Book Review-State of Mind (Briar Hospital Series)-Lawrence Gold | Miki's Hope

Book Review-State of Mind (Briar Hospital Series)-Lawrence Gold

Monday, January 26, 2015



This is the brand new (just published 1/21/15) novel by my favorite author of medical mysteries/drama. Lawrence W. Gold. MD now author extraordinaire will keep you captivated with the story lines in all his novels. I have read every one of his novels so far. You don't have to worry about reading this series in order--they are all stand alone. Dr. Gold, with his vast knowledge of the medical profession writes about timely topics within a fictional setting. State of Mind is about research and the ethical problems that can arise--especially when dealing with psychiatric problems.

Try to imagine if a way was figured out to cure people of PTSD, Parkinsons and the like by using a non invasive brain altering mechanism. Then imagine if it actually worked--at least for a while. Of course the government is involved which helps muddy the water--and a Judge's son turned psychotic murderer after sustaining a head injury in football-Of course lawyers get involved.

The last sentence in this novel is:

David scanned the room, paused and turned to Kim, “Maybe, our next project for TCPU treatment should be to use the technique to raise the average IQ.” “Great, Michael said, “let’s start with politicians.”

I couldn't agree more!!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Dr. Kimberly Powell, a Ph.D. in neuropsychology, works in a research lab trying to understand the roots of violence by stimulating the brains of aggressive rats to reduce their savagery.

Her successes lead to phase I safety trials in volunteers and prisoners, and then to phase II and III studies in patients.
Soon it becomes clear that Kim’s brain stimulating techniques, besides controlling aggression, offer the potential to cure a number of medical problems including Parkinson’s disease, depression, PTSD, and many others.
When the court instructs her to treat a psychopathic killer, she’s appalled. What would such a killer, if cured, still owe to his victims and to society?

The ethical implications of the research and especially its application on humans are substantial, but so, too, is her altruistic desire to help.

Where is the balance and how far and how fast should these trials proceed—and, at what cost?

Read a Chapter or two here

Purchase the Book Here


About the Author: (from author's website)


I was born in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, moved to Queens, and then, as New Yorkers say, my family ascended to the Island. After graduating from Valley Stream Central High School, I went to Adelphi, a college then, a university now, and then to medical school in Chicago. The war in Vietnam interrupted my postgraduate medical training with a year in Colorado Springs and another as a Battalion Surgeon in Vietnam. I spent seven months in the Central Highlands with the 4th Infantry and five months in an evacuation hospital in Long Binh outside Saigon where I ran the emergency room. I returned intact in 1968 to complete my training in internal medicine and diseases of the kidney, nephrology. I worked for twenty-three years in Berkeley, California in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses often in ICU, and served as Chief of Internal Medicine and Family Practice. For many years, I was an active member of the quality assurance committee. Circumstances permitted my wife, Dorlis, and me to retire in October 1995. Before fate could intervene, we tossed off the dock lines, and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for a life at sea in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Four years later, exhausted from repairing everything on board, (often many times) we sold the sailboat and within a year took the lazy man’s out; we bought a Nordic Tug trawler. We motored around Florida, the Bahamas, and the entire East Coast and completed two ‘circle trips’ to Canada and back, eight months, the first time, five months, the second. I’ve written eight novels, five in he Brier Hospital Series, and one non-fiction book, I Love My Doctor, But…, a lighthearted look at the patient/doctor relationship. I recently published my ninth novel, A Simple Cure, about the search for the cure of the most deadly skin cancer, malignant melanoma. I write primarily to entertain, but I can’t help but pass on to readers observations and beliefs culled from years of practice, and yes, my biases, too. I strive for realism in portraying the medical scene which is gripping enough without melodrama or gimmicks. With even a minor degree of success in writing novels, comes responsibility to readers. I attempt to produce honest material that reflects my beliefs. Exposing these beliefs to the public through my writing requires courage, stupidity, or both. My fans have been generous, and although nobody enjoys criticism, I’ve learned much from that, too. The novel that expresses most clearly my candor, and my bias, is For the Love of God. The novel reflects my attitudes toward those who are willing to sacrifice the lives of their children for their personal religious beliefs.

We live in beautiful Grass Valley with 15 1/2 year old Mike, a terrier mix and Bennie, an 8 year old Yorkie who just looks like he’s on steroids.

Author's Website
Dr. Gold's Fiction and Medical News (this is very interesting)
Facebook
Twitter-still under construction!
Goodreads








I received a Mobi edition of this book for review purposes.All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

66 comments :

Frugal Mom and Wife said...

I am so glad I can jump right in at any book because I am adding this to my reading list. I just love when the author has a strong background to facilitate accurate information and educated plot. Those are the best books! Thanks for sharing!

Patricia said...

This book sounds very interesting. I am curious to read it. Thank you for the review. I can't wait to tell my sister about it as well.

Chubskulit Rose said...

I love the last sentence, kind of funny but true in a way lol.

Masshole Mommy said...

I love that this can be read out of order. It makes my life a lot easier that way!

Scott said...

But...if you raised the politician's IQ, none of them would be dumb enough to run!

burlap+blue said...

This sounds soo interesting! Will definitely check it out!

Beck Valley Books said...

lol, quite a strong last message indeed. My hubbie loves medical investigators such as Quincy and the like so no doubt he would really enjoy this too.

Unknown said...

Medical AND mystery?! Sounds great! (I'm currently watching "House" on Netflix - so I think this book would be right up my alley!)

Samantha said...

i could use a new read right about now, thanks :)

Unknown said...

I've been looking for a good book.

Crystal said...

I loved the show House when it was on the air, so I think a medical mystery would appeal to me. This series sounds great.

Lisa @bitesforbabies.com said...

My dad is an avid reader (I don't have enough time!) so I'm going to forward this to him ;-)

AngelaM said...

I would love to read this book. I am getting into the medical field so a medical mystery would be a great read to me. I will have to look into getting it.

Mom of Two said...

I have never really read any medical mysteries. This sounds really intriguing!

Dawn said...

This sounds like a great read. I'm a big fan of books that pose interesting questions. The idea of whether or not a killer who is cured of his violence is still responsible for what he's done is genius.

Unknown said...

I've never heard of this book before but I'm always looking for new books to add to my must read book list! Thank you for showing me this book!

Krystal said...

What an interesting idea. I can't wait to pick this up. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Thats a great review.. My wife asks me all the time if i have heard of anything new or interesting that came out.. This one would peek her interest and its branding spanking new!

Lesley said...

This is a book I could see myself enjoying. I am going to add it to my book list right now. Thanks.

Laura O in AK said...

I used to read TONS of medial mysteries, but haven't in a while. I'll have to give this author a look as I definitely prefer an author who has a background to help.

Heather Jones said...

Oh my goodness, if they had a cure for PTSD, I would so sign my husband up. Sounds like a really great book.

mail4rosey said...

lol on the line about the politicians. :) Finding huge medical cures is wonderful, but there is likely to be those who want to abuse the advancement. This book sounds like non-fiction to me. ;)

Unknown said...

Sounds really interesting. Especially being able to read out of order which would be good and interesting!

Unknown said...

I love a good read! This book sounds really interesting too. I really like that it's a medical mystery book.

debdenny said...

This sounds great. I do love the last line.

Michelle de Guzman said...

This sounds like another winner. I read quite a bit but you really out pace even me. I love your reviews. Thanks

DisneyBride2008 said...

I never read books like this [I never have the time!] but I love the idea for the plot - and the last line made me laugh out loud!

Lisa said...

This sounds like a great book! can't wait to read it!

Erica S (EricasRecipes.com) said...

Well this sounds intriguing! I've had to deal with ethical issues in my profession, and there is rarely a clear right answer. ...and I agree completely politicians muddy the waters. Great review thank you!

Maria said...

My daughter loves psychological thrillers! I bet she will love this!

Chrissie said...

I love medical mysteries. It really plays to the science nerd in me!

Housewife Eclectic said...

Sounds fascinating! Adding it to my list for sure!

Stefany T said...

This is a genre I have not gotten into. It does sound intriguing though!

Debi said...

I just finished my last book so I will be adding this one to my reading list.

Theresa Mahoney said...

This sounds like a very thought provoking book! Sadly, I don't think there's much poking and prodding into a politician's brain that would help raise their I.Q. any, as it seems most of them are brain dead.

Rich Mom, Rich Dad. Poor Mom, Poor Dad. said...

Oooohhhh the synopsis and your review just gave me goosebumps. I work in healthcare and I read a lot of medical thrillers... not a good mix some days. LOL

I will definitely need to get a copy of this author's books!

Michelle H said...

I love all the books you review with plots settled in current events. And what a great one-liner for the ending!

Liz Mays said...

This book sounds great and I'm curious to see how the experiments turn out. I bet this is a gripping read.

Elizabeth O. said...

This book sounds really interesting! It really made me curious about the experiments done here!

Unknown said...

Looks like an interesting read. I need to catch up with books because I've been lacking! Will check this out.

Unknown said...

I'm looking for some new books to read this year, and this one sounds great! I will definitely pick this one up!

Xtreme Qpon - Angela Christopher said...

That's a great book review I had read ever. Look so interesting and I'd like to read it.

Susan said...

This Author's books is something I would enjoy reading...anything that relates to the medical world is very intriguing to me. I love to hear other's thoughts!

Unknown said...

That sounds like an interesting read. I love books in a series that can be stand alone. The last sentence of the book definitely makes me want to read and find out how THAT turns out!

Alyssa Collazo said...

Sounds like a great read and I was just looking for a new book! Looks like I found one!

Marika said...

Thanks for the great recommendation! I'll add it to my TBR list, as I love medical mysteries and thrillers.

Bradley Finnearty said...

This sounds like a great read. I would like to get the chance to read it.

C.Mahan said...

This is really interesting. I actually enjoy reading books with a medical examiner twist.

Amy Kelsch said...

I am definitely going to read this one and check out more from this author! I am a big fan of medical mysteries! Thanks!

Kori said...

That does sound like a very interesting read. When I can find the time, I'd be interested to read this as well.

Kristi Dominguez said...

Sounds like another really good one! Thanks for the insight.

Bonnie G said...

I have really got to get back into ready and really miss it. I will have to put this my list to read in the future.

Lynndee said...

A medical thriller with humor - sounds interesting! For sure the husband would find this interesting as well.

Tough Cookie Mommy said...

My mother loves medical drama. I'm going to have to recommend this book to her.

CourtneyLynne said...

Ahhhh this looks like a pretty good book!! I'm always looking for new stuff to read so I will have to add this to my list of books to check out!

Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen said...

This books sounds intriguing and interesting!

Ann B said...

This sounds like a book for me. I will add it to my reading list.

Rebecca Swenor said...

This sounds very interesting indeed. I love medical mysteries and so does my son. We are for going to be getting this book. Thanks for sharing.

Raquel said...

I was looking for a new book to read when I saw this. Perfect timing! A medical novel sounds interesting right now.

Unknown said...

I've never been one to read medical mysteries but I love mysteries in general and conspiracies. My interest is definitely peaked as it does involve PTSD and the government!

bedlambrides said...

The last sentence of the book sounds hilariously weird and dark. Politicians are a different bread for sure and I feel like if they want to experiement go on with your bad self:)

Natalie said...

I'm not much into reading really, but this really looks like it would be a good book to read.

Unknown said...

The book sounds riveting. I love medical drama books. The fact that there is a mostly issue makes it very interesting to me .

thomalleyreview said...

Looks like this could be a really good book. Sounds pretty interesting.

Paula Schuck said...

I didn't know that there was such a genre as medical mystery. Looks interesting, I'll check it out!

Stefani @ MommyEnterprises.com said...

This sounds like an interesting book. I will have to keep it in mind.

 
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