Painkiller [Paperback]

Steven Spruill (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Something odd is going on in Adams Memorial Hospital's mental ward, but the patients aren't the cause. A statistically significant number of the mental patients check out of the hospital and then disappear--forever. Only Sharon Francis, a feisty second-year psychiatric resident, notices that anything strange is happening, and she fights (literally) to solve the mystery. She must deal with disbelief, hostile doctors, a masked attacker, and even the possibility of her own insanity to expose the criminals. If the idea of a female doctor ferreting out a medical plot all alone sounds vaguely familiar, that's because this book is similar to Robin Cook's Coma ( LJ 5/15/77). As with Cook, some of Spruill's story lines stretch credibility, but the relentlessly suspenseful plot and the undercurrent of terror will keep readers turning the pages quickly until the very end. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections.
- Rebecca House Stankowski, Purdue Univ. Calumet Lib., Hammond, Ind.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Mass Market Paper (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312924976
• ISBN-13: 978-0312924973
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,547,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

1968: Andrews University. Graduated with B.A. in biology.
1969: Married Nancy Lyon

1969-1974: Hazleton Laboratories. Laboratory technician, technical writer.

1974-1981: The Catholic University.
While studying for a doctorate in clinical psychology, Spruill sold his first novel, Keepers of the Gate, to Doubleday in 1976. Five more of his novels were published while he completed graduate school. During this period, Spruill also served as an adjunct professor at Catholic University, teaching creative writing to students in the drama program at Catholic U. In 1980, Spruill completed his doctoral dissertation on Creativity, and was awarded the Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1981.

1981-present: After completing a year's internship at Mount Vernon Hospital in Virginia, Spruill turned to writing, full time. Fifteen of his novels, two novellas, and one non-fiction book have been published by Doubleday, Playboy Press, St. Martin's Press, TOR, Berkley, and Dell. His pseudonyms include Steve Morgan (UK), Steve Lyon, and Steven Harriman (Berkley). His work has sold in over twenty foreign countries. Several of his novels were selections of The Literary Guild and the Doubleday Book Club. Three of his medical thrillers were condensed in Good Housekeeping Magazine and one in Reader's Digest Books. Both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly have awarded starred reviews to his novels. Spruill's novel Rulers of Darkness was nominated for the British Fantasy Award. It was this novel that, in 1995, coined the term "Hemophage" to describe the "reality" behind the vampire myth. In 1995, the Catholic University of America conferred upon Spruill its award for "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Literature." Other recipients of this award in the arts include Susan Sarandon and Jon Voight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense and riveting!, February 25, 2007

By 

Amanda Grabler (Abingdon, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painkiller (Hardcover)

I first read this book when I was in seventh grade! Typical books for my age group were too easy for me and I liked the thrillers.

Growing up just made the book better as I understood more and more of the dark side of the healthcare / hospital industry.

Spruill will keep you glued to this book -- and the edge of your seat.
Great characters that come to life.

Not a book to be missed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Done, October 18, 2008

By 

Poncho DuQue - See all my reviews

This review is from: Painkiller (Hardcover)

I thought all along that she was going to be thrown out of the hospital on her butt. But, alas she managed to get into the records hidden in the basement and figured the whole thing out.....I loved it! And I hardly every say that about a book.