Category Archives: Michael Palmer
“No Rest For The Dead” Preview
Galen at the Tracy Barnes & Noble gave me (well…..loaned me) a 3 chapter preview of “No Rest For The Dead”. This book will be in stores in July 2011.
There is one thing totally unique about this upcoming book: It was written by 25 of our favorite Authors (it looks like they each took a chapter) with an Intro by one of my all time heros: David Baldacci.
Sweeet.
In the Prologue, written by Jonathan Santlofer, we witness the execution of Rosemary Thomas. Rosemary was convicted 10 years earlier of murdering her husband, Museum Curator, Christopher Thomas (interestingly his decomposing body was found inside an “Iron Maiden“).
Among the witnesses of the execution are Rosemary’s brother, a newspaper reporter (and friend), and the Policeman (Jon Nunn) who’s diligent work made sure Rosemary got the death penalty.
In Jon Nunn’s Diary, written by Andrew F. Gulli, we learn that Jon had evidence that he ignored, and that he now thinks Rosemary was innocent. He vows to gather all the suspects (a la Agatha Christie) and name the killer (Baldacci warns us that this may happen, but, it will be a shocker).
Time moves back 10 years….
Chapter 1, written by Jeff Lindsay, introduces us to the (fictional?) McFall Art Museum in San Francisco, Curator Christopher Thomas, and the start of the list of suspects. Among the suspects are museum employee Justine Olegard whom he just lied to about a painting and her job for the sake of rolling around on the couch with her. We find that Christopher is selling the paintings (under the guise of theft), and that he borrowed money from someone who wants to be paid back.
More suspects.
Chapter 2, written by Alexander McCall Smith, brings Christopher and Justine to France to meet with Max Porter (a wealthy art collector). While there, Christopher meets, and rolls around in the hay that night with a German woman. Justine is pissed (I guess she was horny the night before) and threatens Christopher, Max wants Christopher to illegally transport a Bocelli back to the US and in the process threatens him should he want to say no.
More suspects, more motive!
Chapter 3, written by Raymond Khoury, finds everyone back home in SF, but introduces Bandini, the painting restorer / seller of stolen art. Bandini becomes suspicious of Christopher and decides that he may have to take Christopher out to protect himself. Back at the Museum, Justine demands her cut of the profit while she and Christopher do it again in his office.
More suspects, more motive.
OK….you get the point. I suspect there will be a lot more suspects in the coming chapters, and we will learn even more about what a cad Christopher is. I’m sure we will hear Rosemary’s side of the story too….
July…..can’t wait!
Book Review: “The Last Surgeon” by Michael Palmer
Genre: Medical Thriller
Rating: 4 WaterTowers (Terrific!!!)
This is an ARC sent to me, and signed, by Michael Palmer. It will be in stores Feb 16, 2010.
Before you read my attempt at writing, read the Prologue to “The Last Surgeon” at this link.
This is far and away the most frightening, disturbing death (of Belle Coates) / murder scene I have ever read. In fact, I read it online before I got the book, and could not (and still have not) re-read it.
Dr. Nick Garrity (aka Dr. Nick Fury) is an ex-Army trauma surgeon struggling to overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nick and June Wright both work with the Helping Hands organization in a mobile medical facility. From that RV they help those who cannot otherwise get medical attention.
Really quickly, Nick’s PTSD is the result of a terrorist car bombing at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Savannah in Afganistan, that killed 28 including his fiancee. Only Nick and Umberto Vasquez survived, thanks to Umberto’s quick action. As “The Last Surgeon” opens, Umberto has been missing for 4 years…Nick is still looking for him.
Franz Koller is a mild mannered substitute teacher (like me!). He knows Chemistry, probably better than the teachers, and loves the flexibility of substitute teaching so he can pursue his other profession: as an assassin. Franz is a master of the “non-kill” (killing someone so it looks like a natural, or accidental, death), and loves what he does. Belle found out. A secret government organization, Jericho, employs Franz when the need arises. Very scary guy.
Jillian Coates is Belle’s sister. She is a psych nurse at Shelby Stone Memorial Hospital. She also does not believe her sister would kill herself (you need to read the Prologue!) and starts her own investigation. Starting with the comic books of Nick Fury she found in her sisters apartment (some of which had handwritten Dr., Doctor, written on them), she sets out to find Dr. Nick Fury and her sisters killer.
Unfortunately, her investigation gets the attention of the all knowing Jericho and, thus, Franz. Her life is in danger.
Eventually, Jillian, June, Reggie (June’s teenage foster child and computer whiz), and Nick team to try to find Umberto, Belles killer, and an ever growing conspiracy involving ….hmmm, you will just have to read “The Last Surgeon” to find out more.
Michael Palmer is another author that I had not read until now, but, had been on my list. He is now definitely on my list, and if / when, I get time, I will go back to read his other books.
“The Last Surgeon” is fast, brutal, and intriguing. A first rate Thriller.
Mark this day on your calendar: Feb 16, 2010 then head out to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of “The Last Surgeon”. If you love Medical (or just plain) Thrillers, you will love this book.
Preview of "The Last Surgeon" by Michael Palmer
I hope to be getting an ARC of “The Last Surgeon” by Michael Palmer soon. The book is due in stores in Feb 2010, and I will have the review posted here before that date.
Interestingly, since I love medical thrillers, I have not yet read Michael Palmer. But, I have been circling his books like a hungry lion ready to pounce when I had time. Now I have time, and I am looking forward to reading “The Last Surgeon” and finding another new (for me) author to read.
While we are waiting for Feb 2010 to roll around…here is a link to the Prologue.
Enjoy…
