This novel centers around Catalina Richardson, a nurse approaching burnout after 20 years, and the lives of five of her patients. Two are dying, two need to put their lives back together, and one has been dumped at the hospital more for a lack of anywhere else to go than for any real medical need. The stories chronicle the attempts by the nurse, patients and their loved ones, separately and together, to cope with their situations. Catalina needs to decide if she can continue as a nurse. In addition, she is reluctantly accepting mentoring in psychic powers from a newsdealer operating a stand in the hospital lobby. One of her patients is the victim of a brutal attack, and Cat becomes very involved in her life, and acquires a romantic interest in the detective investigating the crime. I found the book involving, once I had gotten into the lives of the various characters. There are a lot of life-and-death issues to ponder, and I plan to read the remaining books in the series. The book and the characters may seem a little crude at times, but I think that goes with dealing so intimately with the ailing human body. ( )