mystery, extortion, suspense, medical, thriller*****

This retired nurse/mystery geek really loves Mabry's books, and this is one of the best. Among other things it demonstrates the logic disconnect that happens to anyone under severe emotional stress. The suspense is well drawn out.
Bill Nevitt always does an excellent job of getting inside the character's head and bringing those emotions alive.
I won this audio in a giveaway! Yay me! ( )

Richard Mabry has long been a favorite author of mine. He blends medical drama with suspense as his characters deal with some very shady characters. In Critical Decision, his latest novella, he again created a page turner that kept me up past my bedtime. If you are looking for a puzzling mystery then I recommend you check this book out.

Kathy and Darren Hoover are very ordinary people. She is a physician in private practice and he is a professor of mathematics in Dallas, Texas. But their life soon spirals out of control as they are involved in a kidnapping and murder plot. While Critical Decision is plot-driven, I did like how Mabry puts these two characters through their paces. Much of the direction of the novel is due to their resourcefulness. I also liked that they are a married couple — their relationship is real and relatable. The story line kept me guessing and turning the pages as fast as I could. There is a good bit of the cloak and dagger as well as some really sinister bad guys. As always, Mabry adds a spiritual element in this book. The main characters attend church while in the midst of their crisis. They (and the reader) don’t get a long-winded sermon, but some good teaching on God’s wisdom. This element was naturally integrated into the book.

I read Critical Decision at a time when I needed a good distraction from the cares of the day. It proved a great one! A quick read, this novella will appeal to all who love a good whodunit.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )