Book Blurb:
When busy trauma surgeon Dr. Kyle Chandler goes to a medical symposium in London, he agrees to two innocent meetings for his friend Ian Griffin, who runs a private investigation firm. During his time in England, Dr. Chandler stumbles on a mysterious system of illegal smuggling to the United States. How could the smuggling of products in bulk wine carriers have anything to do with the shipping of French antiques? As Kyle continues his investigation, he soon realizes he faces a powerful, complex network involving organized crime. At the same time, escalating threats to him reveal the truth—and the truth nearly costs him his life.
My Review:
Interesting novel with a trauma surgeon becoming involved in all manner of medicine, intrigue, smuggling, and organized crime. (Perhaps a trauma surgeon isn’t as busy as I’d assumed.)
Dr. Kyle Chandler (KC) has quite a network of business associates, former patients, and outside interests. These contacts led him to agreeing to two easy missions while in London to attend a medical symposium. The problem is that while he can easily discern the answers to one (a problem of reproduction of French antiques) the other only leads to further investigation and that becomes a very sticky-wicket.
A bulk wine carrier, a one-time use only bladder of sorts that is easily transported and disseminated into bottles upon destination, was a new one for me though it certainly makes more sense than shipping umpteen glass bottles across the pond. So, it’s easy to figure that someone would be able to use the idea to further one’s own applications.
The doc can’t resist following up and each link leads to another until he finally attracts a bit too much attention. These guys don’t play fair but they do play for keeps. KC also has a love interest with whom he’d like to get to know on a deeper level than the occasional romp in the hay, but their schedules clash a bit. She is also a high-producing professional and I really liked her character.
So, several thoughts: First Book 2 is the first I’ve read in the series. I know Chandler is a widower, but not the whole backstory on him. He has a lot of tentacles out there, which is a good thing as he discovers a lack of interest by the feds in resolving his dispute with the mob leaves him on his own. That may be, or may not, a good thing as it almost gets him killed. He’s going to have to watch his back but has definitely earned some street cred. He and his romantic partner dissolve into calling each other by sarcastic titles which I found rather juvenile. And, I’m having a difficult time believing the mob could be handled in such a manner—scratching my head over some of the dialogue.
However, the narrative was entertaining and engaging. Unfortunately, while I didn’t note that this was an uncorrected digital proof, the copy I received was so rough as to be difficult to read sometimes for stumbling over edit misses. Otherwise, I found the story premise interesting, a bit unusual, and would read another—hopefully with benefit of additional editors.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.
Rosepoint Rating: Three Stars
Book Details:
Genre: Medical Thrillers, Organized Crime Thrillers
Publisher: White Bird Publications, LLC
ASIN: B09LC35T1D
Print Length: 297 pages
Publication Date: February 8, 2022
Source: Publisher and NetGalley
Title Link(s):

The Author: Across a 30-year career in medicine, I accumulated plenty of wild stories and met more than my share of interesting characters. I always thought they might one day make for a good book. Then in 1995, when large insurance companies started muscling their way into the healthcare industry, providing a natural antagonist, I decided to put pen to paper. Or in this case, fingers to a little bitty vintage Dell laptop.
After a year of early-morning writing sessions, and two unsuccessful years of mailing manuscripts to dozens of publishing houses, the book sat on the digital back-burner for almost two decades. Inspiration struck again in the summer of 2019, and I set about revising and re-promoting the work. Through determination, persistence, and the help of my partners at White Bird Publications, I’m proud to be able to present to you Cut to the Chase, a Dr. Kyle Chandler Thriller.
©2022 V Williams