This is the seventh in the Sybil Norcroft series. The potential of high office is dangled by the president to the woman who has earned a BS degree in medical biology, an M.D. degree magna cum laude, is a FACS [Fellow of the American College of Surgeons] and a FAANS [Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons], and has earned a PhD in neurological studies. She has been a world-famous television medical consultant, a spy, and is now the DCIA [Director of the Central Intelligence Agency]. But, there is no time to rest on her laurels. She must meet and defeat the monster—the real devil—who would destroy polite civilization, and soon. But first she has to find him, her, or it. This is her greatest adventure yet and might well be her last one.

The 17th century belonged to the Dutch and was an exciting era of commerce, discovery, and conflict—above all else, adventure. This first book of the Dutchman Trilogy is about adventure, triumph, conquest, failure, fighting—pirates, rioters, Christians, and Muslims. It is also about young love that became timeless, bonds of friendship that persisted lifetimes, and a raw exposition of what 17th century life and times were really like.

This is the eighth book in the Sybil series and may prove to be one of the most upsetting. She is a reasonable government official trying to cope with an unreasonable world ruled by narcissistic sociopathic populists. The worst of the bunch is the Prime Minister of the UK--Brexit Style. She becomes embroiled in spy v. spy, navy v. navy, and ally v. ally in the most touchy, confusing , and changeable adventure of her action-packed career. It is exhausting and anxiety provoking for her and for the president who is ill.

Sybil's Public Battle with Beelzebub The Magnificent

“It is really quite simple,” the renowned French Canadian expert on pituitary surgery began his answer. Neurosurgeon defendant Sybil Norcroft, M.D., F.A.C.S., PhD steeled herself to hear the description that could possibly spell the end of her rising career. Even a glance at the imperturbable face of her defense attorney failed to convey any calm to the roiling tempest in the surgeon's brain. Plaintiff's Attorney Paul Bel Geddes was the attack dog who declared a jihad against Dr. Norcroft in the Brendan McNeely malpractice case and hounded her then and afterward to the point of distraction. The case seared Sybil's soul because she had her own doubts about how and why the handsome young scion of the wealthiest family in the city had bled to death on her operating table. Bel Geddes could not let the animosity that was engendered by the McNeely case go, and he relentlessly pursued the famous woman neurosurgeon in a personal crusade. After years of harassment, Sybil Norcroft had had enough, and she applied her brilliant mind and her considerable resources to ending the war declared against her. The war was a classic example of uncivil justice both in and out of the courtroom. How the JEST comes about is worth the reading. The book is full of fun, humor, anger, fear, pathos, intense emotional conflict, and tense and riveting courtroom drama. There is a considerable amount of theater outside the courts as well. You will want to read it in one sitting and to pass it along to your family and friends the next day.

Arthur Koestler, the notable twentieth century playwright said, Nothing is more sad than the death of an illusion." Carl Douglass, neurosurgeon turned author, writes with gripping realism about the point in Garven Wilsonhulme, M.D., F.A.C.S's life when he turns the hopes and aspirations of his family, friends, colleagues, and opponents into illusions. In so doing, he realizes that he has become both The Vulture and The Phoenix in his own life. He scrambles to the heights of fame, prestige, riches, and cruelty. There, he meets a wall of opposition and begins the final great fight of his complicated life and career. What he does will surprise and amaze you. This is the finale of the successful Saga of a Neurosurgeon series."