Dr. Hank Lawson used to work in a busy New York emergency
room but when a donor with big pockets died on his watch,
he was summarily dismissed from his job. Some weeks later,
he is vacationing in the Hamptons and happens to save the
life of a man with even bigger pockets. Because this man
has a name as long as his portfolio is thick, he just goes
by Boris. Boris generously gives his guest house to Hank
and his brother Evan to live in, insists on paying Hank for
his services, and Hank's concierge medical business is born.
One of Hank's regular patients is Eleanor Parker Wentworth.
Although she's a bit of a hypochondriac, she's harmless and
sweet. She's preparing herself (and her estate) for her
granddaughter's wedding, and she invites Hank, Evan, and
Divya (Hank's physician assistant) to a party one evening
to kick off the festivities. Hank meets the bride-to-be,
Nicole, and they have a conversation. Later that night,
he finds her outside, disoriented and confused. He becomes
concerned when she doesn't seem to remember who he is.
The next day, he discusses his concerns with Eleanor and he
finds out that Nicole has a history of drug abuse. However,
Nicole's mother overhears and is adamant that Hank has
nothing to do with Nicole. She knows Hank's past and
doesn't want a doctor who "has killed someone" near her
daughter. But Hank can't shake the feeling that something
is seriously wrong with Nicole.
As the wedding date approaches, Hank tends to other patients
(some new and some who happen to find themselves in his
path), who are colorful and have varying degrees of medical
maladies. Over the course of several days, he begins to see
a disturbing a trend emerge, on that may explain Nicole's
mysterious behavior.
This book was based on the popular USA Network television
show Royal Pains. While I have only seen a few of the
shows, this book was a great compliment to the show. One
definitely does not need to be a loyal or even casual viewer
of the show to enjoy this book. The medical parts of the
book were handled well. As someone with some medical
knowledge, I felt neither pandered to nor do I think someone
with no medical knowledge would feel confused by the jargon
in the book.
The relationship between Hank and Evan is fun, but Divya
steals the spotlight. Her sense of humor is fun and
intelligent, and she keeps the brothers on their toes while
not being a shrew about it. While there was a bit of a
mystery for Hank to solve, it was just as entertaining and
engaging to watch him go from patient to patient in the
meantime. This was a great summer read!
When Dr. Hank Lawson's conscience cost him his distinguished
position in a New York City emergency room, he ended up
losing everything he thought he wanted. Now, as a concierge
doctor to the rich and fabulous in the Hamptons, he's going
to get everything he never knew he needed- if he doesn't
lose his patients.
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