.DOUBLE-BARRELED TROUBLEWhen Dr. Caden Taggart saw the two men sitting in his waiting room, he didn’t think they were patients. He was right, and when they introduced themselves as agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency, things started to get bad.Then Caden felt as though someone had gut-punched him when his father, Dr. Henry Taggart, told him he probably had carcinoma of the pancreas. When he … pancreas. When he talked about his son assisting with his suicide, Caden wondered how he could talk him out of that.
When he shared his news with his wife, Beth, she tried to assure Caden that God was in control. But as things progressed, he was unsure that was true. At first, he feared for his freedom. Then for his ability to cope. Eventually, he feared for his life.
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medical-doctor, feds, suspense, mystery
A solid medical mystery with a strong storyline and realistic characters. It grabbed my attention right away with the entrance of DEA agents with what appeared to be damning evidence of opioid malpractice. The doc didn’t even have time to process this when his father tells him of the usually fatal diagnosis he received and asks for a promise to provide assisted suicide if needed.
Caught on the horns of some serious dilemmas, he could have reacted in many ways, but his wife became his strength. There’s plenty of suspense, twists, and red herrings. A very intriguing read for this off duty nurse.
I have the audio as performed by Bill Nevitt, who always makes a good book so much more.
Good mystery, but just a bit convoluted.
I must start off by saying that Dr. Richard Mabry writes the best medical suspense that I’ve ever read. Some doctors will never be writers and some writers will never be doctors, but he does both quite well!
Guarded Prognosis had several different elements brought out in the story. Dr. Caden Taggart was being watched by drug enforcement agents because of illegal prescriptions being filled in the area with his signature and DEA number.
Then he finds out his dad, also a physician and surgeon, has a possible deadly diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He asks Caden to help him commit suicide when the time comes.
Caden and Beth have been unsuccessful at conceiving so she asks to be his office nurse. Is that even safe with all that’s going on? Caden has been run off the road more than once by another vehicle almost costing him his life. Is this connected with the drug ring, or just unfortunate mishaps by drunken teenagers? It seems that one thing after another happens. What is Caden’s best option for surviving all these mishaps? Will he call on God in his time of need?
I enjoy reading these medical terms correctly used and emergency instances that read like a real life event. I’m convinced this would make a great made for TV movie!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a review.
believable
Richard Mabry weaves an intriguing plot together using two stubborn men, both doctors who must navigate the emotional issues neither want to discuss. Then Caden finds his life is in danger when he becomes the target of whoever is writing the fake prescriptions.
This is an intriguing story with plenty of plot twists to keep the most avid mystery reader guessing. He has created realistic characters that make the reader root for a victory. Guarded Prognosis is a book the reader will find hard to put down. I stayed up way too late to get to the end!
There is nothing better than sitting down and reading a new book by this author. It is always filled with intrigue and characters that jump off the pages. This book is one that keeps you guessing and has action throughout the story. I loved how the author gives us characters that intrigue us.
Caden is a very respected doctor and is confused when DEA agents show up at his office. If someone showed me credentials I wouldn’t know if they were real or not. Is Caden being deceived by these men? I was fascinated with the investigation into illegal drug prescriptions. The investigation seems legitimate but Caden was starting to wonder if he should be worried.
Henry is a very complex character. He doesn’t have the greatest relationship with his son, Caden which makes their phone conversations strained. The news isn’t good and Caden is a bit frustrated that his dad is so calm about the news he shares with his son. Henry made me want to scream at him sometimes and tell him to let Caden be part of his life.
I loved how there were a story within a story and it focused on trusting God. Caden is not only dealing with what’s going on at his clinic but the diagnosis his father has received. Their relationship will take a lot of work to heal wounds that have long been buried. The realism of their fragile relationship is captured very well with the talented writing of the author.
Caden will have to be on his toes as the investigation into his clinic grows into a dangerous situation. Who can Caden trust? Will he let others help him or try to fix it on his own? One of the subjects I loved the most in the book was how Caden and Henry were prideful. They each wanted to ignore people and do things their way. Sometimes when we go out on our own, we end up making situations worse. As the story intensifies, Caden realizes that not everyone and everything is as it seems. Who is behind the illegal drugs? Will Henry resolve his relationship with his son before it is too late? Don’t miss this latest book from one of the best authors who writes stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats with intense action and intrigue.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
Dr Mabry is the master of the medical thriller, and Guarded Prognosis is one of his best. It’s a novel rather than a novella, and that gives him the opportunity to pile on the trouble for the main character, Dr Caden Taggart.
Dr Taggart has two strangers in his waiting room. They say they’re from the DEA, and they’re there to investigate a drug-related death where Dr Taggart apparently prescribed the fentanyl that killed the man. Except Taggart doesn’t prescribe fentanyl—he’s a surgeon, and fentanyl is something that would be prescribed by the referring physician. Things get more complicated when his father calls to say he’s taken a few tests, the results look like cancer … and Dr Henry Taggart wants his son’s help to commit suicide.
Yeah. Plenty of thing going wrong in this one. And plenty of room for more things to go wrong.
The characters are intriguing. Beth is a Christian, but Caden doesn’t seem to be: “That was her thing, not his.” This kind of leaves me wondering why she married him … However, that does leave room for Caden to have a crisis of faith.
One thing that continues to impress me with Dr Mabry’s novels and novellas is the way he weaves Christianity and medical terminology into the story in a natural way. There is always enough medical terminology to convince us the characters are real doctors, yet never so much that we don’t understand what’s going on. The same with the Christian content—it’s there, but it’s not forced.
All in all, Guarded Prognosis is a strong medical thriller with plenty of twists and turns.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
Caden Taggart and his father, Henry, are both surgeons. Caden’s world is shaken when two DEA agents show up on his doorstep, claiming that someone in his practice has been falsely prescribing painkillers.
Meanwhile, Henry is facing a life-threatening prognosis while his wife/Caden’s mother is in a coma following a brain aneurysm. At the start of Henry’s possible diagnosis, he contemplates suicide and asks for Caden’s assistance. Also, there seems to be several side characters that have money issues that might play into the story for both Caden and Henry.
The two storylines progress and there is action/thrills when Caden becomes more and more involved with the DEA’s investigation. The story was entertaining but nothing too exciting or unusual. There really wasn’t too much of a surprise at the ending, but it was still a good read. I will admit that it often read like a TV drama.
Some reviewers have complained about the overtly Christian theme to the book, but I liked this part of the story. When faced with life-threats, either in the form of danger or illness, people often turn (or return) to God.
The narrator, Bill Nevitt, did his usual outstanding job and added a lot to the enjoyment of the book. His voices for the different characters were great (even for the women!) and made the listening even better. I was provided an audio version of this book by the narrator and chose to review it.
I am so surprised at the glowing reviews of this novel. I didn’t know when I started it, but apparently it is in a genre called “Christian” books. It was so very bland, I could scream, but that’s not the only problem I have with it. First of all, every single character (even each of the bad guys) is a white upper middle class professional heterosexual. No black, no Hispanic, no Gay. Second, all but a couple of the “good guys” go to church and talk and think about God all the time. At every meal the author makes sure that grace is said. The couple of characters who do not behave like this end up mending their ways and doing these things by the end of the story. It was so boring I had to fight against falling asleep while reading. The story was fairly well written – no grammar or spelling errors – and apparently it is part of a series. I put it on my Kindle and started reading because I like medical thrillers. Nothing thrilling here, though, sorry. The medicine seems sound, and I recognize things I knew from being a Registered Nurse for 30 years. One thing, though: it is very annoying to have the main character, a surgeon, refer to his wife as a “trained nurse.” As in “trained poodle.” Both nurses and doctors are EDUCATED, not “trained.” Aside from that, it was okay, I guess, although I was disappointed. I didn’t hate it. But I cannot go back for more.