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  • The Deadly Dinner Party and Other Medical Detective Stories

  • By: Jonathan A. Edlow
  • Narrated by: Joel Richards
  • Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (31 ratings)
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The Deadly Dinner Party and Other Medical Detective Stories

By: Jonathan A. Edlow
Narrated by: Joel Richards
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Summary

Picking up where Berton Roueche's The Medical Detectives left off, The Deadly Dinner Party presents 15 edge-of-your-seat, real-life medical detective stories written by a practicing physician. Award-winning author Jonathan Edlow, MD, shows the doctor as detective and the epidemiologist as elite sleuth in stories that are as gripping as the best thrillers.  

In these stories a notorious stomach bug turns a suburban dinner party into a disaster that almost claims its host; a diminutive woman routinely eats more than her football-playing boyfriend but continually loses weight; a young executive is diagnosed with lung cancer, yet the tumors seem to wax and wane inexplicably. Written for the lay person who wishes to better grasp how doctors decipher the myriad clues and puzzling symptoms they often encounter, each story presents a very different case where doctors must work to find the accurate diagnosis before it is too late. 

Edlow uses his unique ability to relate complex medical concepts in a writing style that is clear, engaging and easily understandable. The resulting stories both entertain us and teach us much about medicine, its history and the subtle interactions among pathogens, humans, and the environment.

©2009 Jonathan Edlow, MD (P)2020 Tantor

What listeners say about The Deadly Dinner Party and Other Medical Detective Stories

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Lots of detail!

If you're after a book full of little medical anecdotes and tales then this probably isn't the one for you. However if you like to get a more in-depth look at seeming innocent things which can knock the body into a spin, this is great!
Each story is followed up by quite detailed medical investigation into the how and why such a thing can happen before returning to the story for conclusion.
Lots of useful information and Joel Richards has a nice relaxing voice to listen to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Survivor

Somewhat lacking in intrigue or drama but interesting in its way. I certainly learnt a few useful things such as why its not a good idea to reheat sauces or to refreeze fish. The rabbit warren of potential historical connections was dry and confusing but even in this I learnt a lot about the evolution of medicine. The narration was not to my liking. In the end it was a bit of an endurance test but worthwhile. I survived.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing

Loved this insight into medical investigations. Made me more aware of supplement and vitamin intake.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

varied insightful medical stories

This was an entertaining collection of case studies. The subjects were unusual and often really surprising.
I did find some of the stories a little long winded with unnecessary detail but overall it was interesting and well put together.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Scary stuff

I found this book really interesting but I couldn't listen to it all in one go. If you are the sort of person who looks in old home medical books and decides you have everything except housemaid's knee, probably don't listen to it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating listen

As a nurse I found this a very interesting listen, amazing how they piece together information to get a result.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating

Really interesting stuff but not a wise choice for when I’m in bed with a stomach upset! By the end I had all of these things including the ones that aren’t seen in my part of the world. Human stories with enough science to enlighten without bamboozling. This is what good science communication looks like to me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and enjoyable

This was a well explained coverage of various medical conditions and how they were diagnosed and treated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So interesting!

I was completely engrossed in this book, I loved the forensic medical detail but also the humanising factor. Has made me very wary of herbal teas, loofahs, vitamins etc!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Bit slow

A bit slow in parts and I got a bit bogged down in some of the facts but on the whole enjoyable. It’s in the plus catalog so it was a free listen.

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