Race for the Dying

A Dr. Thomas Parks Mystery, Book 1

By: Steven F. Havill

Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla

Where there's fraud, there's murder.

A newly minted graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1890, Dr. Thomas Parks heads to the big timber country of Puget Sound to practice trauma medicine. An hour after stepping off the boat, he's nearly crushed to death by a less-than-sure-footed mule and finds himself a patient rather than a physician. As he convalesces, he discovers that his host, a venerable physician friend of his father's, is running an elaborate medical scam, selling worthless concoctions nationwide, with enormous sales.

Besides doing his best to treat patients while he himself hobbles about with one functioning eye, one hand, and one leg, Dr. Thomas must decide whether to expose the old family friend. Things become even more complicated when his host's daughter, Alvi, falls in love with Thomas, for exposing the scam that would destroy her father.

©2014 Steven F. Havill (P)2014 Blackstone Audio

Loved it and am buying the next in the series now!

Had this one in my library for a while and started listening the other day and for about 10 minutes, wasn't sure, but then...I was hooked. Clever and interesting and intriguing. I hope the next ones in the series are as good and from others' reviews, it looks like they are!

Good Story, Energetically Told

What does Chris Andrew Ciulla bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Chris Andrew Ciulla brings life to these characters vividly and energetically. I enjoyed his performance, he has a fresh, youthful sound, which was just right for the main character, Dr. Parks. He does a fine job of distinguishing between the many characters and keeping their voices consistent, as well as making the female characters sound believable. He handles the 1890s idiom perfectly. After getting used to his rhythm I saw it all in my mind's eye--which is exactly what I want from an audiobook.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Saw 101: Snake Oil

Any additional comments?

The book was compelling and interesting. I was immersed in the story after the first few chapters, and I cared about what happened to the characters. I would have liked a little more sense of place, as I lived 30 years in the Pac NW, and I only got a little bit of description--but that's a matter of personal taste.

Great beginnings!

What made the experience of listening to Race for the Dying the most enjoyable?

Understated action and a brash young Doc moving into the 20th century - what's not to like? Am looking forward to next in series. This is my kind of book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Pure pleasure.

Dr. Thomas Parks is the Voice of Reason!

If you could sum up Race for the Dying in three words, what would they be?

Poignant. Interesting. Historical.

What did you like best about this story?

The images in my mind of the town in the NW where it took place. Love stories like that. And the narrator really did a good job with the era and the location. Good vocal choices and variety.

What does Chris Andrew Ciulla bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The slew of characters that you would see in this story from the turn of the century really came to life. I would have had thoughts of their voices, but these were so much more vivid. I'm looking forward to the next one he narrates in this series!

Too Awful For Words

My title says it all. I listened for two hours and decided I didn't need to keep on going, I had invested enough time. To date, the reader is the worst of the poor readers on Audible that I have heard. I'm happy to say that the great & very good readers far out number the bad ones.