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Code Blue: The Other End of the Stethoscope
Dr. Tobi Lister suspects her patients are being murdered.
And it looks like her medical director is meddling with her patients’ electronic charts.
Tobi tries to tell herself she’s imagining things, but she’s more frightened by the day. And when the man who deserted her decades ago reaches out from the other side of the world, desperately trying to warn her of—something—she totally blows him off. She can NOT go back to all that pain and heartbreak. Besides, she’s barely keeping up with the outrageous demands of the profit-driven healthcare system she works in.
She has no idea that she is in the cross-hairs of a vicious, billion-dollar hacking scheme and she is about to become the next victim.
And it looks like her medical director is meddling with her patients’ electronic charts.
Tobi tries to tell herself she’s imagining things, but she’s more frightened by the day. And when the man who deserted her decades ago reaches out from the other side of the world, desperately trying to warn her of—something—she totally blows him off. She can NOT go back to all that pain and heartbreak. Besides, she’s barely keeping up with the outrageous demands of the profit-driven healthcare system she works in.
She has no idea that she is in the cross-hairs of a vicious, billion-dollar hacking scheme and she is about to become the next victim.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2022
14 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Debra E. Blaine
5 books6 followersAfter decades of practicing medicine, I became an author. It was partly a creative diversion to dispel the moral injury facing so many doctors today and partly because I wanted to speak out about our culture in a companionable way.
But writing became so gratifying that it is now my priority. I started with thrillers, and very soon began to add science fiction-like themes. Those began as urban sci-fi, or situations that should be preposterous (like brainwashing the entire population), but circumstances ultimately demanded I move on to outer space.
Science fiction has always been an opportunity to describe what may come to pass if we are not vigilant about the choices we make. If I could have my wildest dreams come true, it would be to know my novels influence a few more humans to practice tolerance, compassion, and integrity, and make the world just a little bit better for our children.
I love animals and nature, and cats frequently appear in my stories. And in one case, the fate of our heroes literally hangs on a Maine Coon’s love for a little girl.
But writing became so gratifying that it is now my priority. I started with thrillers, and very soon began to add science fiction-like themes. Those began as urban sci-fi, or situations that should be preposterous (like brainwashing the entire population), but circumstances ultimately demanded I move on to outer space.
Science fiction has always been an opportunity to describe what may come to pass if we are not vigilant about the choices we make. If I could have my wildest dreams come true, it would be to know my novels influence a few more humans to practice tolerance, compassion, and integrity, and make the world just a little bit better for our children.
I love animals and nature, and cats frequently appear in my stories. And in one case, the fate of our heroes literally hangs on a Maine Coon’s love for a little girl.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 3, 2019
Dr. Tobi Lister is trying to practice good medicine at B. Healthy, LLC, an urgent care facility in Long Island. She's becoming very disillusioned by the new focus on "satisfied customers" and her inability to provide the health care that her patients deserve. With all the cutbacks, lack of staff, insurance woes, cumbersome charting on electronic medical records, and the attitudes of those coming to her clinic, she's feeling a real lack of support for the job she's attempting to do. But there's even worse to come when she's targeted by a Russian oligarch who is extremely angry at her interference in his global enterprises. And then, a long lost love reappears in her life with the most unsettling information. NO SPOILERS.
If you follow my reviews, you know that medical thrillers are my favorite genre. Though I'd never heard of this author nor seen any previous mention of this book, it caught my eye when I was browsing for new titles. And, I'm so glad it did! I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The writing was excellent, the characters extremely multidimensional, and the absorbing story grabbed me from the first page and never let go. I couldn't put this book down -- yes, I know, a cliche, but it's true and I'm going to be recommending it to anyone who has an interest in this genre as well as to all my friends and family in the medical and allied health professions. The concern about our health care system in the USA is real, timely, and so important in an age when profit drives everything at the expense of human need. I normally don't appreciate a lot of religion in my fiction, but the spiritual component to the narrative and its importance to the main character could not be left out. It's about humanity, folks, and about honesty and personal integrity. Our society has completely lost sight of the right of people to have access to exemplary health care with physicians directing treatment rather than the money men (corporate hospitals and clinics, big Pharma, and profit-hungry insurance companies). Do I have the answer? No, but I hope that the next time you need health services that you give some thought to what you are paying for and let the experts manage your care. I don't mean entitlement, I mean for you to receive what you need based on sound scientific judgments by educated professionals at a price point that can be afforded by all involved. Sure, the health care facilities and professionals need to make money, but the price gouging by industry must come to an end. Put health care back in the hands of those who CARE for the sick and injured, not in the management companies who disallow treatments and services on economics without regard for the individuals at the end of their decisions. OK getting off soap box. Even though you might think that the book would read like a bleeding heart liberal lecture, it's really a very good thriller with lots of action and suspense. I'm giving this 4.5 stars!
Anyway, this should be required reading for all who care about the direction our health care system is going as it provides many important truths from "the other side of the stethoscope."
Thank you to NetGalley and Warren Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.
If you follow my reviews, you know that medical thrillers are my favorite genre. Though I'd never heard of this author nor seen any previous mention of this book, it caught my eye when I was browsing for new titles. And, I'm so glad it did! I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The writing was excellent, the characters extremely multidimensional, and the absorbing story grabbed me from the first page and never let go. I couldn't put this book down -- yes, I know, a cliche, but it's true and I'm going to be recommending it to anyone who has an interest in this genre as well as to all my friends and family in the medical and allied health professions. The concern about our health care system in the USA is real, timely, and so important in an age when profit drives everything at the expense of human need. I normally don't appreciate a lot of religion in my fiction, but the spiritual component to the narrative and its importance to the main character could not be left out. It's about humanity, folks, and about honesty and personal integrity. Our society has completely lost sight of the right of people to have access to exemplary health care with physicians directing treatment rather than the money men (corporate hospitals and clinics, big Pharma, and profit-hungry insurance companies). Do I have the answer? No, but I hope that the next time you need health services that you give some thought to what you are paying for and let the experts manage your care. I don't mean entitlement, I mean for you to receive what you need based on sound scientific judgments by educated professionals at a price point that can be afforded by all involved. Sure, the health care facilities and professionals need to make money, but the price gouging by industry must come to an end. Put health care back in the hands of those who CARE for the sick and injured, not in the management companies who disallow treatments and services on economics without regard for the individuals at the end of their decisions. OK getting off soap box. Even though you might think that the book would read like a bleeding heart liberal lecture, it's really a very good thriller with lots of action and suspense. I'm giving this 4.5 stars!
Anyway, this should be required reading for all who care about the direction our health care system is going as it provides many important truths from "the other side of the stethoscope."
Thank you to NetGalley and Warren Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.
August 14, 2022
The perfect summer thriller! Intrigue, romance, conspiracies, and bribery- Debra Blaine knows how to make it impossible to put a book down.
October 1, 2019
This is a totally new author for me and I have to say I am thrilled to find her work This was a story that drew you in from the word go and kept you on the edge of your seat until you turned that last page
Dr Tobi Lister is a very discouraged doctor not only is she getting no support in her clinic but with the new emphasis been on getting patients in and out in the fastest time and charging as much as possible she is totally disillusioned This isn't why she entered the medical profession. She is sure that something is going on in her clinic but she just can't pinpoint what it is Now to make matters even worse an old ex is trying to contact her after 20 years. What she doesn't know is that she is in the cross-hairs of a Russian Oligarch and he is trying to warn her before she becomes his nest victim. This overall is a great read but even more it is about the state of the health care system in the USA or how we are lead to believe it is where needing medical care can bankrupt you All I can say is that maybe they need to take a look at the healthcare system in other parts of the world.
Dr Tobi Lister is a very discouraged doctor not only is she getting no support in her clinic but with the new emphasis been on getting patients in and out in the fastest time and charging as much as possible she is totally disillusioned This isn't why she entered the medical profession. She is sure that something is going on in her clinic but she just can't pinpoint what it is Now to make matters even worse an old ex is trying to contact her after 20 years. What she doesn't know is that she is in the cross-hairs of a Russian Oligarch and he is trying to warn her before she becomes his nest victim. This overall is a great read but even more it is about the state of the health care system in the USA or how we are lead to believe it is where needing medical care can bankrupt you All I can say is that maybe they need to take a look at the healthcare system in other parts of the world.
October 1, 2019
Debra Blaine's sharply imagined debut novel hands us an exciting two-for-one: a clear-eyed indictment of America's broken healthcare system -- where patients are finicky "customers" encouraged to write reviews of visits to doctors who are often rewarded more for "pleasing" than for healing -- woven into a dangerous, far-reaching, and sadly, all-too-believable Russian plot that takes advantage of the nefarious opportunities this same system presents.
You'll be cheering for the sympathetic physician at the center of all this, Dr. Tobi Lister, as she navigates the turmoil in both her personal and professional life...and grows increasingly sure that something very big and very frightening is hovering just out of sight.
You'll be cheering for the sympathetic physician at the center of all this, Dr. Tobi Lister, as she navigates the turmoil in both her personal and professional life...and grows increasingly sure that something very big and very frightening is hovering just out of sight.
September 9, 2021
This was a book club read for our group, and we were fortunate that a member of the club had worked with the author in the past and knew her well. She could give us some background on the inside workings of the urgent care system. We also have a member who is a Nurse Practitioner and that made for an interesting discussion.
There is a LOT going on in this book. Too much. Several themes play out in addition to the central plot of the insurance fraud and resulting murders. Since it is a first novel, I can understand the desire to "lay it all out," but I do believe it would have been a better read if some of the side themes had been excluded.
Theme One: The author, speaking through her main character, Dr. Tobi Lister, has a sincere and valid concern that health care has become a profit margin monster, particularly when it comes to the chain urgent care facilities. Patients have become consumers and their needs are squeezed into 10 minute increments so that more consumers can partake of the "services." This is to the detriment of the patient, the doctors, and the staff. "That means we are the only countries whose health values are driven by capitalism." "Health values and health cares," Tobi said. "It's a swindle." Yet author and main character alike continue working in the system they disdain. They are preaching to the choir as far as I am concerned and this is an important part of the story being told.
Theme Two: Tobi has an estranged lover named Troy. Through Troy we get the theme of environmental action and protection. He heads up the non-profit organization "Executors for Our Earth." It was the responsibility of humans to care for the Earth and for life in all its forms, and he did not understand the people who thought accruing wealth was more important, as if they could buy clean air or clean water once it was all gone." Here again, I am in complete agreement with the sentiments of the characters. Whether it was necessary to spend as much time on Troy's chosen work is questionable.
Theme Three: Faith play a strong role in that Tobi expresses her (and the author's) Jewish background. After they are reunited, Tobi takes Troy with her to an Oneg Shabbat service, sharing his activism with Executors for Our Earth, "knowing it would strike a positive chord with her community and turn the conversation to less personal matters." This theme in the book was interesting, and I learned new information about the faith; however, it really had nothing to do with the plot whatsoever. Faith need not have been even mentioned for the story to be told.
The actual plot involves the disappearance of Tobi's brother at the beginning of the book. His disappearance ties in to a Russian plot to sell expensive insurance to vulnerable people who need organ transplants. Ultimately, the company never pays claims because the patients are too dead to make a claim. The plot stretches out over 20 years, which brings its own complications. And the plot itself requires some suspension of disbelief. All in all it was an enjoyable read, and our book club gained some great insights into the world of quick-bucks medicine.
There is a LOT going on in this book. Too much. Several themes play out in addition to the central plot of the insurance fraud and resulting murders. Since it is a first novel, I can understand the desire to "lay it all out," but I do believe it would have been a better read if some of the side themes had been excluded.
Theme One: The author, speaking through her main character, Dr. Tobi Lister, has a sincere and valid concern that health care has become a profit margin monster, particularly when it comes to the chain urgent care facilities. Patients have become consumers and their needs are squeezed into 10 minute increments so that more consumers can partake of the "services." This is to the detriment of the patient, the doctors, and the staff. "That means we are the only countries whose health values are driven by capitalism." "Health values and health cares," Tobi said. "It's a swindle." Yet author and main character alike continue working in the system they disdain. They are preaching to the choir as far as I am concerned and this is an important part of the story being told.
Theme Two: Tobi has an estranged lover named Troy. Through Troy we get the theme of environmental action and protection. He heads up the non-profit organization "Executors for Our Earth." It was the responsibility of humans to care for the Earth and for life in all its forms, and he did not understand the people who thought accruing wealth was more important, as if they could buy clean air or clean water once it was all gone." Here again, I am in complete agreement with the sentiments of the characters. Whether it was necessary to spend as much time on Troy's chosen work is questionable.
Theme Three: Faith play a strong role in that Tobi expresses her (and the author's) Jewish background. After they are reunited, Tobi takes Troy with her to an Oneg Shabbat service, sharing his activism with Executors for Our Earth, "knowing it would strike a positive chord with her community and turn the conversation to less personal matters." This theme in the book was interesting, and I learned new information about the faith; however, it really had nothing to do with the plot whatsoever. Faith need not have been even mentioned for the story to be told.
The actual plot involves the disappearance of Tobi's brother at the beginning of the book. His disappearance ties in to a Russian plot to sell expensive insurance to vulnerable people who need organ transplants. Ultimately, the company never pays claims because the patients are too dead to make a claim. The plot stretches out over 20 years, which brings its own complications. And the plot itself requires some suspension of disbelief. All in all it was an enjoyable read, and our book club gained some great insights into the world of quick-bucks medicine.
July 4, 2021
This book is gripping and sucks in the reader on two fronts.
One front is a window into current medical practices from the perspective of attending physicians. Medicine has changed since I was younger. It used to be that doctors treated patients based upon medical need — while that is overall the goal, it has been perverted by practices bought by hedge funds that care more about profitability than patient care. As a result, patients are treated like customers instead of patients. The problem is, the customer is not always right when the product is health care. Patients should not get the treatment or antibiotics that they ask for because they’re not the medical experts. Likewise, doctors shouldn’t be afraid of a poor Yelp rating because they didn’t give in to an entitled patient.
The second front is the intrigue regarding the Russian underworld that is pervasive in the plot of this book. I would like to go into detail but I don’t want to be a spoiler and reveal too much of the plot. I’ll just say that I was held in suspense about what was going to transpire.
Code Blue is highly recommend.
One front is a window into current medical practices from the perspective of attending physicians. Medicine has changed since I was younger. It used to be that doctors treated patients based upon medical need — while that is overall the goal, it has been perverted by practices bought by hedge funds that care more about profitability than patient care. As a result, patients are treated like customers instead of patients. The problem is, the customer is not always right when the product is health care. Patients should not get the treatment or antibiotics that they ask for because they’re not the medical experts. Likewise, doctors shouldn’t be afraid of a poor Yelp rating because they didn’t give in to an entitled patient.
The second front is the intrigue regarding the Russian underworld that is pervasive in the plot of this book. I would like to go into detail but I don’t want to be a spoiler and reveal too much of the plot. I’ll just say that I was held in suspense about what was going to transpire.
Code Blue is highly recommend.
July 18, 2020
Fun, engaging read with an intriguing medical twist to the plot that involves the electronic medical record. As a physician myself, let me say this is so scarily believable! And I can assure you that all the glimpses behind the exam doors are far from fiction- though these are fictional characters, the scenarios are incredibly common and accurate. Enjoy!
Read
February 24, 2023Awareness of our company operated medical system.
I thought it hit spot on with the treatment given now with doctors falling under the control of big medical companies. They force out small doctor ran offices.
I thought it hit spot on with the treatment given now with doctors falling under the control of big medical companies. They force out small doctor ran offices.
March 23, 2023
This is such a great read! Anyone who has ever used the electronic medical record can completely relate to poor Dr. Tobi. This book gives a unique perspective on physician burnout as well. I was entertained from start to finish. Highly recommend.
November 16, 2021
An international thriller based on the medical profession with well developed characters (good v bad) and a menacing plot. A fun thriller
October 16, 2019
Dr. Blaine has penned a scary medical thriller that captures our current time and attitudes toward the medical profession.
I found Code Blue to be engaging and accessible. The story moved along at a comfortable pace with challenges popping up around every corner. The opportunity for medical jargon was eschewed for more everyday language.
Code Blue follows two distinct story lines: an urgent care doctor and an investigation into a cybercriminal ring. The two pieces merge logically and make a cohesive, engaging thriller.
Dr. Tobi's scenes can get a little preachy, but it left no doubt that that patients need to be patients and not customers. The scenes in the clinic, between the doctor and her patients, were entertaining and often enlightening. In an era where we believe we are the most important person in any situation and we know everything, doctors have a lot with which to compete.
The cybercrime circle had several POVs which removed much of the mystery from this story, but increased the suspense as we learn more about their motives, operations, and lack of values.
Running between these two stories, is an old flame who draws the two sides together for the explosive climax. While this character was a little too good to be true, he was entertaining and I am ok with a perfect character from time to time in my fiction.
There was a lot going on in this book, besides the medical profession, we touched on some ecological conservation, corruption in Washington, the danger of on-line medical records, and the Jewish religion. Much of this added to characterization for me and I could imagine having a glass of wine and an interesting conversation with Tobi.
I had some minor quibbles with the book: characters named Tobi and Tony can be confusing, the situation with her brother bothered me a bit, and sometimes I was annoyed by the repetitive preaching. But overall, I enjoyed the time I spent with this novel and would read more by this author.
I would recommend this book to people who like thrillers and are interested in America's current health care situation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I found Code Blue to be engaging and accessible. The story moved along at a comfortable pace with challenges popping up around every corner. The opportunity for medical jargon was eschewed for more everyday language.
Code Blue follows two distinct story lines: an urgent care doctor and an investigation into a cybercriminal ring. The two pieces merge logically and make a cohesive, engaging thriller.
Dr. Tobi's scenes can get a little preachy, but it left no doubt that that patients need to be patients and not customers. The scenes in the clinic, between the doctor and her patients, were entertaining and often enlightening. In an era where we believe we are the most important person in any situation and we know everything, doctors have a lot with which to compete.
The cybercrime circle had several POVs which removed much of the mystery from this story, but increased the suspense as we learn more about their motives, operations, and lack of values.
Running between these two stories, is an old flame who draws the two sides together for the explosive climax. While this character was a little too good to be true, he was entertaining and I am ok with a perfect character from time to time in my fiction.
There was a lot going on in this book, besides the medical profession, we touched on some ecological conservation, corruption in Washington, the danger of on-line medical records, and the Jewish religion. Much of this added to characterization for me and I could imagine having a glass of wine and an interesting conversation with Tobi.
I had some minor quibbles with the book: characters named Tobi and Tony can be confusing, the situation with her brother bothered me a bit, and sometimes I was annoyed by the repetitive preaching. But overall, I enjoyed the time I spent with this novel and would read more by this author.
I would recommend this book to people who like thrillers and are interested in America's current health care situation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 3, 2019
A taut thriller with an important message!
Debra Blaine's sharply imagined debut novel hands us an exciting two-for-one: a clear-eyed indictment of America's broken healthcare system -- where patients are finicky "customers" encouraged to write reviews of visits to doctors who are often rewarded more for "pleasing" than for healing -- woven into a dangerous, far-reaching, and sadly, all-too-believable Russian plot that takes advantage of the nefarious opportunities this same system presents.
You'll be cheering for the sympathetic physician at the center of all this, Dr. Tobi Lister, as she navigates the turmoil in both her personal and professional life...and grows increasingly sure that something very big and very frightening is hovering just out of sight.
Read it!
Debra Blaine's sharply imagined debut novel hands us an exciting two-for-one: a clear-eyed indictment of America's broken healthcare system -- where patients are finicky "customers" encouraged to write reviews of visits to doctors who are often rewarded more for "pleasing" than for healing -- woven into a dangerous, far-reaching, and sadly, all-too-believable Russian plot that takes advantage of the nefarious opportunities this same system presents.
You'll be cheering for the sympathetic physician at the center of all this, Dr. Tobi Lister, as she navigates the turmoil in both her personal and professional life...and grows increasingly sure that something very big and very frightening is hovering just out of sight.
Read it!
September 30, 2019
Never heard of the author, but decided to give the book a chance, and I’m glad I did. An excellent blend of genres as murder, romance, and medical practices are all mixed into an excellent tale. The focus on corporate medicine is especially enlightening as our protagonist is “trapped” in job that is trying her patience and her patients. We learn about daily life in a clinic while a much bigger plot is being played out—one that spans the globe from the Ukraine to The Land Down Under to Washington, DC to NYC.
August 28, 2019
This book really held my interest. The author weaves together two stories. One story is how health care has changed - there are no "patients", there are "customers" who get to review their doctors as they would their local car wash. The second story is how this system leads to medicine for profit and inevitable corruption. There are multiple distinct characters with different motivations. Highly recommended!
September 12, 2019
Not only is this a generally good read, but it perfectly articulates my thoughts about what is going on in the medical profession, the insurance business, and Big Pharm in the U.S. today. And I learned a lot about what happens on the other end of the stethoscope!
September 16, 2019
Gripping tale of what could go wrong with our healthcare system online. The abuse of knowledge with the intrigue of what will happen next. Murder and death follow those who know the secret. Chilling and gripping tale. Could not put it down.
December 7, 2019
Code Blue.is a good medical mystery. It has great characters and storyline. The book is well written and the characters are well developed.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews