Code 15: A Medical Thriller

by Gary Birken

“Dr. Gary Birken knows how to write and has fashioned a riveting tale.” —Michael Palmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Second Opinion

FIRST, DO NO HARM.
As the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Dade Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Morgan Connolly faces death and suffering on a daily basis. So when two brothers in her care die suddenly as a result of rapidly advanced cases of meningitis, she is saddened but knows she has to let it go . . .

THEN, TRY TO SURVIVE.
Not long after, Morgan’s own father is killed in what seems to be a random attack. Then, the number of patients dying due to seemingly preventable medical errors—also known as a Code 15—begins rising throughout the hospital, including the ER. And Morgan’s own superiors think she is losing her edge. But she suspects that someone is cutting a deadly path of vengeance through Dade Presbyterian—a path that may end with Morgan facing her own demise at the hands of a madman . . .

“Fast-paced, with a heroine you’ll root for, satisfying medical work, and a surprise ending I didn’t see coming.”
—Philip Margolin, author of Fugitive

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Medical, Espionage, Suspense

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2009

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

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Medical thrillers are pretty predictable and this one was no exception. It kept me turning pages even though I was pretty sure who the bad guy was (yep). The ending made me throw down the book in disgust. Also, Morgan seemed to lack common sense and had no problem discussing cases and patients with any old body. HIPAA anyone?

Whenever I read medical mysteries I am reminded why we all have to wait so long to be seen in a medical facility--because the doctors and staff are all busy interrogating suspects, going to flight school, solving crimes, having long leisurely lunches and dinners out on the town, asking labs to conduct off the record tests, climbing the Grand Tetons, dating, eluding bad guys, and any other non-medical thing you can think of.

[Bob Duncanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent who-done-it mystery. Keeps you interested and intrigued. This author gets better with every book. Especially interested for those that like medical type mysteries but really for anyone that likes to try and sleuth it out themselves.

[Belita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked it - medical thriller

[Marie Hollis-Kosmela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not like the ending. There were story lines not finished.

[Jacob Peled · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many books start with high ratings that slowly dwindle to 3 stars or even lower. This book, however, defied the trend. It began modestly at 3 stars but steadily climbed to a well-deserved 5-star rating in my opinion.
While the author initially misleads the reader about the culprit, the exceptional writing quality and masterful use of suspenseful plot twists won me over. After all, a great book isn't just a collection of facts like a textbook. Its primary goal is to entertain, and the more captivating it is, the more successful it becomes.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was entertaining and I enjoyed it.

[Mary Theriot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I enjoyed reading the book

[Mohammad Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a love-hate relationship with this book now. I had a hard time putting it down but it was a bit redundant at times. *Spoiler Alert* The outcome is unimaginable.

[Paschalis]

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[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exemplary paranoid thriller

I started Code 15 expecting a pure medical thriller, but the book is much more than that. It will leave you guessing until the final, riveting confrontation. This book would be a great introduction to medical thrillers, as its that and then some! 5/5 stars and highly recommended. This was my first experience with Gary Birken, and it couldn't have been a better one. I'm about to start looking for another of Birken's books, so I'll leave my review at this...

[Dr. Carpenter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story line atrocious editing

This author weaves an interesting, if unbelievable, story of an emergency room doctor who plays detective, the cops are inept. Even though the details of the police side were faulty, the emergency room info was spot on. However, I really hate it when I’m reading and there are obvious editing errors. If you’re looking for a fast read, and don’t care that some of it is unbelievable, and you don’t mind editing errors, go for it.

[Dayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ER chaos

Only someone who has faced it would understand the unforgiving stress experienced by physicians in the ER. what seems minor can turn into complete turmoil and become life threatening to both patients and physicians. This story gave an in-depth situation, which completely surprised and kept me awake many times due to the excellent portrayal of the author's imagination. Well worth the read and kudos to GB.

[Sandra R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost

Exciting, interesting and compelling. The pregnancy part of the story was weak. It really showed that it was written by someone who had never been pregnant. The whole pregnancy thing could have been left out. This might have made it a 100 pages less which would have been an improvement.

[Kandy K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely review books, but this desired my attention. I was hooked from the beginning. My main draw was from the locations. I'm from South FL and so I could relate to the locations. That being said, the story line and characters were awesome. This is definitely worth your time. I couldn't put it down.

[Robert Sholl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable with some definite twists I didn’t see coming!

I really liked this book! I will read more of his novels!

I liked that it surprised me, but some of the twists were a bit far-fetched. I also felt like there was too much left hanging to give this all five stars. Maybe a 4.3.

[Edith Palm · Rating 5 out of 5]

another page turner from Gary Birken

Gary lets me live in his books. This is my 2nd of his and he didn’t disappoint. I have always been interested in the medical field…this allows me to enter that world. I believe some of the medical explanations are truth so I’m learning as well. Thank you…keep ‘em coming!

[inge · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a good story, unfortunately Audible decided to give it a Virtual Voice narrator. There was an echo in the sound quality and the voice was flat.
At some point I will read this book so that I can enjoy it.

[Laura Felty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very suspenseful

This was a great read. It was frustrating with the typos. Very good chart building. The plot was very interesting. I did not see the bad guy at all. Quite the surprise.

[Maureen Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code 15-multiple deaths that seem to be hospital physician errors. The chief of Emergency med becomes the focus while a grief stricken mad man is on the loose. Dr.Birken is a great medical mystery writer!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book!
Though I somewhat agree with the review Judy wrote about doctors doing anything but doctoring, I don’t read this type of book to learn about life in the ER.
I was very surprised by the ending and liked the sub-plot about the relationship with Ben.

[Claude Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

unable to to stop reading

Code 15 is an excellent book. Held my attention all the while I was reading. Gary Birken has developed his writing style to grasp the reader’s attention and hold it. I’m looking forward to the next book.

[Edith B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM HOOKED

Wow, I totally didn't see that coming! The story just blew my mind with a twist that came out of nowhere and was so crazy, even a big-time movie director would be impressed.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot about murderer stalking physician. I’m picky about typos and grammar and there were plenty in this book. Did anybody proof read this? Despite that distraction, I like medical mysteries and this was pretty good.

[Cheryl Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasric thriller!

I love Gary Birkenstock medical mystery thrillers. The medical parts are spot on. And his deep mysteries make you stay awake, even to 3am to find out who and how. Love it!

[beverly Lax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked in the medical field for 30 years. I always appreciate a med thriller that rings true to the actual treatment a patient receives and then turns that around to something mind blowing. Read on vacation couldn't put it down.

[Kevin G Mohrman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

Great! Keep them coming. This book is a perfect medical mystery-I loved it. I highly recommend this author! I noticed a few typos.

[Kathleen Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting medical thriller

Code 15 is a great medical mystery with a surprise twist i am now anxious to read more books by Gary Birken

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

I loved this book! Its a good medical/murder mystery. Great writing and it had a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

[Ollie M. Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast burner. Never a dull moment!

I absolutely loved everything. The plot, the characters and the very descriptive writing. I would recommend any of Gary Birkrn's books to anyone.

[Regina Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Quite a story. Had me convinced who the villain was, until he wasn't. Good mystery. Lots of clues, but didn't come together until the end. Just like I like my mysteries!