Review of Two Hunters
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Mary Longeway
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- Latest Review: Two Hunters by Tony Scott, MD
Review of Two Hunters
[Following is a volunteer review of "Two Hunters" by Tony Scott, MD.]
Two Hunters is a medical mystery by Tony Scott, MD. This novel examines the intricacies of practicing modern medicine within the constraints of a small town and the harrowing aftermath of what can happen when something goes wrong.
Dr. Theodore David Sparks is the only obstetrician in Crystal Springs, New Mexico. He has delivered hundreds of babies and is a well-respected member of the community. He joyfully delivers the seemingly healthy baby of his nephew’s wife, Ginger Hyde. Then the unthinkable occurs, and the baby dies a few days after birth. This tragedy alters Dr. Sparks’ professional and personal life. It turns each upside down. Likewise, Ginger and her husband must endure the unimaginable grief of losing a child. Later they learn that a medical error might be at the heart of this tragedy. If it wasn’t medical malpractice, then what could have caused the death of their newborn son? Unraveling the mystery of what happened and holding someone accountable for this death form the basis of this compelling novel.
While the premise of this story is fascinating, the writing of it leaves much to be desired. The author excels in his portrayal of medical procedures. The daily operation of a private medical practice and hospital are described in fine detail. His years of being an obstetrician bring authenticity to the story that an ordinary author might have been unable to convey. His language is clear and easy for a layperson to follow. What is not as crisp is the character and plot development. Here his writing is uneven and lacks substance. The cardinal rule when writing is to show the reader, not just to tell him. I am afraid Dr. Scott did too much of the latter and not enough of the former. He relied too heavily on overlong narratives to drive the story which caused me to lose interest. A little more attention to the characters’ feelings and a deeper examination of their personal lives might have improved the story.
I usually enjoy a good mystery, but this book was not a mystery in the usual sense of the word. For that reason, I feel that this book belongs in the fiction section. It was an interesting story that I think a young person thinking of becoming an obstetrician would enjoy reading. The medical sections were very well written. Anyone looking for a good whodunit, however, would not enjoy this novel.
This book would have benefited from professional editing. There were numerous typos, spacing errors, character misidentifications, and timeline errors. These editorial lapses detracted from the reading experience and are part of the reason that I can only give this book a 3 out of 5-star rating.
******
Two Hunters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Two Hunters is a medical mystery by Tony Scott, MD. This novel examines the intricacies of practicing modern medicine within the constraints of a small town and the harrowing aftermath of what can happen when something goes wrong.
Dr. Theodore David Sparks is the only obstetrician in Crystal Springs, New Mexico. He has delivered hundreds of babies and is a well-respected member of the community. He joyfully delivers the seemingly healthy baby of his nephew’s wife, Ginger Hyde. Then the unthinkable occurs, and the baby dies a few days after birth. This tragedy alters Dr. Sparks’ professional and personal life. It turns each upside down. Likewise, Ginger and her husband must endure the unimaginable grief of losing a child. Later they learn that a medical error might be at the heart of this tragedy. If it wasn’t medical malpractice, then what could have caused the death of their newborn son? Unraveling the mystery of what happened and holding someone accountable for this death form the basis of this compelling novel.
While the premise of this story is fascinating, the writing of it leaves much to be desired. The author excels in his portrayal of medical procedures. The daily operation of a private medical practice and hospital are described in fine detail. His years of being an obstetrician bring authenticity to the story that an ordinary author might have been unable to convey. His language is clear and easy for a layperson to follow. What is not as crisp is the character and plot development. Here his writing is uneven and lacks substance. The cardinal rule when writing is to show the reader, not just to tell him. I am afraid Dr. Scott did too much of the latter and not enough of the former. He relied too heavily on overlong narratives to drive the story which caused me to lose interest. A little more attention to the characters’ feelings and a deeper examination of their personal lives might have improved the story.
I usually enjoy a good mystery, but this book was not a mystery in the usual sense of the word. For that reason, I feel that this book belongs in the fiction section. It was an interesting story that I think a young person thinking of becoming an obstetrician would enjoy reading. The medical sections were very well written. Anyone looking for a good whodunit, however, would not enjoy this novel.
This book would have benefited from professional editing. There were numerous typos, spacing errors, character misidentifications, and timeline errors. These editorial lapses detracted from the reading experience and are part of the reason that I can only give this book a 3 out of 5-star rating.
******
Two Hunters
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Two Hunters by Tony Scott, MD
