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Dr. Zack Winston #2
Warm and Dead
He flourishes in the heart of a hectic ER but threatened loss of family becomes his greatest fear. Can an intrepid doctor protect his own from a twisted mind?
Dr. Zack Winston’s self-confidence wobbles on shaky ground. Slated to see his daughters over Christmas for the first time in five years, the skilled emergency physician worries his relationship issues will prevent them from bonding. His determination to focus on his personal life sinks fast when he questions a pediatrician colleague’s alleged suicide attempt by drowning.
Seeking the truth behind a spate of obstetrical deaths, Zack teams with the Bridget Larsen, the lawyer who rescued him from a malignant malpractice suit. As they tread a suspicious trail from the hospital morgue to the icy Potomac River, he fears any misstep will plunge them into a lethal wintry doom…
Will his refusal to stand down cost Zack everything he holds dear?
Dr. Zack Winston’s self-confidence wobbles on shaky ground. Slated to see his daughters over Christmas for the first time in five years, the skilled emergency physician worries his relationship issues will prevent them from bonding. His determination to focus on his personal life sinks fast when he questions a pediatrician colleague’s alleged suicide attempt by drowning.
Seeking the truth behind a spate of obstetrical deaths, Zack teams with the Bridget Larsen, the lawyer who rescued him from a malignant malpractice suit. As they tread a suspicious trail from the hospital morgue to the icy Potomac River, he fears any misstep will plunge them into a lethal wintry doom…
Will his refusal to stand down cost Zack everything he holds dear?
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2022
627 people are currently reading
2148 people want to read
About the author
Mike Krentz
25 books111 followersMike Krentz writes medical suspense, psychological thrillers, and military fiction featuring complex characters and relationships.
Born and raised in Arizona, Mike earned a classical degree in English from the University of San Francisco, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Following a civilian career as an emergency physician, Mike rededicated his professional life to serve America's Navy and Marine Corps heroes and their families, and to honor their sacrifices in defending our freedom and way of life. His last active duty assignment was as 7th Fleet Surgeon on board the flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE.
After retiring from the US Navy, Dr. Krentz continued his service as a consultant supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Upon completion of that mission, he returned to his earliest life passion as a full-time writer.
Dr. Krentz sits on the Board of Directors of The Muse Writers' Center where he teaches fiction writing and participates in advanced studios.
Mike's fiction works include the DR. ZACK WINSTON SERIES of medical conspiracy thrillers, the MAHONEY & SQUIRE SERIES of military fiction, and a standalone psychological thriller, ANGELS FALLING.
www.mikejkrentz.com
www.facebook.com/MikeJKrentzAuthor
https://twitter.com/MikeJKrentz
https://www.instagram.com/mjkrentz/
Born and raised in Arizona, Mike earned a classical degree in English from the University of San Francisco, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Following a civilian career as an emergency physician, Mike rededicated his professional life to serve America's Navy and Marine Corps heroes and their families, and to honor their sacrifices in defending our freedom and way of life. His last active duty assignment was as 7th Fleet Surgeon on board the flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE.
After retiring from the US Navy, Dr. Krentz continued his service as a consultant supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Upon completion of that mission, he returned to his earliest life passion as a full-time writer.
Dr. Krentz sits on the Board of Directors of The Muse Writers' Center where he teaches fiction writing and participates in advanced studios.
Mike's fiction works include the DR. ZACK WINSTON SERIES of medical conspiracy thrillers, the MAHONEY & SQUIRE SERIES of military fiction, and a standalone psychological thriller, ANGELS FALLING.
www.mikejkrentz.com
www.facebook.com/MikeJKrentzAuthor
https://twitter.com/MikeJKrentz
https://www.instagram.com/mjkrentz/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 15, 2022
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this novel.
A vivid description of a new mother locked in a windowless room anxious about her baby is juxtaposed with an emergency room on Christmas Eve, on high alert when a middle-aged man, the victim of a cold water drowning, demands the attention of head doc, Zack Winston.
How could these two situations be connected?
Only in the hands of skillful writer, Mike Krentz, a former emergency room doctor himself, could the threads of these stories weave through twists and turns that lead to a stunning conclusion.
This is the second in Krentz’s series about Zack Winston. emergency room doctor with a troubled past, and Bridget Larsen, a cracker-jack defense attorney who helped Zack with a malpractice suit in DEAD ALREADY. Like the first book, I promise you will have a hard time putting this one down.
A vivid description of a new mother locked in a windowless room anxious about her baby is juxtaposed with an emergency room on Christmas Eve, on high alert when a middle-aged man, the victim of a cold water drowning, demands the attention of head doc, Zack Winston.
How could these two situations be connected?
Only in the hands of skillful writer, Mike Krentz, a former emergency room doctor himself, could the threads of these stories weave through twists and turns that lead to a stunning conclusion.
This is the second in Krentz’s series about Zack Winston. emergency room doctor with a troubled past, and Bridget Larsen, a cracker-jack defense attorney who helped Zack with a malpractice suit in DEAD ALREADY. Like the first book, I promise you will have a hard time putting this one down.
Read
August 27, 2022Excerpts from the first two chapters:
Brutal pressure in her lower abdomen awakened the sixteen-year-old from a fitful sleep. Worse than the labor pains two days ago.
Deep breaths, no help. She needed to pee. Could her bladder burst?
She tried to get up, but sudden cramping around her pelvis forced her
back onto the mattress.
More deep breaths. She rolled to one side. Did she sleep through a feeding?
"Put off the bathroom. Nurse the baby. Forget the pain."
Why isn't she crying?
Terror swept through the teenager's body. She squinted against the darkness in the dreary bedroom. The horrible truth exploded in her mind seconds before her eyes focused on the empty bassinet.
Panic overcame pain. She fumbled for the switch on the bedside lamp and spent three tries to flip it on. Frantic eyes searched the room.
No baby.
* * *
"You can plan for life, but you can't outsmart it."
His dad's prescient words caromed in Dr. Zack Winston's mind as he arrived at Bethesda Metro Hospital at 7 AM on a frozen late-December morning for his twelve-hour ER shift. Zack had not outsmarted life, but he had preserved it. He survived the attack on his life, saved Bridget's, and exposed a medical cabal.
Killed his best friend and mentor, too. For cause justified.
A year later, Zack relished his routine emergency medicine practice and less reckless off-duty lifestyle. Approaching fifty, Zack Winston had finally grown up. No longer driven to seek or create drama in his life.
The sub-freezing weather and predicted snowstorm should deter the seasonal crunch of ill and worried-well people seeking pre-holiday tune-ups in the ED. Zack checked his phone, again. The weather should stay away until after his evening trip to Reagan Airport to pick up his daughters visiting from the west coast.
Zack's optimism seemed validated when the off-going emergency physician, Dr. Paula Cho, turned over a department almost empty of patients.
He should have known better.
Brutal pressure in her lower abdomen awakened the sixteen-year-old from a fitful sleep. Worse than the labor pains two days ago.
Deep breaths, no help. She needed to pee. Could her bladder burst?
She tried to get up, but sudden cramping around her pelvis forced her
back onto the mattress.
More deep breaths. She rolled to one side. Did she sleep through a feeding?
"Put off the bathroom. Nurse the baby. Forget the pain."
Why isn't she crying?
Terror swept through the teenager's body. She squinted against the darkness in the dreary bedroom. The horrible truth exploded in her mind seconds before her eyes focused on the empty bassinet.
Panic overcame pain. She fumbled for the switch on the bedside lamp and spent three tries to flip it on. Frantic eyes searched the room.
No baby.
* * *
"You can plan for life, but you can't outsmart it."
His dad's prescient words caromed in Dr. Zack Winston's mind as he arrived at Bethesda Metro Hospital at 7 AM on a frozen late-December morning for his twelve-hour ER shift. Zack had not outsmarted life, but he had preserved it. He survived the attack on his life, saved Bridget's, and exposed a medical cabal.
Killed his best friend and mentor, too. For cause justified.
A year later, Zack relished his routine emergency medicine practice and less reckless off-duty lifestyle. Approaching fifty, Zack Winston had finally grown up. No longer driven to seek or create drama in his life.
The sub-freezing weather and predicted snowstorm should deter the seasonal crunch of ill and worried-well people seeking pre-holiday tune-ups in the ED. Zack checked his phone, again. The weather should stay away until after his evening trip to Reagan Airport to pick up his daughters visiting from the west coast.
Zack's optimism seemed validated when the off-going emergency physician, Dr. Paula Cho, turned over a department almost empty of patients.
He should have known better.
September 4, 2022
Warm and Dead is an utterly gripping psychological medical thriller. Mike Krentz has crafted another page-turner that hooks readers and doesn’t let go until the last page. His brilliant skill at crafting realistic, evocative characters you’ll love—and some you’ll hate—and then dropping them into increasingly dire situations is on full display in this latest installment of the Dr. Zack Winston series. Alongside his unrivaled knowledge of medicine, Krentz seamlessly blends mystery, heroism, romance, and multiple astonishing twists.
October 16, 2022
Intense! I basically read this book in one sitting because there was never a place I felt like I could stop. Warm and Dead got under my skin.
Impressively researched, expertly plotted, and brimming with edge of your seat suspense, Warm and Dead will leave you breathless.
What sets Krentz apart from other writers of medical thrillers is the expectational character development. In spite of a twisty and thrilling plot, I'd consider his stories to be character driven.
I hope more Zack Winston novels are on the horizon!
Impressively researched, expertly plotted, and brimming with edge of your seat suspense, Warm and Dead will leave you breathless.
What sets Krentz apart from other writers of medical thrillers is the expectational character development. In spite of a twisty and thrilling plot, I'd consider his stories to be character driven.
I hope more Zack Winston novels are on the horizon!
February 11, 2023
As with the first novel in the series, this book grabbed me from the very beginning, and wouldn’t let go. Having been in the medical and legal professions, “Warm and Dead” was right up my alley and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author’s creation and development of new characters as well as the progression and growth of the existing ones, who are already known to us, is seamless and so very well done. The book is fast-paced with an excellent build-up to a thrilling and unexpected ending. I’m always sad when I finish a book because in a way I become a part of that world for a brief period, and I don’t want it to end. This book kept me hungry for more and I will be excited to read the third in the Dr. Winston, aka, BAFERD series.
March 26, 2025
Good sequel
I enjoyed another adventure with Dr Winston. There were some surprises. Really enjoyable read. Krentz is a great writer. I look forward to reading more from him.
I enjoyed another adventure with Dr Winston. There were some surprises. Really enjoyable read. Krentz is a great writer. I look forward to reading more from him.
October 12, 2025
What a story!!
I loved this book! I finished the first one and immediately dove into this one,and onto #3. This author writes with knowledge, passion, compassion and authenticity. The stealing of babies and deaths of so many women and runaway teens , trafficking is big business which seriously needs more attention. This book shows the cold hard facts how some of these sub humans operate, no humanity involved, just greed and praying on people's emotions... The ones getting the stolen babies.
I was watching and old TV show that I loved "Code Black", which is all about ER drama in LA when I heard the head Dr tell one of the residents " he's not dead until he's warm and dead "... As a retired paramedic.. I got it. I will be following this series ..Dr Winston and lawyer Bridget will be starting new lives now and I want to be part of it. Please keep writing Mike.. You make me happy.I miss emergency medicine..retired but still an adrenaline junkie.
I loved this book! I finished the first one and immediately dove into this one,and onto #3. This author writes with knowledge, passion, compassion and authenticity. The stealing of babies and deaths of so many women and runaway teens , trafficking is big business which seriously needs more attention. This book shows the cold hard facts how some of these sub humans operate, no humanity involved, just greed and praying on people's emotions... The ones getting the stolen babies.
I was watching and old TV show that I loved "Code Black", which is all about ER drama in LA when I heard the head Dr tell one of the residents " he's not dead until he's warm and dead "... As a retired paramedic.. I got it. I will be following this series ..Dr Winston and lawyer Bridget will be starting new lives now and I want to be part of it. Please keep writing Mike.. You make me happy.I miss emergency medicine..retired but still an adrenaline junkie.
September 28, 2025
Warm and Dead is the second installment of the Dr. Zack Winston series. Dr. Zack is trying to reconnect with his two daughters from his first marriage. The oldest, Jennifer, is in med school at Stanford, while the younger is turning sixteen on Christmas Eve. They join him over the Christmas holidays from California. Meanwhile, two physicians from the hospital come into the emergency room with mysterious needle marks and life-threatening conditions. A separate, but later related storyline, features a criminal ring that takes advantage of young, vulnerable mothers and sells their babies. Zack also continues to see Brigitt Larsen who was his defense attorney in the first book. His sixteen-year-old, Annie, gets herself in trouble when trying to make friends with some local kids. The author ties all these stories together at the end. A fast, entertaining read.
July 25, 2025
This series gets great ratings and positive reviews. I wonder, am I reading a different edition? Don't care for the lead character at all. He's snooty. And the mention of drinking bougie booze as a hobby was too much. Especially since it came from somebody who had been in rehab. Isn't that called 'Cali sober'? Not sure about the budding romance between the doctor and his former defense attorney/patient. I thought that was a no-no. Even though nothing happened, he never questioned himself. She was married through the first half of the book; her husband's sudden death was too weird, too convenient. Enjoyed the introduction of the doctor's daughters and the youngest is a ray of sunshine. Intriguing plot, but overall not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2022
A terrific read…except maybe at bedtime
I enjoy reading fiction at night to relax before going to bed. But I have to say, Warm and Dead is anything but sleep-inducing. The pace of this medical drama accelerates as the story progresses, with twists and turns that keep you guessing—and reading—into the night. Author Mike Krentz weaves the different storylines together with confident skill and impressive medical knowledge, but there’s a lot of warmth and humanity in this book too. This is the second novel in the Dr. Zack Winston series, and I look forward to seeing what the good ER doctor will be up to in the next installment.
I enjoy reading fiction at night to relax before going to bed. But I have to say, Warm and Dead is anything but sleep-inducing. The pace of this medical drama accelerates as the story progresses, with twists and turns that keep you guessing—and reading—into the night. Author Mike Krentz weaves the different storylines together with confident skill and impressive medical knowledge, but there’s a lot of warmth and humanity in this book too. This is the second novel in the Dr. Zack Winston series, and I look forward to seeing what the good ER doctor will be up to in the next installment.
November 3, 2022
What a disappointment after reading "Dead Already".
This book is supposed to be a medical suspense book.
After reading about 40% of the book, I found that most of it deals with Dr. Zack's family and social issues. I found no interests in the details of his children from his divorce wife. Even if maybe later in the book his children are kidnapped (I haven't read the sequel - so I'm just guessing).
I skipped many pages, because they don't belong to the suspense story.
Too many references to the previous book (which was excellent).
Again, here too many descriptions of detailed medical procedures.
This book is supposed to be a medical suspense book.
After reading about 40% of the book, I found that most of it deals with Dr. Zack's family and social issues. I found no interests in the details of his children from his divorce wife. Even if maybe later in the book his children are kidnapped (I haven't read the sequel - so I'm just guessing).
I skipped many pages, because they don't belong to the suspense story.
Too many references to the previous book (which was excellent).
Again, here too many descriptions of detailed medical procedures.
August 13, 2023
Boring, Boring, Boring — Not a Good 2nd Book
This book about Zack Winston clearly follows on the heels of the 1st book, “Dead Already” — but it’s nowhere near as good nor captivating.
The Author introduces some thriller/mystery stuff in the beginning, but there’s not much of it, and The Author’s new emphasis — writing about Zack’s family life — is simply boring, boring, boring. Who cares? This is supposed to be a Medical Murder Mystery/Thriller, and instead it just drags The Reader along through mundane areas of no interest.
I’ve abandoned this book after Chapter 15 (20% of the way thru), with the intention to find another book that will hopefully be much better.
This book about Zack Winston clearly follows on the heels of the 1st book, “Dead Already” — but it’s nowhere near as good nor captivating.
The Author introduces some thriller/mystery stuff in the beginning, but there’s not much of it, and The Author’s new emphasis — writing about Zack’s family life — is simply boring, boring, boring. Who cares? This is supposed to be a Medical Murder Mystery/Thriller, and instead it just drags The Reader along through mundane areas of no interest.
I’ve abandoned this book after Chapter 15 (20% of the way thru), with the intention to find another book that will hopefully be much better.
August 29, 2022
I was fortunate to read an advance copy of Warm and Dead. I suggest you pick up a copy as soon as you can. This is a great book; so much more than your typical sequel. Fans of Zack and Bridget will be rapt from the opening sentences. Krentz continually ups the ante for his characters with his twisty, tense story-telling and masterful plotting. And he crafts characters with heart. They keep the reader deeply invested. Stop reading this review and start Warm and Dead!
October 28, 2022
I love this book! The story line was excellent. I was literally glued to each and every page. In less than a day, I finished the book. It was really that difficult to set it down. I am hoping there will be more featuring (Dr. Zack Winston) To find out more about this author Mike Krentz please check out his Facebook page and his Newsletter. I can't wait to read more books from this author. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves to read medical thrillers.
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November 14, 2022Great
I really enjoyed reading this book , despite a few typos . I am pleased to see a third book coming . This starts with confusing medical situations seeming to stem from an irate obstetrician . Further details emerge detailing a sub plot , or is it? In the meantime Dr Winston deals with a new girlfriend , his daughters finally coming to visit and the aftermath off the previous book.
Nice build up to a thriller of a conclusion.
I really enjoyed reading this book , despite a few typos . I am pleased to see a third book coming . This starts with confusing medical situations seeming to stem from an irate obstetrician . Further details emerge detailing a sub plot , or is it? In the meantime Dr Winston deals with a new girlfriend , his daughters finally coming to visit and the aftermath off the previous book.
Nice build up to a thriller of a conclusion.
June 24, 2023
More happens between Christmas Day and Boxing day to these characters than happens to most of us all year. It's a mystery how a doctor drowned is connected to both Bridget and Zack. Zack's girls are visiting for Christmas and they get embroiled in the drama. They spend their holidays at the hospital and the police station. With the exception of Bridget and Noelle, Zack has terrible taste in women and he needs to stop thinking with his little head.
September 20, 2022
Very good.
I am a nurse, I could easily follow the medical jargon. You do not need a medical background to enjoy this book.
The story and writing style keeps the plot moving so that you do not want to put the book down.
I am a nurse, I could easily follow the medical jargon. You do not need a medical background to enjoy this book.
The story and writing style keeps the plot moving so that you do not want to put the book down.
September 29, 2022
What a follow-up from Already Dead. If you thought you knew what was going on in that book. Wrong you are in for one hell of a ride. Doctor's, Lawyers and higher up Government officials, no one is safe. The only thing that matters is Family.
March 28, 2023
A Great Medical Mystery and Thrilling Novel
Krentz winds an intriguing tail through hospitals, characters, law offices, and dens of evil. Excellently put together story with great character development. Bring us more.
Krentz winds an intriguing tail through hospitals, characters, law offices, and dens of evil. Excellently put together story with great character development. Bring us more.
May 29, 2023
Another page-turner from Mike Krentz! Zack Winston is fast becoming one of my favorite characters from contemporary literature. I love how Zack is growing as a man and as a "BAFERD" even as the pace of the action in his stories never lets up.
August 13, 2023
I love flawed heroes.
Dr Zack Winston is definitely flawed and somewhat dysfunctional, but he’s a brilliant ER doc with relationship issues with love interests and his daughters. Quick moving story with great characters.
Dr Zack Winston is definitely flawed and somewhat dysfunctional, but he’s a brilliant ER doc with relationship issues with love interests and his daughters. Quick moving story with great characters.
September 24, 2025
Rebel Bob age 88:
Be ready for a lot of twists & turns as you try to figure out who the bad guys are (all using pseudo names).
Surprisingly a love relationship developed between Zach & his attonery Bridget. Also Zach’s 2 daughters get brought into story to making it very interesting.
Be ready for a lot of twists & turns as you try to figure out who the bad guys are (all using pseudo names).
Surprisingly a love relationship developed between Zach & his attonery Bridget. Also Zach’s 2 daughters get brought into story to making it very interesting.
December 18, 2025
Read in one day
I don't usually read cop and thriller books but this one hooked me right away and could not put it down until I finished it Mr Trends did a fabulous job writing and I can't wait for the next book
I don't usually read cop and thriller books but this one hooked me right away and could not put it down until I finished it Mr Trends did a fabulous job writing and I can't wait for the next book
October 11, 2022
I am surprisingly enjoying these books by Mike Krentz. What a great story teller. I am very invested in the lives of the characters in this series. I hope there is more.
November 26, 2022
A very interesting book, lots of suspense!
Want to read
December 8, 2022Recommended by Jayne Ann Krentz
December 29, 2022
Love book #1 and this one!! Zack pulls off some great detective work that keeps you guessing. He and Bridget are a great team. Anxiously awaiting book #3.
January 10, 2023
Very good story line
The characters are believable, and there are enough twists and turns to keep you reading until the very end. Hope to read this author again
The characters are believable, and there are enough twists and turns to keep you reading until the very end. Hope to read this author again
February 15, 2023
Well written
I enjoyed getting to know the characters from both books one and two. I recommend both of them. Dr. Winston is very believable.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters from both books one and two. I recommend both of them. Dr. Winston is very believable.
May 18, 2023
Excellent
Highly recommend. Once I started reading I had to finish even tho it was late at night.Look forward to more from this author.
Highly recommend. Once I started reading I had to finish even tho it was late at night.Look forward to more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews