Natural Causes [Hardcover]

Michael Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1994

A horrifying and lethal medical crisis threatens the career of Dr. Sarah Baldwin, a young resident skilled in holistic medicine, and investigators soon discover that the deaths may have nothing to do with natural causes. 60,000 first printing. $60,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The latest medical thriller by physician Palmer ( Extreme Measures ) is timely and diverting. Dr. Sarah Baldwin is a fast-track OB/GYN resident at the Medical Center of Boston (aka "Crunchy Granola General"), a hospital which seems ideally suited to her holistic healing background. When one of her patients is stricken with sudden, almost unstoppable bleeding, Sarah saves her life with a combination of acupuncture and meditation techniques, briefly becoming a heroine. Then, it turns out that this patient and two others who died under similar circumstances were all taking a natural herbal vitamin supplement Sarah had prescribed. The young resident soon finds herself pitted against several powerful interests, including an HMO poised to take over the struggling hospital. With the help of an attractive if inexperienced lawyer, a dedicated investigator for the Centers for Disease Control and the head of MCB's department of internal medicine, Sarah tries to avert the threats to her career and, as later becomes clear, to her life. Natural Causes is a page-turner despite more villains than any plot requires, and a conclusion that, like the Energizer Bunny, keeps on going and going, this is an entertaining novel with some surprise moments.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-Several deaths occur from definitely unnatural causes in this fast-paced medical thriller that features genetic engineering of a recombinant DNA virus and alternative, nontraditional healing methods. In the final stages of labor, a woman suddenly screams at the pain in her fingers and hands, blood gushes from her nose and mouth, and then she dies. The third time this happens, the common thread points to obstetrician Sarah Baldwin and the herbal vitamin supplements she has prescribed for expectant mothers. Sarah's reputation, her hard work, and her future are in jeopardy unless she and her inexperienced lawyer can prove her innocence. Palmer captures the hospital environment of medicine, politics, community involvement, and relationship with the drug industry. Although slightly overlong, with several plot twists too many, this exciting page-turner will appeal to fans of Robin Cook and Michael Crichton.
Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 389 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553095536
• ISBN-13: 978-0553095531
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147,880 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 will be released on February 14,2012. 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

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you want vitamins with that?, November 7, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Natural Causes (Mass Market Paperback)

For a while now, I've been on the Michael Palmer 'kick'. His novels are full of plot twists, detailed characters and just the right amount of suspense.
Natural Causes is just another of his well written books that will keep you hanging on until the end. The best part about his books is the right from page one, you're hooked.
Natural Causes does have some truth to it and makes you wonder about 'Natural' supplements.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great medical thriller, great characters!, January 2, 2002

By 

Andrea Egger, author of Grave Accusations (Gallup, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Causes (Mass Market Paperback)

This book captures you from the very beginning and makes you see the world through the eyes of Dr. Sarah Baldwin. Very detailed medical information and a fast read. Keeps you going from the first page to the last.

Dr. Baldwin is the kind of doc most people in this open-minded society would want to have -- one with the Western science medicine as well as using holistic practices such as accupuncture. She gets in trouble after two women die and one woman is maimed in their pregnancies after taking her herbal supplement for pregnancy, which she recommends instead of the usual vitamins. An intrigue follows which delves into politics and money. Great mystery up until the very end, when one of the last people you'd suspect turns out to be the bad guy!

My first taste of Michael Palmer, and I'm looking forward to reading more!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put this one down. Great thriller!, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Natural Causes (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first book I've read by Michael Palmer, but it won't be the last. "Natural Causes" grabbed me from the first pages and didn't let go until the end! I was still wondering who to trust up until the last chapter. I really enjoy thriller/mysteries and combining it with medicine makes it that much more interesting for me. I will definitely recommend this book to all of my reading buddies.