Trigger warning for Suicide, drug use, PTSD & heavy veteran talk. When Marine finds herself in the middle of a investigation again she uses her own experience to help someone else cope. Louise and Marnie are back together again. This time working in a VA (Veteran Affairs clinic) learning some new processes and creating new programs. However day one in the clinic and Marine finds herself in the middle of a suicide from a past patient of the clinic. However things are not adding up. Will she uncover more and help the widow come to terms with losing her spouse? Will they uncover more within the clinic. This was a hard to put down mystery just like book 1 was. You will want to read book 1 first as a fill in for information on the background to some characters.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Devon N Pulliamhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDevon N Pulliam2024-04-30 19:52:212024-05-14 15:11:14Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Devon Pulliam
This is book two of the series. I did not read book one, and I do feel some parts were missed. Trigger warnings are PTSD, suicide, addiction and trauma. This book shows you a great look behind the scenes of the VA hospital and what happens when a young veteran is found with an apparent gun shot wound to the head in a parking garage. Was it truly a suicide or is something more sinister going on?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Mitchellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Mitchell2024-04-30 18:21:322024-05-14 15:09:24Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Dawn Mitchell
Another fantastic thriller from this great pair of authors! Marnie and Louise are back along with their families and another medical mystery has manifested in their lives. Once again they are on the case and fighting to find the truth as well as fighting for their lives! Whilst this is a separate mystery, I would recommended reading the series in order as some spoilers are included. Looking forward to more from these amateur detectives!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Gillianhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngGillian2024-04-28 03:22:532024-05-14 14:56:04Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Gillian Fawell
This is the second book of the series. I recommend reading the first book first. This book was great! Marnie is working on a trial to help veterans with PTSD. There is one veteran took his life or did he? As the victims wife starts questioning everything so does Marnie. Is she able to figure out what really happened? Cannot wait to read more.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amelia Stansellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmelia Stansell2024-04-27 18:03:132024-05-14 14:59:55Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Amelia Stansell
Another well written novel by these authors! Again, I found myself struggling when new characters were introduced and the plot dragged out a tad. However, the endings in this series are always worth it.
This series is great for those in the medical profession that want a novel they can read without cringing at the inaccuracies of the medical field. It is also perfect for mystery lovers! These authors should write a nonfiction novel about themselves because I am sure they have some stories to tell. I cannot wait to read more from these authors because it is obvious they put their heart and sole into these books.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Allyson Whttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAllyson W2024-04-26 08:56:522024-05-14 14:50:23Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Allyson Ware
When I started reading this book, I wasn’t expecting it to be as gripping as it found it. I was pulled into the story straight away and could not put the book down until I had finished. I loved getting caught up in all the twist and turns and I could not have predicted how this book would turn out. This is the first time I have read a book by these authors and their collaboration has to be one of my favourites. The way their writing styles combined felt effortless and I found it to be engaging and exciting. This is a brilliant story and I will definitely be going back to read the first.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2024-04-25 15:45:232024-05-14 14:46:11Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Kerry Baker
This is the second book in the series. I was drawn into the plot in the first chapter. This medical thriller is right on target about the PTSD and traumatic brain injuries our veterans face. The characters were flushed out well and made the reader invested from the beginning!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Brandy Vaughnhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBrandy Vaughn2024-04-25 10:43:572024-05-14 14:45:25Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Brandy Vaughn
Marnie works at a clinic for veterans with PTSD. She is running a trial to help with PTSD. Her first day she discovers a suicide victim or was it suicide…. The book follows Marnie and her friends and coworkers who all have experience with veterans who have become drug users and/or have PTSD. Police believe the suicide case is as it appears and close the case. The victims wife questions this and backs up her thoughts to the point Marnie starts questioning the suicide as well.
It’s a well written mystery that keeps you guessing. The characters have all experienced tramas and work with trama victims so seeing how each deals with their trama is interesting. It goes back and forth between the characters so the reader can see what is happening when the main character Marnie isn’t around and so they can get the perspective of someone else about situations.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rose McCaskeyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRose McCaskey2024-04-23 10:24:482024-05-14 14:40:33Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Rose McCaskey
Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD. This is such a good 2nd book in the Finnerty and Liccione Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading them in order to get a better understanding of the characters. This is a very good book on a very serious subject, our veterans and the lack of health/mental care they receive. After one of the vets completes suicide, his wife just refuses to believe he would do that. After digging into the matter two doctors look into the very violent death of this solider and what they discover is heartbreaking. There is prescription scam that is so ugly involving a very bad drug that finds very important people trying to keep this under wraps. The Dr’s themselves may be in danger. Such a tragic and sad story about the very people who risk their lives for our country. They certainly deserve better. Will the soldiers family find peace with the news the Doctors uncover?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2024-04-22 19:03:132024-05-14 14:30:42Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Tausha Treadway
I absolutely could not put this book down once I started it! It is an extremely well written medical crime drama that hooks you immediately and keeps you reading until the very last page. I did not originally realize it was the second book in the series, so I will be going back and reading book 1 to get more background on the characters and see more details from the first mystery. I thought that they did an excellent job in exploring the mental health system in conjunction with our Veterans and the complex issues they are facing daily. They created memorable characters that are relatable, these are people you feel like you could meet in your daily life. They definitely delve into the medical side of things, but not detailed that if you were not a medical staff you couldn’t follow or understand. The authors did a great job of creating a story that is complex and dealing with so many pieces, death, mental illness, drug abuse, Veterans, and cover ups along the way. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written crime novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat as Finnerty and Liccione methodically make their way through the case.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2024-04-21 20:36:442024-05-14 14:34:52Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I really enjoyed this book and the plot surrounding real relatable people and situations, such as our struggling vets, the medical personnel who are focused on helping them through their many struggles after serving our country, the stigma behind admitting you need mental health assist, the struggle medical professionals often face when trying to reduce the amount of suicides of our beloved vets and the impact this has on everyone, including the professionals themselves.
From the very beginning, I found myself intrigued and invested in this story. The characters are relatable and created beautifully. The real life struggles within the book like PTSD and drug addiction also made this more believable. The mysterious plot had me questioning everyone involved and the twist at the end left me shocked.
Overall I found this book quite. Impelling and although some might find some of these topics disturbing, the real life aspect could also create an eye opening experience for others.
Although this is a work of fiction, you can clearly see that both authors did their homework and/or used real life medical experience and expertise when creating this mystery. I highly recommend reading this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Darlahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDarla2024-04-21 08:45:432024-05-14 14:32:27Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Darla Yocom
Breaking Apart is the second instalment in the Finnerty and Liccione Mystery series by Wanda J. Venters & Mary Rae. It is another engaging medical mystery, woven with crime and investigation, whodunnit tension, PTSD, danger, agendas, sinister forces, complexity, twists, intensity, suspense, secrets, lies, multi-layered plot, emotion, a deadly drug, a prescription drug diversion scheme/drug ring, threats, time factor, and a tense search for answers. The violent death of a young veteran has Dr. Marne Liccione & Dr. Louise Finnerty on a dangerous quest for answers. There seems to quite a bit more to the case than first meets the eye, and they will be shocked to discover where their investigation leads. With sinister forces at work, will these two be up to the challenge? What happens make for a gripping read. Looking forward to seeing what Book #3 has in store for Finnerty and Liccione (and us, the readers). Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2024-04-20 08:33:272024-05-14 14:24:12Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series Book #2) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Angela Hayes
This book is about an important topic- our military veterans, and some of the issues they deal with. The attention to medical detail by the authors is wonderful. It is informative enough without being too heavy on the medical jargon. The characters in this book navigate through some of life’s difficulties with the help of therapy and supportive relationships. Some secrets are kept, and others are revealed.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Alison Risherhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAlison Risher2024-04-17 16:11:222024-05-14 14:14:17Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Alison Risher
Another wonderful thriller, with some romance, and an investigation. Did all of these veterans really commit suicide or was it really murder? Drs. Finnerty and Liccione are determined to find out what is really going on in the VA hospital. What they find is shocking, and they are determined to put a stop to it. A great story with wonderful returning characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kimberlyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKimberly2024-04-16 17:33:032024-05-14 14:15:22Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Kimberly Filer
I highly enjoyed Breaking Apart and cannot say enough good things about it! I accidentally read this book before the first book in the series, Break Bone Fever, but I was able to follow the story with no problem. The pacing and suspense were perfect. The characters are all fleshed out with backstories and felt real. I like that day-to-day occurrences were added to the narratives such as baseball games, hiking, running, and the 4th of July. The multiple points of view kept me guessing until the end what really happened with Josh’s death. It also touched on multiple difficult topics such as PTSD, suicide, and drug addiction. At the end of the book, I felt sad and hopeful yet that is life. I cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series since there is a nice little cliff hanger at the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Callie Lunahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCallie Luna2024-04-16 12:28:592024-05-14 14:12:28Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Callie Luna
Breaking Apart is the second book by Rae and Venters in the Finnerty and Liccione series, which I read pretty quickly following Break Bone, the first. The benefit in doing so was having the characters fresh in my mind, however, truth be told, this could very easily be read independently without having to have read in order. There is mention of the first book and the character trauma/PTSD that overlaps because of the incidents in Break Bone, however ultimately Breaking Apart does not rely on those developments to carry the story forward. Breaking Apart touches on many themes of medical mismanagement, Veterans and medications, and is well written to the point of plausibility. It was easy to connect to the different characters and their personal struggles throughout the story, and while I found myself considering whodunit, there were still a few surprises along the way. An entertaining read for sure!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Sharonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngSharon2024-04-15 20:07:442024-05-14 14:09:54Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Sharon Funkhouser
The first book in this series was incredible, but this second installment left me absolutely reeling! It was an emotional rollercoaster and threw in unexpected twists and turns. This one is also fast paced which left me forgetting about sleep completely because I needed to know what happened next. It does not start off slow by any means, and by the first few pages you will be absolutely enthralled. I truly appreciate that it highlights PTSD as I don’t feel like it is talked about enough, and these authors captured the heartbreaking points that some experience. There are some steamy romance scenes woven in as well, and the entire story flows flawlessly. Both of these authors are definitely on the top of my list of books to pick up, so I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shannen Kernhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShannen Kern2024-04-15 19:07:202024-05-14 14:07:08Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Shannen Kern
This is the second book of the Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series. However it is the first one I have read. There are parts of the story that I’m confused with because I haven’t read the first book. Overall the book was amazing. There is some trigging moments especially for those who have harmed themselves in the past. I do not recommend reading this book if you have ever felt that way. It was very eye opening for me how others view the world when they are in a vulnerable place. While it a fiction book the knowledge is real. I did enjoy reading the story and I’m glad that figured out the incident and helped someone who was struggling with a loss.
This is the second book of the Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series. However it is the first one I have read. There are parts of the story that I’m confused with because I haven’t read the first book. Overall the book was amazing. There is some trigging moments especially for those who have harmed themselves in the past. I do not recommend reading this book if you have ever felt that way. It was very eye opening for me how others view the world when they are in a vulnerable place. While it a fiction book the knowledge is real. I did enjoy reading the story and I’m glad that figured out the incident and helped someone who was struggling with a loss.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kirsten Berkebilehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKirsten Berkebile2024-04-15 19:01:322024-05-14 14:07:02Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Kirsten Berkebile
4.5 stars Breaking Apart is the second engaging book of the Finnerty and Liccione Mystery series which I discovered when I was halfway through so I will have to go back and read the first book in the series. What a formidable writing team this duo is. This expertly crafted medical thriller had me on the edge of my seat as I navigated the emotions, the ups and downs the frustrations, the struggles, the pain, the lives of military men and women centred around a VA medical centre. Having PTSD myself it was easy to relate to. The characters are complex, real and raw and well written. The plot is a complex weave of threads making the mystery as interesting as it is intriguing with some action thrown in as well as we race against time to solve a murder. Or is it? I was unable to put it down and it stayed with me long after I had finished it. I absolutely look forward to reading more from this talented duo.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2024-04-15 16:07:082024-05-14 14:05:37Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD – Review by Jenni Bishop
BOOKBUB – Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD
The violent death of Josh Baker, a young veteran and patient at the Front Range VA Behavioral Health Clinic, thrusts Marnie Liccione, M.D. and Louise Finnerty, M.D. into a fast-paced murder mystery set within America’s largest health care system. Is Josh another victim of the suicide epidemic or something more sinister?
Questions from Josh’s widow, who feels that her world is breaking apart after his death, convince Marnie and Louise there’s more to the story. In their search for answers, they uncover a prescription drug diversion scheme masterminded by those who may be also involved in the illegal sale of krokodil, a deadly and disfiguring opiate.
As they move closer to the truth of the circumstances surrounding Josh’s death, sinister forces will threaten their lives. Will they find the answers they need to give his widow solace?
A native of Oklahoma City, Wanda Venters, M.D. attended Yale for her undergraduate studies and returned to Oklahoma City for her medical degree. She completed her pediatric residency in San Antonio with the US Army. Retiring from her pediatric practice after three decades, she began her second career as a writer in 2019.
She lives in Colorado with her husband, two labradoodles and a Siamese cat. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. She is an avid gardener, golfs with more enthusiasm than skill and enjoys a craft beer.
The Denver Post has published several of Wanda’s articles, but she is proudest that the Post ran a feature on her garden. She has self-published a series of children’s books, The Unicorns.
In 2021, she and her co-author, Mary Rae, published their first mystery novel, Break Bone Fever, with the small publisher, Written Dreams Publishing. This novel was a finalist in the 2022 Colorado Book Awards, mystery division.
Mary Rae grew up in the New York city suburbs. She graduated from Colgate University before attending the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. After residency, she moved to Texas where she practiced Emergency Medicine for twenty years. She then changed course to practice Primary Care until her retirement in 2020. Soon after her retirement from medicine, she and her husband moved to Oakland, California.
During her time in Texas, she and her husband raised two children. While living in Houston, she enjoyed exploring the Gulf Coast. Her fascination with the area led to the idea of writing a murder mystery set in Galveston in collaboration with her friend, Wanda Venters. Break Bone Fever, published in 2021, was the result.
Retirement has allowed Mary to spend time with her two grandchildren, to continue her lifelong quest for proficiency in Spanish and French, and, of course, to write.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Breaking-ApartBF-and-stickerjpeg.jpg1200718itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-04-15 00:02:412024-04-29 21:08:44Breaking Apart (Finnerty and Liccione Mystery Series) by Wanda Venters, MD and Mary Rae, MD
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
