The Fragrance Shed By A Violet: Murder in the Medical Center 2nd edition by @LinWilder #mystery #sus
top of page
  • N. N. Light
    • May 1, 2018
    • 4 min read

The Fragrance Shed By A Violet: Murder in the Medical Center 2nd edition by @LinWilder #mystery #sus


Title: The Fragrance Shed By A Violet: Murder in the Medical Center 2nd edition

Author: Lin Wilder

Genre: Medical Mystery

Book Blurb:

Why did a Houston district attorney decide to involve the state in an area of the law that it has historically treated as sacrosanct: that of medical decision-making? Why did the DA decide to charge McCall with murder rather than criminal negligence in a civil court? Author Lin Weeks Wilder continues Dr. Lindsey McCall’s story in the new book, “The Fragrance Shed By A Violet Cover: Murder in The Medical Center”.

In a city where the Texas Medical Center reigns as one of the top employers in Houston, housing over three thousand medical researchers making the news with new pharmaceutical discoveries almost daily, why did twelve Houstonians unanimously decide to convict Dr. McCall for intentional murder following her trial?”

These are the questions that lead investigative reporter Kate Townsend to write a Pulitzer Prize winning series called Murder in the Texas Medical Center. Haunted by the knowledge that her new-found fame has been purchased at too high a price; Kate is sure that McCall is not guilty.

Texas Governor Greg Bell hires former homicide detective and criminal defense attorney Rich Jansen to fix the escalating problems at the Huntsville Prisons recently inflamed by a lawsuit against infamous inmate Dr. Lindsey McCall. Dr. McCall is an internationally acclaimed cardiologist, researcher, and a 2002 nominee for the Nobel Prize for Medicine. When Jansen’s skills quickly result in the resignation of an incompetent prison medical director, he realizes that this strange saga is just beginning.

Mark Twain wrote that forgiveness was the fragrance shed by a violet upon the heel of the boot that has crushed it. This medical mystery weaves together the lives of two sisters, Lindsey, and Paula, with those of strangers as each cope with loss, betrayal, jealousy, and the exquisitely painful journey to forgiveness.

My Review:

I’m a recent fan of medical mysteries, even though it’s been a popular genre for years. In The Fragrance Shed by a Violet, Lin Wilder takes us deep inside medical research and one doctor’s actions that reverberates throughout the community. Dr. Lindsay McCall is tried and convicted for intentional murder. As she sits in jail, guilt and shame her companions in the cell, investigative reporter Kate Townsend is confident Dr. McCall didn’t do it. She investigates and what she uncovers, shakes the medical industry to the core. Can she free Dr. McCall or will greater forces keep her quiet?

But there’s a deeper storyline here, one that surprised me. Forgiveness. Do we have the capacity to forgive ourselves as we forgive others? Whether it’s admitting a costly error in judgement or betraying a loved one, forgiveness is one of life’s ultimate challenges. Dr. McCall must forgive herself but at what cost?

This is more than a simple medical mystery. I’d also include courtroom drama as well as investigative thriller to the genre. Filled with subtle sub-plots and twists I wasn’t expecting, The Fragrance Shed by a Violet is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I loved Dr. McCall as a main character for many reasons but one that sticks out is authentic. Every emotion she experiences, the reader does as well, and that makes for a gripping story. Wilder is a gifted writer, whose knowledge of the medical industry is apparent from the first page. Intricately-woven, she takes the reader deep into the characters and circumstances so the reader is left wondering what he/she would do if that happened to them.

If I had to sum my feelings in four words, I’d say this book is gripping, honest and unexpectedly touching. Highly recommend!

Favorite Character/Quote:

“She almost laughed out loud in the dark at herself—at least the terror of this dream was familiar and lay buried in her past; her real nightmare was no dream, no mere memory. And she could feel the fear uncoil, stretch, and begin to take her over once again. Closing her eyes, she began to pray:

Let nothing dismay thee.

All things pass.

God never changes.

Patience acquires all that is strived for.

She who has God finds that she lacks nothing.

God alone suffices.”

My Rating: 5+ stars

Buy it now:

Author Biography:

Lin Weeks Wilder has published dozens of articles, wrote a textbook, and has written four self-help books. Lin has written three medical thrillers situated in Houston, Texas where Lin worked for over 23 years—The Fragrance Shed by a Violet, the sequel Do You Solemnly Swear? and the third in her series, A Price for Genius. The story of the return to faith, Finding the Narrow Road was an unplanned surprise.

In her free time, Lin Wilder enjoys hiking, listening to beautiful music, gardening and last but certainly not least, reading. Lin is married to a former Marine and psychologist with 25 years of experience counseling ex- combat veterans. They reside in Nevada with their two dogs.

Social Media Links:

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

Tags:

bottom of page