MURDERS AT BRENT INSTITUTE by Dr. Jerry Labriola
Book Review by Jean Peerenboom

Medicine, murder and mayhem have gone together for a long time – at least in the world of fiction. Dr. Jerry Labriola blends all three nicely in his David Brooks series, the latest of which was just released.

MURDERS AT BRENT INSTITUTE is a sequel to the critically acclaimed MURDERS AT HOLLINGS GENERAL. Both feature Dr. David Brooks, who makes house calls for other doctors and investigates murders, and Kathy Dupre as his fiance and a police detective. They make a great team, and Labriola draws on his long career in forensic medicine and pediatrics to make convincing, workable plots.

In this book, the charming Brooks, with his signature bow ties, black belt and attache case nicknamed Friday, looks into the death of a key scientist at Brent Institute of Biotechnology. The list of suspects stretches from South America to Asia and back to Brooks' hometown of Hollings, Conn. Insiders at the institute endure Brooks' scrutiny as well, when the sleuth discovers that politics within the organizations have reached a fever pitch.

Labriola is a master at plotting a complex, yet fast-paced mystery. In this one, a second murder raises the stakes, so Brooks is racing against time to find a killer who may be after him. It's a fast read that also delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas of stem-cell research, cloning, genetic engineering and bioterrorism.

"In this book, I not only wanted a whodunit with respect to literally who did it, but also as to the motive. I tried to keep that under wraps until the very end," Labriola said. "I hope I was successful in making that aspect suspenseful."

At a recent book talk, he was asked, "When you write fiction do you also make up even the facts?" His answer is "No, not at all. In this book, I address adult and embryonic stem cells, DNA and cloning from a scientific standpoint. I have David explain it in non-technical terms in response to a question from Kathy Dupre.

"I feel it is important not only to tell a story and entertain, but also to share some of the knowledge I've garnered over the years. Forensic medicine is really my background."

Labriola was in forensic medicine in the Navy and then went into pediatrics as a civilian. He also served in the Connecticut State Senate and ran for state and federal offices, including the U.S. Senate. He worked with noted forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, director of the Connecticut Institute of Forensic Science. The two collaborated on FAMOUS CRIMES REVISITED, which explored the Kennedy assassination, the Nicole Simpson, JonBenet Ramsey and Sam Sheppard murders, and the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.

Labriola said he has enjoyed fiction writing all his life. "I have short stories scattered all over the house, none with the intention of publishing. It's difficult in tiny, short stories to make them in the mystery genre. I decided when I retired I would write mysteries." He retired from medical practice about five years ago.

"All my short stories take on a mystery bent, and all my readings over the years have been in that area."" Labriola said.

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MURDERS AT BRENT INSTITUTE is available at bookstores, amazon.com and at www.jerrylabriola.com

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Review reprinted with permission from Green Bay Press-Gazette, Green Bay, Wisconsin.