The Kate Downey Medical Mystery Series: Book 2
Publication Date: January 3, 2023
A device that can save a life is also one that can end it
Kadence, a new type of implanted defibrillator, misfires in a patient visiting University Hospital for a routine medical procedure—causing the heart rhythm problem it’s meant to correct. Dr. Kate Downey, an experienced anesthesiologist, resuscitates the patient, but she grows concerned for a loved one who recently received the same device—her beloved Great-Aunt Irm.
When a second device misfires, Kate turns to Nikki Yarborough, her friend and Aunt Irm’s cardiologist. Though Nikki helps protect Kate’s aunt, she is prevented from alerting other patients by the corporate greed of her department chairman. As the inventor of the device and part owner of MDI, the company he formed to commercialize it, he claims that the device misfires are due to a soon-to-be-corrected software bug. Kate learns his claim is false.
The misfires continue as Christian O’Donnell, a friend and lawyer, comes to town to facilitate the sale of MDI. Kate and Nikki are drawn into a race to find the source of the malfunctions, but threats to Nikki and a mysterious murder complicate their progress. Are the seemingly random shocks misfires, or are they attacks?
A jaw-dropping twist causes her to rethink everything she once thought she knew, but Kate will stop at nothing to protect her aunt and the other patients whose life-saving devices could turn on them at any moment.
Dr. Kate Downey knows a thing or two about medicine in her role as an anesthesiologist. When reports surface that life-saving defibrillators are misfiring, Kate realizes what was thought of as a technological advancement has now become a ticking bomb.
To complicate matters, Kate’s own Aunt Irm has one of the implanted Kadence devices. Author Tammy Euliano delivers the second story featuring Kate in Misfire. Packed with the same intensity as the first book, Fatal Intent, this installment not only explores the medical aspects but also focuses on corporate greed.
Readers get a front row seat as the device developers try to minimize the impact of a potentially deadly device. On the home front, Kate is taking steps to ensure Aunt Irm will be safe. What was originally thought of as a lifesaver that gives readouts via phone proves to be a deadly weapon in the hands of someone seeking revenge.
Christian returns to this installment as an attorney for a company interested in purchasing the Kadence device. He and Kate work together to find out why the devices aren’t working as intended. When Aunt Irm’s cardiologist disappears and the body count increases, Kate and Christian realize there is more to the situation than random device failures.
With Misfire, Euliano cements her place as a top-notch creator of medical thrillers. I’m excited to see what the future holds for the characters.
By day, Tammy Euliano, MD is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Florida where she cares for obstetric patients, teaches medical students and residents, performs research, and invents cool stuff. She’s been honored with numerous teaching awards, more than 100,000 views of her YouTube teaching videos, and was featured in a calendar of women inventors (copies available wherever you buy your out-of-date planners).
By night, she plays games with her family (now remotely), cuddles her dogs, reads, and writes medical thrillers.
Vacations are for exploring our amazing world. She has dragged her family of five to all the major US national parks, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, the Galapagos, the Mediterranean, Europe and New Zealand. Trips are spent soaking up the history and culture while also experiencing nature, often in extreme fashion.
