Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Bitter Pill by Richard Mabry

GENRE: Inspirational General Fiction
RELEASE DATE: May 29, 2019
PAGES: 102

THINGS WERE GOING ALONG JUST FINE
UNTIL THE MIRACLE FOULED THEM UP

“Brother” Bob Bannister is content with his life and his itinerant healing ministry, until one night he finds that the woman who walks off the stage under her own power isn’t one of his shills. At that point, doubts begin to intrude on his previously untroubled existence.

Dr. Abby Davis is tired of her family practice and at odds with God. Dealing with critically ill and dying patients has crushed her spirit to the point she’s ready to quit. But she soon realizes that there’s more to healing than ministering to the physical body.

Scott Anderson was the oldest graduate of his seminary class. Then again, most of them hadn’t turned away from a medical practice, hoping to atone for past mistakes (including his wife’s death) by ministering to men’s souls. Now he hopes he hasn’t made a colossal mistake in switching careers.

Each of these individuals becomes linked to the other, and each finds that God has a purpose for them—but, as it often does, the lesson comes with discomfort.

“…I don’t think any of us are prepared for the bitter pill we’re sometimes asked to swallow.”

What a riveting story of three lives connected unexpectedly, each of whom are on the brink of life-changing decisions whether they realize it or not.

While at first glance, Bitter Pill seems different from Mabry’s usual work, it really isn’t – at least not in all the ways that count. Thoughtfully merging faith, suspense, and medicine in a plot that’s difficult to put down involving characters you’ll become emotionally invested in, Bitter Pill is exactly what we expect from this author.

Where it differs is that the suspense (while not absent) takes a bit of a backseat to the faith element this time. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that it gets preachy. Not at all. (And again this is consistent with Mabry’s past reads) The author takes these three main characters on an thoughtful – and at times emotional – journey that causes each to examine the deepest places of their faith and how it holds up when the rubber meets the road. In the process, they meet a God full of grace with a distinct purpose for each of their lives and the patience to wait for them to get on board with the work He’s waiting to do in and through them.

And while I’m not in the exact positions of any of these characters, they are completely relatable nonetheless. I’ve been in situations that caused me to do the same examinations of my faith, and I saw a little of myself in Scott, Abby, and Bob. I bet you do, too. In fact, I’m still pondering the poignancy of this story – what it says about humankind, redemption, faith, hope, grace, and God without ever making me feel like the story has stopped for a sermon. (Ironically enough, since much of it takes place in church settings haha!)

The suspense, while not as much the focus of this book, is nevertheless as well plotted as usual from Dr. Mabry and took some surprising twists and turns along the way. Definitely kept me guessing until the reveal and wasn’t at all what i was expecting.

Bottom Line: Another winner from Dr. Mabry – in fact this might be my favorite of his books so far! I became invested in each of these characters and I so hope he has plans to write a follow-up story so we can catch up on where they go from here. I would happily read a series that focuses on their lives after this novella – and that of the community. Touching and thought-provoking, this is a story you won’t want to miss!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / Love it!

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical mystery with heart.” His novels have garnered critical acclaim and been finalists for ACFW’s Carol Award, both the Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year and Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and the Selah Award. He is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the International Thriller Writers, and Novelists Inc. Bitter Pill is his latest novella.

He and his wife live in north Texas, where he writes, works on being the world’s greatest grandfather, and strives to improve his golf game. You can learn more about him at his website, and via his blog and Facebook page.

Other Books by Dr. Richard Mabry

Richard Mabry is offering a copy of Bitter Pill to one of my readers! (Winner’s choice of ebook or print. Print is available to US addresses only. Ebook is available to international addresses, except where prohibited by law, as long as winner can accept from US Amazon.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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Stay tuned for another chance to enter this giveaway, when Dr. Mabry stops by the blog on Friday!

What about you? What interests you most about this book?