Race for the Dying: A Dr. Thomas Parks Mystery

Dr. Thomas Parks #1

by Steven F. Havill

Praise for the Race for the Dying...
“Havill sets up a number of colorful dramatic situations that ought to please readers who take their westerns neat.”—Publishers Weekly

A newly minted graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1890, Dr. Thomas Parks heads to the big timber country of Puget Sound to practice trauma medicine. An hour after stepping off the boat he's nearly crushed to death by a less-than-surefooted mule and finds himself a patient rather than a physician.
As he convalesces, he discovers that his host, an aging and venerable physician friend of his father's, is running an elaborate medical scam, selling worthless concoctions nationwide, with enormous sales. Limited to practicing medicine with one functioning eye, one hand, and one leg, Thomas grapples with exposing the old family friend.
To make matters worse, an epidemic threatens the town and surrounding area. Will the young doctor's first trip to the Northwest be his last?

Steven F. Havill is the author of 25 titles, including four westerns, 19 Posadas County Mysteries, and the second Dr. Thomas Parks Mystery, Comes a Time for Burning.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Historical Mystery

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2009

About the author

Steven F. Havill is an American author of mysteries and westerns.

Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works.

Reviews

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for Race for the Dying: Dr. Thomas Parks Series, Book 1 (audiobook) by Steven F. Havill read by Chris Andrew Ciulla produced by Poisoned Pen Press. This was a interesting perspective for an adventure. A new Doctor in the 1890’s heads to a timber operation in Puget Sound to practice medicine. At that’s where the action begins.

[Ron Kerrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I'd read by the author and found his writing style easy and interesting. I had some problems with the book, though. One was the 50-odd pages spent detailing the recovery from the hero's accident. Too much detail that didn't move the plot along. Also some unneeded details about a few of the medical procedures his patients undergo. In addition, despite the padding, the book concludes very abruptly, and with a big unresolved question concerning one of the deaths and if the person responsible was going to be held such. And one character's motive for supporting the medical scam is left unclear. The setting is interesting, although not greatly fleshed out. A map of the fictional town would have been a nice touch. Have to admit I was more interested in the fate of the scroungy dog then some of the humans.

P.S. there was nary a mention of an epidemic threatening the town, as is mentioned in the description. And I never did understand the title. I assumed it would have something to do with the epidemic which didn't happen. And Dr. Thomas wasn't able to race anywhere, being in a wheelchair or on crutches for 99% of the book. Maybe it's a cultural reference I'm unfamiliar with.

[Chili Diane Evance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. A newly minted doctor goes to a clinic owned by a family friend to start his practice. The first day on arrival there is an account the town sawmill. He is loaned a mule to ride to the mill to help out, but mule gets his leg caught in some rocks and the leg shatters. The mule goes down and then roles over onto the doctor. He is left with numerous serious injuries. During his recuperation he suspects something is not right with the clinic operation and determines to find out what is going on. It is what keeps him going despite what hurts him. I love Steven Havill’s Posadas books and this one is just as intriguing.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sept. 2019 This is the first of 2 in a mini series. I looked at other rating and they are all over the place. I liked the variety in characters but not everyone agrees with that opinion. I thought Prince should get 5+ stars. The protagonist is quite likable either with or because of his vulnerabilities. Being born and raised in Settle (father also born and raised in Seattle) I enjoyed some of the NW humor and visuals.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not the best prose I have ever read, this book was interesting for the time period, physical setting (NW) and the story. The story follows a new doctor in his first appointment, and also his first experience with a rugged NW logging area.
Not great, but different. It is apparently the first in a "Dr. Parks" series, and I may read another.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as tightly written as the Posadas County books. The plot tends to drag in the middle. Still, an enjoyable read.

[LaQuita Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Quick read!

[aprilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Enjoyed the story and the narration, will continue the series

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical context. Simple mystery all fit in place by end of story.

[Colleen Estep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner for Steven Havill! I especially liked "Race for the Dying" since it is based on the Puget Sound area.
It's 1890 and Dr. Thomas Parks is headed for his first job after graduating from med school. He's been offered a job at a clinic in Port McKinney from his fathers childhood and life long friend, Dr. John Haines.
Upon the ships docking Thomas's breath is taken away from the wild beauty of the small logging town. As he trudges up the hill, through the thick mud to his employers home Thomas stops to wire his father of his safe arrival and meets the owner of the general store.
No sooner has he reached the front porch of the large Victorian home of Dr. Haines when a man on a mule comes charging up the hill. There has been a terrible accident at the mill and they need Dr. Haines immediately. Thomas agrees to go in his place and is given the mule to get there as soon as possible and save the mans life. Sadly, that is not to be and as they near the lumber mill the Dr. and mule fall down the side of a bluff and Thomas is badly injured.
As he recovers in Dr. Haines home he is drawn to the Dr.s beautiful daughter. Thomas finds they are involved in a medical scam, selling fake remedies to desparate people across the country and getting very rich in the process. What is he to do?
Great book, great read! Thank you to the author and Goodreads where I recieved my copy.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1 in the Dr. Thomas Parks series. An intriguing new series from reliable author Havill (Posadas County series). A newly minted doctor arrives in a late 19th century, coastal Washington lumber town. The pace of the novel is somewhat uneven, with exciting medical emergencies but with bouts of tedium interspersed. Add a half star if you can't figure out the fate of the new doctor and the lovely nurse well in advance of the novel's end.

Dr. Thomas Parks series - Fresh from medical school in 1891, Thomas Parks comes to join the practice of Dr. John Haines, an old friend of his father's, in Port McKinney, Washington. But no sooner has he arrived in town than he is nearly fatally hurt in a fall. Recuperating slowly, he discovers that the aging Haines, assisted by his daughter, Alvina, and slick associate Zachary Riggs, is financing his clinic through mail-order diagnoses and selling nostrums that provide no more than palliative care.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished 02/04/2014. Was again Havill has taken a very different slant on the typical Western. Dr. Thomas Parks, a recent grad. of an Eastern US medical school has traveled across the country in the 1870s to join in practice with an old friend of his father in the Pacific NW Rushing to answer an emergency he slips off the path down a steep bank & into the surf below with his mule on top of him. He recuperates at his mentor's home, but wishes to get busy practicing his trade. He finds that things are not at all what he was led to believe, and becomes embroiled in numerous dan-gerous situations until his mentor succumbs to a massive anuerism. Dr. Parks #1 +

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though a bit dry in places (and the medical procedures were often described in minute detail), I enjoyed this novel. The main character, Dr. Parks, did seem to be ideal in some ways - his ethics, his manners - he was the most fully developed. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development with Alvina and her father; his motivations for getting involved with Zachary Riggs's scheme didn't quite jibe. But Prince (the dog) and Bertha were great. I also liked learning more about the health tonic business and the logging industry. I will probably read the second in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it because all the characters were the same. The dialogue was stilted like the author was obsessed with reflecting authentic early 1900's dialect. It dwelled too much on details and the plot went nowhere for the first third of the book. Read some of the worst analogies I've had the pleasure of groaning at in my life (ex: "As useful as tits on a boar hog" blaaaaaaaarg). I don't know why I finished it.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost excellent. I very much liked the characters and the setting in late 19thC. Puget Sound, and the story was quite absorbing, especially all the medical detail. I was somewhat disappointed in the denouement, which did not satisfactorily explain how the destruction of the baddies’ schemes left the heroes in possession of such apparent wealth.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read and a decent historical/medical/thriller type story. The primary characters were well-developed and it is easy to see how they became involved in the mail order diagnosis and treatment scam of their colleague. The ending was a bit too pat for my taste, but at least the dog comes through OK!

[LeeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an historical snake oil tale. It takes place in the 1890s in Washington state and features a newly graduated physician who travels from Connecticut to coastal Washington to begin his practice with an elderly doctor, who is going blind and looking to retire. The book is heavy on medical practices of the late 19th century and there is a bit of a mystery as well.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memo to publishers: PLEASE stop spoiling 95% of the plot in the jacket copy. Seriously, if it doesn't happen in the first quarter of the book, leave it out or refer to it a little more vaguely. For the love of mystery, knock it off already.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story involving a medical practise at the end of the 19th Century, an idealistic newly qualified Doctor and a con man with a miracle cure. Well told story until the last page. Totally unnecessary ending!

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book...not what I expected. There was the medicine which I was looking for and a side story that went along with it, but it just seemed to drag a little. The part that could have gotten exciting seemed to dwindle. I feel as if the ending could have been written better.

[Paul Parkinson]

Just didn't grab me. All the first part (and it seemed like a lot) was about the good Dr.'s recuperation. So I quit. Amy said it really doesn't get any better. I would guess a third of the way through and no mystery.

[Shannon Teper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery provided an interesting glimpse into life in the late 18th century in coastal Washington. With likable characters, a suspenseful plot, and an excellent sense of time and place, this book was a very good read.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a mystery but a good historical fiction. Fraud went on during all time periods. Enjoy his mysteries best.

[Dgoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. I hope there is a sequel!