Headline of today's New York Times story about Dr. Harold Shipman, Britain's worst mass murderer in history. The kindly, beloved family doctor killed at least 215 of his patients over the years. The Washington Post's obituary is also of interest.

Prosecutors at his trial said his drive to kill was fueled by his need for a God-like power over life and death. Others said he was deeply affected by the agonizing experience of watching his mother die from cancer. Dame Janet Smith, a High Court judge, said he may have been "addicted to killing."

bookofjoe once again ponders his much mulled over, twice-begun-and-abandoned medical thriller about a gorgeous young nurse who kills over and over, unable to stop. Her ex-boyfriend, a patient in her ICU, is next. I see Cameron Diaz as the nurse, and Tom Cruise as the ex. Ya think? If only I weren't so lazy....