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A review by andreareadsalot
Blind Eye: The Terrifying True Story of a Doctor Who Got Away with Murder by James B. Stewart
4.0
A wild story about a murderous doctor and the failure of health care organizations to protect their patients. If you like true crime and non-fiction that reads like fiction, this may be a good fit for you!
Concept: 4/5. This book dives into the life of Michael Swango, a doctor from Quincy, IL with a concerning obsession with death, poison, and violence. Swango goes on to kill an estimated 60 patients by poison throughout his medical career. The reader learns about his motivations and what ultimately led to his capture. This story also dives into the flaws of the medical system and how a convicted felon who poisoned his coworkers was able to secure medical positions at so many different hospitals and continue killing unchecked for so many years. Sexism, racism, and the egos of executives all play a role (see complete list of TW below) in this crazy story.
Structure: 4/5. There are 12 chapters and an epilogue with just over 300 pages of content. The book moves chronologically through the killer’s life and includes a detailed description of each stage of life for the killer. A physical copy of the book has a few pages of pictures half way through. The book ends with notes on sources. My biggest flaw was the reliability of the sources. The reader does not know what information came from which source and what is speculation versus fact. It was difficult to distinguish what actually happened and what was assumed to have happened at many points throughout the story.
Pacing: 4/5. A medium paced book. There is a lot of background into the killer’s life which can read slower at times. It moves at a consistent pace throughout. I would not describe any part as fast paced.
Overall Rating: 4/5. This was a solid 4 star read. I probably wouldn’t read it again but it was a crazy story that started in Illinois and moved across the States and oversees.
Mood: crime, dark, death
TW: descriptive murder, death, poison, alcoholism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, racism, sexism, implied sexual situations
Concept: 4/5. This book dives into the life of Michael Swango, a doctor from Quincy, IL with a concerning obsession with death, poison, and violence. Swango goes on to kill an estimated 60 patients by poison throughout his medical career. The reader learns about his motivations and what ultimately led to his capture. This story also dives into the flaws of the medical system and how a convicted felon who poisoned his coworkers was able to secure medical positions at so many different hospitals and continue killing unchecked for so many years. Sexism, racism, and the egos of executives all play a role (see complete list of TW below) in this crazy story.
Structure: 4/5. There are 12 chapters and an epilogue with just over 300 pages of content. The book moves chronologically through the killer’s life and includes a detailed description of each stage of life for the killer. A physical copy of the book has a few pages of pictures half way through. The book ends with notes on sources. My biggest flaw was the reliability of the sources. The reader does not know what information came from which source and what is speculation versus fact. It was difficult to distinguish what actually happened and what was assumed to have happened at many points throughout the story.
Pacing: 4/5. A medium paced book. There is a lot of background into the killer’s life which can read slower at times. It moves at a consistent pace throughout. I would not describe any part as fast paced.
Overall Rating: 4/5. This was a solid 4 star read. I probably wouldn’t read it again but it was a crazy story that started in Illinois and moved across the States and oversees.
Mood: crime, dark, death
TW: descriptive murder, death, poison, alcoholism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, racism, sexism, implied sexual situations