First Do No Harm

By: A. Turk

Narrated by: J. D. Hart

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Recently retired, A. Turk has embarked on a second career, writing fiction inspired by the remarkable stories and events from his personal and legal experiences. This first novel in the series features A. Turk's fictitious alter ego Attorney Benjamin Davis, a young New York transplant seeking to make a name for himself in the Nashville legal community.

After miscalculating the huge risks involved in accepting ten medical malpractice cases at one time, Davis discovers that a hospital and several of its personnel, including doctors, had conspired to provide unnecessary tests and surgeries on innocent patients... for years. With small town physicians pushing all the ethical and legal boundaries, Davis decides he has no alternative but to protect an entire community and quickly finds himself caught up in a high-stakes courtroom drama. Davis could never have anticipated his decision to right a wrong could risk his legal career, marriage, financial security, and personal safety.

©2013 A. Turk LLC (P)2013 A. Turk LLC

ONE OF MY ALL TIME LISTENING FAVORITES

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

First Do No Harm is a book that truly succeeds for an audiophile. Utilizing a cast of many, the audible edition makes you feel that you are not an observer but a character participating in a legal thriller. Within a few minutes, a listener feels like that he or she has known Benjamin Davis, Morty Steine, Laura Patel, and Lars Herman for years. The book is also a much better listen than read. Parts of the courtroom scenes may be tedious in print, but they take on a life of their own when you listen. A reader has to both listen and read both versions of First Do No Harm to gain the true perspective of Benjamin Davis and his ordeal. The literature is the same, but the two works are totally different.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character in First Do No Harm is Morty Steine. Morty is the moral compass and mentor that guides Benjamin Davis. If you took every good trait that a person would want in their lifetime and put it into a crucible, out would pop Morty. I think Morty personifies his creed "Always Do the Right Thing."

Which scene was your favorite?

The contested matter between Benjamin Davis, the IRS, and Bradley Littleton. That scene was a lot of fun to read and to listen to.

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

Laugh or cry is not an appropriate adjective. The book was gripping and kept my attention from start to finish.

Any additional comments?

First Do No Harm is a must read by experienced attorneys or someone who wants to get a first hand glimpse of how the legal system works. It is a fair rendition of the highs and lows of the judicial process.

Very interesting legal story. Awesome Narrator.

Would you consider the audio edition of First Do No Harm to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version. Due to my work, I spend a lot of time in my car. I just simply have more time to listen than read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of First Do No Harm?

Dr. Herman convincing a patient that he was going to save her life with a gall bladder surgery and that he would wave the $50 deductible. That guy really symbolizes a lot of doctors and how they take advantage of patients and their insurance companies.

What about J. D. Hart’s performance did you like?

I found J.D. Hart's performance to be off the chart excellent. He made the story come to life with so many different character voices using, accents, voice pitch and intonation. His voice style is easy on the ear and comforting. He kept me engaged and interested.

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

Yes, I was hooked from the beginning and needed to find out if justice prevailed.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to hearing more from this author A. Turk and his Benjamin Davis Series.

Engrossing

This is Alan Turk’s debut novel. It is to be the first in a series about Benjamin Davis, attorney at law. The author is a retired attorney who draws on his legal experiences and cases to write the series. The book is more about the law than about medicine, in-fact it goes into great detail about legal procedures particularly in the courtroom scenes.

Doctors English and Herman have devised a scheme where Herman tells the patient they need their gallbladder out and sends them to Dr. English who performs the surgery. Along comes Dr. Patel who suspects something is going on when Dr. Herman will not refer a very ill post op patient onto the tertiary hospital. The two physicians arrange to have Dr. Patel fired from the hospital. She obtains an attorney and the pursuit of justice begins.

The book is well written and mostly moves at a brisk pace. The characters could use more development but I assume that will occur in upcoming stories. The book provides an insider view of medical malpractice law. This all makes a nice change from a typical murder mystery legal thriller.

J. D. Hart does an excellent job narrating the story. I was amazed at the wide range of his voice. Hart started out at age 18 on the radio and was an MCA recording artist. When he obtained the job as spokes person for Chevrolet he turned to acting. He has been in 24 films as well as many commercials. He has developed a talent as a voice over artist and for narrating audiobooks. He lives in Nashville as does the author of the book. The book takes place in Nashville.

Superb

I never would have expected a story about a lawsuit to be as enthralling as a detective / murder mystery or adventure novel. I couldn't put it down, the suspense being so great to know how the next cross-examination would unfold, or what diabolical scheme the defense lawyers would try next. An excellent first novel from Mr. Turk. I can't wait to get the next one.

Awful Readers! Marginal story!

Even if the story had been a great one, the narrators would have ruined it. They were stilted and the voices and accents they used for the various characters were just awful! Would not recommend this book!

Great listen

Personal opinion but for a first book I thought it was very good. I listened to the Audible edition. Without knowing the author you could tell he must have been a lawyer. Glad he used editors because too many authors just wing it. There were good lawyers and bad lawyers and doctors. Moved fast enough to keep wanting to listen.

Riveting

The story was well written and the characters clearly defined. Even long court room scenes kept my attention and I was eager to get back to listening when I had to stop for awhile.

The narrator was excellent and having a female artist read female character's lines really enhances the listening experience. One of the best audio presentations I've heard.

very technical approach to the trials

What made the experience of listening to First Do No Harm the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the story, the intensive research and regard to detail and accuracy in the presentation of the legalities. The characters were quite well developed and plot lines clearly delineated. Wanting to see right win out over corporate law practices kept me tuned in to the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Morty Stein because we all want to believe in the altruism of the professional we turn to in need of their expertise. It is refreshing to read about altruism in the practice of the law , when most of us carry a bitter taste towards the motives of lawyers. Morty gives us hope that there are many more like him out there.

Which character – as performed by J. D. Hart – was your favorite?

Sammi

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

No , much too detailed and drawn out for a one sitting book.

Any additional comments?

Yes, I would ask the author to edit out some of the unnecessary and redundant details of the rule of law, as the overly lengthy descriptions just bogged down the story.

Boring

Quit in the middle. Tedious, boring story and not the best reader. Won't read Turk again.

I couldn't get past the terrible narration!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't know if the story is good. I have never heard a book that sounded as though a computer was reading it. I couldn't finish the first chapter.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something read by Beck or Gerard Doyle!

Interesting legal medical drama

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

Definitely the combination of medical and legal content makes a gripping read

What was one of the most memorable moments of First Do No Harm?

Difficult to say as there is a slow build up of momentum

Would you be willing to try another one of J. D. Hart’s performances?

Perhaps

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

Both

Any additional comments?

I found the narrator very irritating. I think he was trying to copy CSI as the narative was delivered in capitals. he calmed down when he was doing characterisation.

Blood sweat and tears in the court roon

The voices were very good. the story clearly exposed the stresses and strains of a complicated medical malpractice case.

Unlistenable

What would have made First Do No Harm better?

Using. one narrator. If several voices had to be used then at least put them in the same room when making the recording

Would you ever listen to anything by A. Turk again?

No

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Too many voices, very poorly spliced together

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No