Beat the Reaper

A Novel

Dr. Peter Brown is an intern at Manhattan's worst hospital, with a talent for medicine, a shift from hell, and a past he'd prefer to keep hidden. Whether it's a blocked circumflex artery or a plan to land a massive malpractice suit, he knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men.

Pietro "Bearclaw" Brnwna is a hitman for the mob, with a genius for violence, a well-earned fear of sharks, and an overly close relationship with the Federal Witness Relocation Program. More likely to leave a trail of dead gangsters than a molecule of evidence, he's the last person you want to see in your hospital room.

Nicholas LoBrutto, aka Eddy Squillante, is Dr. Brown's new patient, with three months to live and a very strange idea: that Peter Brown and Pietro Brnwa might-just might-be the same person . . .

Now, with the mob, the government, and death itself descending on the hospital, Peter has to buy time and do whatever it takes to keep his patients, himself, and his last shot at redemption alive. To get through the next eight hours-and somehow beat the reaper.

Spattered in adrenaline-fueled action and bone-saw-sharp dialogue, Beat the Reaper is a debut thriller so utterly original you won't be able to guess what happens next, and so shockingly entertaining you won't be able to put it down.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This mordant and maniacal debut has junkie doctors and negligent nurses galore, which is somewhat brow-raising given that it was penned by a genuine doctor. Robert Petkoff does an excellent job integrating the author's dispassionate asides (figured in the printed book as footnotes) into the main story."—Audible.Com Editor's Pick

"I couldn't wait to slip in the next CD...It's not just this setup that works so wonderfully; it's Bazell's brutal, completely contemporary way of telling his story that is so compelling. Brown is a fully realized, pill-popping, arm-twisting maniac whose back-story is told exuberantly by first-person narrator Robert Petkoff, in a brilliant performance."—Winston Salem Journal

Great first book.

this is my first audiobook and I loved lisrening to it. I will recommend this to my friends.

SMART & EDGY!

This may be one of my favorite books all year. I have read (listened to?) over 50. I can't wait to read (listen?) to whatever this author comes out with next. The story was unexpected, fresh and new. I loved it. New spin on an old topic. I found myself Googling the medical and statistical facts for about the first hour. Then I decided everything panned out and Josh Bazell really did his research. I didn't want it to end. This was a super, fast listen and I was bummed when it ended.

There were a couple of moments in the book that I thought were just blatantly gratuitous sexually. However, if you're a guy, I don't think you'll even notice. :-) As a woman I thought it was overkill, but not a big enough turn off to make me like it any less. Just a personal preference.

I got a tiny bit lost at the end as far as time jumping (is that even a thing?), but ultimately it came together enough to not really matter. I was so pleasantly surprised by how smart and refreshing this book was and I'm super excited. It's actually a book I would consider rereading in the future.

The audio sucked in several spots and please, please, please, leave sound effects OUT of it. They don't work. They are lame and distracting. However, Robert Petkoff did a fantastic judge narrating and I would definitely listen to him again.

Read this!!! If you like Harry Bosch and Jonathan Kellerman you'll absolutely LOVE this book. It's smarter and edgier. I'm so excited to read Josh Bazell's next book. Great job!

I have a weak stomach

and this was a really descriptive book but great. so bloody but super fun and engaging. I can't lie I almost didn't make tho.

Best book/narrator pairing I've ever heard

I love this book! Robert Petkoff's narration totally brings it to life. I got it a few years ago and listen to it when I'm in between new books, like watching a favorite movie over and over. Josh Bazell's sense of humor is my soulmate

Mob Shooter Turned Doctor

Where does Beat the Reaper rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High. probably in my top 10, but it is hard to say. I have picked up a lot of awesome books here on Audible, but this is one of the best recommendations the site has ever made based on my previous purchases.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Peter Brown. He is the protagonist, the most developed character, and a smooth operator. He is pure badass.

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

Yes and I did. It's a short book and I got through most of it on shift at work and finished my last hour at home before I showered and went to the bar.

Any additional comments?

The ONE complaint about this audiobook is about the music occasionally played over the narration. Sometimes it's perfect, like in the shark tank or in the intro, other times it sucks and drowns out Robert Petkoff's voice too much. Other than that, this book is an easy 9.5/10. Pick it up.