Steven Ramirez

Science

Book Review—Nerve Damage

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Nerve Damage Cover

I’ve always found medical thrillers to be fascinating. They introduce accidents and innovations that can help or hurt the human body in powerful ways. In Nerve Damage, fictional emergency room doctor Drake Cody is interested in helping people walk again. But, of course, when you come up with a treatment that might actually work, all kinds of things come out of the woodwork. Bad guys, for instance.

Author Tom Combs is, in fact, a doctor. His precise descriptions of patients in crisis and complex hospital procedures are endlessly entertaining. And his cast of characters is movie worthy. Not to give anything away, but there is one particular character whose powerful physique and questionable mental state would make Marvel jealous.

If you’re looking for a fast-moving story filled with twists and turns that drives the reader to a pedal-to-the-metal, nail-biting finish, then grab this book. And one last piece of advice. If you happen to be an inventor, be sure to read the fine print before signing away your miracle cure.

Book Description

ER physician and medical researcher, Drake Cody, has developed an experimental drug that may help the paralyzed walk. Rogue elements operating in the shadows of the pharmaceutical industry have learned of Drake’s breakthrough and they will destroy anyone or anything that prevents them from pirating the priceless research.

Drake, his wife, and their children become pawns in a deadly contest where billions in profits are at stake and their lives mean nothing. Murder, blackmail, and violence touches all those he cares about as the hospital, his home, and his city are swept into the madness. Greed, lust, murder, and betrayal confront courage and selflessness as Drake’s family and his hospital coworkers battle to save what matters most—their patients, their love, their lives.

Physician turned bestselling author Tom Combs’ suspense-packed thriller explodes with true-to-life medical action in a tale of heart-pounding thrills, brilliant twists, and characters readers care about.

John Grisham introduced legal suspense and thrills to the mainstream—Tom Combs has done the same with the world of medicine in book one of this riveting series.

Where to Buy

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Book Review—The Lobotomist’s Wife

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The Lobotomist’s Wife Cover

Lobotomy is a terrifying word. For someone to cut into a human brain expecting the patient to benefit is, well, diabolical. Yet, a pioneer of psychosurgery, Egas Moniz, received a Nobel prize for the procedure in 1949. After WWII and continuing into the late 1960s, thousands of lobotomies were performed in the US, primarily on women. And guess what—they usually got worse. If that isn’t a horror movie, I don’t know what is.

The Lobotomist’s Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff is not horror fiction. Instead, it’s a well-written, thoughtful account of a woman committed to helping patients who have not responded to traditional treatments. Ruth Emeraldine is bright and caring. Though not a medical doctor, she understands medicine and its role. And, without exception, she puts the patient first.

When Ruth meets Robert Apter, she’s blinded by his brilliance and infectious enthusiasm for innovative treatment of the mentally and emotionally disturbed. After attending a medical conference, Robert is convinced that lobotomy—or leucotomy—is the answer. What’s more, he believes the procedure will make him famous.

The author based Apter on real-life lobotomist Walter J. Freeman. The story is filled with rich historical detail, and other real-life characters such as Rosemary Kennedy make an appearance. My favorite aspect of the book is seeing Robert’s gradual, deliberate descent into megalomania. It’s heartbreaking when Ruth attempts to save him. And frightening when he continues to travel from state to state to perform the procedure.

If you’re looking for a thrilling and satisfying tale of psychological fiction, then The Lobotomist’s Wife should be on your reading list.

Book Description

An enthralling historical novel of a compassionate and relentless woman, a cutting-edge breakthrough in psychiatry, and a nightmare in the making.

Since her brother took his life after WWI, Ruth Emeraldine has had one goal: to help those suffering from mental illness. Then she falls in love with charismatic Robert Apter—a brilliant doctor championing a radical new treatment, the lobotomy. Ruth believes in it as a miracle treatment and in Robert as its genius pioneer. But as her husband spirals into deluded megalomania, Ruth can’t ignore her growing suspicions. Robert is operating on patients recklessly, often with horrific results. And a vulnerable young mother, Margaret Baxter, is poised to be his next victim.

Margaret can barely get out of bed, let alone care for her infant. When Dr. Apter diagnoses her with the baby blues and proposes a lobotomy, she believes the procedure is her only hope. Only Ruth can save her—and scores of others—from the harrowing consequences of Robert’s ambitions.

Inspired by a shocking chapter in medical history, The Lobotomist’s Wife is a galvanizing novel of a woman fighting against the most grievous odds, of ego, and of the best intentions gone horribly awry.

Where to Buy

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Book Review—Interference

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Interference Cover

Put the words “quantum†and “thriller†together, and in the right hands, you’re bound to get action, science, and danger in a tale that will make your head spin. That’s what Interference is. Author Brad Parks weaves in just enough physics and biology to make the story believable. And to keep you guessing, he tosses in a fascinating gaggle of characters who may or may not be all they appear to be.

Thrillers are fun. What kept me going, though, was the abiding love between Brigid and her husband, Matt. Simply put, they adore each other.

Everyone, it seems, wants in on Matt’s research at Dartmouth—including the government and a sketchy billionaire. Then, he goes missing. Interestingly, Brigid is losing her hearing. But that doesn’t stop her in her pursuit to find her husband. The woman is relentless.

Surprises abound in this story of how we push our limits of understanding to create something new while attracting those who would take it away. If you’re in the mood for a fun ride, check out Interference.

You can find this review at Goodreads.

Book Description

From international bestselling author Brad Parks comes an emotional, heart-pounding thriller that explores the scientific unknown—and one woman’s efforts to save her husband from its consequences.

Quantum physicist Matt Bronik is suffering from strange, violent seizures that medical science seems powerless to explain—much to the consternation of his wife, Brigid.

Matt doesn’t think these fits could be related to his research, which he has always described as benign and esoteric. That, it turns out, is not quite true: Matt has been prodding the mysteries of the quantum universe, with terrible repercussions for his health. And perhaps even for humanity as a whole.

Then, in the midst of another seizure, Matt disappears. When foul play is feared, there is no shortage of suspects. Matt’s research had gained the attention of Chinese competitors, an unscrupulous billionaire, and the Department of Defense, among others.

With Matt’s life in clear danger, Brigid sets out to find him. Will Matt be killed before she reaches him, or could the physics that endangered him actually be used to save his life?

Where to Buy

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Book Review—Daemon Voices: On Stories and Storytelling

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Daemon Voices Cover

So, I’ll start by saying that I have not read His Dark Materials, though the trilogy is now sitting on my ever-expanding reading pile. Nor have I read anything else of Philip Pullman’s. I decided to purchase Daemon Voices because, like any good writer, I am trying to get better at my craft. And I thought Mr. Pullman might be able to help. Well, he has—and brilliantly.

This collection of essays is rich with storytelling examples taken from literature, art, and science. A former teacher, the author knows how to engage the reader without talking down. My only criticism is that he tends to go off on a tangent from time to time about his lack of belief in God or Satan, as though that has anything to do with the task at hand.

That said, I consider this book a must-read for any author who wishes to better understand the difference between story and plot, fantasy and reality in fiction, and why anything beginning with “once upon a time†immediately captures our imagination. Well done, Mr. Pullman.

You can find this review at Goodreads.

Book Description
From the internationally best-selling author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, a spellbinding journey into the secrets of his art—the narratives that have shaped his vision, his experience of writing, and the keys to mastering the art of storytelling.

One of the most highly acclaimed and best-selling authors of our time now gives us a book that charts the history of his own enchantment with story—from his own books to those of Blake, Milton, Dickens, and the Brothers Grimm, among others—and delves into the role of story in education, religion, and science. At once personal and wide-ranging, Daemon Voices is both a revelation of the writing mind and the methods of a great contemporary master, and a fascinating exploration of storytelling itself.

Where to Buy
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Book Review—Rise and Shine

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Rise and Shine Cover

The very first thought that entered my head after finishing Rise and Shine by Simon Lewis was, thank God this didn’t happen to me. Selfish, right? Well, you might think the sentiment understandable when you’ve read this story of one man’s harrowing journey from hopeless near-death to physical and spiritual recovery over a heartbreaking span of fifteen years. By the time I reached the end of the book, I realized the author had been truly transformed. And so had I.

There are many stories—both real and imagined—of people who undertake the hero’s journey—often not willingly. I’ve read my fair share of novels and watched countless movies, and what the creators sometimes get wrong is the last part, where the hero returns to share what he has learned. Well, Mr. Lewis does this in spades. As we follow him along the “hidden path,†we come to learn that science and medicine aren’t the answer to everything and, sometimes, are at odds with each other. Not a very comforting thought, when we’ve always been taught to trust our doctors. We also learn, though, that science can be a benefit when applied appropriately.

If you love reading true stories of loss and redemption, I suggest you grab this book. The research alone is worth the price. And when you are finished, you may come to the same realization the author did—that life is precious and very much worth living.

You can find this review at Goodreads.

Book Description
An impassioned tale of survival and recovery, this inspirational story recounts the author’s horrific car accident, his subsequent coma, and the more than 15 years of cutting-edge treatments and therapies endured during convalescence. With specific details of the rigorous rehabilitation process that ensued, including numerous breakthrough and experimental surgeries, the book also provides practical insight into navigating the treacherous world of insurance and how to differentiate between the often conflicting medical opinions offered. In addition to describing the numerous procedures undergone, the author tells not only of his pain, frustration, and despair, but also of his childlike wonder at the beauty and miracle of creation. A first-person account of sudden, unexpected tragedy and life-affirming courage, this remarkable tale of regeneration imparts lessons both medical and spiritual.

Where to Buy
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