What do you think?
Rate this book
Code Crisis
Amazon Best Seller in Terrorism Thrillers, Medical Thrillers, and Medical Romance This fast-paced thriller that follows a lonely gynecologist who risks everything for love and his country will engage you until its final, explosive scene. Dr. Vince DeLuca would normally take a Tito’s straight up with two olives after a ruptured ectopic pregnancy nearly flatlined a patient. Maybe follow it up with a one-night stand to chase away memories of the trauma that’s kept his life stagnant for so long. But when he overhears one of his recovering patients―married to the CEO of a defense contractor―mumbling about “stingers,” “revenge,” and her affair with a mysterious man named Salaam, Vince’s PTSD alights. Sure, it could just be the ramblings of a woman on too much morphine, or she could be talking about the missing anti‑aircraft weapons he read about and a highly sought-after terrorist. Vince decides to leave it to the FBI, not suspecting that they would send him Carolyn, a drop-dead gorgeous, slightly insane CIA agent who needs his help. Vince is soon thrown into the fray and finds himself both utterly in love and using everything he ever learned in his medical career―including how to clamp a subclavian artery with a zip tie―to help home in on the terrorists’ plot, but not before they discover him and come looking for blood.
360 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023
13 people are currently reading
7020 people want to read
About the author
Joe Purpura
1 book40 followersJoseph Purpura, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist, patient safety expert, and award-winning faculty member at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He lives in Santa Barbara, CA. This is his first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 21, 2024
Thank you to author Joe Purpura for a copy of Code Crisis! This one was unique as the author combined medical drama, romance, and high-level legal themes.
What I enjoyed most about this thriller is that each chapter ended with a mini cliff hanger. I love when thrillers keep the pages turning, and just when I thought I’d take a break, I get to the end of the chapter and keep on reading!
There is room for character development and diversity in character voice, but the relationships among the characters are strong and intricate. With some development in those areas, this can be a 5-star thriller.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
What I enjoyed most about this thriller is that each chapter ended with a mini cliff hanger. I love when thrillers keep the pages turning, and just when I thought I’d take a break, I get to the end of the chapter and keep on reading!
There is room for character development and diversity in character voice, but the relationships among the characters are strong and intricate. With some development in those areas, this can be a 5-star thriller.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author!
April 27, 2023
Dr. Vince DeLuca never figured that helping a patient would result in personal danger and possible national terror. After a recovering patient rambled about sensitive topics, DeLuca decided that a call to the FBI was the only answer. They send Carolyn, a CIA agent whose beauty and wit turned DeLuca's head. Half in love and intrigued, will the doctor end up in over his head?
The novel started out with the right blend of interest and intrigue, giving Dr. DeLuca a strong character with a moral compass. When he started to get a little too personally involved, I felt like the character diverged from his original path. The pacing slowed and lost a little bit of the intrigue that hallmarks a thriller. The story got a little bogged down because of this and I wished that more time was given to plot line surrounding Jackie, her husband, and Salaam. Overall, I liked the novel, but would have enjoyed it more with a little more thrilling moments and a little less time spent on the personal relationship.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Readers Copy by the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
The novel started out with the right blend of interest and intrigue, giving Dr. DeLuca a strong character with a moral compass. When he started to get a little too personally involved, I felt like the character diverged from his original path. The pacing slowed and lost a little bit of the intrigue that hallmarks a thriller. The story got a little bogged down because of this and I wished that more time was given to plot line surrounding Jackie, her husband, and Salaam. Overall, I liked the novel, but would have enjoyed it more with a little more thrilling moments and a little less time spent on the personal relationship.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Readers Copy by the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
May 15, 2023
Not very good at writing reviews. Very good book, wasn't what I was expecting. Kept me clued from the moment I started reading it. Will recommend to friends. Loved it!! Thanks for the book!
June 22, 2023
Quite graphic in some spots, so definitely not for young readers. The book is fast paced, but ended up in the weeds at times. The ending of the book (no spoilers) kind of limped along. Several spots that felt like a good ending place, but then kept going for another few pages. I went in with low expectations, that I will admit were exceeded. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
July 4, 2023
Doctor Vince DeLuca, a gynecologist at Santa Barbara Community Hospital, steps in for an emergency procedure required for a patient diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. But Jackie Carter wants to speak with the doctor first, and her request is a bit . . . strange.
However, following the surgery, Jackie mutters some gibberish as she comes out of the anesthesia, gibberish just wild enough to concern Vince. After all, muttering about “stingers” and “revenge” and a mysterious paramour named Salaam is more than enough to trigger the PTSD Vince suffers since the loss of his fiancé, Helen, on September 11th.
Could Vince be imagining trouble where none exists, or were Jackie’s propofol-infused ramblings tied to missing weapons, a terrorist, and a plot for revenge? And when the FBI sends a CIA agent to investigate, what will the agent make of Vince’s information/
If there is, indeed, some malicious plot, has Vince set himself up to become the next target?
=========
A strong sense of place, believable characters, and a compelling plot all work together to pull the reader into the telling of this intricate tale from the outset. The quick pace, the short chapters, and the ever-building tension keep readers glued to the page as the unfolding plot twists and turns, offering surprising revelations and keeping those pages turning as fast as possible.
With a plot that twists and turns, bringing unexpected surprises to the telling of the tale, readers will find much to appreciate here. Once begun, readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page.
However, readers should be aware of the inclusion of some graphic sex scenes and far too many repeats of a particularly offensive expletive.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program and am leaving this review voluntarily.
However, following the surgery, Jackie mutters some gibberish as she comes out of the anesthesia, gibberish just wild enough to concern Vince. After all, muttering about “stingers” and “revenge” and a mysterious paramour named Salaam is more than enough to trigger the PTSD Vince suffers since the loss of his fiancé, Helen, on September 11th.
Could Vince be imagining trouble where none exists, or were Jackie’s propofol-infused ramblings tied to missing weapons, a terrorist, and a plot for revenge? And when the FBI sends a CIA agent to investigate, what will the agent make of Vince’s information/
If there is, indeed, some malicious plot, has Vince set himself up to become the next target?
=========
A strong sense of place, believable characters, and a compelling plot all work together to pull the reader into the telling of this intricate tale from the outset. The quick pace, the short chapters, and the ever-building tension keep readers glued to the page as the unfolding plot twists and turns, offering surprising revelations and keeping those pages turning as fast as possible.
With a plot that twists and turns, bringing unexpected surprises to the telling of the tale, readers will find much to appreciate here. Once begun, readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page.
However, readers should be aware of the inclusion of some graphic sex scenes and far too many repeats of a particularly offensive expletive.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program and am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 17, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is a wild ride about a tired, lonely doctor named Vince who cannot catch a break and just wants some peace and maybe a little love. But no, the world said not today.
Vince is minding his own business doing doctor work when he overhears a patient talking about dangerous sounding things involving weapons, revenge, and a mysterious man. Instead of brushing it off like a normal worn out man, his brain takes off running and his quiet life comes to a full stop.
Then along comes a CIA woman who is pretty enough to cause bad decisions and just unstable enough to guarantee them. She pulls Vince into a mess way above his pay grade, and now he is dodging dangerous people while trying not to get himself killed.
What makes this story fun is watching a regular doctor use medical knowledge in ways that would absolutely get him fired in real life. The tension stays high, things get strange, and more than once it feels like Vince should have stayed home and watched bad television like the rest of us.
The pacing is fast, the danger keeps stacking up, and the love angle is messy in a real world way where nothing goes smooth and nobody listens to their own good sense.
It is not perfect, and some parts stretch belief pretty far, but it keeps the pages turning. When you want a solid thriller with chaos, danger, and a little romance mixed in, this one gets the job done.
I give it a 3 outta 5 Catfish!
This book is a wild ride about a tired, lonely doctor named Vince who cannot catch a break and just wants some peace and maybe a little love. But no, the world said not today.
Vince is minding his own business doing doctor work when he overhears a patient talking about dangerous sounding things involving weapons, revenge, and a mysterious man. Instead of brushing it off like a normal worn out man, his brain takes off running and his quiet life comes to a full stop.
Then along comes a CIA woman who is pretty enough to cause bad decisions and just unstable enough to guarantee them. She pulls Vince into a mess way above his pay grade, and now he is dodging dangerous people while trying not to get himself killed.
What makes this story fun is watching a regular doctor use medical knowledge in ways that would absolutely get him fired in real life. The tension stays high, things get strange, and more than once it feels like Vince should have stayed home and watched bad television like the rest of us.
The pacing is fast, the danger keeps stacking up, and the love angle is messy in a real world way where nothing goes smooth and nobody listens to their own good sense.
It is not perfect, and some parts stretch belief pretty far, but it keeps the pages turning. When you want a solid thriller with chaos, danger, and a little romance mixed in, this one gets the job done.
I give it a 3 outta 5 Catfish!
July 14, 2023
Joe Purpura hit a home run with his first novel. It was suspenseful, thrilling , mysterious with an unfolding plot with twists and turns that kept you from putting down the book.
Doctor Vince DeLuca, a gynecologist at Santa Barbara Community Hospital is still grieving for his fiancé who was killed on 9/11. He receives an emergency page and has to do surgery on a patient, Jackie who has an ectopic pregnancy. Before the surgery, Jackie requested the Doctor to call her lover Salaam and give him a message if she doesn’t survive.
Jackie survives surgery and while in recovery begins muttering something about stingers and revenge. This muttering concerns Vine as Jackie’s husband is the head of a defense contracting company.
Vince calls the FBI and informs them if his concerns.
The FBI send in their agent Carolyn , who is actually a CIA agent and who Vince thinks is gorgeous.
Vince ends up working with Carolyn to uncover the malicious plot.
I received this book from Library thing in exchange for a review.
Doctor Vince DeLuca, a gynecologist at Santa Barbara Community Hospital is still grieving for his fiancé who was killed on 9/11. He receives an emergency page and has to do surgery on a patient, Jackie who has an ectopic pregnancy. Before the surgery, Jackie requested the Doctor to call her lover Salaam and give him a message if she doesn’t survive.
Jackie survives surgery and while in recovery begins muttering something about stingers and revenge. This muttering concerns Vine as Jackie’s husband is the head of a defense contracting company.
Vince calls the FBI and informs them if his concerns.
The FBI send in their agent Carolyn , who is actually a CIA agent and who Vince thinks is gorgeous.
Vince ends up working with Carolyn to uncover the malicious plot.
I received this book from Library thing in exchange for a review.
July 31, 2024
Y’all need to read this! Do you like thriller? Law and Order? Criminal Minds? This book will pull you left and right. Just when you think it won’t get any better– grotesque and mortifying that is– it does. This book has no limitations; even while my mouth was agape and my hand covered it, I couldn’t peel my eyes off of the page.
First, it is so shocking that this is Joe Purpura’s first novel! Well written and easy to understand, even with all that CIA, weapons, and medical language.
The suspense and romance enticed me, but I really stayed for the thrilling action. Dr. Vince DeLuca and Carolyn’s (the CIA) affection for each other was strong and understandable but the (few) lovemaking scenes seemed a bit unnecessary and didn’t add to the plot.
Anyways, the chapters are short to medium length: perfectly spaced in the manner that makes you feel like you’re reading it at a good pace.
Reading this was like watching a movie. Great book!
First, it is so shocking that this is Joe Purpura’s first novel! Well written and easy to understand, even with all that CIA, weapons, and medical language.
The suspense and romance enticed me, but I really stayed for the thrilling action. Dr. Vince DeLuca and Carolyn’s (the CIA) affection for each other was strong and understandable but the (few) lovemaking scenes seemed a bit unnecessary and didn’t add to the plot.
Anyways, the chapters are short to medium length: perfectly spaced in the manner that makes you feel like you’re reading it at a good pace.
Reading this was like watching a movie. Great book!
Read
February 13, 2024Code Crisis by Dr. Joe Purpura is a wildly entertaining novel about Homeland Security and what can go wrong and right in a hospital setting. A patient comes to Doctor Vince Deluca for a routine exam. After the successful operation, while under anesthesia, the patient makes some cryptic remarks and hands the doctor a seemingly nonsensical piece of paper. This message leads to havoc of the worst kind imaginable. Dr. Deluca calls the FBI to learn what the form and contents mean. From there, all hell breaks loose as Homeland Security, the FBI, and other alphabet agencies converge on the small town of Santa Barbara.
Dr. Joe Pupura is a first-time novelist who exhibits the skills of a veteran writer. Readers will root for all his characters and, more importantly, wait anxiously for another entry into this entertaining and well-written potential series.
Dr. Joe Pupura is a first-time novelist who exhibits the skills of a veteran writer. Readers will root for all his characters and, more importantly, wait anxiously for another entry into this entertaining and well-written potential series.
June 19, 2023
"Code Crisis" by Joe Purpura started off okay, but quickly lost its way. The two main characters are college educated individuals that have professional careers. Vince Deluca is a gynecologist and Carolyn is a CIA operative. Yet, their words and actions are those of hormonal, uneducated individuals, not professionals. I'm by no means a prude, but between the graphic details, violence and profanity, it really took away from the plot of the novel. On the other hand, it seems that quite a few reviewers gave this novel 4-5 stars. So, I would recommend reading other reviews before making up your mind.
June 23, 2023
This is a fun, quick read. You definitely have to understand that how things work in the spy/terrorism prevention business would be a bit different. The author does mention in his bio at the end, that much of that part was embellished with his imagination. It really helps the book flow nicely. His knowledge of medicine, particularly OB/GYN, is evident in the writing. There were a few places that needed more editing (the sun does NOT rise over the ocean in California), but overall the book had a good plot that moved quickly with side interests to keep most readers engaged.
I was given a free Kindle copy of the book and am giving an honest review.
I was given a free Kindle copy of the book and am giving an honest review.
June 28, 2023
Dr. Vince DeLuca is a lonely gynecologist who hears the after surgery mumblings from a patient that could be interpreted the wrong wat. He contacts the FBI and is soon caught up in a national terrorist threat. He works with Caroline, a CIA operative that quickly becomes his lover. I really enjoyed the set up and the build to the finale. It was thrilling and suspenseful, but I thought the romantic part was over the top and slowed done the tension. It was like he was blending two stories into one. I understand the reason for the romance but I could have done without it.
January 4, 2024
This book started out great but the ending fell flat in my opinion. The investigation and action parts kept me hooked but I disliked the romance part. Since Vince and Carolyn had just met, I thought that their intense romance was more of a distraction than anything to the story. I felt that their romance could have been toned way down and still gotten the point across that they liked each other.
May 29, 2023
Grateful to the author for a signed copy of Code Crisis! A page turner from front to back filled with romance, Medical emergencies and most of all a national crisis the hero and herion fight to prevent. I quite enjoyed this book but feel it would have been just as awesome (maybe more so) without the in-depth romance and sex scenes. I'll certainly be watching for Joe Purpura's next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2023
I won this book from goodreads for an honest review-
Vince, a gynecologist overhears a recovering patient mumbling about revenge, an affair with Salaam
He reports it to the FBI and they send Carolyn. The agent works with him to stop the terrorists and then what begins as a working relationship turns to love. Can they survive to begin a new life?
Vince, a gynecologist overhears a recovering patient mumbling about revenge, an affair with Salaam
He reports it to the FBI and they send Carolyn. The agent works with him to stop the terrorists and then what begins as a working relationship turns to love. Can they survive to begin a new life?
March 21, 2024
The dialogue and behavior was just such a miss for me. I get it, people are people, but does he kiss the babies he delivers with that mouth? It just turned me off so much. I think I mainly didn't like that it felt like it was trying to be vulgar just to be vulgar, instead of adding anything to the story or entertainment level.
June 21, 2024
I couldn't put this book down. A great read. I feel like Vince DeLuca is a friend I have know for a long time. I have not had this much fun reading a book in a long time. Fun book easy read. You will not be bored. Doctor DeLuca a gynecologist at Santa Barbara Hospital steps in for a emergency procedure. But the patient wants to speak to him first and her request is a bit..... strange.
March 7, 2023
The language here is lively and took a little time getting used to, but variation is good. The plot is also very good, as is the storytelling. The characters seem very realistic, even though a few are superheroes. Very entertaining!
May 1, 2023
Doctor learns of terrorist plot when caring for patient. He soon gets twisted up with the CIA through an attractive, and a bit off kilter, agent. Can he stop the threat before the terrorists take him out? Great story. Recommend it.
May 9, 2023
Rating: 4.5/5.0
“Code Crisis” is an elevated debut thriller that is equal parts adrenaline and intellect.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Code Crisis” is an elevated debut thriller that is equal parts adrenaline and intellect.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 20, 2023
Code Crisis by Joe Purpura
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Thriller: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5
Wow! As a Dr myself, I cannot imagine something like this ever happening to me. Dr. Vince Deluca, a gynecologist is at the hospital getting ready to finish up and go home when he gets a consult call from another Dr because the patient is asking for him. Exhausted, he reluctantly heads to the patients room in the ER only to confirm that she needs surgery right away due to an ectopic pregnancy. The patient tells Deluca that she is not sure that the baby belongs to her husband, who is there with her but not very attentive, and gives him a number to call if anything happens to her. It is the number to the man she is having an affair with. After surgery goes well he hears his patient talk about grails, heavily, and a bad revenge and he knows he must tell someone. He calls the FBI and they send a beautiful agent who is something that the good ole Dr just cannot ignore. Throw in some sex, and love and this book has everything. I won’t let you in on the ending but I can say that this is an amazing book by a very talented writer and I am sure, Dr. The characters are so well developed, honest and flawed in ways that feel like they could be your best friend or neighbor. I cannot wait to read more by this author and can say that he does not disappoint.
5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher as well as Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Thriller: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5
Wow! As a Dr myself, I cannot imagine something like this ever happening to me. Dr. Vince Deluca, a gynecologist is at the hospital getting ready to finish up and go home when he gets a consult call from another Dr because the patient is asking for him. Exhausted, he reluctantly heads to the patients room in the ER only to confirm that she needs surgery right away due to an ectopic pregnancy. The patient tells Deluca that she is not sure that the baby belongs to her husband, who is there with her but not very attentive, and gives him a number to call if anything happens to her. It is the number to the man she is having an affair with. After surgery goes well he hears his patient talk about grails, heavily, and a bad revenge and he knows he must tell someone. He calls the FBI and they send a beautiful agent who is something that the good ole Dr just cannot ignore. Throw in some sex, and love and this book has everything. I won’t let you in on the ending but I can say that this is an amazing book by a very talented writer and I am sure, Dr. The characters are so well developed, honest and flawed in ways that feel like they could be your best friend or neighbor. I cannot wait to read more by this author and can say that he does not disappoint.
5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher as well as Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.
July 1, 2023
*thriller and intrigue all throughout the book
*easy to read with short chapters
*very well-written
*great character development
*storyline is very intriguing and kept my interest from cover to cover
*highly recommend
*easy to read with short chapters
*very well-written
*great character development
*storyline is very intriguing and kept my interest from cover to cover
*highly recommend
September 29, 2023
Not normally my kind of books with terrorists and spy thrillers....but I am so glad I read this one. It drew me in from the start and couldn't put it down. Loved the two main characters and can see this leading to other books. Great debut book for this author.
June 11, 2024
Won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
Easy to follow storyline with nice short chapters (which I am always a fan of since I have a short attention span). Though the ending did have some thrilling suspense, I felt there were a lot of unresolved plot lines.
Easy to follow storyline with nice short chapters (which I am always a fan of since I have a short attention span). Though the ending did have some thrilling suspense, I felt there were a lot of unresolved plot lines.
April 15, 2023
GRIPPING AND FUN!!! I loved the characters and the character development and the story really kept me on edge!!! LOVED IT!!
June 20, 2023
The thriller part of the story was pretty good. But the romance part was cheesy and I wasn’t a fan.
July 2, 2023
This was a good book with a faster paced storyline. The ending was a little off for me, but overall good story!
July 5, 2023
Humorous main character with some sex and terroristic subplots.
July 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! I hope this author continues writing books. His style of writing and storytelling completely pulled me into the story.
October 26, 2023
Kept my interest.
Thanks to Goodreads for the kindle copy.
Thanks to Goodreads for the kindle copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews