Death Benefit

By: Robin Cook

Narrated by: George Guidall

Robin Cook - New York Times best-selling author and master of the medical thriller - returns with another crackling tale of unchecked greed, medical malfeasance, and startling science.

Pia Grazdani is an exceptional yet aloof medical student working closely with Columbia University Medical Center's premier scientist on cutting-edge research that could revolutionize health care by creating replacement organs for critically ill patients. Thorough her work with the brilliant molecular geneticist Dr. Tobias Rothman, Pia knows she will be given the chance to fulfill her ambition to participate in medical discoveries that can help millions while bringing her a measure of personal peace that might once and for all push aside memories of her difficult and abusive childhood.

But when tragedy strikes in the lab, Pia, with the help of infatuated classmate George Wilson, must investigate the unforeseen calamity in the hospital's supposedly secure biosafety lab.

Meanwhile, two ex-Wall Street whiz kids think they have found another loadstone in the nation's multitrillion-dollar life insurance industry. They race to find ways to control actuarial data and securitize the policies of the aged and infirm to make another killing.

As Pia and George dig deeper into the events at the lab one question remains unanswered: Is someone attempting to manipulate private insurance information to allow investors to benefit from the deaths of others?

©2011 Robin Cook (P)2011 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[A] fascinating tale that never slows down." (Library Journal)

"Cook provides an interesting study of the strange bedfellows the biotech business and the mob might make...." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent book

George Guidall is the BEST narrator I have ever listened to. Excellent story! Enjoyed it very much!

Great Story but this book skipped. A lot.

Loved the story and the narrator but the book kept skipping as the chapters changed. Not really sure how much I missed. it was listening to a scratched record sometimes.

Who’ll Collect this Death Benefit?

If you’re a fan of Robin Cook then you’re most likely a fan of the medical mystery/drama genre. And Death Benefit should thoroughly fill your prescription as it leads along the corridors of a prestigious medical center with fourth-year med students, most of whom have things in common such as sleep deprivation, anxiety about where they’ll do their internship, what specialty to settle on, and whether the mob is after them or not. WAIT!! No, every student gets “mob-aphobia” but you never know what might be lurking behind your dorm room door or just around the next corner in a Robin Cook novel.

Years after original release book is still great

Read the book when it came out. Cook is fantastic. He has real medical knowledge which lends authenticity to his work. Although medicine has changed greatly since the books original release and subsequent Nano .. they still hold up. Only problem I have is the narrator.. he is literally the most monotone, lack luster and just plain boring "audio performer" ? I have heard.. honestly had I of not read the book this narration may caused me to return it. Book content is excellent.. I would recommend you read vs. listen to these two books both preformed by George Guidall.

Exceptional

One of the best medical mysteries I have read! Nonstop suspense until the end. One of Robin Cooks best novels

riveting

couldn't put it down used it when I walked went from 1 mile to up to 3 miles. laundry and dishes became a breeze. even went through my closet and filled my donation bags just to keep listening. highly recommend it

Awesome

Great story. Even a hint of Laurie and Jack (more please!). Wanted to listen straight through.

Chapters cut off

In several places in the book, the story was cut off at the ends of the chapters. This is not the quality I have been used to with audible.

Stick with it. Worth the wait!

Story started pretty slow but gained momentum but will be very interesting to anyone who likes medical thrillers.

Abrupt ending

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Mr. Guidall always differentiates his characters so well that you know who is speaking without the tags. His delivery is relaxed, unaffected, and very intelligible. He is my favorite narrator.

Any additional comments?

The story is very engaging until it ends, very abruptly. It is so bad that it spoils the book.