The Shadow Of Death

About the Book

A seemingly accidental death in a Florida nursing home triggers an investigation by Metro-Dade Detective Mike O'Connell. His investigation brings him in close contact with Marty Gold, a 71–year–old stroke patient admitted to the nursing home for short term rehabilitation. Gold, along with other patients in the home, share an uplifting sense of enthusiasm and courage, poignantly set in a backdrop of love, determination and pathos. Through their eyes, the reader views the inner workings of the nursing home environment, along with the fears and vulnerabilities of the elderly and chronically ill patients.

Until a statistical anomaly in the death rate of the nursing home is discovered during an annual State licensure inspection, only the reader is aware that a series of premeditated murders are being methodically executed by a sophisticated and elusive assassin. The thread of the killer's motivation and compulsion is woven throughout the book to form a tapestry of frazzled nerves and mounting anxiety.

As the investigation accelerates, a trap is set to catch the killer, whose identity has been carefully hidden from the reader. Clandestine seductions and religious fanaticism, together with mysterious deaths and several raging fires propel the mystery to its surprising ending.

About the Author

Monroe Mitchel has been a professional health care administrator and consultant for over 35 years. He received numerous honors in his distinguished career, and was editor and lead author of a successful health services administration textbook. He has also lectured extensively on nursing home management to graduate students in various universities.