Stress Test by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Book Description:  They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.

Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt's only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he's being charged with murder.

Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can't walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.

Matt's career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he's a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

My Thoughts: Richard Mabry, M.D. is a brand new author for me.  So, I wasn't sure what to expect as I began reading this novel.  One word comes to mind  . . . Thrilling!  As I began this read I was captivated from page 1.  

So, much action takes place in the first few pages that I literally had to close the book and take a deep breath to "catch my thoughts."  The action, the mystery of.it.all and just in the first few pages!

Dr. Matt Newman is a great doctor who decides to leave drain of private practice and begin teaching medicine with the intent of marriage to the lady he is now dating. But on his last call at the hospital he is kidnapped.  But why is he kidnapped? He's being framed for murder!  Every time I thought I had the mystery solved another twist in the mystery.

Matt is kidnapped and can't think of anyway to get free from his captors but the one way he comes up with lands him in ER.  This is where Sandra enters.  

Sandra is a feisty lawyer who runs on the energy of always catching the "bad" guy.  At first, it seems that she and Matt are going to be at odds with each other but then understanding takes place.  Matt's girlfriend, the one he thinks he wants to marry is one of those girls who always looks out for number one.  Liking her is like wanting to cuddle up with a python.

The "why" of Matt's kidnapping is quite the suspenseful read.  All of the characters in this read are well developed and when the reader finds herself not liking one character and rooting for the other means that the author is one great writer!

This is one unusual stress test and one that not only keeps Matt and Sandra on their toes but will keep the reader quickly turning the pages of this fast paced read.

Loved this faith filled, thrilling read!  

*This book was provided for review by BookSneeze*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 9, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401687083
• ISBN-13: 978-1401687083