Deadly Diversion - Softcover

Monika Everhardt, the head nurse of the intensive care unit at St. Teresa's Hospital, investigates the death of Huey Castle, a small-time crook who died just before he was to tell police who murdered a local gangster twenty years ago. Max, the hospital pathologist tells Monika that Huey's death was "unusual" for a cancer patient, and the St. Louis medical examiner rules the death "suspicious," triggering a police investigation. Huey's nurse is arrested. To vindicate her staff and protect the hospital's reputation, Monika is determined to find out how Huey died. What did he want to tell the police? Monika enlists the help of her friend, BJ, a city police officer. Monika's search is thwarted by missing narcotics, confusing lab results, an uncooperative hospital administration, and an understaffed crew distracted by a unionization attempt. Monika and BJ pursue a mysterious killer with a deadly agenda.

Inspired by the nurses who cared for her dying husband, Eleanor Sullivan began college to study nursing after his death. Although she had five young children (the oldest was 12, the youngest 6 weeks) and little money, it never occurred to her that going to college might be impossible. Overcoming the odds, Eleanor graduated at the top of her class and was elected class president. Thus began her amazing career, first in nursing and now as a mystery author. After earning a doctorate from St. Louis University she went on to become a leader in the nursing profession. Dean of the University of Kansas School of Nursing, president of an international nursing organization, editor of the Journal of Professional Nursing, and author of award-winning books in nursing are just some of her remarkable accomplishments. She has testified before U. S. Senate committees, served on a National Institutes of Health council, presented papers in the U. S., Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, been quoted in the Chicago Tribune, Kansas City Star, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rolling Stone, and named "Who's Who in Health Care" by the Kansas City Business Journal. To her career as a mystery author, Eleanor brings the same commitment and dedication to learning her craft that helped her overcome a devastating personal tragedy to become successful in nursing. Her mystery series, featuring nurse-sleuth Monika Everhardt, captures the reality of nursing in a fast-paced hospital environment. The series debuted in 2002 with TWICE DEAD, continued with DEADLY DIVERSION (2004) and ASSUMED DEAD (2006). Eleanor currently serves on the national Board of Directors for Sisters in Crime. In addition to her literary career, Eleanor is a sought-after speaker about issues in the nursing profession today, including both problems and prospects. In gratitude for the opportunities she has had in nursing, Eleanor contributes a portion of her book sales for nursing scholarships. Her five children grown, Eleanor, an Indianapolis native, lives in St. Louis with her cat, Theodore Baer (aka Teddy Bear) where she is writing the next mystery in the Monika Everhardt series, PLAY DEAD. Visit Eleanor at www.EleanorSullivan.com