Neurosurgeon Dr. Tyler Matthews learns that his boss cheated Medicare so he reports it. Not long afterward DEA Agent Dillon searches his locker and finds drugs there. His lawyer Mary McGuire suggests he accepts the government's "kind" offer though he insists he is being framed over his whistle blowing; if he refuses he will lose in court and never practice medicine again. He has already lost his wife Nancy so he reluctantly agrees.

Tyler obtains work at the Maynard Medical Center in Seattle where a computerized record keeping system is being tested that is expected to dramatically reduce the annual 44000 to 98000 medical errors. When his patient dies, Tyler conducts a root analysis that leads him to believe the record system is flawed and caused the death; he reports his findings. He is threatened with the end of his practice as millions are at stake based on a committee's findings of how well the database performed. While other whistle-blowers have died and Nancy is threatened, the FBI, international terrorists, and members of the government-industrial health complex seek him. He trusts no one after San Francisco and with the Patriot Act, they able to bury him.

This chiller is not for the faint of heart as readers will be stunned by the avarice antics of those who allegedly protect the public health. The story line is action-packed from the moment the DEA disillusioned Tyler and never slows down as the hero feels déjà vu all over again. Interestingly weaving in real world stats such as the eighth most common deaths in America is medical mistakes Dr. Allen Wyler's debut is as tense a medical thriller as there is because the scary supporting stats are real. Six Sigma please.

REVIEWED BY HARRIET KLAUSNER

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, HARRIET KLAUSNER