Fatal

By: Michael Palmer

Narrated by: Michael Palmer

From The Sisterhood, Michael Palmer's first New York Times best seller, 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's work has been translated into more than 35 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 flu-like 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.

©2002 Michael Palmer (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Palmer's] most riveting book yet, leaving hardly enough time to take a breath." (Denver Post)

Great Book!

Performance was too monotone, but story is great! Real exciting, interesting, fast moving, and intense!

not his best

I have never struggled with one of his books before but this is like someone else wrote it. Or maybe his voice, either way it's hard to stay awake. It dragged and it took me a long time to figure out what it was about. no banner start, just barely simmered

Another Great Book Can’t put down

I am so sorry Michael Palmer has passed one. He is one of my favorite authors. He knows how to tell a story and always surprises you at the end. Lots of twist & turns in this one how any of them manage to live through the situations they were put in. Now maybe I can get some sleep, this
Is a can’t put down book.

Keeps you on your toes!

I love to read Michael Palmer's books. Just love the medical suspense he has to offer!

A gripping story- involved multiple storylines!

I am a big Michael Palmer fan, his stories are always believable and intriguing. His characters are real and always quite diverse. Very talented writer!

I highly recommend!

great story with unexpected twist

easy to listen with many unexpected it twist in a modern medical mystery novel wonderful

Far-fetched, but just try to put it down

Doctors, coroners, miners, moonshiners, bikers, a statistician, pharmaceutical companies, a grandmother involved in vaccination issues, and the president's wife -- these lives are bound to come together at some point, don't you think? And what in the world can toxic chemicals from a mining operation have to do with vaccinations and yet another virus with African origins? Michael Palmer does his usual masterful job of weaving all these threads into a fasicinating action thriller. So it's totally unrealistic: it's a great read/listen.

And, for the record, the arguments for and against mandatory immunizations are thought-provoking and reasonably balanced.

As for the recording, Palmer does a very nice job on the reading.

Great Narrator

This was my first Michael Palmer book and I really enjoyed it a lot. I Liked the different stories that all come together in the end. The plot was great and the narrator did a fabulous job. I really enjoyed his narration. I've listened to books were the book was great but the narrator ruins it all. It was not the case with this one. A great book plus great narration.

Awesome Fast Paced Storyline

I really enjoyed the storyline, it could have been a movie!
Dr. Matt Rutledge is a doctor in Belinda, West Virginia and he has been investigating chemical treatment site.
Dr. Nikki Solari is a Boston doctor of Pathology and her friend is from W. Virginia. After awhile her friends behavior and physical appearance changes horribly.
This book have three strangers who unknowingly have something in common.
Such a suspenseful, mystery, and action filled book!
I love medical thrillers and this was such a great listen! 🎧

plot driven by the stupidity of characters

I have read books by this author that I enjoyed. The main characters in this book did not learn from danger or significantly change their behavior because of it. It was often hard to listen to. I finished it but i won't listen to it a second time