I have read many of Michael Crichton's books in the past, but missed this one somehow. I decided to rectify that--I do love medical mysteries. As an aside--I also loved the TV series ER which he created.
Back in the 50's-even into the late 50's early 60's abortion was illegal. However at that point in time there were some doctors who would perform the operation. Mostly it was a reaction to all the women who died after going to hacks. Right or wrong they were much safer having the procedure done in a medical office or hospital. Back then the hospitals and probably the doctors listed the abortions as D&Cs. Whether the doctors back then agreed with the procedure or not--they all knew which doctors would. Doctors stick together--their world is insular.
This novel, based in my opinion, in truth-is what could happen if a doctor was accused of performing an abortion back then and how all the other doctors may have reacted. Only a pathologist was bound and determined to get to the truth and exonerate his friend!
The ending will make you gasp at what he ultimately uncovered and who was to blame for the death of this woman.
Michael Crichton added footnotes explaining some if not all of the medical jargon! At the end of this book is his biography and pictures. When Michael Crichton died in 2008 the world lost one of it's greatest writers!
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