Acclaimed author S.J. Rozan has released her latest mystery novel, First Do No Harm, marking the sixteenth installment in the beloved Lydia Chin and Bill Smith series. This new addition continues to explore the complex dynamics of New York City, engaging fans with a gripping plot centered around murder, hospital politics, and a looming nurses’ strike.
Rozan, who began the series with China Trade in 1994, shared her surprise at having reached this milestone. “I knew I wanted to write a series,” she told Mary Calvi during a conversation with Club Calvi. “That implies a number of books. But 16, never did I think I would keep going this long.”
The narrative of First Do No Harm unfolds at the fictional River Valley Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where tensions rise as the hospital faces negotiations to avert a nurses’ strike. The plot thickens when a member of the nurses’ negotiating committee is found murdered just before a significant donation ceremony honoring Dr. Elliott Chin, Lydia’s brother and the Chief of Emergency Medicine.
Rozan drew inspiration for the book from real-life events, specifically a recent nurses’ strike in New York City. “I knew a member of the nurses’ negotiating committee and that’s how I got involved in hospital politics and hospital economics,” she explained.
New York City serves as a vital backdrop for Rozan’s stories, described by her as a “central character” in the series. Lydia Chin, who is rooted in Chinatown and her family, contrasts with Bill Smith, a more traditional private investigator with no familial ties. Rozan stated, “They move through all parts of the city. The city constantly gives story, plot, place, idea, food.”
In her writing process, Rozan often incorporates local eateries into her storytelling. “Lydia Chin and Bill Smith meet the detective for the first time at a Latino restaurant in East Harlem because I had just been there,” she noted. “It has some of the best roast pork in the city. So I thought I would just give them a plug.”
When asked about her favorite culinary spot in New York, Rozan highlighted her penchant for Chinese cuisine, mentioning Szechuan Gourmet 39 on 39th Street as a must-visit.
The challenges Lydia and Bill face in First Do No Harm involve navigating a web of deceit that includes blackmail, theft, and hostility from law enforcement. As they investigate, they discover a hidden section of the hospital basement rife with unauthorized activities. Their quest not only aims to clear an innocent man arrested for the murder but also to expose the darker undercurrents of the hospital environment.
The title of the book, a reference to the medical principle of “First, do no harm,” underscores the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. As Lydia and Bill grapple with the implications of their findings, they are reminded that this principle is far from being upheld at River Valley Hospital.
Rozan’s ability to weave intricate plots with rich character development continues to resonate with readers. With the release of First Do No Harm, fans can expect an engaging narrative filled with suspense, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City.
The book is available in hardcover for $22, and readers can access an excerpt for a glimpse into the gripping story that unfolds within its pages.
S.J. Rozan resides in New York City and remains a prominent figure in the literary world, captivating audiences through her compelling narratives and vivid portrayals of urban life.
