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Critical Decision

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Critical Decision

By: Richard Mabry
Narrated by: Bill Nevitt
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About this listen

It began with an innocent-appearing package on her front porch.

The box contained a cell phone, which rang as soon as she opened the package. A voice that called Dr. Kathy Hoover by name said that her husband had been kidnapped. To get him back, she would have to poison one of her patients.

At first, she didn’t believe that her husband had been taken from the conference he was attending, but soon she discovered that the kidnappers really had Darren. If she wanted to see him again, she had to give medication that would murder Kelton Rush, former Vice-President. What was she to do? How would she handle this critical decision?

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical mysteries with heart.” In addition to his medical books, he is the author of one nonfiction book, six novellas, and 13 published novels. His novels have been finalists for the Carol Award, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Selah Award, and others.

He and his wife live in north Texas. In addition to regular efforts (thus far unsuccessful) to improve his golf game, he spends much of his time trying to convince his family that sitting at his desk staring into space does indeed represent work.

©2020 Richard L. Mabry (P)2020 Richard L. Mabry Genre Fiction Medical Thriller & Suspense Marriage Fiction Heartfelt Suspense

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Another great book from Richard Mabry. The story always feels very authentic and I love the obvious medical expertise in the way he writes about the doctors experiences. Also I’m biased as Bill Nevitt is one of my favourite narrators and his tone on audiobooks I just love so this who audio did not disappoint.

Never a disappointment

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This is my second Richard L Mabry MD book. I have also read and enjoyed 'Emergency Case'.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one as I really like stories where characters have a dilemma to cope with really early on in the book. I liked the fact that we have both sides of the narrative too so we know the thoughts and feelings of the husband and his wife.

The narrator Bill Nevitt was brilliant. I always know I'm in for a treat when I see that he is reading a book! The story flows well and he makes it such fun.

I will definitely be checking out more of Richard's books in the future.

I loved it!

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When Cathy finds an unexpected package on the door step her life changes. Her husband Darren has been kidnapped and to get him back alive she must give medication to one of her patients which may kill him. She has no choice but to go through with it, or does she? An intriguing tale beautifully narrated by Bill Nevitt.

An intriguing tale

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Overall an enjoyable read, the plot was interesting & the medical background added an extra dimension. Unfortunately it was spoiled by the narration which I didn’t like at all.

An interesting plot

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I enjoyed this story. It was a very different story and really made you think how one act can change lives so easily. The story was well crafted to build the tension and keep you in suspense as to what the out come would be. The story is told from two perspectives, by the husband and wife, while one tries to stay alive the other one tries to save his life, this works really well for the story because it kept you informed of what was happening with the kidnappers and what they were thinking. I did wonder if it wasn't safe to go home, why would going to work be any safer? Other than that, it is a good mystery as you try to work out who wants the ex vice president dead.
Dr Kathy Hoover comes home from a long day at work to find a package on her door step. By opening the box she sets in motion a game of cat and mouse, to keep her husband alive she must swop some tablets for patient and give him the ones they are going provide. As a Doctor Kathy to took an oath to do no harm, if she does what they say is she sentencing a man to death? But if she doesn't is she sentencing her own husband? Then she finds out the patient is the former vice president. What should she do? Other than hope her husband can find away to escape. With time running out she might just have to break the client confidentiality act and tell someone but who to trust?
The narrator did another excellent job with the narrating by giving the characters there own voices and bringing the story to life with tension and suspense.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

No need to decide if you want to listen just do

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It was fun, quaint. The Hoovers get caught up in this kidnapping & attempted murder. The main plot was fine, though a little predictable. I liked that the story was always moving forward. There were no boring parts, no slumps.

Kathy is the only woman who makes a difference in the plot. There are at least 2 other ladies with small roles, but they do have names and lines. Still, there was room in this cast of characters for a few more ladies, ones who actually matter to the plot. Sometimes Kathy is over emotional and lacking wits, and sometimes she’s doing OK at coping and making decisions. She never really shined and often took direction from her husband, Darren. In fact, sometimes Darren actually commands her. He was a bit overbearing at times.

Even though Darren is the one who was kidnapped, he is really, really calm about it. So calm, that it seemed odd, like Darren wasn’t fully fleshed out as a character. He has little to no emotions through out this whole story. Those few times he does show emotion is when he’s short tempered with his wife. As a main character, I didn’t get attached to him.

There’s an underlying Christian theme too. At first, it comes off a little strong. Like Kathy is at her wits end (which happened frequently and too easily) so she hands it all over to God. It’s a weak plot device, showing a lack of creativity. The middle of the story puts the Christian theme in the backseat so we can just focus on the mystery (yay!) but then comes back to the forefront near the end. Still, it is written in as part of the personalities of the main characters. Not my cup of tea but not a deal breaker either.

The story does have a small twist near the end, which made the story worth the read. I liked how Kelton, the ultimate target, turns the tables. Over all, 3/5 stars.

The Narration: Bill Nevitt has a great voice for Darren and I liked his voice for the secret service body guard. Sometimes his voices for Darren and Kelton blended together and sometimes they were distinct. While Nevitt’s voice for Kathy was feminine, it was sometimes a little bit cartoony, especially when Kathy is emotional. He has a great little old lady voice for the neighbor who babysits Hoovers’s dog. The kidnappers use an electronically-modified voice for the phone calls and Nevitt’s voice for this didn’t sound electronically modified at all. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues with the recording. 4/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book. My opinions are 100% my own.

Fun, quaint

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I had no idea what type of story this was when I started it and was wild. Very good twists.

That was wild.

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A fast paced thriller from beginning to end. When Kathy Hoover finds a package on her doorstep it alters her life. Told from the point of view of the husband and wife, with a set of shady characters, just when you thought if might be over, came the next surprise. Whilst trying to maintain her ordinary life Kathy has to juggle with the demands of the kidnappers. Can she help free her husband, what about the demands the kidnappers are making, can she go through it. These are the issues she has to face, whilst her husband tries to outwit his captors.

Fast paced

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Listener received this title free

New author to me and worth a listen, the story is about 2 Dr's Kathy (a medical doctor) Daniel (hoping to be a professor of a University) Kathy thinks he is on his way home from a conference but a ring at the door and when opened to find a box with a mobile phone in it and on ringing the voice tells her, that her husband has been kidnapped. Is it a prank? Kathy soon finds out that it isn't and the reason behind it is to give a former Vice President when he comes in for him yearly medical some pills that would eventually kill him of a heart attack, Kathy a doctor knows it against the grain they are supposed to save lives but Kellon Rush senses something is amiss and she admits to what's going on, and agrees to take the pills away with him, all the while Kathy is desperate to know what of her husband. Her husband is always looking for ways to escape now will he manage it?. The ex-President seems to have gone missing so what became of Kellon Rush and whose voice is behind the burner mobile phone?. A good story well written and the narrator Bill Nevitt done a good job, only 1 bugbear was it took a bit of time to get used to the instant change over from Kathy to Daniel I felt it was a bit abrupt. It has suspense and a tense listen and it's good to know that with medical stories that the author Richard L Marbry is a retired MD, so he should get it right.

Medical Drama

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