Fatal Complications

By: John Benedict

Narrated by: James Babbin

When a colleague's patient suffers a bizarre reaction in the operating room, Luke Daulton, a newly minted anesthesiologist, volunteers to help. Despite the surgical team's best efforts, the patient succumbs to a rare anesthetic complication. Luke becomes perplexed, even suspicious, over their inability to save the woman. Is it possible that the diagnosis was wrong? Or, worse yet, was the diagnosis faked? Luke even wonders if his boss Dr. Katz is involved.

Too busy with the rigors of a new job and his impending fatherhood, Luke is forced to put his suspicions on hold. When his wife Kim faces a C-section, his fears are reignited. Could there be a murderer, or murderers, operating in his hospital? Could his wife's obstetrician be involved? When the C-section goes horribly wrong, Luke must launch into action to save his wife and baby and expose a conspiracy he's uncovered in his hospital.

©2015 John Benedict (P)2016 Oceanview Publishing

Wives, Lovers, and Anesthesiologists

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is a good story about what can go terribly wrong with a person, when something terrible happens to the person. I liked the narrator's voice, but I only gave him 4 stars instead of 5, because I found the tempo a bit too slow. Perhaps that was the fault of the producer or director. I am not qualified to say. In the end, I turned my speed on my iPhone to 1.25, and all was fine.

What other book might you compare Fatal Complications to and why?

I cannot think of any at the moment. But, think of any suspense book, where the intensity of a particular scene goes off the scale.

Which scene was your favorite?

The incinerator scene was my favorite, as I could quite literally feel the tension and all that was going on in the scene.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It would be hard to answer this without giving away the plot, but suffice it to say that there were several moments that moved me.

Any additional comments?

The tension in this book, especially near the end, is very strong and quite a bit unnerving. The author slowly pulls you into this book with what might be considered everyday living experiences to put you into "safe mode"...but, then, he pulls you in deeper to a point where you want to scream: no, not that! I cannot give away too much, so as not to spoil the plot, so I'll just say that the book contains human topics...and, not-so-human topics. After reading the book, if you have a medical procedure, I have an idea that you will want to be on the good side of your anesthesiologist...or try to keep one eye open, as you are put to sleep. NOTE TO PARENTS: Due to some scenes (sexual and violent in nature), this is not a book for young children.

Story marred by poor narration

Would you try another book from John Benedict and/or James Babbin?

Only if it has a different narrator

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It was an intriguing, imaginative plot

Would you be willing to try another one of James Babbin’s performances?

Absolutely not. Poor narration is frustrating and irritating. Not something I would want to repeat

Any additional comments?

The narrator constantly allows his voice to fade to low volume. When I had missed a sentence or two, and increased the volume, it would be just in time for him to begin a different character with a booming voice that was uncomfortable to the ear. He has to find another way to show inflection and character type than such great swings in volume.

Good Story - Bad performance

I liked the story but the narration was an emotionless monotone. Hard to listen to.

Convoluted Story

Would you try another book from John Benedict and/or James Babbin?

I really liked the reader, James Babbin, but the story was totally convoluted and improbable. The writer couldn't seem to decide what kind of a story this is.....a story of faith, a story of murder, or a Dan Brown wanna-be. Faith and murder can be joined, but it wasn't done well by this writer.

Fatal Complications

John Benedict will be on one of my must read authors. the book features both action and suspense

Heated heartbreak

What made the experience of listening to Fatal Complications the most enjoyable?

Listening to the story gave me extra time to do household chores that I did with much more enthusiasm than previously expected.

What other book might you compare Fatal Complications to and why?

It could be compared to any love and loss story, but this one has a twist. It tells of the way the mind can bend when emotional stress and despair are inflicted upon the human soul. It is a heart wrenching tale of making a deal with the Devil or to choosing to die rather than living without the desire of your heart. In the end the family unit is spared from any "fatal complications" and the author retired his story on a happy note.

What about James Babbin’s performance did you like?

James didn't rush through the reading and did slow down at appropriate areas to let the listener absorb what Dr. Benedict was saying to his readers.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did break the chapters up a little bit because it would have taken too long to hear the entire story in one day.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to Dr. Benedict's next book. He is a gifted writer and puts a lot of emotion and professional knowledge into his stories. His books are also very thought provoking and could be read on multiple levels, like Animal Farm. It could be read as a simple story, or as a professional read, or as a historical documentary of issues encountered in his career. He certainly puts his heart and soul into his books and he has an uncanny way of taking me on a roller roaster ride.

Good vs Evil

A wonderful spine tingling book involving mystery along with a solid good vs. evil twist.

Mediocre

Somewhat interesting plot though kinda hokey. Annoying male voice but easy to follow. Easy listening

Suffered through.

Surprising twists and turns occasionally. Narration painfully grating. can't believe I finished listening.

Medical drama

Loved this book. Medical stories are my favourite so this book was everything I love. Great story and narrated well.