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beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Another new to me author. I am actually glad that Angela had to cope with her situation. It brought me closer to her and made me see her as a real person and not just a character in a story. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way with Angela as she did not always come off as confident in her skills and knowledge. Yet, she is able to keep a clear head. I expect that in the next book I will see Angela grow stronger.
If you like a good mystery story with good characters and writing than you should check this book and series out. Plus, the blood and gore count is low. So even cozy mystery readers would enjoy this book. I am so glad that the author survived her own experience with her strokes. Because the author gave these same experiences to Angela, it brought more life to her. I look forward to checking out the next book in this series.
If you like a good mystery story with good characters and writing than you should check this book and series out. Plus, the blood and gore count is low. So even cozy mystery readers would enjoy this book. I am so glad that the author survived her own experience with her strokes. Because the author gave these same experiences to Angela, it brought more life to her. I look forward to checking out the next book in this series.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A medical mystery that was just entertaining. What started as I thought as just a mystery with the main character being a death investigator who shows up on scene to evaluate the person who died and gives an opinion on how they died. She heads to the hospital with extreme headaches and the book takes an interesting turn about the drama that can happen in a hospital.
I was surprised by the book, but it ended up being a happy surprise. I know there is drama in every workplace and what fun to read about extreme politics in the ranks of a hospital. When it comes to hospitals I always think about the patients not those who work and now I may just think about the infighting and crazy that goes behind saving peoples lives!
A medical mystery that was just entertaining. What started as I thought as just a mystery with the main character being a death investigator who shows up on scene to evaluate the person who died and gives an opinion on how they died. She heads to the hospital with extreme headaches and the book takes an interesting turn about the drama that can happen in a hospital.
I was surprised by the book, but it ended up being a happy surprise. I know there is drama in every workplace and what fun to read about extreme politics in the ranks of a hospital. When it comes to hospitals I always think about the patients not those who work and now I may just think about the infighting and crazy that goes behind saving peoples lives!
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good book! I read the first third or so in one sitting and finished it the next day. I definitely stayed up way too late but my kindle said I only had 15 minutes left!
This is a slight departure from the author's cozy series, but she definitely had no problems scoring a hit in my books. I did not realize at the time I started reading it, that it was based on some real life events that happened to the author in regards to the strokes and surgery and such. The story is well written and the killer reveal surprised me because it wasn't someone I was expecting. With Angela's brain not up to par after the surgery, she does lead us down some false paths, but she stays true to her profession as a death investigator and solves the murder despite health issues.
There are a few things that weren't really answered definitively, but my guess is that the surgery and the drugs in Angela's system had her imagining some things.
Probably the only thing I wasn't wild about was Katie's (Angela's best friend and the ME) language when she was mad - several f* bombs though out the book. But it didn't detract much from my enjoyment.
This is a slight departure from the author's cozy series, but she definitely had no problems scoring a hit in my books. I did not realize at the time I started reading it, that it was based on some real life events that happened to the author in regards to the strokes and surgery and such. The story is well written and the killer reveal surprised me because it wasn't someone I was expecting. With Angela's brain not up to par after the surgery, she does lead us down some false paths, but she stays true to her profession as a death investigator and solves the murder despite health issues.
There are a few things that weren't really answered definitively, but my guess is that the surgery and the drugs in Angela's system had her imagining some things.
Probably the only thing I wasn't wild about was Katie's (Angela's best friend and the ME) language when she was mad - several f* bombs though out the book. But it didn't detract much from my enjoyment.
rockchick's review against another edition
3.0
Brain Storm (Death Investigator Angela Richman)
Brain Strom is the first book in the Death Investigator series by Elaine Viets.
The beginning of the book was a bit confusing but after a few chapter you get the feel of the book.
Brain Storm tells the story of Angela Richman who is a death investigator. One day she wakes up in the hospital and finds out she suffered multiple strokes.
The book goes from Angela's struggle to recover and the mystery of people dying and uncovering the murderer.
I enjoyed the pace of the book from that part on.
As important as catching the killer was, I more than that appreciated the lesson learned from the book about hospital stay, checking billings and making sure you pay for services you were given.
I admired Elaine's courage to write a book that incorporated so many real issues she dealt in her personal life.
Brain Strom is the first book in the Death Investigator series by Elaine Viets.
The beginning of the book was a bit confusing but after a few chapter you get the feel of the book.
Brain Storm tells the story of Angela Richman who is a death investigator. One day she wakes up in the hospital and finds out she suffered multiple strokes.
The book goes from Angela's struggle to recover and the mystery of people dying and uncovering the murderer.
I enjoyed the pace of the book from that part on.
As important as catching the killer was, I more than that appreciated the lesson learned from the book about hospital stay, checking billings and making sure you pay for services you were given.
I admired Elaine's courage to write a book that incorporated so many real issues she dealt in her personal life.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
I am a fan of author Elaine Viets’s “Dead-End Job” and “Mystery Shopper” series, so I was eager to read the first book of her new series. This book features Angela Richman as a “death investigator” in a wealthy suburb of St. Louis. Angela must work with an often arrogant, as well as inept, police force while gathering and analyzing evidence at various crime scenes.
The book starts with Angela in the hospital and then goes back 3 ½ months to describe the incidents leading up to Angela’s brush with death. “Brain Storm” tells a more complex, richer story than those in the author’s lighter cozy series, but even with the serious subject matter is still injected with Viets’s trademark humor. I was surprised to learn some of the events in the book are based on the author’s real experiences as a survivor of multiple strokes.
Angela is an interesting character and a great investigator as she fights to get healthy and solve a murder when everyone casts doubt on her observations. Angela is often an unreliable narrator because of her health condition and medications, which keeps the reader guessing about what is real and what isn’t and I liked the suspense that added to the story. The instigation held my interest and I was pleased by the book’s conclusion. I would enjoy reading future books featuring Angela and her friend Katie who is the assistant medical examiner.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Thomas and Mercer. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts with Angela in the hospital and then goes back 3 ½ months to describe the incidents leading up to Angela’s brush with death. “Brain Storm” tells a more complex, richer story than those in the author’s lighter cozy series, but even with the serious subject matter is still injected with Viets’s trademark humor. I was surprised to learn some of the events in the book are based on the author’s real experiences as a survivor of multiple strokes.
Angela is an interesting character and a great investigator as she fights to get healthy and solve a murder when everyone casts doubt on her observations. Angela is often an unreliable narrator because of her health condition and medications, which keeps the reader guessing about what is real and what isn’t and I liked the suspense that added to the story. The instigation held my interest and I was pleased by the book’s conclusion. I would enjoy reading future books featuring Angela and her friend Katie who is the assistant medical examiner.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Thomas and Mercer. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
zzzrevel's review
2.0
Not worth reading for a murder mystery.
There was too much in "rehab" for the protagonist
and not enough of the rest of the story.
The prose was ok, and the dialogue just passable.
There was too much in "rehab" for the protagonist
and not enough of the rest of the story.
The prose was ok, and the dialogue just passable.
anneaustex's review against another edition
2.0
While the subject matter in this book was very appealing I didn't care for the delivery. There seemed to be almost a comedic slant to the story that I didn't care for. It's hard to hear about death, severe illness, hospitals, and urgent medical care delivered tongue-in-cheek. Perhaps I completely missed the intent but I just didn't care for the characters or the author's style.
chymerra's review
2.0
https://easonjolie5.wordpress.com/2016/08/16/book-review-brain-storm-death-investigator-angela-richman-book-1-by-elaine-viets/
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