Final Diagnosis

Rating:
Summary: Too much filler
Review: I enjoyed Birken's book Final Diagnosis. I recently have moved from South Florida and enjoyed reading a book in my hometown setting. The thorough description of the area brought back memories. The story line was also extremely addicting. I enjoyed seeing the characters develop through the stressful, medical situations. I would definitely recommend this book to readers interested in medicine, mystery, or suspense. Good Job! I look forward and anticipate more books!

Rating:
Summary: Birken's inexperience shows
Review: It is evident that this is the first book from a man with another profession. He seems to follow some obvious and tiresome formulas. Every character, upon each new meeting, has his clothing described in detail.

Also, though this book is from the "perspective" of Erin, the female protagonist, it is clearly written by a man with a titillating fascination for how a woman behaves alone in her own hotel room, or how a sexually aggressive woman would seduce a hesitant man.

I do admit, though, that the story flowed well enough, and I was curious enough to keep reading. I'm not sorry I read it, but it's clearly not any great literature. There is clearly better medical fiction out there.

Rating:
Summary: Birken's inexperience shows
Review: It is evident that this is the first book from a man with another profession. He seems to follow some obvious and tiresome formulas. Every character, upon each new meeting, has his clothing described in detail.

Also, though this book is from the "perspective" of Erin, the female protagonist, it is clearly written by a man with a titillating fascination for how a woman behaves alone in her own hotel room, or how a sexually aggressive woman would seduce a hesitant man.

I do admit, though, that the story flowed well enough, and I was curious enough to keep reading. I'm not sorry I read it, but it's clearly not any great literature. There is clearly better medical fiction out there.

Rating:
Summary: UNREAL CHARACTERS, UNREAL PLOT
Review: This is a story written by a male doctor that has a female reporter (for the AMA News) as the main character, and she is totally unbelievable except as a male fantasy. I admit as I got near the end of this book I couldn't continue, so I looked ahead to see who the bad guys (or gals) were, finally convinced that the book had no message, just a ridiculous plot.

I like a good medical thriller, but since I'm a writer/reporter myself, I know that no reporter has the absurd amount of time and money that Erin (the reporter in this story) spent looking into the affairs of the Fetal Institute. She stays at a fancy hotel for weeks on end, rents an expensive car, and never writes a word! I can tell you that if I were doing the story, I'd stay at the Day's Inn and spend two days at most onsite, doing much of the research and interviews long distance, using phone, email and internet.

Erin seemed to have a never-ending supply of clothing on this trip, including such inappropriate items like a beaded bustier, leather pants and a tube top. While Dr. Galagher may have found her fascinating, I thought she was a poor reporter (her so-called tough questions were nothing more than obvious things to ask) and her suspicions were actually based on very little ...although we, the readers, knew something was wrong because the author gave us glimpses of what the bad guys were up to. But why Erin's editor didn't insist she finish the story and stop the outflow of money is beyond me. Instead he spends more money by sending a detective to protect poor little Erin. Of course, Erin is also looking out for her friend Claire who is a patient at the Institute, but Claire is just as unbelievable as a character as Erin. While Erin parades around in her tube top, Claire spends weeks at this "boutique hospital" having all kinds of expensive tests with nary a word about cost, even though we learn her husband may be losing his job soon. She must have the most fabulous health insurance imaginable.

And Erin works for the AMA News? The AMA has shown itself to be little more than an organization working to protect doctors' big incomes, specializing in cozying up to the other players in the big bucks business of medical care. If there is such a thing as the AMA News, I'm sure they publish nothing but puff pieces that please their sponsors (the very people doing all the evil stuff in this story!). I was hoping there was a message somewhere about health care and what's wrong with it, but instead Final Diagnosis is just a silly story that doesn't hang together very well. The author apparently created a woman with the qualities he would find fascinating, but I could not find her believable as either a nurse or a reporter. And the doctor in the story, who is so taken with this airhead in a tube top, was too lame to make the move, so Erin has to seduce him, apparently part of the author's fantasy (he writes that there's a saying that "If he's good in the operating room, he's also good in the bedroom" -- I guess Erin must have heard that old saying).

All in all, Final Diagnosis was a big disappointment and waste of time. To the author, I say this: You're no Michael Crichton, so don't quit your day job.


Rating:
Summary: My Diagnosis Is That This Is A Must Read
Review: This is undoubtedly the most thrilling book I have ever read. The plot of the book is electrifying and original. The details provided by Dr. Birken about the characters allows the reader to feel as though he/she has known the characters for years. I was unable to put down the book until its conclusion. The last book that I have read of such excellence as this book was Catcher in the Rye. I am looking forward to reading his second book and am greatly anticipating the release of his third. There is no doubt in my mind that you will love reading this book

Rating:
Summary: My Diagnosis Is That This Is A Must Read
Review: This is undoubtedly the most thrilling book I have ever read. The plot of the book is electrifying and original. The details provided by Dr. Birken about the characters allows the reader to feel as though he/she has known the characters for years. I was unable to put down the book until its conclusion. The last book that I have read of such excellence as this book was Catcher in the Rye. I am looking forward to reading his second book and am greatly anticipating the release of his third. There is no doubt in my mind that you will love reading this book

Rating:
Summary: excellent read
Review: This medical thriller captured my interest on page one and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. The author does a great job of setting the plot and keeping the reader in suspense until the end. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable fast-paced read!

Rating:
Summary: Move Over Robin Cook
Review: When Claire is admitted to a state-of-the-art medical institute in Miami, she has every reason to trust its brilliant staff-until the inquiries of her friend, a medical reporter, spring an inescapable trap of corporate greed and deadly corruption.
For a first time author, this guy has a great start. After reading all of Robin Cook & Michael Palmer's books I wanted someone new. I happened to come across Final Diagnosis. This book was a thrill ride right to the very end. The plot was well thought out and developed. Birken does a great job of setting the plot and keeping you in suspense until the end. Can't wait to read the next book.