The Last Patient of the Night (AJ Docker, #1) by Gary Gerlacher

Publisher’s Summary

The death of a nameless young woman in his emergency room spurs physician AJ Docker to seek answers. What begins as a medical tragedy quickly spirals into a quest for justice as Docker teams up with a police officer friend and a highly trained K-9 named Banshee.

As Docker delves into the criminal world to identify his lost patient, he finds himself facing more questions than answers. Written by an actual emergency physician, The Last Patient of the Night is an action-packed thriller that balances high-stakes investigative work with authentic, sometimes lighthearted glimpses into the chaotic culture of the ER. This is the first installment in the AJ Docker series.

Full Review

I really loved this book! I have always enjoyed reading about police K-9s, and this book features Banshee, an incredible dog who knows over 200 verbal and physical commands. Seeing those commands employed throughout the story makes the book much more endearing. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve already bought and finished the second book in the series!

The medical side of the story is equally fascinating. The main character is an ER doctor faced with complex diagnostic scenarios. Because the author is an actual physician, he brings a level of authenticity to the medical scenes and terminology that makes them both believable and easy to understand. While it deals with mature themes, I think students would love this as a personal choice read—after all, who doesn’t love a great dog story? It’s a page-turner that keeps you invested until the very end.

🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections

• Health Science / New Visions Medical: Use the ER scenes to discuss Medical Ethics and the “Hippocratic Oath.” Why does Dr. Docker feel a moral obligation to identify a nameless patient even after they have passed?
• Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement: This is a perfect tie-in for units on K-9 Units.

  • Activity Idea: Invite a local K-9 team to visit the class to demonstrate the verbal and physical commands described in the book. Discuss the legal requirements for using a dog in a search or apprehension.

• ELA (Author’s Purpose & Perspective): Discuss how the author’s professional background as a doctor influences the Tone of the book. How does “Authenticity” change the way a reader trusts the narrator?
• Science (Biology & Behavior): Explore the sensory capabilities of dogs. How does a dog’s olfactory system (sense of smell) allow it to “see” a trail that humans cannot?