‘The Last Surgeon’ is a medical thriller novel written by Michael Palmer, a New York Times bestselling author of fourteen other medical suspense novels. This 373-page novel was published by St. Martin’s Press in February 2010. A surgeon looking for his missing friend and a psychiatric nurse believing her sister was murdered join forces when clues from several cases lead them not only in the same direction, but into the path of a killer.
As the only two survivors of an attack on a medical clinic in Afghanistan, ex-vet Dr. Nick Garrity and his buddy, Umberto Vasquez, both returned to the states suffering from PTSD. Nick eventually began a mobile RV clinic with a nurse, Junie, to provide free medical services to the homeless and vets. However, his friend, Umberto Vasquez, became homeless. While providing his medical services, he is constantly on the lookout for Umberto who was recruited for a secret mission four years ago and hasn’t been seen since.
Jillian Coates is a nurse whose sister died in what appeared to be a suicide. Jillian does not believe that Belle would commit suicide. While looking for anything to substantiate her suspicions, she encounters a stack of Nick Fury comic books. As soon as Jillian discovers that Nick Fury is a nickname given to Dr. Nick Garrity when he was in the military, she is certain her sister’s death is connected to him.
Once Nick and Jillian’s paths cross, they come together to unravel the pieces of the puzzle. As each piece begins to connect, they discover the true and shocking meaning behind her sister’s and several other medical personnel’s deaths. Their investigation places them into the sight of the assassin,Franz Koller. As theyattempt to save the remaining people on Koller’s list, they soon realize they are the only two left aware of the conspiracy to hide a botched operation. They must do whatever they can to survive.
This reviewer found this novel to be a very intense and suspense-filled story. The author delivered a story loaded with many twists and turns that keeps the reader constantly infused with questions that pushes one to continual turn the pages seeking the answers. This was a riveting story with several interesting and descriptive characters that complimented each other.
Not only was this a great story that weaved in some issues of the after-effects of the war, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it brought forth a secret mission of how two homeless men, one suffering from PTSD, was used in an unusual and devious manner by the government. It makes one wonder what else may be going that the public isn’t privy to. Very chilling to say the least!
Although this is considered a medical thriller, it mainly hosts characters in the medical field. Therefore, it does not contain much medical jargon for those who would expect it and get easily bored. A highly recommended read for those who love suspenses!
For additional books written by Michael Palmer, you can go to his web site at: http://www.michaelpalmerbooks.com/. You can purchase or order this book through Barnes & Noble at Northpark Mall on E. Kimberly Road, Davenport, ww.barnesandnoble.com.
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