Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Do No Harm
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Don Donaldson
Class/Genre: Mystery Medical Thriller
Jove, Oct 1999, $5.99, 352 pp.
One of the basic credos most doctors prescribe to is DO NO HARM. Neurologist Dr. George Latham does not adhere to that philosophy though he has an outstanding success rate with his patients. Memphis pediatric resident Dr. Sarchi Seminoux never heard of Latham, but will soon know the name quite well. Sarchi's nephew Drew is brought to the ER almost completely paralyzed. Tests provide no cause and soon the insurance company insists the youngster be taken to Dr. Latham's clinic or the copayments ends.
Drew, accompanied by his mother and Sachi, flies to New Orleans where they meet Dr. Latham. He guarantees results without specifying the course of treatment. Sachi realizes that the technique must be experimental, but with no other hope for her nephew she supports Dr. Latham operating on Drew. Five days later, Drew seems normal except for a strange yawn-like tic that occurs every few minutes. An anonymous e-mail sends Sachi to a former patient of Lathan who shared the same symptoms as Drew until surgery left him with only arm spasms. Sachi concludes that Latham is making errors on the operating table. Her complaint fails as a successful campaign makes her look like a crazy drug addict. Sachi fights back, determined to end Latham's charade.
Don Donaldson's medical thriller, DO NO HARM, is a wonderful tale that will remind readers of the best works of Cook. The intrepid heroine has a rough long road ahead of her in her quest to stop Latham and regain her own reputation. The amoral villain believes he is above humanity. Although the overuse of medical vernacular harms the understanding of the subplots at times, sub-genre fans will fully want to read this thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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