Wonderful story that combines the mystery of the Brier Hospital, its patients, doctors, nurses and other workers. There is a murder at Brier Hospital, but who is committing the murder? How safe are the patients in your room, some in a difficult state of health where they can’t think clearly, and others in a very delicate state near the end of their life? Dr. Jacob Weizman and his wife, Lola, were longtime Holocaust survivors; Jacob was eighty-eight years old and Lola eighty-five. Jacob was highly regarded in the medical world of Brier and beyond for many reasons. He told it like it was, but always had compassion for his patients. That, along with his experience with almost any health problem, made him invaluable and trustworthy in the medical field. Lola also continued to be active in her practice as a psychotherapist despite her age. She and Jacob would be lost without their professions and each other.

Usually there is one person in most hospital staff who has their issues with others in that hospital and that was the case with Jacob and some thought he was too old to practice medicine but these same people had to admit that he was the best. and wiser in the hospital despite his age. When a friend of Jacobs called and told him about a young doctor, Zoe Spelling, who was looking for a practice to practice, Jacob asked him to come see him. Jacob hired Dr. Zoe Spelling. He knew he was getting old and could use someone to help him. Dr. Spelling was a bright young woman who seemed very capable and Jacob, despite her complaints about some things she did or didn’t do, thought she was a good fit as his partner.

A few patients died when they should not have, and each of these deaths was thoroughly investigated and autopsied. At first it was thought that they might have died of natural causes, but some were not convinced of that. Another employee was stealing drugs and selling them. He worked in Brier as a regular so he could work freely at the hospital and sneak into the locked drug supply room. Eventually, the police were involved in the investigation, first with an undercover police officer with a background in nursing. Shelly was a good fit, but she didn’t find anything safe in the way of a murderer.

Jacob and Lola were such a happy couple. Jacob worked so many hours but knew that his beloved Lola was there for him at home no matter what. Lola and Jacob discussed each other’s patients’ problems sometimes and really complimented each other that way. They hated seeing so many of their friends die, especially after going through the Holocaust, losing so many family and friends during it. Police action intensified as the killings continued and all hospital staff members were suspected.

I look forward to any future Dr. Gold books. He writes in common people language, which a person in the medical field doesn’t always do. You will love this book and you may be suspicious of certain people, but in the end you will probably be surprised. Enjoy and thank you Dr. Gold.