Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130507 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Customer Reviews

Not as good as Palmer's other books!
A very mediocre medical thriller (by Palmer's own standards, very very pedestrian indeed). The only gripping aspect is the technology of performing neurosurgery by ARTIE (Assisted Robotic Tissue Invasion and Extraction) and to some extent-- the lead character, which though, like other Palmer's books leans on a more gimmicky, highly stylised, cape-flowing, caffeine drugged neurosurgeon image, still evokes some genuine concern. But that's where Palmer's writing should be applauded-- its as succinct, palpable yet as believable as ever.

But of course, the actual thriller aspect merely sends any shivers down the spine. Thanks to a not-so-difficult premise (to save a dying criminal on the operation table or not), surprisingly thin storyline, and a routine climax. The Patient feels really over-written in places. If it would have been half as long as it is, it had the potential to be a very gripping and even chilling story, but as of now-- the book remains very weak when talking of un-put-downablility factor, so very necessary in the thriller genre.

There's precious little that makes you want to read right till the last page and the twists and turns in the plot are, as much as I hate to admit it, very cliched and guessable. I had always thought of Palmer as the master twister in medical thrillers-- but this time around, even he's resorted to expose-the-underdog routine as countless other writers.

Still, as a consolation, I would say that the book isn't absolute trash and yes, even though its mediocre and has made me loathe Palmer a little, I am still as eager to read his other thrillers. Pity its nowhere near as potent and as chilling as his Silent Treatment and Critical Judgement, which are probably one of the best, not only by himbut in the whole med thriller genre.

Excellent Suspense Thriller
This was my first book by this author. The Plot kept me up reading until the early hours. The only downside was that the book had not been properly proofread and there were a lot of hut instead of but. All in all I will get the rest of his books as this was one of the best stories I have read in a long time.

EXCELLENT - UNPUTDOWNABLE
I have not read this author before - but I found it up with the best of medical crime novels. Excellent pace and plot development, with good characters and accurate medical science content. Having started it on a rainy morning, I couldn't put my light out until I had finished (at 2am!). Highly reccommended.