Double Blind

G. Nigel Leith is a computer engineer and freelance writer in Sudbury.

Dr. Snow, a man recovering from alcoholism, runs the emergency ward at
City Hospital. Recently a rash of HIV-positive patients have been
showing disturbing signs of schizophrenia. Is there a connection?

The premise for this novel is fascinating and the writing is rich in
medical reasoning. From a relatively simple plot, the book flows
smoothly through a number of incidents that are extremely plausible. The
medical “jargon” and technicalities are easily understood by most
readers. The author has wasted no dialogue or unnecessary technical
explanations (as is often the case in books of this kind) and eases the
reader through medical reasoning and prognosis. As a writer, Dawson has
a unique writing style. Occasionally I found his brevity a bit too
tight—sentence structures appeared more “thoughts” at times than
actual phrases. However, the style works well; after the first few
chapters, a solid rhythm is established that doesn’t falter
throughout. Moods and emotions are conveyed to the reader clinically and
deliberately. I found some of these overdone. Dawson backs up an already
established feeling with more dialogue than is needed at times.

I would compare many of Dawson’s writing “tools” with those of
Jerry Pournelle (if anyone, for Dawson’s is indeed a unique style).
This is a solid piece of work that compels the reader to continue with
the story until the end. All questions are sufficiently resolved to
please even the most skeptical reader. A very satisfying read.