The Patient

This electrifying medical thriller is brilliantly written and doesn't let up until the final page. Michael Palmer combines cutting-edge medical technology with international intrigue and throws in a side order of blind ambition to create a fascinating and suspense filled tale.This is probably the best medical thriller I've ever read. The technology was plausible and the scientific explanations seemed well informed. The characters are interesting and well developed. Dr. Carl Gilbride's insatiable egomania as head of the Eastern Mass Medical Center puts patients at risk by pushing the use of the ARTIE technology before it is ready. His imprudence and haughtiness makes it that much easier to love Dr. Jesse Copeland, his dedicated protégée who is far more accomplished as a brain surgeon than her boss is. International terrorist Claude Malloche and his wife are ruthless and wicked beyond description; heightening the uncertainty as to the mayhem they will wreak to further their desperate ends.The plot twists, turns and races at breakneck speed against an incessantly ticking clock providing a white-knuckle ride and unbearable suspense. I rate this book a 10/10. It has been a long time since I have been so engrossed in a story. Don't plan to get much sleep until you finish it.

A feisty neurosurgeon, a rogue CIA agent, a Carlos-like terrorist, brain tumor patients, an unbearable surgeon, and a robot device named ARTIE are the stars of Michael Palmer's latest thriller -- his best in years. We're drawn into the dangerous world of cheap death, the horror of brain surgery (what can go wrong usually does go wrong in this novel), and into a wonderful main character's life, Dr. Jessie Copeland. The surgery scenes crackle. This book kept me up until two A.M. It's that good, folks!

I have been waiting for over a year for another Michael Palmer book after reading all of his previous books. I wasn't disappointed, but I'm sorry I finished it because I want more. This book is great, with drama, suspense and a little romance. There are several interesting characters and it also introduces nerosurgery of the future. Thanks Michael.

Eastern Massachusetts Medical Center (EMMC) neurosurgeon Jessie Copeland tests the use of assisted robotic tissue incision and extraction on corpses. However, in spite of the media push of her odious boss, Jessie feels ARTIE is not quite ready for prime time use to remove brain tumors in humans. Still, Jessie applies ARTIE on a renowned gymnast.For years, CIA agent Alex Bishop has tried to capture the elusive soulless mercenary Claude Maloche without any success. However, Alex feels he is closing in on his enemy when he learns Claude suffers from a brain tumor with the trail leading to EMMC and Jessie. To ensure his full recovery and safety, Claude threatens to kill thousands if Jessie errs. She and Alex know this amoral assassin is more than capable of carrying out what he threatens even if he dies on the operating table. THE PATIENT is a typical Michael Palmer medical-terrorist thriller that leaves readers wondering how so much action and excitement can be packed into one story line. The plot is dynamic as Mr. Palmer blends modern medical technology with the unmerciful word of cold-blooded mercenaries. Jessie is a fine character struggling to keep her Oath and morals above board even as individuals surround her from both sides of the law who would corrupt her for their use. A Mr. Palmer tale should carry a warning label that his books increase adrenaline and the pulse rate to dangerous levels because they are so excitingly good. Harriet Klausner

I just read, in the New York Times, that doctors can do heart surgery with little tiny robots. My glow about that piece of good news lasted only hours. The next thing I read was The Patient, the newest release by Michael Palmer, about a vicious terrorist, demanding brain surgery which can only be done by, you guessed it, little tiny robots. I was up all night. Jessie Copeland, a woman nuerosurgeon, is a well rounded, likable character and a terrific hero. Claude Malloch and his band are chilling and merciless. Their contest of wills will keep your heart racing from beginning to end. Dr. Palmer knows what's going on in the world. He knows what scares us. And he knows how to deliver a thriller with great characters, great pacing, and a great climax. When's the movie?