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Bad Robot

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BAD ROBOT Nurse Brandt Stevens’s life took a radical turn five years ago when he administered the wrong drug to his ICU patient. Luckily, he discovered the med error quickly and was able to save the patient. Mortified, Brandt decided not to mention his mistake to his coworkers, and to his surprise, he was hailed as a hero for his diagnostic skill. Afterward, he began to consider not just the implications, but the potential. Could this advance his career? Could it impress a certain female coworker? OR scrub nurse Kaycee Blair is gorgeous and knows it. Her tastes run to the finer things in life, and she is not above using her beauty to advance her goals. Though she’s currently dating Brandt, the brilliant ICU nurse whose career is on the upswing, Kaycee finds herself drawn to Dr. Salazar, the hospital’s new robotic heart surgeon. Dr. Dominic Salazar is a man blessed with Mediterranean good looks, supreme confidence, and obvious wealth. He is also a virtuoso with the Michelangelo robotic surgical system. However, due to a prior indiscretion, he was forced to give up his prestigious chairmanship of robotic surgery at Mass General and relocate to Swatara Regional Hospital. Dom is determined to rehabilitate his reputation, repair his marriage, and return to a more suitable academic center. But when he meets Kaycee—someone he knows should be off limits—all bets are off. Anesthesiologist Luke Daulton is back after his harrowing brush with death at the hands of Dr. Katz. A series of unexplainable—and deadly—post-surgical complications eventually entangle Luke in the tumultuous love triangle between Brandt, Kaycee, and Salazar; a triangle rife with sex, jealousy, anger, and revenge—where murder is just a matter of time.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2018

111 people are currently reading
4,517 people want to read

About the author

John Benedict

5Ìýbooks184Ìýfollowers
I work as an anesthesiologist and spend a good part of my life putting other people to sleep for all kinds of surgery. It's very interesting and exciting--I get to interact with and help a lot of people in many different situations. However, the hours are tough (24 hour call shifts) and it can be a bit stressful!

One day it struck me-- people place an extraordinary amount of trust in their anesthesiologist (someone they have often just met minutes beforehand) as they are being wheeled in the OR for surgery. Since I read a lot of thrillers, I couldn't help but wonder--what if that trust is misplaced and their doctor is evil? I decided to write a book exploring this chilling concept. 12 years later, Adrenaline was published. The writing/publishing process was a real eye-opener! I learned the value of perseverance and belief in oneself to overcome obstacles.

I am also a husband and father of 3 sons.

Remember--any fool can put you to sleep--it's the one who wakes you up that's important!

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5 stars
169 (70%)
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41 (17%)
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29 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews492 followers
March 10, 2021
A Fast-packed medical-techno thriller that keeps you locked in!

With correct medical terms and amazing technical aspects this book was a fabulous read! A moral, excellent anesthesiologist, Dr. Luke Daulton,
has recently been through a harrowing experience at the hands of a doctor. RN Brandt Stevens has found himself a little deal that helps him when rage takes over at someone else...And when your are a nurse in the ICU, every move you make is life or death...
There are hook-ups, adultery, surgeons who act like idols, jealousy, rage, and those who rip apart that ' Do No Harm' theory all medical personnel follow....A book that had me hooked on page one and quickly turning pages to find out what happens!!
Profile Image for David Morgan.
897 reviews23 followers
May 25, 2021
A medical thriller written by Dr who puts you there in the room with them.
Brandt Stevens, RN, is good at his job. His gorgeous girlfriend, Kaycee is also a nurse and knows how to use her looks to get what she wants. Luke Daulton is an anesthesiologist who's not afraid of speaking up in the OR when the surgeon does something to endanger a patient. Dr Salazar is a gifted surgeon who's one of the best to operate the Michelangelo robot for technical surgeries but doesn't like being questioned in the OR. When their lives become entangled sparks fly as a love triangle blossoms with jealousy, sex, revenge and murder.
I found this one to be especially thrilling with exceptional writing. The characters are finally crafted and believable. The plot is tightly wound and compelling. If you enjoy medical, techno thrillers then I highly recommend this one. This story is a winner!
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Thank you to the author for the gifted copy to read, review and enjoy.
Profile Image for Wanda.
1,317 reviews32 followers
November 10, 2022
Wow! I'm not at all disappointed this wasn't the sci‑fi thriller I expected. If I'd read the fine print under the title, Bad Robot: A high tech medical thriller, I'd probably have passed on it and that would have been my loss. As it is, all I lost was half a night's sleep since I couldn't put this down until I got to the last page. 4½Ìýstars
Profile Image for kathy bracy.
212 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2019
less of a whodunit, more of a whydunit and what will they do next! Dr benedict is An amazing writer and we'll worth a look.An amazing techno medical thriller, undoubtedly one of the best I have ever read (including robin cook) the characters are so believable also the villain. Luke Dalton is an anaesthetist who is married with a young child. Brandy is a nurse in OR training, but things happen around him with some patients he saved or does he. Dr benedic t is a very accomplished writer drawing on his own experience. More please
Profile Image for Bernie.
42 reviews4 followers
February 17, 2019
This was a good read. As someone who works in the computer security industry, I thought that the topic of security concerns surrounding the surgical robot were timely, as this is a real life concern.

Definitely read this if you like medical thrillers.
15 reviews
November 13, 2018
Wow! What a ride!

Another great thriller by John Benedict! This one really put me on the edge of my seat! Don't miss it!
66 reviews
February 20, 2019
Full of suspense & excitement; a real page-turner. Fast paced that is sure to keep the reader's attention. This book has medical drama and thriller all rolled into one. I loved this book.
Profile Image for karin whitehead.
946 reviews6 followers
March 14, 2019
I love medical thrillers! A bit of a twist here but found it worthy! The characters all were well done, the intrigue non-stop! Gladly will recommend to all my reader friends!
268 reviews2 followers
March 30, 2023
Shocking

Bad things are happening at the hospital with the surgical robot. Luke and Kim are trying to figure why this is happening. A very dangerous situation. Worth the read!
Profile Image for Uma.
203 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2018
A never before kind of an exquisite thriller combining medicine and computer technology!

Second in the series of Luke Daulton adventures, this book is even better than its predecessor! It combines the enthralling field of robotic surgery with the extremely human feelings of ego, meanness, jealousy, lust etc.

Luke Daulton, a totally dedicated anesthesiologist somehow manages to rub one of the foremost exponents of robotic surgery, Dr. Ramon Salazar, the wrong way when he calls on the surgeon to take corrective action quick when the patient is sinking on the operating table! All their OR encounters turn out to be confrontational! Added to this mix are two senior anesthesiologists trying to manipulate other anesthesiologists to toe their own lines, nurses with ulterior motives, a SICU nurse who has his own axes to grind and a whole bunch of unsuspecting patients!

The above combination of endearing and intriguing characters woven with an intricate story line, a fascinating sequence of events all contribute to an edge-of-the-seat narrative that keeps the reader glued to the book until the last page is read!! One needs to read the book to fathom what I am talking about.

Dr. Benedict combines a formidable knowledge of anesthesiology, OR procedures etc with a monumental awareness of computer and electronic technology! The reader can't help but bow to his superior knowledge of the different scientific and medical fields!

Waiting eagerly for your next book, Dr. Benedict!
Profile Image for Jeff Bailey.
AuthorÌý2 books122 followers
November 8, 2023
Medical thrillers have always been a soft spot for me. Especially those written by a medical professional lived the very life that the protagonist is living. The amount of detail added some very vital story color to this thriller and made it a much more enjoyable read,
In Bad Robot, a surgical assist robot seems to do the unexpected by its own initiative. How and why did it act autonomously. Only a medical professional can ferret out the truth and it’s not what one would expect.
Superb, high octane medical thriller from John Benedict M.D., five stars.
Profile Image for Marcus.
763 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2021
Misleading

This was a very interesting book. The title is a little misleading, but it covers murder, rage, sex, infidelity, hospital procedure, and law enforcement (for just a little bit). The author hits all of these areas with enough knowledge and fact based research to keep the reader interested. There also were several plot twist and turns which came out of nowhere to having you say,"Where did that come from".A very good engaging read.
Profile Image for Regina.
352 reviews5 followers
May 1, 2023
Brandt is an ICU nurse who likes nearly killing people so he can then be the hero who saves them. So, yeah, Brandt is a little crazy. He then gets crazy with other people, with whom he works at his hospital. He's trying to become a CRNA and not cutting it, so he has to blame someone for that. He has a gorgeous girlfriend who he drives away and blames the other man, rather than himself or the woman. Luke is an anesthesiologist who works with Brandt and is also one of his CRNA trainers. Luke is the hero: a hard worker who is maligned at work by unfair bosses, a nice coworker who can't help but be wildly attractive to the women, and a dedicated husband and father, even if his wife unfairly (again, really?!) suspects him of fooling around with those women. Oh brother. I'd know this was written by a doctor even if it didn't say so anywhere. Nurses aren't as in love with doctors as doctors seem to think. Women can be faithful in relationships, too. There weren't any great portrayals of women in this book: Kaycee, even in a not so great relationship would not have likely run out of the country to be with Dom for their first real encounter. And Dani being so blatant with Luke even after being told no so many times AND being married? Not so likely either. Does this writer actually know any female nurses? The exception was occasionally Luke's wife, but even her "oh, poor me" attitude got old. Of course you're tired -- your baby is two and they're active, get over yourself. Good for her for being a computer expert who ends up solving the murder. Luke was okay, but it got really annoying how often he was portrayed as the victim. Oh, and the whole thing where we see what Abi is thinking? I would have laughed if I hadn't been rolling my eyes. I wonder if book one with Luke was better and I would have been disappointed by this one bringing the series down. Instead, I was just disappointed. I've been a nurse for 25 years and so many of the hospital/medicine things were too absurd. Too bad, too, because the actual story was okay. Just needed a little more realism, not so much doctors are the heroes. 3 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melissa Ammons.
428 reviews22 followers
February 3, 2021
I received a gifted e-book copy and am providing a review.

This story takes place at Swahara General Hospital. There is just the right mix of characters who help to enhance this story.

Luke Boulton is the primary anesthesiologist in this tale; his wife, Kim; their daughter, Abi. Bad luck seems to follow Luke around these days.

Ramon Salazar, MD, is the premiere robotic cardiac surgeon (at least in his mind). His wife, Gabrielle. Dr. Salazar arrived at Swahara General after his fall from Mass General (where he would prefer to be).

Brandt Stevens, RN, changing his career to CRNA, with a very bad temper. Not to give too much away, but when things go wrong with a patient, Brandt seems to be right there with the solution. Brandt is the know-it-all in this story, the one with all the answers, the one who thinks he is a cut above all the rest, and Kaycee would be a fool to dump him (or so he thinks).

Dani and Kaycee are the two main nurses in this tale of medical whodunit. Dani is the married nurse who has the hots for Dr. Boulton. Kaycee is Brandt’s girlfriend, who is taken in by Dr. Salazar’s expertise, but is really more impressed with his money.

As a medical transcriptionist for more years than I care to count, I absolutely enjoy reading medical thrillers and BAD ROBOT fits the bill. This story also gives us a look into robotic surgery (published 2018). Dr. Benedict’s profession as an anesthesiologist only adds credibility to this story and a lot of realism, making for a really good read, I think.
Profile Image for Pam Washington.
2 reviews
Read
April 9, 2020
I enjoyed Bad Robot. Other medical thrillers that I have read are not as medically knowledgeable as they could be.The fact that Mr. Benedict works in the medical field brings that authentic aspect of anesthesiology, procedures in the OR and other medical awareness to the book. Patients don’t see the other side of surgeries, and how it all works. I never knew the logistics on how robotic surgery works.

The characters are well thought out and have their own story lines as well as how they also come together and work so well together. There always has to be a villain in a book but having more than one makes for a good “I’m not adulting today because I have a book to read and I don’t want to put it down.� Even with the medical jargon, I was able to follow along easily because everything was explained which made the book flow ever so seamlessly.

This book shows an excellent insight into the world of medicine from all perspectives as well as how flawed humans can be. As patients we don’t normally see the jealousy, bad decisions, surgeons with inflated egos etc... who put themselves up there with God which makes for horrible outcomes which could be possibly be avoided. We do get to see those that generally are kind and compassionate and when something doesn’t seem right, try and make things right.

I would recommend this book to any one who wants to read a good medical thriller.

Profile Image for Breanne Christian.
223 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2024
The Michaelangelo Robot is a leading surgical tool that allows the surgeon to sit behind its controls and work it through the motions of the surgery, making it more precise. Dr. Salazar is it's surgeon. Anesthesiologist, Luke Daulton, and Dr. Salazar have had arguments due to Dr. Daulton worrying about the patient's blood pressure during surgery. A love triangle, involving Dr. Salazar is in the mix as well. Then, the Michaelangelo Robot glitches, almost killing the patient. Is Dr. Salazar at fault or is there something more sinister occurring? How does Dr. Daulton relate to all of this? Find out in Bad Robot.
Bad Robot is an interesting and educational medical thriller. It has twists and turns and kept me at the edge of my seat. The only reason why it is not a 5 star read is because of all of the medical terms. Being a medical thriller I expected them, but it became daunting looking for the meanings. Some of the meanings I could figure out through context clues and others my Kindle dictionary found. Some others, however, had no definition to be found. I believe that these were abbreviations for a procedure or medication. I wish it had a sort of reference where medical terms were numbered and when you click on the number (for e-books), it took you to a glossary with the definitions of the terms. Other than that, this is a great book and I did learn all kinds of medical vocabulary from it.
Profile Image for Denise.
2,295 reviews95 followers
February 1, 2023
This is the second in a medical thriller series featuring Dr. Luke Daulton, an anesthesiologist working at Swatara Regional Hospital. This story takes place a couple of years after the events in the first book, and Luke now has a two-year-old daughter.

With the blend of medical and technical details, mad gossip about affairs, and the endless dynamics of hospital politics, there’s a lot happening. There’s the usual mix of bad guys and gals and it’s quickly clear that Brandt Stevens, a nurse in the SICU, is one to keep an eye on. Unfortunately, his girlfriend has a roving eye and has her sights set on the handsome new robotic heart surgeon, Dr. Dominic Salazar. My goodness � what jealousy will do.

I enjoyed this a bit more than the first one though I wasn’t that interested in the computer tech aspects of it as much as the hospital scenes and the medical parts. The love triangle stuff was completely ridiculous as were the endless pages describing how various men felt about women and sex. Ugh.

On to the third installment. Let’s just say that there is indeed a lot of drama within and all these life and death scenarios are a bit far-fetched when they involve the medical personnel and not the patients!
Profile Image for Rose.
3 reviews
July 6, 2020
Wow!

I've read all of Dr Benedict's books and I'm continually impressed. Each book has a similar theme (medical thriller) and even repeat characters (Doug 1&2, Luke 3&4) but the storyline remains fresh. You'll learn more about each character, to the point you feel like a neighbor or friend and while the action bits are fantastic, they're never fantastical, it reads like a we'll documented police report or something!
Bad Robot has less hospital time than previous books but this is where Benedict's style shines! He's just as comfortable at matters of the heart as he is assisting with heart surgery. If you enjoyed Dr Benedict's previous books, this should be next on your list! If this was your first read from Dr Benedict, please go back and read the others!!
805 reviews8 followers
August 5, 2021
I had the chance to read this book for free and grabbed at the opportunity because I love medical thrillers and hadn't read one for a while. I'm so glad I did! John Benedict is a new author to me so I didn't know what to expect. There is quite a lot of medical jargon at the beginning and I thought uh oh I may lose the plot, but it is written in a way that even a non medic like myself could understand and the storyline very quickly pulled me in. Such a compelling read, a real page turner. Read within a day because I couldn't put it down. The tension grows and grows with each chapter and by the end my heart was in my mouth and my nails truely bitten! A great thrilling read. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Dave.
472 reviews
December 11, 2021
Thank you to author John Benedict for this FREE Kindle copy of Bad Robot.

I liked it. Good story, pacing and character set. Nice cover design and nice editing. I think a little less technical talk would appeal to the masses more. I didn't find issue with that, since it makes me "look it up" and learn something new.

I may have misread parts, but I thought I read that Brandt was fired and told to clear his locker and get out, but later he's found in a ICU room? There were other issues of timing in the book that threw me a little, and these could very well be on my end with the 'hit-n-run' reading I'm relegated to right now - I may have missed a day/time shift between chapters. Other than that, I thought this a good read.
331 reviews
June 22, 2021
Bad Robot makes you think a Robot goes crazy. But instead this is a Medical, Murder, Madman, Mystery.
I enjoyed the book from the beginning. Coming from the Medical field I could see each of the events taking place. Brandt an RN with his own kind of madness, rage and ideas of revenge. Luke working as an anesthesiologist thinking to befriend Brandt, not knowing Brandt has ulterior motives.
Patients in the SICU are almost dying, not unusual for after surgery when your RN is a certain male nurse who gets a thrill from the adrenaline when he can have the answer to why they are coding and save their lives. But big egos sometimes slip up and can get you caught.
You will enjoy this book, I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ruth.
370 reviews21 followers
January 13, 2024
As a medical professional, I was very interested in the way the author approached the increasingly robotic instrumentation in our field. The suspense was very good, I first anticipated one line of thought only to discover a different slant to the book. Can't say too much to avoid reveling plot twists but it was a realistic possibility that haunts our everyday lives. When do we fail to realize our safeguards are irrelevant. Do human and technological advances assist in the manner of their use. Are we the creators of another layer of deception. The young doctor was spot on, liked the way he investigated, and the description of life schedules many medical personnel are subject to.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
153 reviews12 followers
April 19, 2019
Received a free copy for honest review.

This was my first book from John Benedict and I can't wait to read more. This medical thriller was action packed and I was riveted until the very end. I really liked the fact that it didn't get too technical in the medical / technology aspect of the story, it was written so the average person will understand it. The characters were well developed and the plot was unique and suspenseful. I recommend this book to all who love a great action packed story.

Loved this book.
Profile Image for Sharon.
278 reviews
June 2, 2019
This is a Must-Read thriller and second in the Dr. Luke Daulton series. While you do not absolutely have to read Fatal Complications, Book 1 in the series, I did find that the story flowed well and reading was enhanced by having the complete backgrounds of the main characters. This book is an engrossing, medical thriller, one that kept me attached to my Kindle long into the night. The high-tech robotics was interesting as well. Dr. Benedict uses his lifetime medical expertise to add a lot of depth to this novel. I highly recommend this book and the series, also!
Profile Image for Joyce.
61 reviews18 followers
March 13, 2021
Who is the Real Heroin?

I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller/ mystery has my mind so psyched up and intrigued with medical advancements, computer expertise, power struggles, jealousy, and sex. Oh what a tangled web we weave, and my mind was constantly trying to figure out the next turn of events. There were true and fake heroins in real life and death situations.

Geeks, nerds, medical personnel, and all lovers of suspense and mystery should indulge their need to read this thriller. You won’t put it down.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
913 reviews
August 17, 2021
You know your reading a good thriller when you say to yourself just one more chapter and end up reading it through the wee hours of the morning to its last page. Bad Robot is exactly that…a suspense-filled, page turner that you just need to keep on reading. It has wonderful characters, both goodies and baddies, and a very believable storyline with unexpected twists and turns. John Benedict has delivered a riveting medical thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat. I am looking forward to reading more novel from this author.
Profile Image for Hannah.
97 reviews4 followers
November 17, 2019
Written by a local from Harrisburg, PA!

A medical thriller that will make you want to stay away from the Hospital for a while! John’s medical descriptions were jarring at first, as a non-medical linguist, but eventually helped set the stage for the adventure to come.

This book is a sequel to “Fatal Complications�. However, you do not need to have read the first to pick up and enjoy this novel.

Enjoyable read!
126 reviews13 followers
November 15, 2021
Fun thriller. Did strain my suspension of disbelief rather. The women are poorly written, as usual just as sex interest, apart from the older women of course. The characters are fairly stock cardboard cutouts, but this was nonetheless an enjoyable thriller, tense in places. The most unrealistic thing perhaps was the villain's oh so rapid descent from cool calculated planning to carpet biting derangement.
Profile Image for Michael Slavin.
AuthorÌý8 books274 followers
April 6, 2024
Good book!
The title of Bad Robot is a little misleading, but still an excellent story. It delves into the dynamics of hospital life with Dr. Luke Daulton, an anesthesiologist and RN Brandt Stevens who is big trouble. Throw in a robot to aide in surgery and a surgeon who thinks he is God and lots of jealously.

Life and death decisions, tangled webs of personal relationships, professional jealousy, and lots of emotional. Secret affairs, toying with patients� lives, this book shows the many of the characters have no boundaries between personal and professional ethics.

Very good book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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