Fiction Pick of the Week: Oxygen

Oxygen by Carol Cassella 2008

Carol Cassella’s first novel “Oxygen “is a mix of medical thriller and relationship novel.

Dr. Marie Heaton, an anesthesiologist, experiences a profound professional and personal crisis when an intellectually disabled girl dies in her care during a routine surgery.The autopsy reveals that the girl had an undiagnosed heart problem that may have led to her death. The girl’s mother launches a lawsuit against the hospital and medical team who operated on her daughter. An audit of the drugs administered during surgeries that Dr. Heaton worked on points out many discrepancies in drugs recorded and administered. The head of the Anesthesiology Department is convinced that Marie is a drug addict. Marie is aware of who the true addict is but is afraid no one will believe her. She is forced to take a leave of absence until the lawsuit is resolved. During this time Marie decides to visit her dad and sister in Houston. Her father, a retired history professor, is losing his sight and is struggling with day to day living. During this difficult period Marie has been helped by her boyfriend, Joe, who is also a doctor at the hospital.
What I liked the most about this novel is the mix of suspense and the realistic characters who are portrayed. You want to keep reading to see what will happen to this very likeable doctor.