Fatal

Jacket Description/Flap: From The Sisterhood, Michael Palmer's first "New York Times bestseller, to The Patient, his ninth, reviewers have proclaimed him a master of medical suspense. Recognized around the world for original, topical, nail-biting suspense, emergency physician Palmer'swork has been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Now he reaches controversial and startling new heights in a terrifying tale of cutting-edge microbiology, unbridled greed, and murder, where either knowing too little or trusting too much can be FATAL. In Chicago, a pregnant cafeteria worker suffering nothing more malevolent than flulike symptoms begins hemorrhaging from every part of her body. In Boston, a brilliant musician, her face disfigured by an unknown disease, rapidly descends into a lethal paranoia. In Belinda, West Virginia, a miner suddenly goes berserk, causing a cave-in that kills two of his co-workers. Finding the link between these events could prove FATAL. Five years ago, internist and emergency specialist Matt Rutledge returned to his West Virginia home to marry his high-school sweetheart and open a practice. He also had a score to settle. His father died while working for the Belinda Coal and Coke Company, and Matt swore to expose the mine's health and safety violations. When his beloved Ginny succumbed to an unusual cancer, his campaign became even more bitterly personal. Now Matt has identified two bizarre cases of what he has dubbed the Belinda Syndrome--caused, he is certain, by the mine's careless disposal of toxic chemicals. All he needs is proof. Meanwhile, two women, unknown to one another, are drawn inexorably to Belinda, into Matt's life--and into mortal danger. Massachusettscoroner Nikki Solari comes to attend the funeral of her roommate, killed violently on a Boston street. Ellen Kroft, a retired schoolteacher from Maryland, seeks the remorseless killer who has threatened to destroy her and her family. Three strangers--Rutledge, Solari, and Kroft--each hold one piece of a puzzle they must solve, and solve quickly. If they don't, it will be far more than just their own lives that are at risk. Michael Palmer has crafted a novel of breathtaking speed and medical intricacy where nothing is as it seems and one false step could be FATAL. "From the Hardcover edition. Review Quotes: 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."Review Quotes: 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 thiscan ' t-put-it-downer. You are cautioned...don ' t start this one at 10 at night. " -- The Washington Times From the Hardcover edition. Biographical Note: Michael Palmer M. D, practices addiction medicine in Massachusetts, where he is currently at work on his eleventh novel. "From the Hardcover edition."Review Quotes: 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."Publisher Marketing: From The Sisterhood, Michael Palmer's first "New York Times" bestseller, to The Patient, his ninth, reviewers have proclaimed him a master of medical suspense. Recognized around the world for original, topical, nail-biting suspense, emergency physician Palmer'swork has been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Now he reaches controversial and startling new heights in a terrifying tale of cutting-edge microbiology, unbridled greed, and murder, where either knowing too little or trusting too much can be FATAL. In Chicago, a pregnant cafeteria worker suffering nothing more malevolent than flulike symptoms begins hemorrhaging from every part of her body. In Boston, a brilliant musician, her face disfigured by an unknown disease, rapidly descends into a lethal paranoia. In Belinda, West Virginia, a miner suddenly goes berserk, causing a cave-in that kills two of his co-workers. Finding the link between these events could prove FATAL. Five years ago, internist and emergency specialist Matt Rutledge returned to his West Virginia home to marry his high-school sweetheart and open a practice. He also had a score to settle. His father died while working for the Belinda Coal and Coke Company, and Matt swore to expose the mine's health and safety violations. When his beloved Ginny succumbed to an unusual cancer, his campaign became even more bitterly personal. Now Matt has identified two bizarre cases of what he has dubbed the Belinda Syndrome--caused, he is certain, by the mine's careless disposal of toxic chemicals. All he needs is proof. Meanwhile, two women, unknown to one another, are drawn inexorably to Belinda, into Matt's life--and into mortal danger. Massachusetts coroner Nikki Solari comes to attend the funeral of her roommate, killed violently on a Boston street. Ellen Kroft, a retired schoolteacher from Maryland, seeks the remorseless killer who has threatened to destroy her and her family. Three strangers--Rutledge, Solari, and Kroft--each hold one piece of a puzzle they must solve, and solve quickly. If they don't, it will be far more than just their own lives that are at risk. Michael Palmer has crafted a novel of breathtaking speed and medical intricacy where nothing is as it seems and one false step could be FATAL. "From the Hardcover edition."

Contributor Bio:  Palmer, Michael Michael Palmer, M. D., is the author of eleven novels of medical suspense, all international bestsellers. 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, including alcoholism. In what spare time he has, Palmer is a weight lifter and avid tournament bridge player. He lives in eastern Massachusetts, where he is best known for his two eccentric cats and three terrific sons. Visit and write him at www.michaelpalmerbooks.com.