Review: An intricate, intense medical thriller from a gifted storyteller
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 19, 2012
EMBRYO is the author's first novel though that is hard to believe. Joyce Schneider has scripted an intricate, intense medical thriller. The dialogues between her characters are psychologically rich, intelligent and insightful as relates to emergency and obstetrical medical procedures, medications, ethical issues related to fertility, and signals of ethical misconduct.  Since I am an avid fan of medical thrillers, my expectations for a first novel in this genre were not set as high as they are for more renowned authors. EMBRYO far exceeded my expectations. Joyce Schneider is an author that I now consider to be as gifted a storyteller as Tess Gerritsen, Michael Palmer, Robin Cook and Joshua Spanogle.From page 1 of EMBRYO, I became so immersed in the action and dialogue that it felt as if I were less of a reader and more of a participant in the story itself. The first chapter sets an energetic pace as Maria Moran experiences the first signs of trauma, this while crossing Sixtieth Street in New York City. I found myself shouting out loud for help; clutching my own hands in distress as Maria fell to the street and cried, `Help me!' Chapter 2 introduces the main character, an intern named Jill Raney. Joyce Schneider scripted her well as Jill is intelligent, intuitive and quite spirited, even fearless, often stepping into shouting matches with her academic superiors. Her best friend, Tricia, helps to temper Jill's passion for discovering truth at the risk of committing professional suicide. The introduction of other characters was timely and, as such, their dialogues contributed to the effortless flow of the storyline. A few favorite character adjectives to describe their flavor are charming, fascinating, pompous, arrogant, down-to-earth and narcissistic.A story is not a story without a bit of romance and the author adds a romantic flavor in a way that is zesty and endearing. Joyce Schneider scripts a delightful beginning interchange between Jill and Dr. David Levine, a senior resident. The development of their personal relationship both delights and enhances the quality of the storyline itself.As for `how the tale ends,' suffice it to say that the ending will leave one breathless! Although I did indulge in a bit of guesswork related to which doctor was the unethical one, there were many surprises along the way. The storyline so captured my undivided attention that my focus was on savoring the read itself. I was not ready for EMBRYO to end.