Best Intentions
A Novel
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
“Best Intentions is that rare novel that grows more gripping and emotionally rich with every turn of the page.” —Carla Buckley
Marti Trailor—social worker on hold, mother of three, wife of a successful obstetrician, daughter of a Congressman—is ready to go back to work. She’s thrilled when the perfect opportunity falls in her lap. The catch? The job is at her husband's hospital and he seems not to share her enthusiasm. Undeterred, she takes the position counseling vulnerable young women as they prepare to give birth.
Marti quickly begins to feel like she is making a difference in the lives of her clients. Soon, though, she finds herself caught up in the dark side of the medical center—with its long hours, overworked doctors and entrenched practices. When she witnesses something she can't unsee, Marti, who has always done her best to keep a low-profile, finds herself thrust under a dangerous spotlight with all of Richmond, Virginia watching.
In her captivating domestic suspense novel Best Intentions, Erika Raskin weaves together high stakes hospital politics, the pressures of family life, and the consequences of trying to do the right thing, particularly in a city with a history as fraught as Richmond's.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Busy mother of three Marti Trailor is excited to revitalize her stalled career as a hospital social worker by becoming a counselor of expectant mothers at the same hospital where her successful ob-gyn husband, Elliot, practices. Elliot is less than thrilled with his wife's new opportunity, particularly after Marti is assigned to Tonya Maines. When Tonya's delivery goes horribly wrong and her infant child dies, Marti is arrested for murder, although she has no idea what she did wrong. Something doesn't appear right to her, or Elliot, both of whom believe someone set Marti up. However, with her suspicions falling on deaf ears, it will be up to Marti to prove her innocence. Can she figure out who has a secret agenda against her, and why? At times, the story line is confusing to follow, and certain plot points tie up a bit too suddenly and neatly. But Marti is a strong character whose voice carries the book, and readers will find Elliot enjoyably unlikable. While superfluous detail occasionally detracts from the story, Raskin's second novel (after Close) is a well-detailed legal drama held together by engrossing depictions of relationship strife, both personal and professional.
Customer Reviews
A page turner
I voluntarily received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Marti Trailor is a stay at home mother of 3 until she is offered a social work job. The only catch, it is at the same hospital that her husband, an obstetrician, works at. As she begins working and dealing with her husband's long hours her marriage begins to fall apart. She soon finds out that her husband is seeing someone else. When one of her clients goes in to give birth and some bad care comes to light and the child dies, Marti is put on trial for murder. This story follows Marti and her Job as a mother, worker, and murder suspect.
This book paints a very real picture of hospitals malpractice and the long hours that hurt doctors and their patients. Marti is a very likable character that is put in a bad light. She is a wonderful person trying to help her client and then due to some fault of others she is put on trial. This book was written very well. It kept me deeply enthralled and it was mysterious. I never knew what was coming with the turn of a page. The characters and the story were very real and relatable. A great read all around.
great Read
Couldn’t put it down. A fast-paced whodunit woven from two timelines.
Highly recommended!