CHANGE OF HEART
Miner and Mulville Thriller Book 2
In the medical thriller CHANGE OF HEART, Private Investigator Kirk Miner ends up on a heart transplant list as a donor, while working a case with Charlotte Bloom, now on a career path to FBI Cyber Division Special Agent.
The narrative unfolds in present-day New York City, merging elements of crime, mystery, and romance against the backdrop of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The background: The number of heart transplants in has skyrocketed during the past year, due to an unexplained increase in donors, chiefly those who committed suicide by gunshot to the head. The wounds are delivered with precision so that no damage is done to their hearts. All this has occurred after Santo Montepulciano, a known New York mobster, has hacked into several Washington DC hospitals’ medical record systems, or at least so it is suspected.
Bloom’s task is marred and made more urgent by ominous symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias and dizziness, which threaten her life and her FBI career. She has to solve the case while keeping her condition a secret, before succumbing to her illness for lack of needed medical attention.
During her quest, Bloom discovers unsuspected and undesirable facts about her own life and her past, which force her into more impossible choices.
As Kirk and Charlotte delve into the murky depths of this case, they encounter a cast of compelling characters, from the empathetic heart surgeon Dr. Zayne Wilder to the formidable Sicilian mobster Santo Montepulciano. Their journey through a tangled web of secrets, family drama, and forbidden love shatters crime drama clichés, offering a riveting exploration of love’s power and the sacrifices made in its name.
Will cardiac surgeon Zayne McCarthy’s love, and PI Miner’s expert mentoring rescue Bloom from the entangling, nightmarish web choking the very life out of her?
All Praise
“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 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
“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. 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, MD, bestselling 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 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
“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
