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Bitter Medicine

Two Doctors, Two Deaths, and a Small Town's Search for Justice

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Bitter Medicine

Written by: Carlton Smith
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
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About this listen

Two deaths

Port Angeles, Washington, is a small town of pretty houses and smiling people, surrounded by acres of pristine wilderness. Everyone thought it was the perfect place to live . . . until two local doctors made headlines.

Two doctors

On a chilly January night, Dr. Eugene Turner hastened the death of a three-day-old baby boy who had been pronounced brain-dead. Six weeks later, ER physician Dr. Bruce Rowan hacked his wife to death with an axe, then tried to kill himself - claiming he snapped after witnessing Dr. Turner's euthanasia.

A small town rocked by a shocking fatality

What really happened? What drove Dr. Bruce Rowan - a man who was entrusted to heal the sick - to so savagely take the life of his own wife? Acquitted by reason of insanity, Dr. Rowan was committed to a mental institution. And thought the trial is over, some fascinating ethical and legal questions have been raised by its outcome.

Now, best-selling true crime writer Carlton Smith reveals the never-before-told facts and the stunning truth behind two doctors, two deaths, a surprising trial, and the picturesque town standing in the shadow of a ghastly killing.

©2000 Carlton Smith (P)2018 Tantor True Crime Marriage
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A Difficult Read

Speaking as a physician, the events in this exposé are heartbreaking. The death of a 5-day-old baby and a Pediatrician's bizarre, unethical, and ultimately criminal response had me cringing on behalf of my Profession. Another doctor's murder of his wife and attempted suicide had me overwhelmed by a tragedy that could have occurred to a friend from Medical School or a colleague working in the Emergency Room.
True Crime author Carlton Smith isn't ever going to win any writing awards - and his "just-the-facts" approach is annoyingly clinical at times - but I appreciate his commitment to laying out the circumstances and letting his readers/listeners decide. He takes liberal advantage of artistic license (much of the documentary consists of dramatized reconstructions), but I didn't sense any manipulation to swing my opinion.

Reader Patrick Lawlor is solidly professional but betrays his performance somewhat with overenunciation and a touch of monotone. Tantor Audio Inc. cast this project "adequately".

Altogether, 'Bitter Medicine' was a reasonable way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons. This 7.5/10-star recording was a fortuitous find on the 'Plus' menu.. but unlikely to merit a Credit.

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