The Fifth Vial

Michael Palmer addresses the bio-ethical issue of organ trafficking in his fast-paced medical thriller, The Fifth Vial. Around the globe, people are unsuspectingly having their blood tested in a life and death lottery. If their number is picked, (ie. if they are a tissue match), elitists decide who is more worthy to have their beating heart, them, or the wealthy, influential patient who needs the transplant to live. Three seemingly unrelated lives,(a medical student, a research physician and a private eye), intermingle in unexpected ways. All three are pushed to the limit of human endurance, as each must answer the call of their conscious, putting their lives on the line to stop an evil which leaves orphans and widows in its gluttonous and infinite wake. This novel was fast-paced, contained fleshed-out characters, and an intriguing plot that had me on the edge of my seat until the exciting conclusion. Mr. Palmer not only told a great story, but addresses the bio-ethical issue of organ trafficking, asking the hard questions of: Is one person more worthy to live than another? Who decides?

The Fifth Vial is a compelling, frightening and thought-provoking novel (although it's written with such intelligence and authority that one can almost believe it is true) about the dangers in our society of greed and arrogance concerning organ donation. Palmer's characters -- his protagonist Natalie Reyes, a medical student, Ben Callahan, a disillusioned detective, and Dr. Joe Anson, a passionate scientist -- are sensitively written and realistic. This fast-paced story takes place in Boston, Chicago, Brazil and Africa, with a Machiavellian plot full of hidden twists and turns. As a physician, Michael Palmer's expertise in the field of medicine makes The Fifth Vial a stimulating and highly enjoyable read. Highly recommended!

I illustrate books under deadlines so I read when I am on the road and away from my studio. I initially started reading The Fifth Vial while I was in airports, but became so engrossed in the lives and suffering of the main characters that I returned home, put my art work aside and finished it. Wow! I was looking over my shoulder while I was in crowds, pondering on my organs safety.... Medical thrillers is my favorite genre, I usually listen to them, as many as time allows, on audio tape while I am painting. But somewhere along the line I actually stopped listening to Michael Palmer's books and started to read them. They are not background noise keeping me company, they make me 'think'. With The Fifth Vial, Palmer is at his best. The characters were so believable, I found detective Ben to be a lovable character - I actually worried about him as he traveled, and Natalie, you can really feel her emotions as she falls from grace, fights her way back, only to get injured - again. My favorite part of the book was hanging out with Natalie in Boston (my favorite city), running track, going grocery shopping, eating hot fudged sundaes... This character became my friend - I believed in her from the beginning and I wanted to stick by her until the end, I wanted her to get her lung back.... If you love a good book that will not only entertain, chill you to the bones, and make you 'think', then I highly recommend that you pick up The Fifth Vial. You are going to love it!

This book is an excellent read. The characters are all very human, the story is eye-opening and believable. If you like medical thrillers, you will love this book. If you don't like medical thrillers, you will after you read this book. It's a brilliant story. The story keeps you in it's grip from page one, and it does not disappoint.

This may be Michael Palmer's best book yet. This master of medical suspense gives us medical details that are accurate and scenes that carry the ring of authenticity. The plot is tightly woven, and I found the characterization to be quite good. He carries the action forward through the eyes of two very different protagonists and brings them together in an ending that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you start this book in the afternoon, you'll want to read all night to finish it.