Read Cristina’s Miner & Mulville Medical Thriller series today! Her first novel, Dissection, will be followed by Change of Heart, which will be released shortly.
Dissection: A Medical Thriller (Bancroft Press)
DC heart surgeon Dr. Steven Leeds is suddenly besieged by a handful of immensely complicated heart attack and stroke cases, all caused by a rare arterial injury—a dissection. And all the victims have first received innocuous-looking cards announcing: “Your heart attack/stroke will arrive within one hour!”
Private detective Kirk Miner and FBI agent Jack Mulville investigate, and they immediately suspect Leeds’ former lover, Dr. Silvana Moretti, a brilliant research scientist who harbors a grudge against all the victims. Then when prominent people in the U.S. government begin to receive these same threatening cards and almost immediately experience these same deadly cardiac emergencies, it falls to the unlikely team of three—the headstrong FBI agent, the gifted private investigator, and the brilliant but conflicted heart surgeon—to find the actual perpetrators and to snuff out a catastrophic plot that only the medically astute can divine.
Praise for Dissection
Praise for Dr. Cristina LePort’s DISSECTION
“High stakes, breathless suspense, and real insider authenticity—a terrific debut.”
—Lee Child, Bestselling Author and 2020 Booker Prize Judge
“With a terrifying premise and riveting medical details, DISSECTION moves at a frantic pace.”
—Tess Gerritsen, New York Times Bestselling Author
“What if catastrophic events such as heart attacks and strokes could be predicted, or caused? What if these events were part of a much larger conspiracy? These questions, and many more, fuel DISSECTION, a fast-paced and well-written medical thriller. Grab a copy and enjoy the ride.”
—D.P. Lyle, MD, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper Thriller Series
“This is a breakthrough novel—suspenseful, fast, and furious. It takes you into the real lived world of a cardiac physician because Dr. LePort has long been one. Don’t start DISSECTION at night—its pace never lets up and you need your sleep.”
—New York Times Bestselling Author Gregory Benford, Author of Timescape
“If you want to go to bed on time every night this week, don’t start reading Cristina LePort’s new thriller, Dissection—which begins with a string of deadly, unusual heart attacks that seem to have no conceivable explanation. LePort, who is not only a novelist but also a cardiologist, does a masterful job of incorporating ultra-clear explanations of medical science to develop a fascinating medical mystery. I was hooked from the beginning of Dissection and by the time I was halfway through I found myself going to bed late and waking up early to see how it would end.”
–Alex Epstein, New York Times Bestselling Author, Amazon Bestselling Author
Dissection is a remarkable novel by Cristina LePort, a cardiologist who combines medical knowledge with a deep understanding of how bad the Iranian dictatorship is and how easily medical terrorism could occur. It is a great read.
–Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House
“Dr LePort creates an exciting and complex story which includes romance, politics and significant medical innovation. As a first class cardiologist and researcher, she brings an extraordinary in-depth knowledge applied to an outstanding novel.”
—John Allison
Retired Chairman and CEO BB&T
Retired President and CEO Cato Institute
“Dissection is a fun and fast-paced medical thriller I gobbled down like candy. Weaving politics, ethics, and morality, it’s a frenzied who-done-it that kept me glued until the end.”
—Jonathan Hoenig, regular contributor and panelist on Fox News Channel’s “Cashin’ In,” “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” and “Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld”
“Dr. LePort’s Dissection has many things in common with Lee Child’s Jack Reacher thrillers. The suspenseful story is interwoven with national political intrigue and international peril, so you feel you must keep reading. Dr. LePort adds authentic medical crises and an insider’s view of hospital responses.”
— Jane Orient, M.D. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons
“After receiving a review copy of Dissection, I decided to look at just a few pages, then read it all later, whenever I got the time. But soon, I found myself halfway through the book, turning pages with real interest. I was hooked. Cristina LePort has done a superb job of producing a suspenseful, ingenious, and well-written thriller, with a fully satisfying conclusion. I can’t wait to read her next one.”
—Leonard Peikoff, Philosopher, Author of Objectivism, the Philosophy of Ayn Rand
“Read Dissection for the clever plot, the urgent pace, the characters of resolute courage. Read it because the subtitle—“a medical & political thriller”—is precisely true, regarding all three words. And read it because you will never forget the fear you feel when you learn the meaning of a “dissection.”
— Shoshana Milgram, scholar-teacher, Virginia Tech
“Great Plot, Fascinating Medical Depth, Riveting Suspense DISSECTION captivated me from the first page to the last. An ingenious, creative plot, well-drawn characters, and wonderfully unrelenting suspense. Kudos to the author. A fabulous first novel!
—Gen LaGreca, Author, Noble Vision
“Dr. LePort surgically weaves romance, national political intrigue, international peril, a constitutional crisis, and an emergency medical catastrophe into a creative thriller whose gripping intensity lasts through the electrifying end.”
—Steven L. Lansman, MD, PhD, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, and Professor of Surgery, New York Medical College
“As a practicing cardiologist for some 45 years, I was attracted to the title of a new book entitled “Dissection” by a new author, Dr. Cristina LePort who happened to also be a well established cardiologist.
Little did I know that I would find myself entrapped in an emotional rollercoaster that was impossible to exit. The emergency room drama, the medical crises, the personality conflicts and the medical politics were all too real as I felt each and every heart attack, and remaining transfixed by the fact that the technology discussed and its deadly application could be possible as a safer and more benign form of it can actually now be used in some cardiac catheterizations labs to treat clogged arteries.
The character development was also a very strong component of this first rate novel as it was easy to relate to characters that were so real that you might think that you’ve met them sometime in the past.
I applaud Dr. LePort for her detailed research, her ability to create a thriller, and her ability to analyze a diversity of personalities displaying both their strengths and weaknesses.
My sincere hope is that her next novel is not far too far away.”
—Robert S. Greenfield MD FACC FAHA FNLA
Associate Prof. Medicine UC-Irvine
“A gripping page-turner fueled by a spine-chilling premise, LePort, a cardiologist with decades of clinical experience, delivers all the high drama of an emergency room heart attack, packed with hyper-realistic details and a cast of unforgettable characters.”
—Jeff Oliver, Author, The Two-Plate Solution
“Dissection sucked me into its whirlwind of intrigue and compelling characters and wouldn’t release me. Bravo, Dr. LePort!”
—Laurel Anne Hill, award-winning author of Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 and The Engine Woman’s Light
“A wild thrill ride from beginning to end. Its original high concept, relentless pace, and lively characters will captivate you right through the very last satisfying page.”
―Kira Peikoff, EIC at Leaps.Org and author of Living Proof, No Time to Die, and Mother Knows Best
“Fill Dr. LePort’s prescription for DISSECTION – then buckle up ‘cause you’re in for a hell of a heart pounder.”
—Harry Newman, Architect
“LePort masterfully leverages her scientific and medical knowledge to create an unforgettable, refreshingly ingenious thriller.”
—Andrea Hernandez-Mendez, George Washington University
“Dr. LePort demonstrates the disastrous potential of cutting-edge technology in the wrong hands. After all, how do you defend yourself against an invisible enemy? Dissection is a truly terrifying tale, featuring a never-before-seen weapon capable of unimaginable consequences.”
—Dr. Jenna Podjasek, author of Particles in the Air
“Take Dr. LePort’s DISSECTION as directed – your heart pounding awaits.”
—Ruby Newman, Fashion designer
“Drawing from her real-life experience as a cardiologist, Dr. LePort has given us a fast-paced, suspenseful, and thoroughly impressive debut thriller that we’re honored to help launch.”
— Terry Sanchez, Programs Specialist, Newport Beach (CA) Public Library
“LePort, a cardiologist, draws on her own experience to bring the medical crises in this debut to life, crafting a frightening plot while skillfully describing surgical processes alongside the political issues that all too often impact medical care … Although the emphasis is on action, LePort expertly crafts the key characters … LePort makes it clear that no technology is as frightening as the darkest parts of the human mind, and readers will be satisfied with the characters’ well-deserved fates as they travel to the nail-biting finish.”
—BookLife (Offshoot of Publishers Weekly)
“Dissection is a terrifying medical thriller that is not only frightening on paper, but truly blood-curdling to think about in a real-world application. It is a tense, tautly written, descriptive, electrifying, and formidable novel that makes you think, and most of all makes you feel every single thing that is happening as it occurs. I read this work like someone thirsting for water after days in the desert sun—voraciously ingesting the pages as quickly as I could to reach the stunning climax and marvelous ending. I cannot recommend Dr. Cristina LePort’s expertly written novel highly enough to all fans of medical and psychological thrillers. It’s a compelling, page-turning, exceptional book that will leave you breathless—both in written word and emotionally. A five out of five stars MUST READ!”
―Reedsy Discovery
“In LePort’s twisty tale of a debut thriller, someone is murdering people by triggering heart attacks and strokes, and an FBI agent and private eye are on the case… LePort’s story is not short on thrills, and it offers many twists and turns certain to keep readers engaged. The author’s prose will be accessible to readers with little medical knowledge, as the characters explain aortic and coronary dissections in ways that feel natural and that provide a basic but clear understanding of what’s happening to the victims. The blending of medical emergencies with political thriller tropes is relatively uncommon… LePort uses her own experience as a cardiovascular specialist to enhance an otherwise engaging actioner.”
―Kirkus Reviews
“Takes Robin Cook-style suspense to a whole new level… Dissection‘s fast pace, believable progression and characters, and attention to detail makes it an outstanding recommendation for libraries seeing patron interest in medical thrillers. This audience will find Dissection a gripping story that proves hard to put down and thought-provoking to the end.”
—Senior Reviewer Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
A Change of Heart (Bancroft Press)
In the bustling heart of New York City, a young medical student’s life is tragically cut short, though her heart continues to beat, holding the promise of life for another. Detective Kirk Miner is called to the scene and quickly uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving organ donations and high-stakes crime. As the investigation unfolds, Miner realizes the case is far more complex and dangerous than it initially seemed.
Enter FBI Agent Jack Mulville, who steps in to supervise Special Agent Charlotte Bloom as they join forces with Miner. Together, they unravel a web of corruption, revealing that Amy Winter’s death is connected to a ruthless organ trafficking ring.
Praise for Change of Heart
“Once again, Cristina LePort pens an excellent thriller, enlivened with vivid medical details and startling twists. She gets better with every novel!”
–TESS GERRITSEN, New York Times Bestselling Author of the spy coast.
“Change of Heart is a fast-paced, dark, and twisty medical thriller that dives into the high-stakes world of transplants, hospital politics, and moral dilemmas. Packed with vivid medical details and unexpected turns, this story will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you’re into stories that keep you guessing and turning pages well past midnight, this one’s for you.”
—Freida McFadden, #1 New York Times Bestselling Thriller Writer
“CHANGE OF HEART is a dark and twisted medical thriller that moves at breakneck speed and will keep you up well past midnight.”
–DP LYLE, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE JAKE LONGLY AND CAIN/HARPER THRILLER SERIES AND CO-CREATOR OF THE OUTLIERS WRITING UNIVERSITY
Dr. Cristina LePort’s Change of Heart: A Miner and Mulville Medical Thriller
An organ transplant chain has some suspiciously weak links. To the rescue: the brilliant, hard-charging professionals who saved the world in Dr. Cristina LePort’s Dissection: A Medical & Political Thriller. This time, the focus is intensely personal: one life at a time. A shocking revelation changes the stakes, escalates the pace, and makes you want to skip ahead. The unexpected ending is just what the doctor ordered.
—Shoshana Milgram, scholar-teacher, Virginia Tech
Another heart-stopping medical thriller from Cardiologist Cristina LePort that brilliantly balances medical, personal, and moral decisions having life and death consequences; the diagnosis: a great story!
—Steven L. Lansman, MD, PhD, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, and Professor of Surgery, New York Medical College
“Dr. Cristina LePort’s new medical suspense thriller, Change of Heart, is a gripping page-turner that rivals Scott Turow’s best legal cliff-hangers. This fast-paced ride cements LePort as a contemporary scribe who packs adrenaline into every chapter.”
—Jonathan Hoenig, Fox News Contributor, and Professional Investor at Capitalistpig.com
“LePort’s talent lies in weaving deep medical knowledge with a pace that will keep you up way past your bedtime. No spoilers here, but her jaw-dropping twists will leave your heart racing.”
–Joshua Spanogle, M.D. best-selling author.
With medical authenticity that adds to this twisty page-turner, LePort has crafted a medical thriller that hooks you from the beginning. It not only explores the terrifying possibilities that cyber-hacking of hospitals might lead to — in this case, the cyber-hacking of one of the most precious systems in healthcare, the heart transplant list — but also tells a tale of found family and reconnecting with the family one might have taken for granted. I was also intrigued by the secondary story question of whether our jobs are worth jeopardizing our health, which resonates especially true for healthcare. With likable characters and satisfying plot twists, CHANGE OF HEART will have you asking yourself, what would you sacrifice for your family, and would it be enough?
—JL Lycette, MD, author of THE ALGORITHM WILL SEE YOU NOW
Medical thriller enthusiasts will find Cristina LePort’s Change of Heart the perfect ticket for a thoroughly absorbing read. Its foundations in the medical world are cemented by the author’s medical degree and familiarity with the world of medicine and its politics.
More than a story of the usual detective work of investigative efforts, however, Change of Heart incorporates elements of romance, ethical issues that challenge the characters in unexpected ways, and cybercriminal encounters. These contribute to character development and action that contrasts nicely with other genre reads, raising the bar for the medical thriller as a whole by cementing character challenges with questions that arise in the course of making life-supporting decisions:
“I have to ask, just to make sure: Did anyone offer you a deal: provide you with a heart to save your life, so long as your wife agreed to end hers?”
These and other ethical questions reflect the very fabric of medical decision-making, influence, and values, offering readers scenarios designed to raise questions about personal objectives and sacrifices made in the name of survival, science, and healthcare concerns.
Having the mystery so thoroughly embedded in background particular to Dr. LePort’s career as a cardiologist lends the entire effort an authenticity not to be found in the usual medical thriller genre.
The action is solid and nonstop, characters are believable and well-drawn, and the supporting underlying moral and ethical quandaries lend excellent tension to the story, which develops many twists and turns readers won’t see coming.
Libraries seeking medical thrillers more than a cut above the usual will find Change of Heart an outstanding exploration of hospital politics, medical challenges, and mystery that lends equally well to book club recommendation and discussion groups.
Blurbs
“Medical thriller enthusiasts will find Cristina LePort’s Change of Heart the perfect ticket for a thoroughly absorbing read. Its foundations in the medical world are cemented by the author’s medical degree and familiarity with the world of medicine and its politics. More than a story of the usual detective work or investigative efforts, however, Change of Heart incorporates elements of romance, ethical issues that challenge the characters in unexpected ways, and cybercriminal encounters. These contribute to character development and action that contrasts nicely with other genre reads, raising the bar for the medical thriller as a whole by cementing character challenges with questions that arise in the course of making life-supporting decisions… Having the mystery so thoroughly embedded in background particular to Dr. LePort’s career as a cardiologist lends the entire effort an authenticity not to be found in the usual medical thriller genre. The action is solid and nonstop, characters are believable and well-drawn, and the supporting underlying moral and ethical quandaries lend excellent tension to the story, which develops many twists and turns readers won’t see coming. Libraries seeking medical thrillers more than a cut above the usual will find Change of Heart an outstanding exploration of hospital politics, medical challenges, and mystery that lends equally well to book club recommendation and discussion groups.”
—Midwest Book Review
“An expertly crafted medical thriller where hearts are stolen—both literally and figuratively. LePort’s Change of Heart delivers a gripping tale filled with unexpected twists that remain grounded in reality. With a fast-paced detective story, complex characters, and a captivating romance, this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The relationship between FBI Agent Charlotte Bloom and heart surgeon Zayne Wilder is a standout, while Private Detective Kirk Miner proves to be a compelling and easy-to-root-for protagonist. A classic murder mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Change of Heart is a visceral and exhilarating journey into the underworld of organ donation and murder, set against the gritty pulse of New York City. LePort’s medical expertise deepens the suspense, weaving intricate details of the heart and its perilous path to donation with relentless investigative thrills. Fans of Patricia Cornwell and Tess Gerritsen will be riveted as former NYPD detective Kirk Miner and FBI rookie Charlotte Bloom navigate dark secrets, unexpected alliances, and a refreshing partner dynamic, making this high-stakes medical drama a must-read for lovers of thought-provoking thrillers. Each twist and revelation sharpens the stakes, keeping readers hooked until the very last page.”
—BookLife-Publishers Weekly
From Netgalley: “This was my first medical thriller/murder mystery and I loved every minute of it. It felt as if I were watching a TV medical show and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.”
—Lisa Velda, Bookstore Employee, The Netherlands
“I love a good suspenseful mystery, and this book delivered. The plot was compelling, keeping me eager to know what happened next. Though I guessed some twists, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. The writing was clear, and the medical information was well-handled, neither overwhelming nor dumbed down. As a healthcare worker, I appreciated the balance. I’d read more from LePort for a fun, easy read.”
—StoryGraph
“The sheer depth of the book’s descriptions made me feel like I was watching a movie on TV. The conversations felt so real. The characters, the locations, the emotions, and even the smells were cleverly depicted. I enjoyed the way the chapters were laid out, jumping from one character’s perspective to another. This not only kept the writing exciting, but I could literally see the camera panning from one character to another as a film director would do. The story itself is very original. The plot made sense even though it was clear the author has medical knowledge. Even a reader with no such knowledge could follow along without a problem. Because so much was going on in this book, I not only remained interested but wanted to read on. There were a number of twists and turns that I hadn’t expected. A really good read (five stars), with a good combination of crime, mystery, and a little teeny bit of romance, CHANGE OF HEART would make an excellent film!”
—Caron Williams, Netgalley Reviewer from the UK
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
In the bustling heart of New York City, a young medical student’s life is tragically cut short, though her heart continues to beat, holding the promise of life for another. Detective Kirk Miner is called to the scene and quickly uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving organ donations and high-stakes crime. As the investigation unfolds, Miner realizes the case is far more complex and dangerous than it initially seemed.
Enter FBI Agent Jack Mulville, who steps in to supervise Special Agent Charlotte Bloom as they join forces with Miner. Together, they unravel a web of corruption, revealing that Amy Winter’s death is connected to a ruthless organ trafficking ring. Amy Winter, a promising pre-med student, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her death triggers an investigation that pulls Miner, Mulville, and Bloom into a labyrinth of deceit and desperation. As they dig deeper, they discover that Amy’s heart is not just a donor’s gift but a coveted prize in a deadly game controlled by criminals willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden.
The quest for justice takes Miner, Mulville, and Bloom through the shadowy underbelly of organ trafficking, revealing the lengths to which people will go to secure life-saving transplants. Amidst the danger, they face moral dilemmas and personal risks, pushing them to their limits as they strive to protect innocent lives and dismantle a powerful criminal network.
“Change of Heart” is a gripping medical thriller that intertwines the intricacies of modern medicine with the relentless pursuit of justice. Cristina LePort, M.D., masterfully combines her medical expertise with edge-of-your-seat storytelling, delivering a novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night. Dr. LePort is an accomplished physician with a passion for weaving medical knowledge into thrilling narratives. Her extensive background in medicine lends authenticity and depth to her stories, making the Miner & Mulville series a unique blend of fact and fiction.
Loved it. Cannot wait to read more from the author. Will recommend to others.
—From NetGalley
Start reading today! Download the first two chapters of Dissection now for free, and you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a free Dissection audio book.