Critical Judgment [Paperback]

Michael Palmer (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam Books (1996)
• ASIN: B00161T77E
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,479,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Palmer, is the author of sixteen novels of medical and political suspense, all international bestsellers. His 17th medical and political thriller, OATH OF OFFICE is now available. In addition to 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. He lives in eastern Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story with lots of surprises, August 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Critical Judgment (Mass Market Paperback)

The whole idea of chemical poisoning and a corporate cover-up is intriguing enough, but Palmer makes it even more exciting by adding twists and turns at all the right times. Every time I thought I figured out what was going on, I was pleasantly surprised to realize I was way off base. Abby's commitment to solving the mystery is fierce. The action is tremendous and it doesn't stop until the last page, as the story races to a thrilling conclusion. This book was difficult to put down. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a chilling mystery novel.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars better than Robin Cook ?, March 18, 2003

By 

mungo "mungo_sd" (san diego CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Critical Judgment (Mass Market Paperback)

the obvious anti-gun bias in the first few pages almost made me put it down. The author has a demented man walking into a gun store and coming out with 2 semi-automatic rifles. California has a 14 day waiting period for any gun purchase. No gun shop I know would sell to a disturbed person like Josh, they want to keep their license. The author also refers to these rifles as "machine guns". Palmer must have gone to the Diane Feinstein school of armory and misinformation. If he doesn't research guns very well, I am suspect of his other technical statements.

The "old man in the woods" who happens to be a Zen archery master is hilarious. Was Dr. Dolan supposed to be Grasshopper?

It is scary to think innocent people could be guinea pigs for government sponsored drug tests. Unfortunately that has happened several times we are aware of, soldiers exposed to radiation in Nevada and syphilis patients in Alabama. The central story of this novel could be true.

Cook wrote about ergot poisoning that caused uncontrolled violence. Clive Cussler wrote about water supplies being poisoned by chemical waste and that caused extreme violence as well. Palmer is a better writer than Cook but Cussler is more entertaining than either. Cussler also introduces topics for personal research.

I'll stick with Cussler.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense medical thriller., September 16, 2002

By 

A. Vegan (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Critical Judgment (Mass Market Paperback)

I wanted a change from Robin Cook and I'm quite happy I found Michael Palmer. The book was a bit slow to start and I was tempted to stop reading it, but I kept on.
This book is fantastic. The characters are well written as is the plot. There were many times while reading this book that I felt troubled and anxious just because of what Abby was going through. This book really had a hold on me. Although it was the first Michael Palmer book I've read, I'll definately be reading more of his.