A Heartbeat Away

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More About This Book

Overview

On the night of the State of the Union address, President James Allaire expects to give the speech of his career. But no one foresees the horrific turn of events that leads him to quarantine everyone in the Capitol building.

A terrorist group calling itself “Genesis” has unleashed a highly contagious virus into the building, and the only one who fully knows its deadly consequences is the president himself. Desperate, he turns to virologist Griffin Rhodes, whose alleged theft of the microbe landed him in a maximum-security federal prison. Griff knows he’s innocent but is forced to barter with the government: his attempt at a cure in exchange for his release.

  • A Heartbeat Away
    A Heartbeat Away  

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Palmer (The Last Surgeon) offers a nifty plot premise in this high-concept medical thriller, but a plethora of subplots distracts from the more interesting primary issue. As the U.S. president, James Allaire, is beginning his State of the Union address, a number of small containers of a viral agent explode and infect the more than 700 people, including every important member of the government except the director of homeland security, who have gathered in the House chamber. The Capitol must be sealed off and the infected audience held inside until a cure for the disease can be found. The plotters behind the attack, a group of domestic terrorists known as Genesis, demand, among other things, that the government abolish the Patriot Act and cease unchecked spying on ordinary Americans. Overblown prose does little to make the implausible scenario more believable. Readers with a low tolerance for the hyperbolic are advised to give this one a pass. (Feb.)
Library Journal
On the night President James Allaire is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address, a fatal, virulent, and highly contagious virus is mysteriously released in the capital. Desperate for an antidote, Allaire turns to virologist Griffin Rhodes, who has been languishing in solitary confinement in a maximum-security federal prison for alleged terrorist acts. Actor Robert Petkoff (robertpetkoff.com) does an exceptional job of narrating Palmer's (www.michaelpalmerbooks.com) follow-up to The Last Surgeon (2010), perfectly capturing each character's unique accent, quirks, and personality and rendering Griffin's best friend and colleague Melvin especially well. Sure to keep listeners on the edge of their seats; highly recommended for mystery/thriller fans. [See Major Audio Releases, LJ 1/11; the St. Martin's hc, which published in February, was a New York Times best seller; the mass-market pb will publish in August 2011.—Ed.]—Ilka Gordon, Siegal Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780312587512
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press
  • Publication date: 8/2/2011
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Edition description: First Edition
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 528
  • Sales rank: 89,235
  • Product dimensions: 4.10 (w) x 7.50 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Michael Palmer
Michael Palmer

Michael Palmer writes internationally bestselling novels of medical suspense, including The Last Surgeon, The First Patient, The Second Opinion, The Sisterhood and Critical Judgment.  His books have been translated into thirty-five languages. Palmer earned his bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University, and he attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University. He trained in internal medicine at Boston City and Massachusetts General Hospitals. He spent twenty years as a full-time practitioner of internal and emergency medicine. In addition to his writing, Palmer is an associate director of the Massachusetts Medical Society Physician Health Services, devoted to helping physicians troubled by mental illness, physical illness, behavioral issues, and chemical dependency.  He lives in eastern Massachusetts. 

Read an Excerpt

A HEARTBEAT AWAY (Chapter 1)

DAY 18:30 P.M. (EST)

“Madam Speaker, the President of the United States.”

At the words from the sergeant at arms of the House of Representatives, the audience rose to its feet as President James Allaire entered the House Chambers to thunderous applause, mixed with cheers. Allaire glanced at the two Secret Service agents stationed opposite each other just inside the entryway, standing as straight and still as the black and gold Ionic columns dividing the wall behind the tribune. Sean O’Neil, head of the presidential Secret Service unit, shadowed Allaire as he glad-handed his way down the long, royal-blue-carpeted corridor.

The president’s heart responded to a rush of adrenaline as the clapping neared the decibel level of a jet engine on takeoff. He stopped every few steps to shake hands or exchange modest embraces with men in dark suits wearing carefully chosen ties, and with impeccably dressed women who smelled of exotic perfume. Ahead of him, he could just see the nine justices of the Supreme Court, and the five members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Allaire sensed O’Neil move a step closer behind him as a congressman from Missouri exuberantly pumped his hand and then shouted, “Go get ’em, Mr. President! You’re going to wow ’em tonight!”

That’s right, Allaire thought. I am going to wow them.

There had been many occasions during the beginning of the first term of his presidency when Dr. Jim Allaire privately wondered about a decision he was forced to make. The weight of a single act, benign as it might at first seem, often carried with it surprising ripples and unintended consequences that added to his graying hair and the crow’s-feet at the corners of his gray-blue eyes.

However, delivering the first State of the Union Address of his second term was not one of those moments of self-doubt. He had won reelection by a fairly wide margin over Speaker of the House Ursula Ellis, and now, despite lingering sub rosa enmity between the two of them, it was time to cast aside politics and get some business done.

For the past hour, Allaire had paced inside the office of the minority leader of the House, sipping Diet Pepsi and having makeup reapplied for the cameras, all while trying to contain his nervous energy. The feeling he got before a speech of this magnitude reminded him of his days playing quarterback for the Spartans of Case Western Reserve, where he also earned his M.D. degree.

Between his college football career and years spent working as an internist at the Cleveland Clinic, Allaire had learned the importance of balancing confidence with a respectful fear of failure. Viewed as a man of the people, the genuine caring that had made him a respected physician contributed to his consistently elevated job approval rating as president. With the world’s problems getting progressively more complex and domestic terrorism on the mind of every American, the people needed a leader they could believe in—a man of poise and dignity in whom to invest their trust. Tonight, Allaire vowed to reaffirm that he was that man, and to give them a speech they would all remember.

The president reached the podium, where his head speechwriter, visibly more nervous than he was, had placed two leather-bound copies of tonight’s carefully guarded address. He turned and presented the first copy to Vice President Henry Tilden in his capacity as president of the Senate, and then the other to Ursula Ellis, who strained to maintain eye contact, and whose handshake held all the energy of a mackerel on ice. The president stifled a grin, although he suspected Ellis knew what he was thinking—fifty-three to forty-four—the margin by which he had beaten her in the election.

Allaire had practiced the speech dozens of times and could probably have delivered it flawlessly without the aid of the transparent teleprompters set on either side of his lectern. The crowd kept up its applause. With the American flag serving as his backdrop, he faced the people and waved his appreciation. Then he set his hands on the sides of the podium as a signal he was ready to begin. His eyes met briefly with those of his wife of twenty-seven years, the much-loved first lady, Rebecca Allaire, and next to her, their only child, Samantha, whom he still could not believe was a senior at Georgetown, already set for Harvard Law.

The clapping continued. Speaker Ellis rose from her chair and banged her gavel several times. At last, a profound hush fell over the seven hundred in attendance.

On the cornice overhead, the clock read exactly 8:00 P.M. Allaire’s thoughts flashed on the motto inscribed in the frieze—IN GOD WE TRUST. It was a running joke about doctors that their M.D. degree really stood for M. Diety. Allaire had a deep faith, and had never felt comfortable with the notion of physicians as gods. But he did know that at that moment, he was closer to being God than any doctor had ever been.

Thanks to the recurring deadly attacks by the apparently domestic group calling itself Genesis, the first order of business for the night had to be terrorism. People were on edge. The four attacks orchestrated by the group had been bold, ruthless, arrogant, and very dramatic. Still, there had as yet been no demands made—only the damage and the deaths. He was going to start strong with a warning to Genesis, whoever they were, of American solidarity, and a promise that their capture and successful prosecution was the top priority of his second term.

Allaire had been assured by Hank Tomlinson, chief of the fifteen-hundred-officer Capitol Police force, that security for tonight’s speech was the most extensive ever, employing state-of-the-art magnetometers, camera after camera, and manual bag checks in addition to advanced X-ray screeners. Now, it was up to the president and his speechwriters to convince the American people that they were as safe and secure in their homes and personal lives as those here with him in the Capitol of the United States.

Allaire’s speech materialized on the virtually invisible teleprompters.

“Madam Speaker, Vice President Tilden, fellow citizens: As a new Congress gathers, I am reminded of and humbled by the sacred honor you, the American people, have invested in all of your elected officials. So, before I begin tonight’s State of the Union Address, on behalf of all who have been blessed with your trust, I want to offer my bottomless thanks for another term of what my father would have called good, steady work.”

Allaire paused, waiting the perfect number of beats to let the laughter subside before resuming. It was a strategic opening that he had argued for with his speechwriters, all of whom felt it important to start on a more somber note. As usual, he was right. The State of the Union was a wonderful opportunity to showcase his humanity, in addition to imparting to the electorate his resolve and courage to do what was right and necessary.

“But with this responsibility comes great challenges that we must strive together to overcome. Our economy is growing stronger now, but there is much to be done. Unemployment is at its lowest level in more than a decade. Slowly, we are winning the war against poverty. Our optimism that we as a people can master any difficulty and achieve unparalleled peace and prosperity throughout the world has never been greater, and the state of our union is strong.”

Allaire beamed as those on both sides of the aisle, and in the gallery, rose to their feet as one, cheering loudly. He could hear whistles over the applause, and hesitated long enough to draw in a slow, deep breath. The next several crucial minutes of his speech would focus on international and domestic terrorism. The crowd settled down. Allaire scanned their faces. He would know when they were ready for him to resume.

As a dense silence enveloped the room, the president suddenly heard a disturbing noise—a popping sound, immediately followed by something that, to him, sounded like the plink of breaking glass. The sound came from somewhere in the crowd to his right. Allaire and many others turned and watched as California Senator Arlene Cogan opened up the purse that she had stowed beneath her chair. Instantly, a thin, white mist wafted out from within it, covering her heavily made-up face like a steam bath. Within seconds, Cogan and those nearest to her began to cough—and cough vehemently.

Allaire immediately gave a prearranged signal to the coordinating technical director, ordering the man to implement antidemonstration procedures and shut down the network pool controlling all television feed from the Capitol.

Murmurs from among the crowd escalated as another pop occurred across the chamber from the first, followed by another, and another, each accompanied by the breaking of thin glass, white mist, and more coughing. The murmurs gave way to shouting. Another briefcase and a purse were opened, releasing identical thin clouds.

“Don’t open it!” someone hollered.

“I can’t breathe!”

“For God’s sake, that’s you! That’s your pocketbook!”

“Get out of here! Let’s get out!”

The popping and breaking glass continued.

Two more … three … four … five.

Allaire could see that mist was even arising from some bags that were unopened. He quickly counted fifteen plumes scattered about the room, maybe more.

“Do not open your briefcase or purse!” Allaire shouted into his microphone. He slammed his open palm on the podium. “Everybody, please remain calm!”

Secret Service agents rushed the stage and quickly surrounded him. They attempted to escort him to safety, but he struggled against them and continued to call loudly for order. At that instant, Allaire caught sight of something on the two teleprompters in front of his podium.

His blood turned cold.

The speech, which seconds ago was easily legible in fourteen-point Helvetica font, had disappeared from the screens. In its place were three lines of text. Allaire’s breathing nearly stopped as he read the message.

On THE FOURTH DAY

God created the sun, the moon, and the stars.

And Genesis released WRX3883.

A HEARTBEAT AWAY Copyright 2011 by Michael Palmer.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 139 )

Rating Distribution

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(42)

4 Star

(37)

3 Star

(27)

2 Star

(16)

1 Star

(17)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 143 Customer Reviews

  • Posted January 13, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Palmer's best so far

    I'm an unashamed Michael Palmer fan, so I went into this one with high expectations--and he exceeded them. I was hooked from the first couple of scenes, and couldn't wait to get back to the book to see what he'd cooked up next.
    It's a bio-terror thriller that involves the President, Congress, and everyone in the line of succession to the President except the "designated survivor" being exposed to a deadly virus by a group of terrorists. The only man who can possibly find a solution to save everyone is a scientist the President has had locked up in solitary confinement for months as an accused traitor.
    I'm pretty good at predicting twists, turns, and endings, but Palmer kept me guessing to a very satisfying end.
    Highly recommended

    6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 19, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    fantastic medical mystery that tries to change the United States government

    When a power failure occurred in parts of the eastern United States, no one had an inkling of what caused it. All the experts were stunned since with all the emergency backups in place, this shouldn't be happening, but it was! As President James Allaire took the podium to give his State of the Union address, power to certain areas also failed in the house chambers where all of the top officials of the United States government were gathered to listen to this annual report the president gave to the nation. The only exception to this gathering was one government official that wasn't allowed to be with all the others in case of an emergency. For this occasion it was the eighteenth in succession to the presidency, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Paul Rappaport, who was in another area of the nation. When President Allaire started his speech, all rose and gave enormous applause for him. However, when his speech resumed he heard a popping sound followed by the sounds of breaking glass and the emergence of a thin, white mist throughout the audience as the same sounds were heard in various areas of the room. Thus was the first that Genesis had become public with their threats by releasing a horrific threat called WRX3883. The president immediately had all the doors locked to keep all inside so none of this terrible what-ever-it-was could be spread to the outside world. Eventually President Allaire split the over seven hundred in the gallery into three groups depending on how close they were to the mist that had been released. The Speaker of the House, Ursula Ellis, who thought she should have been elected president because she was the best thing that could have happened to the nation, was one of the large baulkers about the separation. President Allaire admitted to some that he and some others had been working on finding a serum to fight this released biological agent but he had kept it secret and was still doing so. No one knew how so much of this could have been smuggled into the House. Angela Fletcher is a star reporter who had worked with others in the biological field and who wanted in on whatever was occurring in the House Chambers. The outside world was blocked from any news regarding the threat facing all those gathered to listen to the State of the Union message. President Allaire knew the man he wanted to attempt to open the mystery of WRX3883; Griffin Rhodes was this man but the problem is that Rhodes was serving a life sentence in prison for killing, even though he still maintained his innocence. Rhodes was contacted and his demands were met for a full pardon IF he found a serum that would wipe out this terrible disease that tore the insides of a person apart in a very short time. Angela and Griffin had known each other from previous work and were both drawn into the search. All the time there were battles in the groups between the hateful Speaker of the House, the Vice-President, the President, and others taking one side or the other in attempting to control who would do what and how. "A Heartbeat Away" is a fantastic thriller with many twists and many turns including Genesis finding out who was doing what and where through someone that must be working against the president. Michael Palmer has given us a look at some of the terrible situations that could arise out of such a dangerous threat and how hard-fought the battle could be to attempt to control such an immediate threat. Read it and y

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 15, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    A Heartbeat Away

    Michael Palmer has written an intense political thriller involving the president, terrorists, scientists and a deadly virus. From the start when terrorists calling themselves 'Genesis' cause a huge blackout then release a deadly virus in the Capital to the finale and resolution, this novel is one hell of a page turner. Non-stop action, twists, questions and more kept me engrossed throughout the night reading this one.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 11, 2011

    Highly Recommended

    I received an advanced review copy of Michael Palmer's "A Heartbeat Away" which opens with U. S. President Jim Allaire entering the U. S. House of Representatives Chamber to give his State of the Union address. While still giving his introductory remarks, a biological weapon, WXR3883, is suddenly released from several purses and briefcases of unaware Congressmen. The President, a former physician, knows that this virus is deadly and in seeking to prevent it from being spread to the public orders the Capitol doors shut, locking every one in. A terrorist group called Genesis sends an email to the House Speaker, the President's rival, demanding that their legislative agenda be passed before they will allow the antidote to be dispensed. The agenda? Banning the Patriot Act and opening up the borders. The Cabinet member designated not to attend the speech, a/k/a the survivor, is the Secretary of Homeland Security, the last Cabinet member in the line of succession to the Presidency should a terrorist action take place. Allaire has to rely on a domestic terrorist that he sent to prison, Griffin Rhodes, to come up with an antidote. I loved the Melvin Forbush character and wonder if he was for Bush. He is a sloppy, overweight scientist with zero social skills but can solve every crisis by finding a mirror from the ghosting errors of just about any movie. He is Rhodes' assistant. I would love to see him in a real flick. There was another part of the story that I found fascinating. It dealt with Griffin Rhodes' refusal to use animals in his experiments. I don't know if this is realistic today or if Palmer made it up. I thought about whether to categorize this novel as a political thriller even though Palmer writes medical mysteries. The title is certainly a political one as is the setting. However, there are too many strings left hanging that you would not find in a political thriller. There was no investigation of Capitol security or other staffers to determine their culpability. Likewise, there was no looking at the particular Congressmen from whose bags the weapon was released. All of these issues would be central to any political thriller. The plot followed the placement of the weapons in the Chamber to find those Congressmen who were the most ill. All were triaged into 3 groups depending on the advanced state of their illness. Instead of finding fault here, I decided to categorize it as a medical mystery. Most of the story lies in the symptomology of the virus as well as the rush to find an antidote. The medical mystery formula is the one Palmer followed so that makes the decision a little easier but I think a lot of folks will be disappointed that there were unresolved political schemes. In any event, this is still a great novel that keeps you hanging until the last page.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2012

    Keep you up

    Thsi book was so intense that I literally could not put this down..Micheal Palmer is the best!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 28, 2011

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    Dreadful

    I have previously enjoyed some of Michael Palmer's medical thrillers, but this one is just dreadful. Truly one of the worst books I have read in years. The plot just doesn't hold interest or belief.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 28, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    A Heartbea Away

    This book had promise at the beginning, but started lagging in the middle. Some of the dialogue was off, and the end seemed thrown together in a hurry. Not a book I'd recommend.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 22, 2011

    Whew..what a book!

    I literally found myself holding my breath throughout this roller coaster ride book. I've read all of Mr. Palmer's books and love his direct, fast paced style. This one has it all! Political intrique, scary characters, a deadly virus...and an unexpected hero! Get ready to stay with this one...you can't put it down.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 10, 2012

    Great find!

    This was the first book I've read by Michael Palmer, and I will efinitely read more. Fast paced and considering our times, very believable. I'm a politics junkie, so this was a perfect read.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 29, 2012

    Highly Recommended

    I enjoyed this book very much. It kept me in suspense as to who was behind the chemical leaks.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 5, 2012

    Interesting idea, but uninspired execution

    I stumbled across this title just as I was finishing Ken Follett's Whiteout, another virus thriller. While the plot concept sounded good, book really just failed to keep my interest at any level. I think the biggest problem for me was that all the characters seemed so shallow, self-serving, and downright evil. Even the "hero" didn't inspire any enthusiasm.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 31, 2012

    g GOOD Good REA Good Read

    Good plot and some likeable characters.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 27, 2011

    Fair

    So So read

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 11, 2011

    Thought-Provoking

    Always exhilarating, Palmer ratchets the tension to a breathtaking level with the release of "A Heartbeat Away". Stunning in its realism and truly terrifying, Palmer keeps a frantic, anxiety-driven pace, giving his fans a ringside seat as the nightmare unfolds.

    As President James Allaire begins his second State of the Union address, he's prepared to captivate the public with his charm, but doesn't get the opportunity. Within moments of launching his message, puffs of vapor begin pouring out of strategically placed locations on the floor of the House Chamber. As the haze subsides, he receives a horrifying message. Genesis-a domestic terrorist group-has released a deadly, contagious and incredibly aggressive virus into the Capitol building and all hell is about to break loose.

    Allaire is all too familiar with WRX3883 and the lethal consequences of its release. He is, in part, responsible for its origination and is very aware that the outcome has become dire for the hundreds of beautifully coifed attendees of this evening. Trapped with all but one successor for the office of the presidency, Allaire must reach out to the one man who has absolutely no reason to help him.

    One time virologist, Griffin Rhodes is now a permanent resident in solitary confinement at a maximum-security prison in Colorado. Being held for alleged terrorist acts and unaware of his crimes, Rhodes faces a personal challenge when granted freedom in exchange for his assistance. With a grim outlook, amplified as he walks into the nightmarish scene of the crime, Rhodes understands that the hope of the nation lies heavily on his shoulders.

    Palmer's genius lies in his ability to never underestimate the intelligence of his readers as he takes us into thought-provoking territories meant to keep us up at night.

    Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense Magazine

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 29, 2011

    Explosive---so many twists and turns!!

    You are left breathing a huge sigh of relief when this one is over. There are multiple plot twists and turns, even in the last pages. You literally don't know the outcome until the very last page. A thoroughly enjoyable book, yet terrifying in the aspect that it could really happen. Enjoy!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 15, 2011

    A bad premise executed badly

    Although the writer has good descriptive ability, the story is so poorly thought out that it hard to decribe. First, you have an implausible event. Then, you have every single person behave like a moron for the entire book while ignoring the reality of how news is gathered.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 1, 2011

    Thoroughly Enjoyable!

    Michael Palmer writes great medical fiction and this time he combines medicine with the politics of Washington D.C. It's a great story, very gripping and suspenseful. There were many times that I did not want to put it down. The plot deals with many characters and story lines. It makes you think that this is something that could actually happen one day in our country! I read all of Michael Palmer's books, and this is one of his best!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 28, 2011

    Not recommended

    Don't waste your time when there are so many other good books to enjoy!! Palmer's story was not believable and jumped around and at times hard to follow. Not well written.

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  • Posted February 25, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Highly recommended.

    Michael Palmer has written another edge of your seat thriller. However exciting the plot line, parts of it seemed a little far fetched. How was Genesis able to hide the virus in the purses of selected women? Also, the president seemed a little wimpy and manipulative. Overall, the book is entertaining and a real page turner.

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  • Posted January 30, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Great Medical Thriller

    One of the most talented authors in the medical thriller genre has done it again! I don't think I have ever read a bad Michael Palmer book and this one did not disappoint me at all.

    The story opens on the night of the State of the Union address. In a split second the president has to make life and death decisions when terrorists release a highly contagious and deadly virus. The president must rely on virologist, Griff Rhodes, a man he sent to prison as a terrorist, to reopen his lab and work on a way to save the leaders of the free world.

    The storyline is believable, and there is a good balance of the medical/lab information in the story without getting too technical. The story is fast paced, and I was not sure what would happen until the end. As a matter of fact, it fooled me a few times. The characters are believable, and I thought the terrorist organization was quite realistic. I even found myself matching some of the personalities of the characters with real life Congress men and women. Whether or not that was the author's intention for the characters, I don't know, but I had fun with it!

    I enjoyed the subplot that dealt with Griff's pledge to use no animal testing in his experiments. He was challenged by his deep conviction to protect animals and the time constraints to save those who were exposed to the virus.

    I enjoyed A Heartbeat Away very much and highly recommend it for those who love their thrillers with a little medical twist.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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