编辑推荐From Publishers Weeklyalmer's 10th medical thriller rides on his usual wave of unrelenting adrenaline, and will make readers think twice the next time they're due for a routine vaccination. The physician-hero this time is Matt Ruttledge, a doctor in bucolic Belinda, W.Va. When several of his patients turn up in the emergency room, babbling incoherently and sporting unsightly lumps on their faces, Ruttledge blames the town's main employer, a large mining operation with a history of safety abuses and environmental neglect. As more patients turn up with the same fatal symptoms, Ruttledge discovers that a larger culprit may be responsible: a new supervaccine that's about to hit the market. Backed by powerful political interests and drug companies, the vaccine, called Omnivax, had been tested in Belinda a decade earlier, and its deadly side effects are now finally surfacing. Joined by a group of like-minded medical professionals and a colorful cast of civilians, Ruttledge sets out to stymie the makers of the vaccine. Omnivax's backers, however, have no intention of letting a lone doctor and a gaggle of bumpkins kill their cash cow. As with Palmer's other popular thrillers (The Patient, etc.), the plot at times turns wild to the point of disbelief, and the occasional red herring practically screams its presence the moment it swims into view. But the former ER physician's ability to craft gripping suspense, likable heroes and hateful villains as well as a thought-provoking dialogue about the risks of the nation's vaccination program keep the pulse pounding. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal Adult/High School-Palmer excels at packing current medical issues into a web of suspense. The action begins immediately as people in various cities become afflicted with some unknown malady with bizarre symptoms. Some die quickly from seizures and blood loss, others develop a progressive mental illness along with "Elephant Man"-like growths on their faces and bodies, culminating in uncontrollable violence. Dr. Matt Rutledge is certain that a case he has seen, involving a mine worker for the Belinda Coal and Coke Company, is related to the mine's criminal offenses. He was raised in the West Virginia town and lost his father to alleged safety violations, and his wife to a rare cancer. Certain that her illness was induced by groundwater contamination, Matt has a double score to settle with BC&C. Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, Ellen Kroft, member of the advocacy group PAVE (Parents Advocating Vaccine Education), is struggling with her vote as part of a group evaluating a new megavaccine, Omnivax. In Boston, medical examiner Dr. Nikki Solari has watched the mental deterioration of her talented roommate as strange growths appear on her face. Both Ellen and Nikki travel to Belinda in search of answers. As expected, the three protagonists get together and set about solving the medical mystery, with danger, attempted murder, and bureaucratic strangulation surrounding them. Palmer skillfully juggles many subplots, integrating colorful characters and using current bioscience topics. FDA testing, vaccines, environmental toxins, spongiform encephalitis, greedy pharmaceutical executives, and bad cops-all contribute to the novel's action, suspense, and intrigue. Carol DeAngelo, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Library Journal A young doctor, back home in West Virginia to track some suspicious family deaths, runs into a conspiracy at the local mine. More from the former physician who brought us The Patient. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition. From Booklist In his eighth medical thriller, the best-selling Palmer proves he has the formula down pat: selfless crusader up against greedy, powerful scoundrels; a horrific illness; a provocative, real-life medical issue. Dr. Matt Rutledge is convinced that the coal-mining company in his West Virginia hometown of Belinda is responsible for the gross skin abnormalities and dementia he's seen in some of Belinda's townsfolk. But pathologist Nikki Solari isn't so sure. Things only begin to make sense when the doctors meet Ellen Kroft, who suspects a new supervaccine, soon to be approved for the public, is at fault. Who is right? What can be done? Savvy readers will spot the real villain early on, but a multitude of chases, riveting suspense, and plenty of gory details will make this terrific beach reading for Palmer's many fans. Stephanie Zvirin Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Review "Gripping suspense, likeable heroes and hateful villains keep the pulse pounding" Publishers Weekly With an impressive cast of villains, hillbillies and resourceful medics, Fatal is a cracking paced, topical medical thriller that leaves the reader in need of resuscitation. Disturbing medical scenarios are springing up in Belinda, W. Virginia, where patients are appearing in ER with elephant man fibromas; while in Washington the First Lady is pushing an inadequately tested super-vaccine that threatens thousands of lives. Enter Dr Matt Rutledge, a man on a mission to prove that the Belinda Coke and Coal mine is contaminating the area with poisonous toxins. With Boston coroner Nikki Solari, Matt discovers a deadly link between the vaccine and the mine. Dashing about the country on his Harley, it's all in a day's work for Matt to dispatch baddies and do a spot of improvised thoracic surgery with a pair of pliers and a condom. He's the internist you'd want if you're sick out in the boondocks. Michael Graham, a former ER doctor himself, has written a nail-biter with a familiar political theme that has resonance in modern life. Better than adrenaline. (Kirkus UK) Review Raves for Michael Palmer's THE PATIENT “The Patient might be [Palmer’s] most riveting book yet, leaving hardly enough time to take a breath.” —The Denver Post “The Patient is what Die Hard movies are made of: brilliantly nasty terrorists hectoring innocent folks, with only a wisecracking lone wolf to forestall.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel MIRACLE CURE “A highly entertaining tale of greed and medicine run amok.” —Chicago Tribune “Packs plenty of heart-stopping action.” —Associated Press CRITICAL JUDGMENT “Wrenchingly scary...Palmer is reaching the top of a demanding craft.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Palmer [brings] his fascinating ER procedural knowledge to a fast-paced...narrative.” —San Francisco Chronicle SILENT TREATMENT “Guaranteed to terrify anyone who...has reason to step inside the doors of a hospital....Dynamite plot...fast-paced and engrossing.” —The Washington Post “Palmer owes this reviewer about three hours of sleep spent reading this can’t-put-it-downer. You are cautioned...don’t start this one at 10 at night.” —The Washington Times From the Hardcover edition.--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition. |
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