by MS C

Created on: August 03, 2008

When I picked up Crisis I was really excited to find Robin Cook writing a novel that continued with the storyline of his character Jack Stapleton from Marker. And I must say that overall I was not disappointed. The storyline starts off with Jack and his fianc Laurie preparing for the wedding while his doctor brother-in-law is being sued for malpractice in the death of one of his clients.

What one witnesses in reading this novel is the capability of human transformation. We see the brother-in-law Craig Bowman undergo several changes in his own personal struggles. We see him go from a care-free, vibrant and somewhat irresponsible doctor turn into a loving and strong-willed husband and father, only to have that image shattered throughout the novel with different clues that may damage his entire career and social life.
Cook adds an intriguing form of character depth throughout the novel that you see the tormented soul of every main character. No one is the good guy and no one is the bad guy as each person has their own selfish interests as goals to be achieved; even if they mean crushing other people's integrity and own personal goals.
While the novel is a mere medical mystery Cook spins it into a web of intrigue, deception, and best of all a whodunit. While trying to fight to save his brother-in-law Jack also must make it back home to Laurie for their wedding; especially as the court case and the wedding overlap.
Also as Cook writes about this story of fiction he includes moments of reality into his story and poses questions about them; specifically in this novel about concierge medicine and medical malpractice. While not necessarily picking sides on concierge medicine Cook lays out the pro's and con's to having such a type of expensive healthcare woven carefully but very finely into his intriguing tale. In the end he adds an Author's Note which goes more into detail on concierge medicine and allows the reader to do further reading on the subject if it so entices them.
Robin Cook shows that he knows about more than just medical mysteries, but also about courtroom drama and he shows his skills as an author in the ranks of John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Stephen King and James Rollins.
This book is a sure-fire page turner and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
I do have to admit that the last few chapters of the novel; especially the final conclusion was somewhat disappointing the thrill ride to that point was quite enjoyable. I give this novel a 4/5 rating.

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