Embolus

by Gary Birken

“Crackles with authenticity. The suspense had me racing through the pages.” —Dan Donaldson Death is a fact of life at the Gillette Trauma Center, a prestigious Washington, D.C. facility that gets more than its fair share of borderline cases. At some point the doctors have all seen a recovering patient suddenly slip away as the result of a pulmonary embolus—a fatal blood clot that can form after serious injury. But lately it’s been happening with alarming frequency to patients of a certain Dr. Runyon . . . Journalist David Airoway has been investigating, and the trail has led him to a secretive society called the Caduceus Project that will stop at nothing to achieve its goals.

Now David is in a coma—at Gillette. The police think he tried to kill himself, but his sister, Alex, a surgeon at the hospital, is about to learn that David had been making some very powerful enemies. It’s up to her to expose the conspiracy—before Dr. Runyon takes care of her brother, too . . .

“Reflects his obvious medical expertise.” — Publishers Weekly

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Medical, Mystery

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2006

About the author

Gary Birken is a full-time pediatric surgeon, medical thriller author, husband, father, grandfather, and more.

Born and raised in New York, Birken completed his undergraduate studies in Ohio, spent two years studying in Paris, before returning to complete his general and pediatric surgery training at the Ohio State University Hospital and Columbus Children’s. Upon completion of his fellowship in pediatric surgery, Birken moved to Hollywood, Florida where he has spent his entire professional career. Presently, Birken serves as the Surgeon-In-Chief of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

As an Author, Gary Birken approaches novel writing as a means not only to entertain, but to educate the reader in a particular area of medicine. Birken’s approach to each book is first selecting a timely or controversial topic in medicine and then, using it as a springboard, Birken weaves a story of suspense and conspiracy around it.

When Birken is not in the operating room or writing his next medical thriller, he plays tennis, basketball and holds a black belt in martial arts.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Birken's medical thrillers. Suspense clear to the end.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book in the free section of the library because I needed a book, and it was the only one that did not have a couple making out on the front cover. So you can imagine that my expectations for this book were fairly low to say the least. It was quite serendipitous when I began reading and found it quite enjoyable. This story about a doctor trying to uncover what is really going on at her trauma hospital kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading. There is mystery, romance, a little comedy, and definitely some thrilling scenes that make you a little more alert. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good medical mystery novel.

[Kaela McCorkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't sort out all the pieces until they were revealed, which I liked!! It was definitely an easy read! The climax for me peaked before the end of the book, and the last 20% was more of a wrap up. Enjoyed it but not my favorite.

[Jamie Barringer (Ravenmount) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find the term 'thriller' a bit odd when applied to books lie this one. At its core, this novel is a medical thriller in which patients at a hospital are dying unexpectedly, and one of the medical staff might be responsible. However, this book reads like a draft, not a well-polished finished novel. It needs some serious editing before it could maintain any sort of excitement or suspense. Dialogues between characters go on far longer than they ought to, making the reader feel a bit like a child tailing along after a parent who is doing errands, hearing every shred of conversation along the way but caring about none of it because none of it is personally relevant. Scenes are over-described, and quite a few chapters should have been cut entirely or rolled into surrounding chapters. This was not the worst book I've read, of course, but nonetheless I don't recommend this one.

[Vicki Lunsford · Rating 2 out of 5]

too long

While the story is a good, it gets lost especially in the first half of the book. It needs a serious edit. Dr. Birken underestimates his reader. Is he trying to help or is he showing off?

[Linda Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needs some editing

While I enjoy Al, if Gary Birken’s novels, they all really need editing. Lots of typos, and even wrong character names in places.

[Debra Omiatek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trauma Surgeon Uncovers Conspiracy Plot

A Trauma Surgeon finds her twin brother in the ER as a possible suicide attempt. She only recognizes him because of his watch. She tells the police that there is no way her brother tried jumping to his death. She turns his care over to the other surgeons that she trusts. Alex the trauma surgeon then is drawn into a medical conspiracy, she finds 4 unexplained deaths due to massive pulmonary embolism that seem to implicate another surgeon and the vascular filter he prefers to use. Meanwhile, other shady players start entering Alex's world. The story unfolds with several twists. The book is intriguing and the medical information is accurate. The story has an interesting undercover government agency monitoring some of the bad players, resulting in narrow escapes. The book is good. I would recommend the book for its characters and action. It is a page turner to see what happens next.

[Seth Taplin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to read this, but couldn’t make it past chapter two. The writing is sloppy with details and continuity.

The hired killer hits his victim with “the business end” of his pistol. Who does that? The butt of the grip is going to be a more solid and sure strike. Blood trickles “unnoticed” from the back of the victim’s head, except when the victim is wiping it out of his eyes. I generally notice if something is in my eyes. One moment the gun is under the victim’s chin, “nestled” next to his throat, but a sentence later the killer is “lowering the barrel to his temple.”

The thrills may kick the entertainment up later, but you’d have to wade through several of these per page to get there.

[Dayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mile a minute....

What a refreshing and thought-provoking tale. The characters were be!ievable.and honest in their quests for a true representation of today's medical prognosis. The bottom line should.never be the quest for.money above integrity, too often seen in American medical groups. The storyline showed what a few bad apples could demoralize the fine physicians striving to honor their profession. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Thank you GB

[Margo Chenoweth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing

Not up to his usual. I dunno - I found the plot unnecessarily convoluted, the dialogue vague and inconclusive, and in the end, the story was much ado about nothing.
And while there was a personal happy ending, the villains were pretty much left dangling and the problems unresolved and left to my imagination.
I wish I had gone outside and ridden my horse instead of wasting my time on this book.

[janis louthis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s to my first and many more to come

This is the first book of Gary Birken’s that I have read. I must say that I have truly enjoyed it. It’s nice and convoluted and took quite a bit of serious thinking to come to some of the same conclusions that these doctors did. It took me quite a while to read, at least three days. I intend to find more of his books, as well. If you like medical mysteries, I highly recommend that you read this book!

[Jacob Peled · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book by Gary Birken that I’ve read, and it’s the third time I’m giving his book 5 stars. Once again, it’s a medical thriller in the exact same genre as Michael Palmer and Robin Cook. A fascinating, conspiracy-driven plot with lots of twists and surprises. Believable characters and solid writing.

[Ann Averill · Rating 5 out of 5]

grand surgical story teller

Excellently written and informative on current issues in medicine woven into a fascinating story! This is the second book of his I have read and can't wait to read the next one. As a physician myself I applaud the accuracy of his descriptions of care and procedures.

[Penny Gillett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great plot but annoying typos

I have read several books by this author and the plots are all exciting, twisted and logically resolved. What has annoyed me is the poor proofreading. Drinks change mid paragraph and conversation lines are reversed to identify a couple. The errors are confusing and irritating and disrupt the movement of a well written story.

[Kevin G Mohrman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense continues!

Many twists and turns! Well written. This book is a nice addition to any medical mystery enthusiast library! This book is highly recommend as are all of the author’s books.

[Jeannine Graham Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOSPITALS. Edit

It was so much fun reading Burke's novel. I have a background of more than 30plus years of working in both interurban and rural hospitals as an RN. His entire descriptions were ' spot-on'.

[Amy Spielman · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great one

I have been reading almost all of Gary Birken medical novels. One is better than the last. You’re reading a novel but at the same time you are learning a little about what doctors do. Great concept.

[Arleen R Hooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embolus

I always enjoy a good medical mystery. This was a great story with interesting twists. I’ve read a few of Gary Birkens books and like all of them. I hope he continues his story writing!

[Marge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist and turns

It's amazing the way the medical drama mixes with romance and criminal activity. Surprisingly I didn't guess who was behind the treachery. Read this in one day so good

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, medical thriller that I read while traveling. The author, Dr. Gary Birken, is a pediatric surgeon who writes thrillers in his spare time. This is the second of his books that I have read. They are well written and very captivating, although hopefully unrealistic in real life.

[millie facemyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

mayhem murder

Awesome read. Love medical books. This one kept me in total shock keep on writing and I’ll keep on reading. Thanks

[Pamela Rudzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

It was a book I couldn’t put down kept you guessing right to the end.I have not read any of his books before but now I am a fan.

[Garry Tagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting story with many twists and turns. I’ve read tons of medical thrillers, and this is one of the best!

[paulette dismang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller

A very good read The story is interesting and really holds your attention I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did

[Sharon Kisor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you guessing loved it

Loved the tension and keeping it interesting and guessing M looking forward to more of his books will help the winter weather

[Claire Tauscher Daidone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medical drama. It was an okay read and didn’t hold my attention like I thought it would.

[Paige Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent medical thriller, however, it was much too dragged out.

[Terri Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Good Read

Thus author always delivers. The plot keeps me turning pages. The characters bring the plot to life, and the medical information is always interesting.

[Karen J. Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Gary has never disappointed me with his writing. I finished this book in record time. Very exciting and just enough twists and turns to keep me interested.

[wendy stupski · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!!

This book grabs you from the start, and never lets you go. It’s got everything that a good mystery should have, including a happy ending.