The Deadly Dinner Party

Some think that the work of a physician is like that of a scientist--based on careful observation leading to a hypothesis that is then tested to determine its veracity. The job of an emergency room physician, however, is more like that of a detective than a scientist. As an ER physician, Edlow (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) does a lot of sleuthing: working back from symptom clues to determine a diagnosis. He exemplifies this methodology in the form of medical mystery thrillers in this new collection of 15 true stories. It reminds readers that many known clinical entities started out as a vague class of symptoms; an example is Lyme disease, which Edlow has also written about (in Bull‘s-Eye: Unraveling the Medical Mystery of Lyme Disease, CH, Jan‘04, 41-2836). The genre of the medical detective story was established through the prolific work of Berton Roueche, to whom Edlow pays homage. It is presently found in television form in the popular series House. Edlow presents cases of mass food poisoning, lung cancer, hyperthyroidism, and more, under fun titles (e.g., "The Case of the Overly Hot Honeymoon") and in an engaging narrative full of twists and turns. It is an entertaining read. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and general readers. M.M. Gillis University of Nevada School of Medicine.