This new series introduces the reader to Dr. Katie LeClair. She's new to Baxter, Michigan and new to the medical clinic where she now works. She left behind her old life, including a boyfriend and now only wants to be in a place that feels like home.
Everything seems almost perfect for Katie ... she's loves the other doctors she works with, her patients are wonderful, and she's making friends. She's also aware that another doctor seems to want to get to know her better.
Almost perfect ... until one of her patients dies. The official finding is suicide by drug overdose. But Katie has question. Paramedics saw a bottle of pills .. with Katie's name as physician. But Katie didn't write that prescription ... or did she?
Katie has never been on to stand by the sidelines, so joins the victim's daughter is searching for the truth. They both believe this is a case of murder ... not suicide.
And the more Katie seeks the truth, she more secrets she uncovers. Someone who doesn't want those secrets exposed has their eye on Katie.
This is quite a change from the author's earlier books which feature animal communication, quirky characters and murders.
UNNATURAL CAUSES is a well written crime thriller with Dr. LeClair leading the way. Suspects are many and lend a credibility to the story line. There's the older doctor who asked Katie to join their medical practice, someone she thinks of as her mentor. His son is also a physician, who's having severe marital troubles. There's the office staff, one of whom is a gossip and knows every one and their business. The victim's husband (her second) is certainly hiding something ... but is it murder?
The book eased me into the story ... for a moment ... and then the suspense takes on a life of its own. Positively kept me glued to the pages until the very last word. I am really looking forward to Katie's next adventure.
Many thanks to the author and to Crooked Lane Books for the advanced ARC of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Everything seems almost perfect for Katie ... she's loves the other doctors she works with, her patients are wonderful, and she's making friends. She's also aware that another doctor seems to want to get to know her better.
Almost perfect ... until one of her patients dies. The official finding is suicide by drug overdose. But Katie has question. Paramedics saw a bottle of pills .. with Katie's name as physician. But Katie didn't write that prescription ... or did she?
Katie has never been on to stand by the sidelines, so joins the victim's daughter is searching for the truth. They both believe this is a case of murder ... not suicide.
And the more Katie seeks the truth, she more secrets she uncovers. Someone who doesn't want those secrets exposed has their eye on Katie.
This is quite a change from the author's earlier books which feature animal communication, quirky characters and murders.
UNNATURAL CAUSES is a well written crime thriller with Dr. LeClair leading the way. Suspects are many and lend a credibility to the story line. There's the older doctor who asked Katie to join their medical practice, someone she thinks of as her mentor. His son is also a physician, who's having severe marital troubles. There's the office staff, one of whom is a gossip and knows every one and their business. The victim's husband (her second) is certainly hiding something ... but is it murder?
The book eased me into the story ... for a moment ... and then the suspense takes on a life of its own. Positively kept me glued to the pages until the very last word. I am really looking forward to Katie's next adventure.
Many thanks to the author and to Crooked Lane Books for the advanced ARC of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Dawn Eastman, the author of the highly entertaining Family Fortune cozy series, is branching out with this book. Unnatural Causes is a fast-paced, solid mystery that kept me guessing, and the main characters are well placed to solve mysteries. Katie LeClair is a caring, gifted doctor, and what makes her a good doctor makes her a good investigator. Her brother Caleb is very good with computers, and since Katie saved the life of the police chief's dog, she also has an "in" with the police department.
All elements mesh together well and run like a finely tuned machine. The trouble is, I just didn't find myself warming up to any of the characters-- which is one of the main selling points of mysteries on the cozier end of the genre. Unnatural Causes is well-written and does have an appealing main character, so don't be afraid to give it a try. Your mileage may definitely vary!
All elements mesh together well and run like a finely tuned machine. The trouble is, I just didn't find myself warming up to any of the characters-- which is one of the main selling points of mysteries on the cozier end of the genre. Unnatural Causes is well-written and does have an appealing main character, so don't be afraid to give it a try. Your mileage may definitely vary!
Unnatural Causes by Dawn Eastman is the first book in A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery series. Dr. Katie LeClair has joined the family practice of Dr.'s Emmett and Nick Hawkins (father and son) in Baxter, Michigan. She is called into the hospital when Ellen Riley is brought in from an overdose of diazepam (and Nick did not answer his page). The bottle states that Katie wrote the prescription, but she never issued it to Ellen. The police believe it is suicide, until Ellen's daughter, Beth convinces them to take another look. Beth states that Ellen was stressed over research she had been conducting. Ellen had discovered somethingâdid it get her killed? Katie wants answers and enlists her brother, Caleb to assist her. What was Ellen Riley researching and why did Nick not answer his page? Someone is not happy with Katie's meddling and warns her off her search. Can Katie uncover the killer, or will she end up the next victim?
I thought Unnatural Causes was nicely written and had a good pace. The author establishes Katie's background early in the story and I found her a likeable, relatable character. The transitions between scenes was smooth (nicely handled by author). There is a repetition of information that could have been eliminated. The same details do not need to be repeated throughout the book. There are two mysteries in the book and both can be solved. The murderer can be discerned early in the story. The why is slowly revealed as the story progresses. There are good clues that will aid readers in solving the mystery. It is slightly convoluted and there is a surprise that readers may not anticipate. There are several suspects and some nice misdirection. The secondary mystery (regarding Nick Hawkins) is interesting and a common problem in our society (unfortunately). The action ramps up in the last 12% of the story. There is a love interest for Katie in the story. I was glad that the romance element was light and not rushed. Unnatural Causes is different from Dawn Eastman's A Family Fortune Mystery series. It shows the author's versatility. Unnatural Causes has good bones, and I look forward to reading the next book in A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery series.
I thought Unnatural Causes was nicely written and had a good pace. The author establishes Katie's background early in the story and I found her a likeable, relatable character. The transitions between scenes was smooth (nicely handled by author). There is a repetition of information that could have been eliminated. The same details do not need to be repeated throughout the book. There are two mysteries in the book and both can be solved. The murderer can be discerned early in the story. The why is slowly revealed as the story progresses. There are good clues that will aid readers in solving the mystery. It is slightly convoluted and there is a surprise that readers may not anticipate. There are several suspects and some nice misdirection. The secondary mystery (regarding Nick Hawkins) is interesting and a common problem in our society (unfortunately). The action ramps up in the last 12% of the story. There is a love interest for Katie in the story. I was glad that the romance element was light and not rushed. Unnatural Causes is different from Dawn Eastman's A Family Fortune Mystery series. It shows the author's versatility. Unnatural Causes has good bones, and I look forward to reading the next book in A Dr. Katie LeClair Mystery series.
This is what I call 'fluff', if you are reader of this genre then I'm sure you'll give it rave reviews but for me it was slow and dull, and I don't like medical books about anything just too many words you don't have a clue what they mean and I find that irritating and I don't like reading or watching tv shows about illness etc., I like a good suspense/thriller and this did not fit the bill
