I have not read many recent books by Robin Cook, although I read many of his earlier ones. Charlatans will be welcomed by his devoted fans, but it's likely to disappoint the less devoted crowd. Cook keeps his story moving at a good pace but in the end his formula fails him; the story is weak and the character development weaker. Although Noah is our main character, he often acts in ways that we just can't understand. Ava's character is revealed fairly early in the book although we don't get details until the end. And I found the final details unbelievable. Other doctors are painted stereotypically, as though they are cardboard figures; with the exception of a couple of residents, all the attendings are male. Female nurses and administrative and clerical staff fare even worse. Finally, I think that the title gives too much of the plot twist away. In the end, I found this a dissatisfying read.

Robin Cook or more precisely Dr Robin Cook as he is has almost single handedly brought the medically oriented mystery into the forefront of modern literature. "Charlatans" is his latest book and certainly continues building on his excellent record for coming out with a mesmerizing read and the layman friendly method he has of describing medical problems influencing the story.
Dr Noah Rothauser has just been named Chief Resident of Boston Memorial Hospital and quickly dives into the position taking on making of surgical schedules and delving into deaths occurring during the procedures. Boston Memorial is a teaching hospital and is under the gun more than most hospitals might be due to the need to turn out highly qualified doctors entering practice. An unexpected death during what should have been a routine operation is blamed on an anesthesia error by Dr William Mason the surgeon handling that operation. The real fault is with Mason who tried to handle three concurrent surgeries and did not set up the proper anesthesia procedure due to his divided attention. Mason throws the blame on Dr Ava London who is clearly not at fault since she followed accepted protocol as well as accepting Dr Mason's orders with the underlying rationale that it was incorrect for the patient.
Noah begins an investigation of the death to present to a board of investigation and while doing so meets Ava on a personal basis. The two are described as "two peas in a pod" and find enough mutual interests to quickly begin what develops into a love affair.
Dr Cook's book goes through Noah's problems in a manner as strict as Noah's entire medical history suggest. The ending is a surprise and obviously meant as a stage for Dr Cook in a very cohesive discussion of the changes he foresees in the field of medicine, it's practice, and teaching of new candidates entering a field that is becoming increasingly more and more complex. As all his books have been "Charlatans" is a great read and keeps any reader glued to the pages.

Charlatans by Robin Cook is another one of his psychological medical thrillers. Noah Rothauser is our hero, and the new super Chief resident at Boston Memorial Hospital. Noah is much respected in the hospital, and is also a workaholic who loves his job. Very early on in the story, something drastically goes wrong in the operating room on a simple hernia operation. In desperation, all the top surgeons and anesthesia specialist converge to try to save the person to no avail.

When Noah interviews everyone, it turns out to be the patient’s fault (he ate when he said he didn’t). But Nathan comes across the main surgeon, Dr. Mason, who is an egotiscal top surgeon, and he blames the anesthetist, Dr. London, as well as Noah. However, all the nurses, Dr. London and those involved in early prep work blame Mason for delaying the operation an hour after all the preparation was done.

Noah knows he does not want to face Mason, who has a lot of pull and power in the hospital, which could in the end cost him his job. What follows is an exciting story line, where Noah will find himself working with Ava London to get to the truth, and in doing so; a slow build romance will follow. Noah in time will begin to be concerned after a few more unexplained deaths, and his worry about Ava’s other jobs/hobbies, as well as her disappearances. But all hell breaks loose when Mason comes up with something that will put Noah’s job in jeopardy. Within all this, there is an underlining story that has nothing to do with the hospital deaths, but little pov’s are shown the will reveal itself with a major twist as we race toward the climax. It is very difficult to tell too much more, as anything else would be spoilers.

Robin Cook once again has come up with an exciting thriller that I could not put the book down until I finished it. There are a lot of surprises, and it did change the game. I suggest you read Charlatans.

I have always liked Robin Cok books. I enjoyed the book. I didn't completely see the ending coming, but I had mostly figured it out. This book felt a little more full of impending doom than some of my other favorites, but I would still recommend it.

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