So I’m on vacation, starting a book called “24 Hours” by Greg Iles. In the first few pages we learn that the five-year-old in the story has Type 1 diabetes. Naturally I roll my eyes, thinking that there will be so many inaccuracies I will not be able to stick with the book. The story proceeds and the little girl is kidnapped and the parents are under pressure to get her back before she dies of ketoacidosis due to lack of insulin.

I am not yet done with the book, but I was impressed with Mr. Iles’ handling of the D issue, which is critical to the plot. Without getting into too much medical detail, he talks about Humalog and long-acting insulins, and how ketoacidosis can occur. It’s not an easy task to clearly communicate those facts to a mass-market audience without bogging the story down. Like I said, I’m not quite done, but I have a feeling that one of the kidnappers is going to die due to someone administering a huge insulin injection!

It’s a clever plot, and if you’re in the mood for a thriller you might want to pick up “24 Hours”.