Sweet Amber

He was an alcoholic. He knew it. He did not care.

He lost his family. He lost his reputation. And he was about to lose his medical license.

He had been drinking the night of the governor's surgery. Both before and after the surgery. He had been charged with a DWI that night on the way home.

And the governor had died.

Two questions remained: Who was responsible for that death and what was Dr. Lee W. Hickok going to do about it.

Sweet Amber addresses the problem of alcohol within the medical community - looking at the issue from the perspective of the alcoholic, the medical staff, and the patient. Each part of the triad contributes to the problem. And each has a responsibility to address the problem - or suffer the consequences of their choices.

The author uses a fictional episode at a major hospital in Galveston TX to illustrate the issue from the perspective of mid-1980s medicine. It would seem appropriate to include a final essay addressing the issue in light of 21st century medical care. Alas, the author does not do this, leaving the reader to research and reflect on how the issues are played out in a more modern setting. The book does have a level of suspense and is stomach turning at times. At the same time, we see evidence of God’s grace working in the lives of a broken physician and his friends and family. I give the book four stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

I thought this novel addressed an important issue in the medical field, that of addiction. I liked the first half better than the second. The second half seemed just slapped together.