappy in that marriage. He has three children, but has little to do with them. "Outside of medicine he enjoyed three passions. One was driving a black Porsche very fast. The second was Russian vodka. The third was young women." His mistress is his Physician's Assistant, Jennifer Ranier. She lives in a penthouse apartment owned by Knight and has been there for four years.
Phil is learning the ropes of becoming a doctor and the author has done a great job of explaining the internal workings and hierarchy of a teaching hospital.
Every two years the newspaper publishes a list of surgeons and their mortality rates. This information tells the public the percentage of deaths that each surgeon is responsible for. Dr. Knight has spent many years at the top of that list and he is obsessed with ensuring that he stays at the top. He craves the prestige that this affords him. He will do anything to ensure his patients survive (at least until they are discharged).
The problem is that Dr. Knight has lost a couple patients recently and he has no idea why. They both seemed to be recovering well from surgery and all indicators pointed to a full recovery.
The reader is given information as to the cause of these deaths that Dr. Knight is completely unaware of. In fact, it is absolutely terrifying how easy it is for a patient to die in a hospital setting and for the cause to be undetectable. It makes the reader acutely aware of how powerless a patient is in that setting.
Because I do not want to give away too much of the plot, I will leave off giving any more information about the story line. Suffice it to say that this story will definitely make you think twice (or even three or four times) before allowing yourself to undergo any surgical procedures in the future.
What I Liked About This Book:
Though the story builds slowly at times, the suspense is always simmering under the surface. We know that someone is causing the deaths of Dr. Knight's post operative patients, and we even think we know why. But, who is behind it? And what is the real motive? How many innocents will die before murder is even suspected? Or will the culprit continue to get away with it? Who will be the hero who eventually figures out what is going on? And will he/she be able to prove their suspicions?
The character development in this book was well done and my favorite character was Dr. Phil Drummer. He is a likeable guy, with a great moral compass, but, he is human and male and therefore susceptible to a pretty face and great body.
I also enjoyed the portrayal of the other interns, especially Dr. Polk who moves into the hospital's Intern On-Call room. It was written in such a way that the reader is able to picture this actually happening.
Character List
Intern - Dr. Phil Drummer
Intern - Dr. Cathy Finley
Intern - Dr. Frederick Riles III (son of Frederick Riles II a professor of general surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital who did his surgical training at PHH) -the son only received his position at the hospital because of his father
Intern - Dr. Rich Polk - late for intro meeting - moves into the Intern On-Call room
Chairman of Dept of Surgery - Dr. Michael Barnes
Chief Surgical Resident - Pete Larson - planning a plastic surgery fellowship in Southern California the next year
Medical Student - Melissa Bankart - passes out at her first autopsy
Medical Student - Charles "Chuck" Roden
Phil's Next Door Neighbor & Vet Student - Jim Turner
Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon - Dr. Richard Knight - a pompous ass, but an exceptional surgeon - very set in his ways - potentially OCD.
Physician's Assistant to Dr. Knight - Jennifer "Jenna" Ranier - also his mistress and a true beauty
What I Did Not Like About This Book:
There were several grammatical errors and a few typos in the eBook version of this book. It needs to be gone over by a professional editor and/or proofreader.
For example, one sentence reads: "I've got a laundry list of patient's on hold for surgery." This should read "patients" not "patient's".
Again, only two paragraphs later, there is another typo. "One is to secure me an extra O.R. Day every week. Friday's would be fine." This should say "Fridays" not "Friday's".
Another example is: "Barnes continued to smile and clap at Dr. Riles while the guest sat down with a look of content."
I am not sure if it should say "...a look of contempt." Or "...a look of contentment." They are very different things and by using the wrong descriptive word, the reader gets confused.
These may seem like minor issues, but these same type of errors are rampant throughout the book.
Because of the proof-reading mistakes I have to rate this book one star lower than I would have if the errors did not exist.
Rating:
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It kept my attention and even though the story takes place in a hospital, the technical jargon is explained concisely and in layman's terms.
I was not a fan of hospitals before reading this book, but now I am even more leery of having surgery in the future. It is just too easy for something (or someone) to go wrong. I will have this book in my mind anytime I am ever admitted into a hospital in the future.
First off, I love the cover of this eBook. While it really only shows a surgeon in a mask and a team of surgeons at a table in the background, it shows so much more. The look in the surgeon's eye is intense, foreshadowing things to come. The cover art was well done.
What exactly is it that fascinates us so much with hospital/doctor stories. There are literally hundreds of medical dramas, horrors and even comedies written every year, even television audiences are not immune to the draw of this genre. This can be proven by the success of such television shows as E.R. and Gray's Anatomy, and in movies such as Coma and Desperate Measures. Perhaps it is the power that doctors often hold over life and death. They have the ability to heal AND the ability to harm. Whatever it is, the draw and the fascination are alive and well.
The main character in this story is Philip Michael Drummer. "He was 6 foot 5 inches tall with a lean build and thick crop of black hair. Brown eyes adorned a tanned complexion, which was intermittently freckled in a pleasing pattern. A kind demeanor combined with a caring attitude made him one of the most popular students amongst his graduating class." Phil is what we picture as the perfect doctor, one who instantly inspires trust.
The setting is PGH or Pennsylvania General Hospital. Dr. Phil Drummer is a first year intern and starts his surgical career off with a three month rotation in cardio thoracic surgery.
Dr. Richard Knight is a talented cardiothoracic surgeon who has spent his entire thirty year career at PGH. His life is his job. He is married, but unhappy in that marriage. He has three children, but has little to do with them. "Outside of medicine he enjoyed three passions. One was driving a black Porsche very fast. The second was Russian vodka. The third was young women." His mistress is his Physician's Assistant, Jennifer Ranier. She lives in a penthouse apartment owned by Knight and has been there for four years.
Phil is learning the ropes of becoming a doctor and the author has done a great job of explaining the internal workings and hierarchy of a teaching hospital.
Every two years the newspaper publishes a list of surgeons and their mortality rates. This information tells the public the percentage of deaths that each surgeon is responsible for. Dr. Knight has spent many years at the top of that list and he is obsessed with ensuring that he stays at the top. He craves the prestige that this affords him. He will do anything to ensure his patients survive (at least until they are discharged).
The problem is that Dr. Knight has lost a couple patients recently and he has no idea why. They both seemed to be recovering well from surgery and all indicators pointed to a full recovery.
The reader is given information as to the cause of these deaths that Dr. Knight is completely unaware of. In fact, it is absolutely terrifying how easy it is for a patient to die in a hospital setting and for the cause to be undetectable. It makes the reader acutely aware of how powerless a patient is in that setting.
Because I do not want to give away too much of the plot, I will leave off giving any more information about the story line. Suffice it to say that this story will definitely make you think twice (or even three or four times) before allowing yourself to undergo any surgical procedures in the future.
What I Liked About This Book:
Though the story builds slowly at times, the suspense is always simmering under the surface. We know that someone is causing the deaths of Dr. Knight's post operative patients, and we even think we know why. But, who is behind it? And what is the real motive? How many innocents will die before murder is even suspected? Or will the culprit continue to get away with it? Who will be the hero who eventually figures out what is going on? And will he/she be able to prove their suspicions?
The character development in this book was well done and my favorite character was Dr. Phil Drummer. He is a likeable guy, with a great moral compass, but, he is human and male and therefore susceptible to a pretty face and great body.
I also enjoyed the portrayal of the other interns, especially Dr. Polk who moves into the hospital's Intern On-Call room. It was written in such a way that the reader is able to picture this actually happening.
Character List
Intern - Dr. Phil Drummer
Intern - Dr. Cathy Finley
Intern - Dr. Frederick Riles III (son of Frederick Riles II a professor of general surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital who did his surgical training at PHH) -the son only received his position at the hospital because of his father
Intern - Dr. Rich Polk - late for intro meeting - moves into the Intern On-Call room
Chairman of Dept of Surgery - Dr. Michael Barnes
Chief Surgical Resident - Pete Larson - planning a plastic surgery fellowship in Southern California the next year
Medical Student - Melissa Bankart - passes out at her first autopsy
Medical Student - Charles "Chuck" Roden
Phil's Next Door Neighbor & Vet Student - Jim Turner
Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon - Dr. Richard Knight - a pompous ass, but an exceptional surgeon - very set in his ways - potentially OCD.
Physician's Assistant to Dr. Knight - Jennifer "Jenna" Ranier - also his mistress and a true beauty
What I Did Not Like About This Book:
There were several grammatical errors and a few typos in the eBook version of this book. It needs to be gone over by a professional editor and/or proofreader.
For example, one sentence reads: "I've got a laundry list of patient's on hold for surgery." This should read "patients" not "patient's".
Again, only two paragraphs later, there is another typo. "One is to secure me an extra O.R. Day every week. Friday's would be fine." This should say "Fridays" not "Friday's".
Another example is: "Barnes continued to smile and clap at Dr. Riles while the guest sat down with a look of content."
I am not sure if it should say "...a look of contempt." Or "...a look of contentment." They are very different things and by using the wrong descriptive word, the reader gets confused.
These may seem like minor issues, but these same type of errors are rampant throughout the book.
Because of the proof-reading mistakes I have to rate this book one star lower than I would have if the errors did not exist.
Rating:
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It kept my attention and even though the story takes place in a hospital, the technical jargon is explained concisely and in layman's terms.
I was not a fan of hospitals before reading this book, but now I am even more leery of having surgery in the future. It is just too easy for something (or someone) to go wrong. I will have this book in my mind anytime I am ever admitted into a hospital in the future.
December 29, 2013
Technically competent. Good character development. Excellent plotting. And yet for all that there was a sense of something missing. This should be a five star book. But that something missing is perhaps a building tension so this is only a four star rating.
August 17, 2016
Witty, insightful...honest realistic look into the making of a doctor.
Suspenseful....a thriller. A must read!
Suspenseful....a thriller. A must read!
November 28, 2018
Code Blue Code Blue!!!
This is the story of one year (as an intern) spent at Pennsylvania General Hospital. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to everyone who enjoys medical stories dealing with possible reality situations as an intern in a large hospital setting. Gave 5 stars because it was very believable in the telling. Also contains mystery, murder and suspense.
This is the story of one year (as an intern) spent at Pennsylvania General Hospital. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to everyone who enjoys medical stories dealing with possible reality situations as an intern in a large hospital setting. Gave 5 stars because it was very believable in the telling. Also contains mystery, murder and suspense.
August 7, 2018
Interesting things in this book
Not being a doctor,I have little knowledge about what the doctor actually puts into a hospital computer. I am, however, an experienced patient and know there are always errors in my file. I'm lucky - I've caught the incorrect reports that would have killed me. Scary.
Not being a doctor,I have little knowledge about what the doctor actually puts into a hospital computer. I am, however, an experienced patient and know there are always errors in my file. I'm lucky - I've caught the incorrect reports that would have killed me. Scary.
October 9, 2019
A great read
Enthralling all the way. The author's considerable professional knowledge was sadly let down by inadequate proof-reading, including but not limited to: pluralisation by apostophe and awkward overuse of "appreciated". Portraying a professional milieu begs more attention to professional language. That said, I loved the book!
Enthralling all the way. The author's considerable professional knowledge was sadly let down by inadequate proof-reading, including but not limited to: pluralisation by apostophe and awkward overuse of "appreciated". Portraying a professional milieu begs more attention to professional language. That said, I loved the book!
July 14, 2020
Very convincing novel
My reason for choosing this book is due to my interest in medical procedures and in particular individuals perception of each other.characters are very well detailed and interesting .most enjoyable.
My reason for choosing this book is due to my interest in medical procedures and in particular individuals perception of each other.characters are very well detailed and interesting .most enjoyable.
April 20, 2023
This is supposed to be a medical thriller. So far everything is fine and dandy. The problem is that I have reached 15% of the story, and there is still no tension and mystery. Everything looks like an intern's diary. At this point I decided to abandon the book and look for something else to read.
September 15, 2019
Great read
This is my 2nd read of this book. I enjoyed it both times. It seemed to be very well researched.
This is my 2nd read of this book. I enjoyed it both times. It seemed to be very well researched.
October 26, 2015
Truly AUTHENTIC Medicine!
This was, by far, one of the best medical drama books I've had the pleasure of reading. The storyline was riveting, so compelling that I couldn't stop reading. The characters were engaging, their actions and thoughts making me either admire or despise them.
Most of all, the MEDICAL CONTENT WAS SPOT ON. That is what I loved most about this book. EVERYTHING MEDICAL WAS TECHNICALLY ACCURATE, flawlessly representing real life . Treatment protocols, details, verbiage were exactly correct.
Wow, I can't wait to read the author's bio; I know without a doubt that he is a physician. Kudos to him for such an authentic representation of the world of medicine. I've already purchased his next book.
This was, by far, one of the best medical drama books I've had the pleasure of reading. The storyline was riveting, so compelling that I couldn't stop reading. The characters were engaging, their actions and thoughts making me either admire or despise them.
Most of all, the MEDICAL CONTENT WAS SPOT ON. That is what I loved most about this book. EVERYTHING MEDICAL WAS TECHNICALLY ACCURATE, flawlessly representing real life . Treatment protocols, details, verbiage were exactly correct.
Wow, I can't wait to read the author's bio; I know without a doubt that he is a physician. Kudos to him for such an authentic representation of the world of medicine. I've already purchased his next book.
April 26, 2014
Don't bother
If numerous grammatical errors and typos are your pet peeve, as they are mine, don't bother with this book. Also the overuse of the word "appreciate", in all its forms, and the overuse/misuse of the word "feinted" are abundantly annoying. I think this author should purchase a thesaurus and find a new proofreader before starting another book. The end of the book is very anticlimactic and with the above mentioned errors it is really not worth the time it took to read it.
If numerous grammatical errors and typos are your pet peeve, as they are mine, don't bother with this book. Also the overuse of the word "appreciate", in all its forms, and the overuse/misuse of the word "feinted" are abundantly annoying. I think this author should purchase a thesaurus and find a new proofreader before starting another book. The end of the book is very anticlimactic and with the above mentioned errors it is really not worth the time it took to read it.
April 23, 2016
Good story with many, many errors that could have been prevented by a good editor and proofreader
I liked the main character but found it extremely distracting to constantly encounter errors in grammar, a mystifying overuse of the word "appreciated" in the wrong context and a lack of understanding of the possessive and the use of the apostrophe. I plan to read the author's other books and I hope that he will find a good editor, because he is a talented writer and will become even better with time and proofreading.
I liked the main character but found it extremely distracting to constantly encounter errors in grammar, a mystifying overuse of the word "appreciated" in the wrong context and a lack of understanding of the possessive and the use of the apostrophe. I plan to read the author's other books and I hope that he will find a good editor, because he is a talented writer and will become even better with time and proofreading.
December 6, 2014
Decent storyline
Not a bad book overall, with a few exceptions. The story itself is a decent one which ends with a plot twist nor easily seen. However, I gave the book 3 stars instead of 4 due to horrible editing. There are a multitude of grammar and spelling errors that became distracting while I was reading.
Not a bad book overall, with a few exceptions. The story itself is a decent one which ends with a plot twist nor easily seen. However, I gave the book 3 stars instead of 4 due to horrible editing. There are a multitude of grammar and spelling errors that became distracting while I was reading.
October 24, 2020
Część I. Po angielsku.
Historia młodego lekarza Phila Drummera w czasie pierwszego roku po dyplomie - staż u w szpiralu Pholadelphia General Hospital. Lekarz chce zdobyć specjalizację chirurga.
Lekka historia z wątkiem miłosnym, niespodziewanymi śmierciami pacjentów. Oczywiście czarnym charakterem jest doświadczony i utytułowany profesor.
Dobrze się czyta i można poznać życie stażysty w USA .
Historia młodego lekarza Phila Drummera w czasie pierwszego roku po dyplomie - staż u w szpiralu Pholadelphia General Hospital. Lekarz chce zdobyć specjalizację chirurga.
Lekka historia z wątkiem miłosnym, niespodziewanymi śmierciami pacjentów. Oczywiście czarnym charakterem jest doświadczony i utytułowany profesor.
Dobrze się czyta i można poznać życie stażysty w USA .
April 30, 2014
There are many typos/grammatical errors. It's and its are two totally different words as are patients and patient's. The errors are liberally sprinkled throughout the book. I got to the point where it was 'I made it this far, so I might as well finish the book.'
February 24, 2016
Disappointed
This is first of a series. I wasn't able to finish this book. The typos became too frequent. And the plot went nowhere. Don't waste your money on this one. Too bad, because I was looking or a good medical thriller.
This is first of a series. I wasn't able to finish this book. The typos became too frequent. And the plot went nowhere. Don't waste your money on this one. Too bad, because I was looking or a good medical thriller.
Read
February 12, 2014Great book
I really enjoyed reading this book. Very good author, I will look for more of his books for future reading.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Very good author, I will look for more of his books for future reading.
November 19, 2014
very interesting book if you're from Philadelphia and familiar with PGH.
December 21, 2014
Quick read kept me engrossed.
Very well written. Could picture in my mind the people and places being written about. Kept me engrossed and did not want to put it down.
Very well written. Could picture in my mind the people and places being written about. Kept me engrossed and did not want to put it down.
June 13, 2015
Good read
Enjoyed the book and it had a nice surprise twist at the end. Looking forward to the second one by Michael Banas.
Enjoyed the book and it had a nice surprise twist at the end. Looking forward to the second one by Michael Banas.
October 22, 2015
Thought this book could have more interesting if more medical stories had been added instead of superficial sex. The added suspense of a mystery was added but it was a boring ending.
March 24, 2016
Interesting
As a person in the medical field I enjoyed most of the book, there were many parts that were very dull and hard to continue reading.
As a person in the medical field I enjoyed most of the book, there were many parts that were very dull and hard to continue reading.
May 18, 2016
Easy reading
Easy to read. Interesting ending. Would like more from this author. Enjoyed it. Medical drama with love and mystery included
Easy to read. Interesting ending. Would like more from this author. Enjoyed it. Medical drama with love and mystery included
October 7, 2015
Plot was okay but book needs a good editor.
Read
January 4, 2018The book was interesting throughout.
The ending was sort of anticlimactic, I felt it needed a bit more mystery about The Who done it .
The ending was sort of anticlimactic, I felt it needed a bit more mystery about The Who done it .
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews