Side Effects [Paperback]

Michael Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2001

At a hi-tech health facility for women, a strange and puzzling illness has killed two patients. When pathologist Kate Bennett is called in to investigate, she uncovers a horrifying secret, which certain influential people will stop at nothing to protect.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Kate Bennet. A bright hospital pathologist with a loving husband and a solid future. Until one day her world turns dark. A strange, puzzling illness has killed two women. Now it endangers Kate's closest friend. Soon it will threaten Kate's marriage. Her sanity. Her life. Kate has uncovered a horrifying secret. Important people will stop at nothing to protect it. It is a terrifying medical discovery. And its roots lie in one of the greatest evils in the history of humankind. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Michael Palmer, M.D., is the author of twelve previous novels of medical suspense, all international bestsellers. In addition to his 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, including alcoholism. In what spare time he has, Palmer is a weight lifter and avid tournament bridge player. He lives in Massachusetts, where he is best known for his two phantasmagoric cats and three incomparably witty sons. Visit and write him at www.michaelpalmerbooks.com. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Random House (December 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099410761
• ISBN-13: 978-0099410768
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,593,471 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

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've read all of his books except "Patient", September 4, 2000

By 

Ann C. Oman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Side Effects (Paperback)

Yes - his books seem to following the typical formula/recipe for medical mystery thriller - BUT, each of the eight paperbacks of his books I finished in record time and couldn't get enough of them! After reading the first one "Silent Treatment" I ordered the other seven to read too! Yes, I too am fairly good at guessing the next "thing" that will occur in mystery books that I read - but I am pretty good at doing so with mystery movies and TV series too - so this is nothing new to me. I have to say that I have also passed on his books to friends and family to read and they are just as captivated by his writing ability and plots as I have been! They are a good, exciting, fast read and if that is what you are after you won't be disappointed - give his books a shot - I certainly did - and I'm not in the least bit disappointed that I did.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting blend of suspense and medical compassion., October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Side Effects (Paperback)

Dr. Kate Bennett, a rising-star pathologist at Metropolitan Hospital of Boston, is investigating the unexplained deaths of two women. Her investigation leads her to suspect that someone is intentionally administering untested medication at the Omnicenter, the hospital's health facility for women. With automated drug-dispensing, the Omnicenter system becomes suspect, as does the major pharmaceutical company that provides the standard medications for this system. With powerful enemies and few friends, Dr. Bennett finds her successful life suddenly subject to a series of reverses, engineered by the now-threatened corrupt enterprise. To complicate matters, the illegal drug testing plan is itself infiltrated by a renegade scientist with his own plans for personal glory.

Perhaps with less action than previous novels such as Natural Causes and Silent Treatment, Dr. Michael Palmer has compensated in Side Effects with a careening plot that races towards conclusion without a clear resolution in sight until the last moment. A frightening and plausible thesis, Side Effects provides the reader with insight into our changing vulnerability as trends in medical care also change.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Medical thriller at its best!, July 16, 2003

By 

jmz "jzarate12" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Side Effects (Paperback)

I am a complete medical thriller junkie. I hardly ever read the more "mainstream" fiction/thrillers that are written, but I will always read a medical thriller. Michael Palmer's Side Effects does not disappoint. This is, in fact, the first novel I've read by Palmer, and I will definitely take the opportunity to do so again.

The plot was really interesting, I think the characters were well-developed and real, and the "action" scenes were exciting. Palmer can take real life and make it that much more interesting by throwing in controversy and conflict. The relationship between Kate and her husband was a real relationship, and I was glad to see her husband fight so much in the end to save Kate's life and career.

If you're into medical thrillers, then I would recommend this book for sure.