First Patient

fine medical political thriller

When the physician to President Andrew Stoddard, Dr. Jim Ferendelli, vanishes, the POTUS asks his long time friend Dr. Gabe Singleton to come to DC to take the position. Although Gabe would prefer to remain in Wyoming, he travels to Washington for his friend. In the capital, Singleton is taken aback when Andrew acts confused as if he suffered a stroke yet no vital signs imply a stroke or any other brain debilitating illness. Instead Gabe believes someone close to the President has caused the mysterious ailment, but he is ignorant as to whom, how and why. He needs to perform preventative medicine on President Stoddard, which means stopping whatever is causing the illness. To do that Gabe, trusting no one except Nurse Alison Cromartie, investigates those at the White House and even at Blair House trying to answer the questions that befuddle him. Gabe also knows he should suspect Alison as she has the know-how, but he can¿t because he has fallen in love with her. ---- Although this medical political thriller is way over the top of the Washington Monument, fans will enjoy Michael Palmer¿s entertaining tale. The story line contains the typical Palmer brand as the action is fast-paced, the hero is way over-matched, and real science supports the nefarious premise. Readers will savor Singleton¿s amateur sleuthing. ---- Harriet Klausner

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Uniquely Brilliant

Michael Palmer outdoes himself with this one! This book is brilliantly crafted and well written. The plot is unique, filled with suspense,twists and turns,and VERY VERY SCARY. The reader is held captive with the question: COULD THIS REALLY HAPPEN? The suspense builds and builds. The height of surprise and pathos comes near the end when the mastermind behind the president's mysterious illness is revealed.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Didn't Even Finish

While driving back to his borrowed apartment from the White House, someone that is following Gabe tries to assassinate him. Gabe is saved by an undercover Secret Service agent that is also following him. The assassin escapes and Gabe and the agent swap cars so Gabe can continue on to his apartment. How stupid is this? I couldn't get past a mistake like this. I know it's fiction but at least make sense.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Give it a miss

If you have a choice between reading this book or watching Sponge Bob Square Pants, opt for Sponge Bob.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Riveting plot, disturbing if not frightening when we consider the reality that can, and probably does, permeat high political office and those who would sieze and hold power, at any cost.

We do not often get a treat that comes in the form of a new look at a subject, particularly the timeless subject of political intrigue. Although the story, at times, rides on the edge of fantastic, it it wholly believable. My difficulty in providing a more comprehensive review comes from the fact that the story holds some surprises and it would be unfair to the readers to reveal too much. Michael Palmer has been placed high on my list of favorite authors.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another Example of Technology Missused

Gabe is a small time doctor working in Wyoming when he gets summoned to the White House by his long-time friend Drew, who just happens to be the President. It seems that Drew's personal physician(Jim) has mysteriously disappeared and being so close to the election, he wants Gabe to take care of him. Gabe thinks this will be a short-term favor and he will be able to return home soon. When he gets there he finds out that a lot of people are keeping secrets and that the President is being besieged by mysterious attacks where he appears to go through mental seizures. Add to this, someone appears to be trying to kill Gabe, while the author gives us hints that Jim is still alive and on the run from possibly the same killer. The book draws some similarities in the characters from the last entry by Michael Palmer (The Fifth Vial) also, in things that happen to characters such as torture. The book explore what can go wrong with a new technology if it is used the wrong way (remember Michael Crichtons 'Prey'). The technology explored is used today by several SciFi writers such a Robert J. Sawyer. The book held me from the start and is well written. I didn't give it a full five stars because when the reasons for everything are explained at the end I felt that the explainations were improbable.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The First Patient

Sometimes you wonder why American presidents make unthinkable, exasperating decisions. Maybe, just maybe, some glimmer of the reason lies in this novel which former US president Bill Clinton calls 'an exciting thriller... full of surprises captures the intense atmosphere of the White House'. Indeed, that blurb is pasted prominantly on the cover of this latest book by Palmer, who is also an associate director of th Massachusetts Medical Society Physician Health Services. Which means he knows his medical stuff. His prescription for a good read? Fortify the plot with enough twists and turns to make you stay addicted through the night. And inject a booster shot of lucid and engaging writing. In this story, the President of the United States suffers from mysterious breakdowns where he loses control of his mind. This means that he could make the wrong decisions and, say, punch the red button to launch nuclear missiles. Because the big chief's own doctor has gone missing, the former has to persuade an old pal, Gabe Singleton, to play doctor. The latter reluctantly says yes, flies to DC and is almost killed on the first day of the job. No wonder Singleton is outraged. The rest of the novel tracks how he unmasks the culprit, and he has to decide too if the vice-president should take over the presidential hot seat. To his credit, Palmer goes easy on the medical jargon, preferring instead to flesh out a satisfying cat-and-mouse thriller. For those into trivia, there are juicy nuggest of information on the inner workings of the White House, including its medical support system. Certainly, this book is good medicine to cure any case of boredom on a quiet night or lazy weekend.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Excellent book

This was my first m. Palmer book and I am a forever fan. I plan to read Everything he write. Thanks to the advice of a wonderful taxi driver I met while in Boston, I ordered The Patient today and cant wait to get started. Mr. Palmer, keep wriring!

Good book, with twists and turns

This was my first Michael Palmer book and I was satisfied with the author and the book. The characters were intriguing and the pace was fast. I don't know if I will my anymore nook books of his at the current price, but I probably would check out his other books from the library.

Great read!

great medical mystery, totally engrossing. Could not figure out the ending

terrible

i hated this book do not read it

interesting.

Enjoyed the White House / Secret Service info. Got a peek inside a portion of their world. Makes you think what else can go on in D.C. that the common people wouldn't know about. Of course, this is fiction so who would really worry.

Nice Read

An entertaining story. You can figure out what is going to happen by page 12.

Excellent Medical thriller

Very good read. Reminiscent of early Robin Cook.

Awesome plot......Highly recommend this book!

This was the first book I have read by Palmer and I was not disappointed in the least. Palmer did a wonderful job with the plot (kept me guessing the whole time), the characters were well planned also. You won't go wrong with purchasing it. The only downside is there some bad language towards the end of the book.

no thanks

started off well, then was just too farfetched

Highly Recommended

This book keeps you guessing right to the end. Good, fast page turner.

Must read!

Captivating plot and very well written! You wont be able to put it down.

Highly Recommended

I read this book from the CDs in my car on an crosscountry holiday trip. I did not finish before I arrived at my destination and found myself creating reasons to drive in my car so I could hear the book. Now that's a great book. If you like thinking about clues and enjoy credible characters embedded in mystery setting, you will like this one.

Ho Hum!

This is the first book by Mr. Palmer that I was disappointed in. I usually love his books but I found this story too drawn out to really enjoy. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat and was easy to put down. I will continue to read books by this author - I just didn't care for this one. --K--