The First Patient

by: Michael Palmer

Published by: St. Martin's Press (February release)

Reviewed by Mark M. Owen, Ph.D.

Michael Palmer is the Surgeon General of medical thrillers. His latest offering, The First Patient is loaded with rich characters, witty dialog and a plot that moves fast enough to qualify for the pole position of any NASCAR race.

The First Patient is, of course, the President of the United States, and he’s suffering intermittent debilitating delusional episodes. The President’s physician has mysteriously disappeared, so the Commander in Chief calls on his close friend and old college buddy, Gabe Singleton, to come to the White House and help care for him through the next election.

Gabe is a first-rate physician, and when he arrives he is caught ill-prepared for the political power struggle within the administration between staff members and the Secret Service. And then someone wants Gabe dead. He has to keep the President on an even keel, follow related clues and stay one step ahead of the killer to solve the mystery. The leadership of the free world hangs in the balance.

Palmer’s characters are fully-developed, both the likable and despicable ones, and this endears them to the reader. The dialog is razor sharp,fettered with humor, charm and edge. The only weaknesses in the book are a couple not-too-believable plot twists. I’m not going to harp on them as the book is otherwise extremely solid and entertaining.

For fans of Palmer, The First Patient is a must-read.

Armchair Interviews says: Well-written novel, and enjoyable from start to finish.