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Hollingsworth has created a one-of-a-kind work. The first part is an intriguing biographical tale of his attempts to sell his first novel. Hollingsworth had the quote at the beginning of this review running through his head before the rest of the story was mapped out. He was a surgical resident in Oklahoma with a story idea, an idea that might alter his destiny forever. He showed his manuscript to a noted writer and journalism professor, who recognized the writer's promise and offered to work with him. However, the aspiring author opted to go it alone and showcased his potential bestseller to a well-known publisher. The path to success seemed certain until he received a phone call from a friend who told him about the publishing of a book with a similar premise (Coma by Robin Cook, which launched the medical thriller genre). Despite signing with an agent, every attempt at mainstream publishing was rebuffed, noting the resemblance to the blockbuster novel. The distance between rejection and success seemed interminable, but it was only twenty-five years. The author never relinquished his desire to create a story, and a play evolved into a novel with personal resonance. He learned from his past mistakes and fortuitously reached out to a publisher who loved his book about golf and friendship. Flatbellies became a breakout hit. The writer would publish other critical hits, yet the first effort wouldn't die a quiet death.
The second part of this work features the author's much-delayed first novel. Laura Aldridge receives an anonymous but troubling call about All Saints Hospital and its abnormal surgical mortality rate. She works for the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance, and her job involves investigating problems like this. She decides to take a trip from Sacramento to the San Fernando Valley to ask around, but she also wants to look up a former high school flame named Nick McQuillan. Nick is a journalist who fell from grace with a story attributed to him that led to a tragic death. The appearance of Laura buoys his spirits as he has never stopped loving her, and he believes what she is looking into might ensure his journalistic redemption.
Dr. Creighton Danielson is the primary surgeon at All Saints Hospital, and he operates with minimal assistance. His lone wolf approach is kept secret from outside agencies. He made a name for himself by saving the life of a Hollywood actress, and his reputation is above reproach. Laura has her work cut out for her, but Nick believes he can aid her pursuit by posing as a patient in need of surgery. Unfortunately, Nick's desire for a scoop blinds him to the underlying danger of being a patient at All Saints Hospital. His fate might be sealed with his admission.
The author's work is a reminder that the path of a book from genesis to publication is often non-linear, if not chaotic. Resiliency in the face of a jarring setback is an attribute the author shares in common with his protagonists in this novel. The backstory of his attempts to publish the aforementioned work is poignant and also informative, as it relates to the frustrations of an aspiring writer and speaks of a drive for a story to be published that adds verisimilitude to Nick's character. The author's candor is refreshing, and it fosters an eagerness to dig into a work that has been waiting so long to see the light of day. The plot of the book succeeds as a suspenseful medical thriller wherein the key protagonists face an uphill climb in probing a conspiracy buried behind the facade of critical medical care. Laura is the level-headed heroine, whereas Nick is the brazen yet stumbling hero. The villains in the book are sinister but also layered with complexity. The descriptions of the procedures are vivid, yet vital in relaying both the science and the criminality. This narrative will resonate with both readers who enjoy the works of Michael Palmer (Extreme Measures) and those who love a compelling TV medical drama, such as ER or House.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist