Despite Mr. Blanke's “periphrastic” style I enjoyed the book. You may have to keep a dictionary close at hand and it would be helpful to know something about Jewish customs and phrases. The protagonist was likeable and quirky. The author obviously is well versed in medical practice, hospitals and clinics as his writing about nurses and doctors, treatments and procedures was realistic. (Believe me. I retired after 40 years as a hospital RN in various roles.) The killer was mentally ill and killed people in some very creative ways but was not so over the top that he was annoying. There was even some humor when the killer’s murder plans did not always turn out as he expected. I was sad at the deaths of a few of the characters but realized you can’t have a murder mystery without some people dying. I found the ending to be a bit abrupt but not disconcertingly so. I give the writer a 4 out of 5. I must mention, however; I asked a library patron to read the book and she returned it saying she just couldn’t get into it. I guess Mr. Blanks style is not for everyone.

I received this book as part of LibraryThing’s early reviewer program.

I am supposed to give an honest review of early reviewer books, and honestly, I couldn't finish this one. The humor was good, but was all over the place. I tried, but it just didn't do it for me.

Medical mysteries are not usually my thing, but "Through The Gates of Hell" was on the early reviewer books and looked interesting, I thought I would give it a try. Turned out to be a decently written book with a logical plot. ( )

The plot of this book is intriguing and caught my attention in order for me to enter the giveaway, however upon reading it...you never get a clear path to the mystery. You have a mysterious death and then pages of rambling and then another death and much more rambling. The main character is a plastic surgeon and if he was my doctor, I would be highly concerned by his ADD characteristics. The plot needs to be tighter. As a reader, I don't want to go from one subject to another to another to another back to the original subject. I want suspenseful action when reading a medical mystery not pages of things that have nothing to do with the medical field or mystery. ( )