Book Review: The Other Dr. Gilmer by Benjamin Gilmer

Disclosure: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for this post. All opinions here are my own.

Have you ever Googled your name and found astonishing results? You’re a pro wrestler, a famous baker, a D-list celebrity – the list goes on.

Imagine if one of the results shows a grisly murder you never committed. The Other Dr. Gilmer by Benjamin Gilmer bring this fear to light. And it’s all true.

In a nutshell, The Other Dr. Gilmer is about murder, mental illness, and similar monikers and professions. More specifically, Dr. Vincent Gilmer was a well loved and renowned doctor who violently murdered his father after picking him up from his assisted living facility. After disposing of his father’s body, Vincent went to work the next day as if nothing happened.

Fast forward over a decade later, and another Dr. Gilmer (first name Benjamin, no relation to Vincent) works in the same Asheville clinic Vincent did. Imagine the patients’ surprise and horror when they discover Dr. Gilmer is back – or so they think.

Upon realizing that he has the same name as a murderer, Benjamin becomes grossly fascinated and, with the help of journalist Sarah Koenig of This American Life, begins to research the case and even visits Vincent in prison.

Becoming consumed with Vincent’s story, Benjamin dives deep by interviewing doctors, speaking to Vincent’s colleagues, and using his own medical expertise to find out what truly went wrong with the other Dr. Gilmer.

Lovers of the true crime genre will note that most of these novels tend to be written by journalists (Ex. Black Mass, Devil’s Knot, The Lost Girls), attorneys (Ex. Helter Skelter) or, well, writers (Stranger Beside Me). What’s fascinating about The Other Doctor Gilmer is that it is written by a doctor with no known writing or law background.

As a reader, it’s a fascinating journey to learn about law simultaneously as Benjamin, a normal family guy in a unique position, does on page.

The book also breaks down medical terminology for the lay person, such as causes and symptoms of SSRI withdrawal. Not only is it essential to truly understanding the plot, but learning such things also provides great fodder for conversations (my personal experience attending an engagement party with a large amount of doctors, but I digress).

Lastly, with all good true crime. novels, both sides of the story are shown. Vincent, with his traumatic childhood and SSRI withdrawals, may be suffering with mental illness and isn’t a cold blooded murderer. On the other side, others felt that he was faking his symptoms and, let’s not forget, he did attend work the next day. Conflicting feelings and emotions in response to reading such work is indeed a mark of a good book.

Without a doubt, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. From the first sentence on, true crime lovers will be enthralled.

Don’t believe me? Read below:

“On June 28, 2004, in rural Appalachia, a man with my name and my profession strangled his father in the passenger seat of his Toyota Tacoma.” How can one not get hooked after reading a sentence like that?

Emotionally, I experienced a roller coaster of feelings, from compassion for Vincent, disgust towards Vincent, and insatiable curiosity.

The Other Dr. Gilmer goes on sale March 1st. Preorder it on Amazon or Barnes and Nobles.

***SPOILER ALERT***

About a month before writing this review, I received breaking news.

The below is quoted directly from an email I received:

“The day before the book was to go to press, Benjamin’s legal team received word from the governor’s office of Virginia that Vince Gilmer would be pardoned.

Amidst tears and celebration, Benjamin and his team began frantically searching for an assisted living home or hospital that Vince could move into – even as most were either at capacity or had shifted their focus to provide Covid care.

The governor officially signed Vince’s pardon on January 13, 2022 and he will be released imminently. After eighteen years and two denied clemency appeals, Vince will finally be free and able to seek the care he needs.”