title: The Fragrance Shed by a Violet: Murder in the Medical Center (A Lindsey McCall mystery)
author: Lin Wilder
description: Im a recent fan of medical mysteries, even though its been a popular genre for years. In The Fragrance Shed by a Violet, Lin Wilder takes us deep inside medical research and one doctors actions that reverberates throughout the community. Dr. Lindsay McCall is tried and convicted for intentional murder. As she sits in jail, guilt and shame her companions in the cell, investigative reporter Kate Townsend is confident Dr. McCall didnt do it. She investigates and what she uncovers, shakes the medical industry to the core. Can she free Dr. McCall or will greater forces keep her quiet? But theres a deeper storyline here, one that surprised me. Forgiveness. Do we have the capacity to forgive ourselves as we forgive others? Whether its admitting a costly error in judgement or betraying a loved one, forgiveness is one of lifes ultimate challenges. Dr. McCall must forgive herself but at what cost? This is more than a simple medical mystery. Id also include courtroom drama as well as investigative thriller to the genre. Filled with subtle sub-plots and twists I wasnt expecting, The Fragrance Shed by a Violet is one of the best books Ive read this year. I loved Dr. McCall as a main character for many reasons but one that sticks out is authentic. Every emotion she experiences, the reader does as well, and that makes for a gripping story. Wilder is a gifted writer, whose knowledge of the medical industry is apparent from the first page. Intricately-woven, she takes the reader deep into the characters and circumstances so the reader is left wondering what he/she would do if that happened to them. If I had to sum my feelings in four words, Id say this book is gripping, honest and unexpectedly touching. Highly recommend! Favorite Character/Quote: She almost laughed out loud in the dark at herselfat least the terror of this dream was familiar and lay buried in her past; her real nightmare was no dream, no mere memory. And she could feel the fear uncoil, stretch, and begin to take her over once again. Closing her eyes, she began to pray: Let nothing dismay thee. All things pass. God never changes. Patience acquires all that is strived for. She who has God finds that she lacks nothing. God alone suffices. Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My Rating: 5+ stars Source: N N Light Amazon Reviewer<br /><br />Dr. Lindsey McCall had never been able to get over the loss of a patient during a routine, for her, catheterization--the first in her career. It wasn't that she could not have accepted a death, if she knew the reason... But she knew "her technique had been flawless. She had been calm and confident through the two-hour procedure, explaining what she was doing to her patient and laughing at his quick-witted responses." But suddenly he had started fibrillating and though they continued to work on him, he had died. She was still having flashback nightmares going over and over the procedure... It had been over a year since his death, but her mentor, the Chair of Medicine, had not been able to convince her to return to her work. Instead she was moving on, into research. Actually, she was returning to a special research project that she had been working on long before she had even acquired her credentials. Her doctoral work was exploring the alteration of the molecule for digitalis. While digitalis was used extensively by heart patients, there were side effects. Lindsey hoped to eliminate all of them! How could she have foreseen that her decision not to continue her practice would lead to...jail...for the murder of her mother?!! When I finished this book, one word immediately came to mind to describe it--Remarkable! It was Kate Townsend who started it--an investigative journalist who was looking for that story possibly leading to a Pulitzer. And when she saw a small clipping and realized the significance, she knew she had it--if she could get approval to move on the story. She'd known nothing about it and knew that there had not been any other major stories--it must have been hushed up as much as possible. No wonder... A top cardiologist at Houston General Hospital had been convicted of murder! Sure, there were many malpractice suits, but there had never been a time when a doctor was actually accused and arrested for murder! But she didn't want to just announce it with a one-time byline. She quickly put together a series outline, got approval, and had won that Pulitzer! But she couldn't let it rest. She had found out enough that made her question why Dr. McCall had been found guilty... This is a book that I'd love to continue to share with you. There are so many brilliantly created characters that people the world around Lindsey, both before and after her arrest. This is not a murder mystery as much as many people coming together to prove the innocence of one they loved. In doing so, secrets are revealed, promises of silence are broken, and romance stirs in the hearts of those involved. Nearly 500 pages are all contributing to the movement forward of this novel to its inevitable ending. Wilder explains that fans of the first edition wanted more information about exactly what the Investigative Series disclosed, for instance... And an abandoned friendship is ignored as Julie, Lindsey's best friend, explains what Lindsey's early life was like and why things happening now could very well be because of that time. But the major issue was that, once Lindsey was in prison...she was the cause of a major lawsuit against the State! Wow! How many times can an innocent woman make it against the world??? I really loved this book, making it one of my personal favorites for 2016. The author has used her considerable medical expertise to create a medical thriller like no other. The story runs smoothly from event to event and quickly becomes a page-turner! It was well past midnight when I decided I had to stop and finish the next day. The plot is intriguing, filled with the potential for sensationalism if happening in reality. The only unfortunate thing is that story takes care of everything and doesn't need a sequel...But, hey, Lin...your investigative reporter could be continued! How about it...Don't let these wonderful characters just fade away! You Gotta Check This out! Truly! Source GA Bixler Reviews<br /><br />Where oh where to begin? This is such a terrific book that touches on so many social issues, emotions, dysfunctional families, and painful journeys to forgiveness. Dr. Lindsey McCall is a resident in the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. She was found guilty of murdering her own mother by injecting her with an untested drug that she had worked on for her entire life. Investigative Kate Townsend finds herself looking into this strange case .... winding up winning not one, but three Pulitzer Prizes. McCall was an internationally acclaimed cardiologist and researcher. She knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life since the age of 7. She was on one path that she never deterred away from. But her path led to a very solitary life. Her older sister, Paula, was a wife and mother of 3 children. But it just wasn't enough. She wanted her father's attention .. the attention that Lindsey received freely. Paula became an alcoholic and drug addict. There was never a moment that Paula did not feel envious of Lindsey. This is a not your normal medical mystery .. it's so much more. The story is character driven. And what great characters they are! It's basically the story of sisters and good friends as they have to cope with loss, lies, jealousy, hate, love, and finally, maybe forgiveness. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a solid, good read ... one that will have you thinking about for a long time. Although a 'medical' mystery, there are no long medical terms to send you to a dictionary. The author has done a marvelous job of explaining medical jargon without inducing a headache. I just can't say enough about this book. 5 Stars! Many, many thanks to the author and Wordslinger Publicity who generously furnished an ARC and allowed me to read in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Source: Booklover reviews
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  **Dance to the Piper**
  
  **Nora Roberts**
  
    
  
  **O'Hurleys -** **B** **ook 2**
  
    
    
    
  
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  **Prologue**
  
    
    
  
  During the break between lunch and cocktails, the club was empty. The floors
  were scarred but clean enough, and the paint on the walls was only a little
  dull from fighting with cigarette smoke. There was the scent intrinsic to such
  places—old liquor and stale perfume mixed with coffee that was no longer
  fresh. To a certain type of person it was as much home as a cozy fire and
  plump cushions. The O'Hurleys made their home wherever audiences gathered.
  
  When the after-dinner crowd strolled in, the lights would be dimmed, and it
  wouldn't look so grimy. Now, strong sunlight shone through the two small
  windows and lighted the dust and dents mercilessly. The mirror in back of a
  bar lined with bottles spread some of the light around but reflected mostly on
  the small stage in the center of the room. "That's my girl, Abby, put a nice
  smile on." Frank O'Hurley took his five-