Keeping You Guessing

Medical Judgment by Richard Mabry is a Christian thriller and I loved it. I always love Richard Mabry’s novels as they keep me guessing to the end. I never can correctly predict the ‘baddie’.

Medical Judgment deals with the theme of loss and grief. Dr Sarah Gordon has suffered a double bereavement. Police chief Bill Larson has been through a divorce. Lawyer Kyle Andrews suffered a bereavement. All of them handle loss differently. Grief makes Sarah angry at both God for failing to prevent the tragedy and husband Harry for dying (before the book opens). In her grief Sarah turned away from God and stopped going to church. “It is important after a loss… to let God back into your life.” Kyle immersed himself in work. And Bill is trying to be good and earn both the respect of his ex wife and God.

This links in with the theme of grace versus good works. Bill cannot ever be ‘good enough’ for God. None of us can. It is not about working your way into heaven. It is all about grace. Jesus has already paid the price for our sins so we don’t have to. It is by grace that we don’t deserve that we have been saved, not by good works.

Forgiveness ties in with grace. “She couldn’t bring herself to forgive God.” Sarah is hurting and lashes out at God. She is angry at being left alone, at her dreams dying. She needs to let God back into her life so He can minister to her hurt. “No matter what we experience, God’s still in control.” Whatever life throws at us, God never leaves us. He walks alongside us in our pain and grief.

Within the novel there is also the theme of survivors guilt. Sarah feels guilty for living. She feels guilty for thinking about moving on. She needs confirmation that it is ok to live and be happy.

Richard Mabry shows the importance of the role of a pastor in people’s lives. Pastor Steve leads his flock well, dispensing advice when asked and giving support when needed.

The novel deals with the topic of alcoholism. “God is always there to help us when that baggage tries to drag us down.” Being a Christian does not make us immune to temptations. When they come, it is important to have godly people around you to support you.

Medical Judgment is a fast paced thriller with more than a hint of menace. Richard Mabry writes the story from several viewpoints, including that of the ‘baddie’. This allows the reader to get into the cold and calculating head. The reader wonders what has happened to drive this person to act in the way they do.

Within the novel there is a wonderful bond between a person and their dog. The loyalty of man’s best friend is unwavering and beautifully written. It is a motif for God Who will never leave us nor forsake us. He is totally loyal to us and we can depend on Him completely.

I absolutely loved Medical Judgment. I loved the characters. I loved the storyline. Richard Mabry puts in just enough medical details for the untrained reader to follow. His plot is well constructed. The reader has questions, all of which are answered in the end.

Thank you Richard Mabry. Please keep writing as I want more, more, more!
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

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