Surgeon's Choice

by Richard L. Mabry

Dr. Ben Merrick and his fiancé, Rachel Gardner, can’t get her divorced parents to stay in the same room, much less attend their wedding together. He is already looking over his shoulder expecting more trouble from a very senior surgeon who has shown he is still smarting from a previous dust-up, but Ben doesn’t know if a series of mishaps and accidents are caused by a disgruntled patient’s relatives or represent more from the older surgeon. Complicating it all is the question of whether Rachel’s father is back doing drugs. Then, when people start dying, Ben and Rachel wonder if they can escape unscathed…and alive.

Genres: Mystery, Medical, Audiobook, Christian Fiction

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, past Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and the author of twelve published novels of medical suspense and six novellas. His books have been finalists in competitions including ACFW’s Carol Award and Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year, and have won the Selah Award from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference.

Richard’s non-fiction book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse (Kregel Publishers), has ministered to multiple thousands of grieving individuals. His meditations and short pieces have appeared in The Upper Room, In Touch, and several other periodicals.

When Richard is not writing, he spends his time reading, working fruitlessly to improve his golf game, and defending his title as the world’s best Granddad. He and his wife live in north Texas and are active members of Stonebriar Community Church, pastored by Dr. Chuck Swindoll.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this 3.5 stars.
Written by a doctor, I was worried there would be a lot of medical jargon. But there wasn't.
The story follows a young couple who are entangled in a murder mystery.
There were a few parts that seemed silly. Such as the cops questioning the young couple. Also there were a lot of references to God, which I didn't care for.
A good story otherwise. Give it a shot if you are into quick mysteries.

I was given a free copy in exchange for my honest review

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW


Another interesting medical mystery of an audiobook which I really enjoyed. Dr Ben is starting to wonder if someone at work really has it in for him or if he is just imagining things but then when people start dying and he seems to be under suspicion he struggles to understand what is actually going on how is the suspected suicide of his perspective father in law linked to the story. You can tell from the level of detail in the story that it’s written by someone with a medical background which adds to it. It’s an exciting story and the amazing Bill Nevitt is narrating it which adds to the atmosphere of the story.

[Patricia Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Richard Mabry's novella, Surgeon's Choice. Richard has a way of drawing a reader into the story right away and Surgeon's Choice was no exception. Dr. Ben Merrick was a great character and I enjoyed reading the behind-the-scenes of what goes on in a hospital. His fiancé Rachel Gardner was a great match for Ben.

The story had romance, intrigue, drugs...everything a great romantic suspense should have. I'm looking forward to Richard's next book!

[Sharon Britz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on Audio book:
This is a easy listen with great characters and a few surprises and twists that keeps it interesting. The story developed a little slow for me but overall not too bad.
I can recommend this book for Christian readers / listeners that wants a mystery with a hospital/ small community theme with no unnecessary bad language, violence or sexual content.
I enjoyed this story as light entertainment.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy a medical thriller and I've read all Dr. Mabry's books over the years. He is a dab hand because he is a retired physician. His settings are well thought out, his plots fascinating and his characters well formed. I have always enjoyed diving into one of his books.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read that you will enjoy if you like the suspense type books. I enjoyed this book and am happy that I got to listen to it from start to finish without having to take breaks.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Ben Merrick and his fiancé, Rachel Gardner, a nurse at the same hospital where Ben is a surgeon, are planning their wedding, and a bit frustrated by the fact that her mother won't attend if her father is there.

Yet Ben is having other problems. A more senior surgeon is trying to make trouble for him at the hospital, get him put under pretty restrictive supervision. That's been unsuccessful, but there have also been numerous, small, annoying, potentially dangerous incidents which are starting to seem to be not mere coincidence.

Then Rachel's father, Bill Gardner, is found dead of a drug overdose. An anesthesiologist Ben worked with often is found shot dead in his own home. The police think both deaths might be connected to a drug ring they're trying to crack.

It's disturbing and alarming, and both Rachel and Ben are potential suspects.

The characters are well-drawn, the plot moves, and there are enough twists and turns in this novella to keep the story interesting and engaging.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery has a good story-line and it's interesting but it falls a bit on the flat side when it comes to emotions, which makes hard to get invested in the characters.

It gives us a lot of info about drug's abuse and how it affects not only the consumer but all the people who loves them without getting preachy or pedantic, which is a great thing.

All in all, a good novella.

As always, Bill Nevitt does a superb job with the narration bringing the characters alive.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to another book by this narrator and knew (hoped anyway) that he had recorded this one a good while ago because the first one he'd done was great. In this case, he came across as a newbie narrator, in my opinion. The dialogue was very robotic and stilted which I found very annoying. He is a perfect example of a narrator who actually gets better with practice, unlike some narrators I've listened to. But the story overall, while medical jargon was used, I found interesting as I've never read/listened to a book like this before. I liked the mystery.

Questions/Comments:

When the police arrive after Ben has seen Rachel's father laying on the floor of his apt., I found it somewhat funny that instead of even semi freaking out (either of them) and telling the police to get the door open, Ben is, instead, introducing himself, telling the cops where they live, their reasoning for coming by... Wouldn't any other person have been in a little more of a hurry to find out if their future father-in-law/father were dead or not?

I really hate the saying/phrase/whatever you want to call it regarding how if "it" is a person, then you should help them. Like just because there's a human being in need, no matter if they are a horrible person or not, it's almost seen as your responsibility as another human being to help them. No it's not!

The jebusy talk was a bit much for my liking. I've read/listened to plenty of stories in which a character was focused more on god or whoever than the rest of the characters. I just felt like Rachel was a bit much. Yes, I know there are real people like her in the world. We would not get along though. LOL

Ben has a gun in his house. Yet, he believes it's too dangerous to have a gun in the house. So, why in the world did he buy one? Why did he still have it?


I received a free audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Mabry, retired physician and novelist, always delivers a fast-paced medical drama with twists and turns you don’t see coming. In Surgeon’s Choice, Dr. Ben Merrick and his fiancé, nurse Rachel Gardner, are looking forward to a happily-ever-after future. But Ben has to contend with malicious attacks and a hostile fellow surgeon, while Rachel’s parents’ past issues cast a shadow on their upcoming joy. It’s nothing they can’t handle until events turn deadly.

Surgeon’s Choice has a hospital setting that will appeal to those who like medical dramas. The action takes place in the rooms, surgery suites, and the busy ER. But life and death issues are not limited to the hospital environs. Serious threats and death stalk the characters wherever they go. This novella-length book is a quick read, but the reader won’t feel cheated — you’ll come to love the main characters and appreciate the real-world problems and dilemmas explored. This one is a good choice for when you want a good story, but are limited on time. It can easily be read in one or two nights or during a quick weekend getaway.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s another great book from the master of medical intrigue. The story is fast paced and can easily be read in a few hours. I love how the author cleverly brings mystery with medical facts that keep you on the edge of your seat. There is always that doctor that seems to be just a bit arrogant and lets power get to his head. What is this doctor hiding? What I loved about the story was the mystery on top of mystery that teased and turned the story while keeping readers trying to figure out who did what.

Ben is a gifted surgeon and is about to marry one of the nurses but funny things start happening. Bodies are falling , danger lurks for both of them and in the midst of this is medical procedures that are detailed with expertise. No one is above being interrogated and Ben finds himself as one of the central suspects . Overall the book is good, has wonderful characters and as always delivers intrigue that kept me glued to the story. I hated to see it end but am looking forward to the authors next book. He is one author that never disappoints his readers because he is detailed, keeps the intrigue believable and catches readers off guard as the ending is one you don’t see coming.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable but brief read that will keep you in suspense to the end. I like the perspective Dr. Mabry brings to a romantic suspense. From a male viewpoint, I prefer a bit more suspense and a little less romance. He fills that need for me. I also appreciate that he brings faith into his stories. The hero and heroine of this story are a surgeon and a nurse who are engaged. The nurse has a strong faith, but the surgeon had strayed away until they became involved in a relationship. Between their developing relationship and the circumstances that seem to sweep them along, he is finding a renewed faith. After several events that make him feel he has a target on his back, he is like most of us. That will either draw you closer to God or push you further away. With no knowledge of what is happening, the surgeon finds himself somehow connected to a drug ring and a couple of murders. What is going on? How did all this happen? What have these people got against him, anyway? The story is definitely action packed. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing doctors and suspicious deaths have Dr. Ben Merrick and his fiancé nurse Rachel Gardner a bit on edge, especially when her father goes missing. Are the deaths related? If so, could Rachel’s dad be the next victim? What secrets will Ben and Rachel uncover along the way, and will they find themselves in the crosshairs of the killer?

Mabry’s latest suspense is a novella. There are a few twists and an adequate amount of action throughout, with a bit of romance seamlessly thrown in. Mabry also educates the reader on a relatively new drug, Gray Death. With the author’s medical background, which adds credibility to the story, there a lot of technical terminology used, but it’s done in a way that anyone can follow it. The pace is active and consistent, making this a quick, enjoyable read by an author who knows how to write a great medical thriller/suspense.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A doctor and a nurse couple who are engaged seem to have everything going for them. Until the day another surgeon has it out for Ben. Things start to fall apart after someone close to Ben’s fiancé Rachel is found dead. Will they both be accused of murder?

I love Richard Mabry’s novellas. Some novellas I have read by other authors seem rushed or unfinished. But Richard Mabry’s are so brilliantly written. They give the perfect amount of information for a mystery without be too long or too drawn out. The fact that Richard Mabry is a doctor adds to his ability to write storylines based on medical facts and lingo. I have actually learned more about the medical world by reading his books (always a plus in my book). This book drew me in from the first page and held my interest until the very end. I love the multi faceted story line with so many angles to the plot. I was trying to figure out how they all connected. Richard Mabry has become my favorite medical mystery author!

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"He was a human."
Their wedding day rapidly approaching, clouds began to move in to obscure the sunshine of the hope of that perfect day for Dr.Ben Herrick and his bride to be, Rachel. Ben's professional life is being threatened by the unwelcome attentions of a senior colleague whilst nurse Rachel's mother is refusing to attend the marriage ceremony if her divorced father is also present. But far worse is still to come.

Narrator, Bi!l Nevitt breathes life into this short novella as he gives separate voice to each of the protagonists. Conversation was good, with a naturalistic feel, but the characters of individuals in the story never really develop. Rather than being a mystery, it felt more like an episode of a TV.medical drama, with added prayer. My thanks to the rights holder of Surgeon's Choice, who freely gifted me with a complimentary copy at my request. It was surprisingly enjoyable but lacking in emotion.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Mabry winner! Like many Richard L. Mabry books, he seamlessly blends a medical thriller with a Christian message. And like many of the novellas of his that I have read so far, they deal with main characters in the medical profession. This one deals with a doctor and his nurse fiancée. The ironic thing about Surgeon’s Choice was that I just finished a David Baldacci book that mentioned mixing fentanyl with heroin and opioids; and Surgeon’s Choice talks about this as well. I thought the characters were very likable and the mystery was good. I probably should have guessed what was going to happen, but there were some good surprises here. If you like quick reads and medical thrillers, this book is for you.

Please read more of my reviews at: https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/we...

[Beverly Laude · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and mildly entertaining book involving a surgeon, his fiancée who is a nurse and happenings in the hospital where they work.

There are a couple of mysterious events in the book and dead bodies seem to be dropping in large numbers. Both the Doctor and the nurse are suspected in a couple of these murders and they are determined to find out what really happened.

This is not a bad book, just a little lacking in substance. The story seems rushed at times and the wrap-up is fairly rushed. I would have liked more story and more explanation. The narrator, Bill Nevitt, does his usual great job and keep my interest level up. His pacing and different voices made for a good listen.

I was given a chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the narrator and chose to review it.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice novella length medical suspense with just the right touch of romance from an expert retired M.D.
Ben Merrick is a physician in private practice with surgery privileges at the local hospital. He is engaged to Rachel Gardner, a nurse at the hospital, Freeman Memorial.
An older doctor, Dr. Kasner, seems to have it in for Ben, following an incident in the E.R. where a patient did not survive. Things start to escalate for Ben when his tires are slashed, he is cut off by a van resulting in an accident and his office is vandalized. Then some suspicious deaths occur. Can Ben and Rachel find the reasons behind what is happening? Find out by digging into this interesting medical drama!

[Julie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great mystery, if you are short of time. A lot happens in the short amount of time and some of it unexpected making it an interesting story.
Ben is busy planning his wedding and at the same time working with his fiance at the local hospital. but with the number of drugs hitting the streets it's not long before people start dying and one of them is Rachel's father. As the police start an investigation strange things start happening at the hospital, doctors go missing, another is killed and a few are involved in car accidents but are the things connected or is it connected to Ben himself and a previous medical case he worked on.
I liked the narrator as you can tell which character is talking and he is easy to listen too.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not an unbiased review because I am a retired RN and I like books that this author has written.
The unchanging thread is the relationship between the doctor and his nurse fiancee. The first suspicious body is that of her father who apparently resumed the drug habit that destroyed his marriage. Law enforcement has been totally frustrated in their efforts to find the leaders of the local drug ring to shut it down. Other apparently unrelated incidents occur outside of the hospital as well. As the suspense builds among the red herrings and plot twists. Amazing how much is packed into such a short book! Loved it!
Narrator Bill Nevitt is comfortable to listen to and makes it easy to differentiate characters.

[Joni Janice Mielke · Rating 4 out of 5]

With his background in medicine, Richard L. Mabry, MD doesn't fail to add a genuine element of reality to this fictional medical thriller. I did feel that some of the characters were a little one-dimensional, a bit flat, and although there were 'reveals' later in the book that illuminated hidden sides to certain individual (both in positive and negative ways) the main characters did not appear to show signs character development.

The delineation between "bad guys" and "good guys" seemed somewhat contrived, with the antagonists appearing to have little to no positive attributes and vice versa. The story did move along at a good pace, though.

The narration by Bill Nevitt was very good and suited the story well.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest novella by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. is an absolute must-read. There is no down-time in this book. The action starts and keeps going to the very end. I had a hard time putting this down to do anything other than read!

This retired Medical Doctor turned author has applied his medical knowledge and experience to a realistic and captivating mystery. It kept me spellbound till the very end.

I highly recommend this well-written and exciting book. I look forward to anything this author produces!

I was provided a pre-publication copy of this novel by the author, but the review is my own opinion.

[Gail Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great medical thriller by Dr. Mabry. Fiction but with a real medical background that makes it so much more authentic. There are several events that initially seem unconnected but have ties that eventually come together. This is an edge of your seat, can't put it down, heart thumping, nail biting thriller. It has all the great elements. Murder, drugs, break ins, and intentional run off the road car accidents. Romance adds some sparkle and a leaning toward God adds some inspiration. Truly a great novella that kept me turning pages into the night. I highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of the ebook but was not required to write a review.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surgeon's Choice is another winner from Richard Mabry. Medical suspense is one of my favorite genres and this novella didn't disappoint. Mabry did a nice job of keeping the culprit a mystery until the end of the book and with his physician background, the medical information throughout the book seems to be spot on. Dead bodies keep showing up. Are they related? Who is behind it all and will Ben or Rachel be next? Several twists and turns to the plot, a good measure of faith in God and, of course, a bit of romance keep the pages turning. I'm always on the look out for a new offering from this author and can't wait for the next story. Don't miss it.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy afternoon read

The book was a leisurely afternoon read. However, it seemed rather flat for me. The characters' emotions never seemed to change much. It may be Mr. Mabry's style to leave the readers decide how they felt. Everything was taken in stride despite the circumstances not that it was described that way. In fact it was more a lack of description. Which hindered the building of suspense and intrigue. The storyline was fine it just lacked a buildup and the reveal was rather anti-climatic. If you just want a quick easy read then you found it. But if you're looking for a good mystery I suggest you might look elsewhere. Just one opinion.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to an audiobook of this title.

As usual, Dr Mabry keeps the reader in anticipation, until the very end.
A lot of unresolved incidents have Ben and his Fiancee on edge.
An amount of money, being asked for, by her father. Various car related incidents, as well as burglarized Consultants rooms. Then there's more, each situation is dramatic and traumatic for our pair of lovers, who seem to be under police investigation, although each claim innocence.
Can this whole mess be easily resolved.? Sorry, the story is best read (or listened to) in the author's own words.
It's a tale worth telling.

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is somewhat of a medical-romantic suspense novella. It is fast paced and engaging. Dr. Ben Merrick and fiancée Rachel Gardner are finalizing the last details before their nuptials. Unfortunately, the major snag is that Rachel’s divorced parent do not want to be in the same room! But that problem goes away when Rachel’s father dies from an apparent drug overdose. Ben becomes suspicious of the death and a high profile doctor. Can his investigation lead to uncovering the truth or his own endangerment?
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surgeon’s Choice was a good read by Richard L. Mabry. Dr Ben Merrick and his fiancé Rachel Gardner are planning their wedding but are finding it hard to get her divorced parents to stay in the same room. He has been looking over his shoulder expecting trouble from a senior surgeon. There are a series of mishaps and accidents that he isn't sure if they are cause by a disgruntled patients relatives or from the senior surgeon. Rachel's father starts doing drugs again and then people start dying, Ben and Rachel wonder if they will make it out alive. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

[Linda Klager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of Ben and Rachel. They had to conquer much at work and in their public lives to continue their private life together. So glad they resolved the situation with Ben at work and Rachel's loss of a loved one so that they could start a new beginning as husband and wife. The mystery in this story kept me wanting to know "Who Done It".

[Rosalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing medical thriller.

The story was intense, the characters were real, and it all happened too fast!
I loved the drama. The medical scenes.
I also liked the twists and turns, and the fact that I was unable to figure out the culprit before the end of the story.

The only thing I didn't like about this story was that it over way too soon!