Considered the female version of the master Robin Cook and a must-read, according to Stephen King, Tess Gerritsen, the doctor who left her lab coat to create plots capable of raising blood pressure, releases her latest medical thriller in Brazil: Assisted Living. As usual, Gerritsen exudes authenticity in this story about a doctor dedicated to investigating the causes of a lethal epidemic. In this plot, idealistic Toby Harper sees her careful and calm routine on the night shift at Springer Hospital crumble after a disoriented man disappears from the emergency room. Unable to ignore the case, she begins investigating the patient's home: Brant Hill Clinic—a new concept in treatment and hospitalization for the elderly. To make matters worse, another of her interns is admitted to the hospital with seizures and mental confusion. Toby suspects a toxin or a treatment, and following a trail of mysteries that leads from a pregnant 16-year-old prostitute to his own home, Toby discovers the unthinkable: the epidemic didn't happen spontaneously—someone started it. Described by Publishers Weekly as a chilling medical thriller, whose expertly conceived puzzle pieces only fit together on the last page, Tess Gerritsen once again surprises with the acuity of the technical aspects and the balanced blend of science and criminal investigation—without neglecting the intrigue and mystery. Assisted Living is more than a thrilling thriller. It's a provocative reflection on controversial medical issues that shouldn't be ignored.