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Karen Hayes Mystery #1
Doctored Evidence
Investigating a bizarre death that occurred during a routine medical procedure, hospital staff lawyer Karen Hayes begins to suspect that foul play was involved and soon finds herself in a dangerous web involving an ambitious hospital administrator, scheming doctors, and a Medicare fraud conspiracy. Reprint.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 25, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 21, 2025
Oh boy, overall I enjoyed this debut mystery by Michael Biehl but there is a lot jammed into this mystery set in a hospital that was unnecessary.
The CFO of the hospital goes in for a myocardial biopsy and things quickly go awry ending in his death. Is this a tragic accident r/t a defective catheter, negligence, malpractice, or homicide? The CFO's friend Karen Hayes is the hospital's attorney and is given a strange message by one of the nurses from Larry as he is being wheeled into surgery. This begins an investigation that uncovers more than a fatal medical misadventure. As more issues are discovered, I started to think this author was using the novel to slam hospitals and doctors and when his blurb (which was tucked into the book between the end of this story and a preview excerpt from another novel) was a practicing attorney at a national law firm who supervises "all legal worked performed by the firm for more than a dozen hospitals" Hmmm. Anyway, I liked the MC and there was enough of a hook to keep me reading and wanting to know how this would all turn out. I also found Max, the head of security, to be a fun character. But as a HCP, it was hard for me to believe that all this could be going on at a medium sized hospital, I'm talking corporate & medical fraud, substance-abusing physicians, sexual assaults of patients much less- what happened to Larry?
Also, this novel was published in 2002 and there were a number of things that just wouldn't have happened anymore by 2002 (the least of these would be smoking in the hospital); and that just rubs me the wrong way especially since the author's background would make him well aware of rules regarding conflicts of interest, gifts from drug companies etc.
The CFO of the hospital goes in for a myocardial biopsy and things quickly go awry ending in his death. Is this a tragic accident r/t a defective catheter, negligence, malpractice, or homicide? The CFO's friend Karen Hayes is the hospital's attorney and is given a strange message by one of the nurses from Larry as he is being wheeled into surgery. This begins an investigation that uncovers more than a fatal medical misadventure. As more issues are discovered, I started to think this author was using the novel to slam hospitals and doctors and when his blurb (which was tucked into the book between the end of this story and a preview excerpt from another novel) was a practicing attorney at a national law firm who supervises "all legal worked performed by the firm for more than a dozen hospitals" Hmmm. Anyway, I liked the MC and there was enough of a hook to keep me reading and wanting to know how this would all turn out. I also found Max, the head of security, to be a fun character. But as a HCP, it was hard for me to believe that all this could be going on at a medium sized hospital, I'm talking corporate & medical fraud, substance-abusing physicians, sexual assaults of patients much less- what happened to Larry?
Also, this novel was published in 2002 and there were a number of things that just wouldn't have happened anymore by 2002 (the least of these would be smoking in the hospital); and that just rubs me the wrong way especially since the author's background would make him well aware of rules regarding conflicts of interest, gifts from drug companies etc.
August 12, 2013
RATING: 3.75
When one undergoes a medical procedure, there is always the chance that something will go wrong. But what happens to Larry Conkel goes way beyond human error. During the course of a biopsy, a plastic catheter is inserted into his heart. When it disintegrates into a million pieces, he is rushed into surgery. There’s no way to remove all the flotsam floating around in his body and he dies. The question is whether it was the catheter itself that caused the problem or whether somebody murdered Larry who, by the way, is also the CFO of the hospital. The possibility that the equipment was inferior is pretty well disproved by an independent lab who certified that the catheter had been exposed to extremely high temperatures which degraded its performance.
Karen Hayes is the in-house attorney for Shoreview Memorial Hospital, and what happened to Conkel has a huge impact on the future of the hospital. For one thing, its malpractice insurance has mysteriously lapsed which means that they could be liable for a huge settlement, effectively bankrupting the institution. As she looks into the situation, she finds that Larry was collecting information on fraudulent billing wherein various physicians and clinics would either bill for procedures that weren’t performed or perform unnecessary procedures, resulting in tens of millions of dollars of inappropriate charges as well as needless suffering on the part of the patients. If this information were to be revealed, there would be quite a scandal in the medical community.
There are many characters who have a great deal of motivation for killing Larry. The perpetrator has also threatened Karen both through physical harm and the potential loss of her job. Unfortunately, the actual villain had the least convincing motive of all the suspects; and the person’s revelation was a real disappointment which untangled the nicely complex web that Biehl had been weaving. The author did not play fair with the reader and give them enough information to reach the correct conclusion.
In spite of the poor choice of a villain and a somewhat clumsy ending, Biehl has done many things right. I really enjoyed how the lead character also had a personal life. Her husband, Jake, is a struggling musician who plays the blues harp (jazz harmonica); and he is a wonderfully drawn character who has overtones of “Hippie”-ness that are amusing. The author chose a topic which is certain to infuriate every reader of the book and involve them emotionally. We are all aware of the nefarious practices of some of the medical community, and Biehl elaborates on the economics of hospitals expertly. The author is a managing partner of a health law practice, and that background clearly contributes toward the creation of a believable and involving story.
When one undergoes a medical procedure, there is always the chance that something will go wrong. But what happens to Larry Conkel goes way beyond human error. During the course of a biopsy, a plastic catheter is inserted into his heart. When it disintegrates into a million pieces, he is rushed into surgery. There’s no way to remove all the flotsam floating around in his body and he dies. The question is whether it was the catheter itself that caused the problem or whether somebody murdered Larry who, by the way, is also the CFO of the hospital. The possibility that the equipment was inferior is pretty well disproved by an independent lab who certified that the catheter had been exposed to extremely high temperatures which degraded its performance.
Karen Hayes is the in-house attorney for Shoreview Memorial Hospital, and what happened to Conkel has a huge impact on the future of the hospital. For one thing, its malpractice insurance has mysteriously lapsed which means that they could be liable for a huge settlement, effectively bankrupting the institution. As she looks into the situation, she finds that Larry was collecting information on fraudulent billing wherein various physicians and clinics would either bill for procedures that weren’t performed or perform unnecessary procedures, resulting in tens of millions of dollars of inappropriate charges as well as needless suffering on the part of the patients. If this information were to be revealed, there would be quite a scandal in the medical community.
There are many characters who have a great deal of motivation for killing Larry. The perpetrator has also threatened Karen both through physical harm and the potential loss of her job. Unfortunately, the actual villain had the least convincing motive of all the suspects; and the person’s revelation was a real disappointment which untangled the nicely complex web that Biehl had been weaving. The author did not play fair with the reader and give them enough information to reach the correct conclusion.
In spite of the poor choice of a villain and a somewhat clumsy ending, Biehl has done many things right. I really enjoyed how the lead character also had a personal life. Her husband, Jake, is a struggling musician who plays the blues harp (jazz harmonica); and he is a wonderfully drawn character who has overtones of “Hippie”-ness that are amusing. The author chose a topic which is certain to infuriate every reader of the book and involve them emotionally. We are all aware of the nefarious practices of some of the medical community, and Biehl elaborates on the economics of hospitals expertly. The author is a managing partner of a health law practice, and that background clearly contributes toward the creation of a believable and involving story.
November 3, 2013
With a realistic, complex plot, fast action, and a thoroughly likeable protagonist, Doctored Evidence is a really enjoyable read. I received the book as a Goodreads first reads giveaway, and almost immediately became immersed in the story.
Karen Hayes is a lawyer for a hospital that finds itself struggling to make a profit. The story begins with a hospital executive dying while undergoing a routine procedure. Karen is assigned the task of dealing with the legal fallout, and uncovers a number of illegal practices by several of the hospital's medical staff. Convinced that the executive's death was not accidental, she struggles with how to bring these unethical practices to light while protecting the hospital's reputation, and how to maintain her own professional ethics in the process.
The numerous subplots in the book add to the suspense, and serve to keep the reader guessing as to who is actually responsible for the death. I was unable to correctly predict the guilty party, which added to my enjoyment of the book.
Doctored Evidence is a fast read, and definitely worth it!
Karen Hayes is a lawyer for a hospital that finds itself struggling to make a profit. The story begins with a hospital executive dying while undergoing a routine procedure. Karen is assigned the task of dealing with the legal fallout, and uncovers a number of illegal practices by several of the hospital's medical staff. Convinced that the executive's death was not accidental, she struggles with how to bring these unethical practices to light while protecting the hospital's reputation, and how to maintain her own professional ethics in the process.
The numerous subplots in the book add to the suspense, and serve to keep the reader guessing as to who is actually responsible for the death. I was unable to correctly predict the guilty party, which added to my enjoyment of the book.
Doctored Evidence is a fast read, and definitely worth it!
October 15, 2019
Really enjoyed. Good mystery - engaging, good characters (I felt the husband was a little over done) and a story that keeps you guessing. Great insight into Dr.s, hospitals and attorneys. I read it because it is written by a high school friend of my husband, the author has worked as a healthcare attorney and very knowledgeable. He is also funny! Reading the next one.
May 6, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought it was a non fiction book when I bought it but it ended up being a pretty good suspenseful read.
December 7, 2024
First time novelist. A medical device fails then the patient dies during operation. Intrigue, greed, betrayal of trust, indecent behavior.
February 21, 2012
For a person who lives outside America, the book gave me some views on how doctors and lawyers in healthcare interact with each other. Medicine and law when combined in a novel is always interesting, well, in my opinion. In addition, the characters were engaging which kept me in suspense. The Jake's humor entertained me though I do want to be the subject of that humor. I kept turning the page to see how these doctors would end up after the death of Larry. It would have been better though if the author made the story a bit fast-paced.
February 21, 2014
I think this is an overlooked author -- which is a real shame because I think this book is a real gem. This is the first book in his "Karen Hayes" series. It has been some years since I read it so I cannot give a detailed review but I can say that it was so good that I never forgot the author and I periodically check to see if he is coming out with any new books.
Usually it is just the opposite with me -- I remember that I read a book about something-rather but can't remember the name of the book or the author.
Usually it is just the opposite with me -- I remember that I read a book about something-rather but can't remember the name of the book or the author.
February 24, 2011
I always feel the need to defend myself when I read books with punny titles. Yes, it's about murder. Yes, doctors are involved. Yes, evidence has been tampered with. (No, I cannot end that sentence without a preposition.) I borrowed it from my dear friend Jacqueline, and am not giving it back until she comes to visit! I will hold your mediocre legal mystery hostage until you fly out to SD, so you can read it on the plane on the way back home, because that is what this book is perfect for :)
February 27, 2015
I didn't realize this was the first in a series but I enjoyed it so much I definitely would like to read the next two!
I thought the female lead was well written and believable. The story was like Grey's Anatomy meets Criminal Minds. There were some cheesy lines, but there were some really funny jokes as well.
I thought the female lead was well written and believable. The story was like Grey's Anatomy meets Criminal Minds. There were some cheesy lines, but there were some really funny jokes as well.
March 1, 2016
Michael Biehl, HB-B @ 2002, 8/02. The CFO goes in for a routine medical prodedure thinking his investigation of criminal fraud and corruption at the hospital is a secret. But a medical device fails and he dies on the operating table. Accident or murder? Hospital attorney Karen Hayes must discover the facts before she can determine the solution. Very good.
June 8, 2016
This is a medical/legal thriller. Yes, there is a murder - or shall I say a mysterious death. But there is also the ethical problems our heroine uncovers, as she prepares for the expected lawsuit when the hospital's chief financial officer dies unexpectedly on the operating table.
September 1, 2010
moving right along . . . there's a cookbook, too, which I got from the library along with all the mysteries. Yum.
October 14, 2010
Do not read this book if you have a medical procedure in the near future. I enjoyed the book and would try another by this author.
October 12, 2011
Standard medical mystery.
Read
August 17, 2013Read 6/02
January 30, 2014
Good read-will read more of the series.
July 16, 2017
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14637250
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14637250
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews