Charlatans

By: Robin Cook

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The explosive new thriller from New York Times best-selling author and master of the medical thriller Robin Cook.

Newly minted chief resident at Boston Memorial Hospital Noah Rothauser is swamped in his new position, from managing the surgical schedules to dealing with the fallouts from patient deaths. Known for its medical advances, the famed teaching hospital has fitted several ORs as "hybrid operating rooms of the future" - an improvement that seems positive until an anesthesia error during a routine procedure results in the death of an otherwise healthy man. Noah suspects Dr. William Mason, an egotistical world-class surgeon, of an error during the operation and of tampering with the patient's record afterward. But Mason is quick to blame anesthesiologist, Dr. Ava London.

When more anesthesia-related deaths start to occur, Noah is forced to question all of the residents on his staff, including Ava, and he quickly realizes there's more to her than what he sees. A social-media junkie, Ava has created multiple alternate personas for herself on the Internet. With his own job and credibility now in jeopardy, Noah must decide which doctor is at fault and who he can believe - before any more lives are lost.

©2017 Robin Cook (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Tantalizing.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Where Cook shines is in illuminating that combination of impersonal professionalism and potential terror haunting every hospital corridor. A return to form for the master of medical malevolence.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Cook has been cranking out best-selling medical thrillers since the mid-1970s, and he long ago worked out a formula that works for his fans. [Charlatans] is no exception, proving once again that there is comfort and entertainment to be found in the familiar.” (Booklist)

Good book!

If you could sum up Charlatans in three words, what would they be?

Classic Robin Cook

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Noah's character: since I am also in the medical profession, I could relate to him the most!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I wasn't crazy about the Narration, it was a little slow and sounded like an older gentleman which didn't match the story line of social media conspiracy! I didn't like when he spoke as the female character, he made them sound like whiny females!

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

Suspenseful medical thriller

Unbelievable - ignore all negative reviews

This was my first Robin Cook book - I decided to take the plunge more because of the reader (one of my favorites - George Guidell) and my MD wife likes these books. The reviews were mostly 4 star but not compelling - I'd passed over this several times but am so glad I came back. Charatans is amazing - great insight into medicine, social media - and a great plot that is unpredictable until the end. An exciting read (listen) - do not miss this one.

Pushes the listener to think outside of the box.

Classic Robin Cook thriller. Always challenging the listener's mind to anticipate what is coming next.

Not Up To Snuff

The premise of the story was good, but I didn't care for the characters much. Usually I like the main person but in this story I just didn't come to care for him. He was a whiner and I didn't like him. Didn't like the ending either, it didn't give me closure. Hope his next book is better.

A very entertaining listen!!

I loved everything about this book. Didn't quite end like I thought it would, but that was great as well!! Enjoy if you listen to it!

Really captivating book

I had a hard time putting it down (or stepping out of my car after arriving home). I highly recommend it

Todays New Norm

So true Charlatans are taking over the world not only in Medical disciplines but political, economic and moral!

Couldn't put it down!

I am always amazed at Dr. Cook's out of the box thinking. Definitely makes you ponder about the future

Great medical novel

I enjoyed this book a lot, although I would not call it Robin Cook's best. It's futuristic element is actually one of the things that brings it down. I suggest a pass until you are desperate to find another medical novel for listening. Then it might be ok.

Could have been five stars

A good book that had the potential to get five stars. Very interesting and suspenseful throughout except the ending left a little to be desired. Seemed somewhat incomplete. Also, they could've skipped the subject matter lecture at the end.