Miracle Drug by Richard L Mabry, M.D.

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

I started reading thrillers when I was in high school and continued into college. While on a trip with friends following college, I read my first medical thriller. I would be lying if I didn't say I was immediately hooked. When I heard about the latest book from Richard L. Mabry, M.D., Miracle Drug , whose description sounded like a medical thriller to me, I decided that I should check his book out.

The story started off quickly, immediately creating a scene of mystery. This introduction to the story was a great way to pull the reader right in and the movement of the story kept the reader engaged. I, as might be expected, found myself not wanting to put the book down and staying up too late, in the attempt to read just one more chapter.

With the author being a retired physician, he had the background to really make the medical conditions, the lab tests, the diagnostic practice and the life of the medical professionals come to life for the reader. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, many of them members of the medical profession, as the story unfolded. There were plenty of 'decoys' interspersed in the story, characters that helped move the story along and served as a reasonable 'suspect' for the reader as they tried to stay a step ahead of the characters and solve the mystery - of course, the reader doesn't know they are decoys until the end of the story though when the story is resolved. As the characters go through the ups and downs of the story, the author interjects reflections of faith. The power of prayer and the belief in a higher being helps keep the characters moving forward in their battles to overcome the mysterious illness.

In the end, I would say that the book delivered more on the medical mystery than on the medical thriller that I had anticipated. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading other books by the author, but felt like the end was a little rushed...with the answers a little too neatly wrapped up. Some of the wrap up left me scratching my head - not sure why they were needed and/or feeling like it was the answer to part of the story that had been cut in an earlier edit.

About the book:
Miracle Drug (Abingdon, September 2015)

Overcoming these odds will take more than a miracle drug---it will take a miracle.

The infection wasn't supposed to happen, but it did. The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn't. Then Dr. Josh Pearson discovers why---his patients, including the former President of the United States, have been dosed with a different strain of the original virus, one that is universally fatal. The only chance for survival is treatment with an experimental drug, but the manufacturer might already have discarded its supply.

As if treating the President of the United States isn't stressful enough, the situation goes from bad to worse when Rachel Moore, a nurse Josh is falling in love with, falls ill. With the nation's eyes on him, Josh must pull off a miracle to save a man who holds a good deal of power and the woman who holds his heart.

Purchase a copy here.

About the author:

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes "medical suspense with heart." His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers' debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and Romantic Times' Reader's Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. "Miracle Drug" is his ninth published novel. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.

Find Richard online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.