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Chris Ravello Medical Thriller #3, part 1
Forbidden Cure Part One: Duplicity
In the wake of his beloved wife’s death, Detective Chris Ravello’s life is in shambles. Overwhelmed by grief and dogged by an unrelenting, devastating disease, Chris abruptly resigns as the NYPD’s Chief of the Division of Medical Crimes.
But his hopes for a healthier, less-troubled life are short-lived.
A harrowing near-death experience forces Chris to submit to a series of risky, ill-advised, and experimental treatments that will either cure him or kill him.
As Chris’ best friend, NYPD Detective Kevin Kennedy, investigates a series of perplexing and appalling deaths, he uncovers a disturbing truth – Ravello’s cure has already killed four other patients.
Just when all seems lost, hope comes from the unlikeliest of sources – an old nemesis making incredible
Michelle Ravello is alive and he can lead the detectives to her and their killer.
But can Kennedy and Ravello trust one sociopath to catch another? And what is the terrible price they must pay for his cooperation?
But his hopes for a healthier, less-troubled life are short-lived.
A harrowing near-death experience forces Chris to submit to a series of risky, ill-advised, and experimental treatments that will either cure him or kill him.
As Chris’ best friend, NYPD Detective Kevin Kennedy, investigates a series of perplexing and appalling deaths, he uncovers a disturbing truth – Ravello’s cure has already killed four other patients.
Just when all seems lost, hope comes from the unlikeliest of sources – an old nemesis making incredible
Michelle Ravello is alive and he can lead the detectives to her and their killer.
But can Kennedy and Ravello trust one sociopath to catch another? And what is the terrible price they must pay for his cooperation?
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2018
56 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
William Rubin
15 books52 followersWilliam Rubin is a practicing physician who enjoys weaving tales of medical/scientific intrigue. Writing for him is equal parts catharsis, creativity, and escape from the rigors of a busy medical practice and the joys and challenges of raising a family.
The works of James Patterson, Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, and Patricia Cornwell inspired Dr. Rubin to create the Christopher Ravello Series. Challenges and tragedies in Dr. Rubin’s life, particularly the untimely death of his mother, provided some of the underlying drama, conflict, and turmoil for the series’ lead character.
When he isn’t busy practicing medicine or crafting his next medical thriller, Dr. Rubin enjoys time with his family and friends, running, playing piano, and travel.
The works of James Patterson, Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, and Patricia Cornwell inspired Dr. Rubin to create the Christopher Ravello Series. Challenges and tragedies in Dr. Rubin’s life, particularly the untimely death of his mother, provided some of the underlying drama, conflict, and turmoil for the series’ lead character.
When he isn’t busy practicing medicine or crafting his next medical thriller, Dr. Rubin enjoys time with his family and friends, running, playing piano, and travel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 27, 2018
First, I want to thank William Rubin for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Forbidden Cure by William Rubin is just a part of the whole novel that is coming out in short sections every few months instead of a huge book all at once. This book was an incredibly fast paced medically charged drama that had you at the edge of your seats. I love a good medical drama with mystery attached and this satisfied my craving. Having read William Rubin’s work prior I knew I was in for a treat.
Right from the prologue William gets the readers attention. From that moment on you need to know what is going on.
My heart ached for Chris whom just lost his Mother and his wife. Now he is sick and wanting to try this experimental drug that is very risky. His Dad is very worried about him taking this. He has every right to be-he doesn’t want to loose him as well.
Other stories in the book of individuals and their medical ailments will just rock you to your core as well like Irina Malekoviec a Concert Pianist.
William Rubin does an incredible job with describing all things medically related with the terminology. He keeps us at the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next.
What I found fascinating since I love all things medical is the ani-malaria medication Hyslop that was introduced in 1940’s that was the last line of defense of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I am big fans of the names Grayson, Kiki, and Dmitri that were in the book.
William Rubin himself not only Is an very talented author but is an practicing physician. So it makes perfect sense that he intertwines his love for medical/scientific into his works.
Unfortunately, the untimely death of William Rubin’s mother, provided some of the conflict, underlying drama, and turmoil to the series lead characters. As I always say write what you know and are passionate about and it will come out in your writing. The readers will feel it.
Forbidden Cure by William Rubin is just a part of the whole novel that is coming out in short sections every few months instead of a huge book all at once. This book was an incredibly fast paced medically charged drama that had you at the edge of your seats. I love a good medical drama with mystery attached and this satisfied my craving. Having read William Rubin’s work prior I knew I was in for a treat.
Right from the prologue William gets the readers attention. From that moment on you need to know what is going on.
My heart ached for Chris whom just lost his Mother and his wife. Now he is sick and wanting to try this experimental drug that is very risky. His Dad is very worried about him taking this. He has every right to be-he doesn’t want to loose him as well.
Other stories in the book of individuals and their medical ailments will just rock you to your core as well like Irina Malekoviec a Concert Pianist.
William Rubin does an incredible job with describing all things medically related with the terminology. He keeps us at the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next.
What I found fascinating since I love all things medical is the ani-malaria medication Hyslop that was introduced in 1940’s that was the last line of defense of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I am big fans of the names Grayson, Kiki, and Dmitri that were in the book.
William Rubin himself not only Is an very talented author but is an practicing physician. So it makes perfect sense that he intertwines his love for medical/scientific into his works.
Unfortunately, the untimely death of William Rubin’s mother, provided some of the conflict, underlying drama, and turmoil to the series lead characters. As I always say write what you know and are passionate about and it will come out in your writing. The readers will feel it.
August 17, 2018
"I feel for Dad. In the past sixteen months he's lost Ma and my wife, Michelle, and now his son faces a terrible choice regarding his own rapidly deteriorating health."........
This is the third book in the “Ravello series.” It’s also part one of two, in the life of former Detective Chris Ravello.
The events in the last book take their shadow over Chris and his family, and friends. While his former partner is investigating strange deaths they come to a realization that may affect Chris’s life.
Still suffering from a disease that took his career from him. A doctor, who may be able to help him, may have knowingly killed others with the same treatment he’s now giving Chris.
Looking forward to the second part of this book. Will Chris survive the treatments? Recover? Will he help catch a killer, experimenting on unsuspecting patients?
Thank you William Rubin
This is the third book in the “Ravello series.” It’s also part one of two, in the life of former Detective Chris Ravello.
The events in the last book take their shadow over Chris and his family, and friends. While his former partner is investigating strange deaths they come to a realization that may affect Chris’s life.
Still suffering from a disease that took his career from him. A doctor, who may be able to help him, may have knowingly killed others with the same treatment he’s now giving Chris.
Looking forward to the second part of this book. Will Chris survive the treatments? Recover? Will he help catch a killer, experimenting on unsuspecting patients?
Thank you William Rubin
August 12, 2018
Chris Ravello, an ex-NYPD cop, has a supposedly incurable and debilitating disease, and nothing the doctors have tried seems to work. He learns of a radical new treatment being developed by an eccentric researcher, and decides to give it a try, even though it could kill him if it fails. Against the advice of his friends, he signs up, and after receiving the treatment finds himself changing. He’s not sure who—or what—he’s changing into. To complicate matters, his former partner is assigned a medical crimes case that is way beyond his capability to deal with, and he calls on Chris for help. Coincidentally, it seems that there have been several unexplained deaths of patients who underwent the same treatment as Chris.
Forbidden Cure by William Rubio is a medical thriller that explores the ethical dimensions of unlicensed medical research, but there are also elements of pure thriller with the introduction of a jailed serial killer who is obsessed with Chris and who claims to have information that Chris’s wife did not die as he thought, but is still alive.
This book has the makings of a hit, but the author never seems to be sure which story he’s telling. Worse, the book ends without resolution of any of the issues raised, leaving me frustrated and feeling a bit cheated. We don’t know the outcome, or even the potential outcome of the questionable procedure performed on Chris, we don’t know what happened to his wife, and the crime is not solved.
The author writes well insofar as his grasp of the language is concerned, but needs to understand that thriller fans want resolution. When a book ends and you’re left scratching your head and wondering what just happened, it’s unlikely you’ll be interested in reading a sequel.
I give this one three stars for the quality of writing only. Story structure, though, is unfortunately sub-par.
Forbidden Cure by William Rubio is a medical thriller that explores the ethical dimensions of unlicensed medical research, but there are also elements of pure thriller with the introduction of a jailed serial killer who is obsessed with Chris and who claims to have information that Chris’s wife did not die as he thought, but is still alive.
This book has the makings of a hit, but the author never seems to be sure which story he’s telling. Worse, the book ends without resolution of any of the issues raised, leaving me frustrated and feeling a bit cheated. We don’t know the outcome, or even the potential outcome of the questionable procedure performed on Chris, we don’t know what happened to his wife, and the crime is not solved.
The author writes well insofar as his grasp of the language is concerned, but needs to understand that thriller fans want resolution. When a book ends and you’re left scratching your head and wondering what just happened, it’s unlikely you’ll be interested in reading a sequel.
I give this one three stars for the quality of writing only. Story structure, though, is unfortunately sub-par.
September 24, 2018
A Nice Medical Thriller
I enjoyed the storyline,suspense and twists and turns.
I am not a big fan of cliff hangers hence my 4 rating.
This book is recommended for those who like medical thrillers.
I enjoyed the storyline,suspense and twists and turns.
I am not a big fan of cliff hangers hence my 4 rating.
This book is recommended for those who like medical thrillers.
January 26, 2019
Prequel
This is a short prequel to a longer book to follow. Seems like,it will be good, but not really enough material to say for sure. I purchased the sequel as well. I will be better able to judge after reading it.
This is a short prequel to a longer book to follow. Seems like,it will be good, but not really enough material to say for sure. I purchased the sequel as well. I will be better able to judge after reading it.
July 30, 2018
Forbidden Cure Pt 1 Duplicity - Chris Ravello Medical Thriller - Written by William Rubin
Will he be cured, or will it kill him?
A debilitating disease. A tantalizing, yet dangerous, breakthrough cure. Will it be life and love or death and destruction? In the wake of his beloved wife’s death, Detective Chris Ravello’s life is in shambles. Overwhelmed by grief and dogged by an unrelenting, devastating disease, Chris abruptly resigns as the NYPD’s Chief of the Division of Medical Crimes. But his hopes for a healthier, less-troubled life are short-lived. A harrowing near-death experience forces Chris to submit to a series of risky, ill-advised, and experimental treatments that will either cure him or kill him. As Chris’ best friend, NYPD Detective Kevin Kennedy, investigates a series of perplexing and appalling deaths, he uncovers a disturbing truth – Ravello’s cure has already killed four other patients. Just when all seems lost, hope comes from the unlikeliest of sources – an old nemesis making incredible claims:
Michelle Ravello is alive, and he can lead the detectives to her and their killer. But can Kennedy and Ravello trust one sociopath to catch another? And what is the terrible price they must pay for his cooperation?
What did I like? I have read the other two books in this series and I am hooked!!!! Chris Ravello is one of the most awesome characters with so many things going against him. Losing his mother, then his wife, his disease, his job and a crazed killer out to get him! I am looking forward to the tide to change for him.
What will you like? Medical mysteries galore, awesome characters, unbelievable intrigue and action, ongoing storyline and all written by a physician that knows how to weave that incredible hook that keeps us all coming back. Well written and keeps getting better with every page, keeping your nose in the book till the final page is turned and wanting more! This is a tremendous series that is well researched and develops as it goes. Great characters that you either love or hate with a passion. All of that and looking for more. Can’t wait for the next part, don’t keep us waiting! I received this from the author as being a member of the Beta/ARC team with no other compensation.
Will he be cured, or will it kill him?
A debilitating disease. A tantalizing, yet dangerous, breakthrough cure. Will it be life and love or death and destruction? In the wake of his beloved wife’s death, Detective Chris Ravello’s life is in shambles. Overwhelmed by grief and dogged by an unrelenting, devastating disease, Chris abruptly resigns as the NYPD’s Chief of the Division of Medical Crimes. But his hopes for a healthier, less-troubled life are short-lived. A harrowing near-death experience forces Chris to submit to a series of risky, ill-advised, and experimental treatments that will either cure him or kill him. As Chris’ best friend, NYPD Detective Kevin Kennedy, investigates a series of perplexing and appalling deaths, he uncovers a disturbing truth – Ravello’s cure has already killed four other patients. Just when all seems lost, hope comes from the unlikeliest of sources – an old nemesis making incredible claims:
Michelle Ravello is alive, and he can lead the detectives to her and their killer. But can Kennedy and Ravello trust one sociopath to catch another? And what is the terrible price they must pay for his cooperation?
What did I like? I have read the other two books in this series and I am hooked!!!! Chris Ravello is one of the most awesome characters with so many things going against him. Losing his mother, then his wife, his disease, his job and a crazed killer out to get him! I am looking forward to the tide to change for him.
What will you like? Medical mysteries galore, awesome characters, unbelievable intrigue and action, ongoing storyline and all written by a physician that knows how to weave that incredible hook that keeps us all coming back. Well written and keeps getting better with every page, keeping your nose in the book till the final page is turned and wanting more! This is a tremendous series that is well researched and develops as it goes. Great characters that you either love or hate with a passion. All of that and looking for more. Can’t wait for the next part, don’t keep us waiting! I received this from the author as being a member of the Beta/ARC team with no other compensation.
September 21, 2018
Great story potential, good start...for a serial series.
Our Chief of Medical Crime Investigations of the NYPD, Dr. Chris Ravello, has, himself, fallen victim to a dread disease…pheochromocytoma, a potentially fatal adrenal gland tumor. Treatment is symptomatic; but Ravello’s doctor may know of an experimental custom made drug that may, in some cases, effect a cure. The problem is the cure, once administered, either cures…or kills. There is no middle ground. However, Ravello’s condition is worsening; he has no choice but to risk taking the experimental treatment.
The same researcher who developed Ravello’s treatment also developed a rheumatoid arthritis regimen for a crippled Russian piano teacher. The treatment appears to have killed her. However, her death investigation is clouded by the inexperience of Ravello’s NYPD replacement and a game of industrial espionage between two competing drug researchers. In any event, there is much more resting on Chris Ravello’s experimental treatment than meets the eye.
Forbidden Birth, an earlier work by William Rubin introduced me to the character of Dr. Chris Ravello. Forbidden Birth turned out to be a mesmerizing, although somewhat creepy book; and Revallo, a unique if only marginally believable character. As a reader familiar with Revallo, I am concerned with his illness. As a lover of action mystery novels, I’m concerned with the spector of industrial espionage and competition raising its ugly head in Forbidden Cure. However, Forbidden Cure is part of a serial series and at forty-five pages in length is just enough to sharpen a reader’s interest before dropping him into the abyss of having to buy the next book. Bah! Humbug!
I generally refuse to review serial series books just for that reason; and just for that reason I have given Forbidden Cure three stars. I added a half star for the quality of writing and the future potential of the overall story. Put the whole story together in one book and it could easily rate five stars.
This book was provided free by the author in hopes of receiving an honest review. The above review represents my honest opinion of the book.
Our Chief of Medical Crime Investigations of the NYPD, Dr. Chris Ravello, has, himself, fallen victim to a dread disease…pheochromocytoma, a potentially fatal adrenal gland tumor. Treatment is symptomatic; but Ravello’s doctor may know of an experimental custom made drug that may, in some cases, effect a cure. The problem is the cure, once administered, either cures…or kills. There is no middle ground. However, Ravello’s condition is worsening; he has no choice but to risk taking the experimental treatment.
The same researcher who developed Ravello’s treatment also developed a rheumatoid arthritis regimen for a crippled Russian piano teacher. The treatment appears to have killed her. However, her death investigation is clouded by the inexperience of Ravello’s NYPD replacement and a game of industrial espionage between two competing drug researchers. In any event, there is much more resting on Chris Ravello’s experimental treatment than meets the eye.
Forbidden Birth, an earlier work by William Rubin introduced me to the character of Dr. Chris Ravello. Forbidden Birth turned out to be a mesmerizing, although somewhat creepy book; and Revallo, a unique if only marginally believable character. As a reader familiar with Revallo, I am concerned with his illness. As a lover of action mystery novels, I’m concerned with the spector of industrial espionage and competition raising its ugly head in Forbidden Cure. However, Forbidden Cure is part of a serial series and at forty-five pages in length is just enough to sharpen a reader’s interest before dropping him into the abyss of having to buy the next book. Bah! Humbug!
I generally refuse to review serial series books just for that reason; and just for that reason I have given Forbidden Cure three stars. I added a half star for the quality of writing and the future potential of the overall story. Put the whole story together in one book and it could easily rate five stars.
This book was provided free by the author in hopes of receiving an honest review. The above review represents my honest opinion of the book.
August 5, 2018
Trauma surgeon turned medical detective, Chris Ravello, is back. Still reeling from major loss, he also suffers from a serious disease, pheochromocytoma. And it’s getting worse. Desperate for a cure, he is willing to try a risky experimental treatment. Even now, after the death of his wife in Forbidden Birth, a shadow hangs over him and others who are victimized by what we know to be a dangerous treatment. His father, and friend (detective) Kevin Kennedy are worried about the real possibility of his death. Author and physician, William Rubin, had taken on his latest project as a serial. This is a challenging choice and he has to accomplish a lot in the first volume. Still, he maintains the atmosphere and strong characterization that makes this series work. I recommend it to readers who like the combination of medicine and gritty crime thriller. I will be reading the next volume in this series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews