Thursday, March 5, 2009

2009 Book 12: The First Patient





Book #:
124

Book Title:
The First Patient

Author:
Michael Palmer

Publisher:
St. Martin's Press

Pub. Date:
2009

Pages:
323

Started:
March 1, 2009

Finished:
March 5, 2009

Time to Read:
5 Days

Back Cover / Inside Flap:
"Gabe Singleton and Andrew Stoddard were roommates at the Naval Academy in Annapolis years ago.  Today, Gabe is a country doctor and his friend Andrew has gone from war hero to governor to President of the United States.
One day, while the United States is embroiled in a bitter presidential election campaign, Marine One lands on Gabe's Wyoming ranch, and President Stoddard delivers a disturbing revelation and a startling request. His personal physician has suddenly and mysteriously disappeared, and he desperately needs Gabe to take the man's place. Despite serious misgivings, Gabe agrees to come to Washington.
It is not until he is ensconced in the White House medical office that Gabe realizes there is strong evidence that the President is going insane. Facing a crisis of conscience - as President Stoddard's physician, he has the power to invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment to transfer presidential power to the Vice President - Gabe uncovers increasing evidence that his friend's condition may not be due to natural causes.
Who? Why? And how? The President's life is at stake. A small-town doctor suddenly finds himself in the most powerful position on earth, and the safety of the world is in jeopardy. Gabe Singleton must find the answers, and the clock is ticking..."

Stars:
*****

Review:
Rarely do I give five stars to an author who I am reading for the first time...but in this case, Michael Palmer and The First Patient are most certainly deserving.  Gabe Singleton is the kind of doctor you want to take your family to - knowledgeable yet humble, intuitive yet doubting of causes.  Dr. Singleton isn't ever satisfied with what is on the surface and must know the actual cause and what lies beneath.  And in the case of this novel, what lies beneath has the power to influence the entire world, through the office of the President of the United States of America.  And speaking of that office, it's hard to get a good read on that most powerful chief executive.  Is he who he says he is - or who he appears to be?  Is his odd behavior debilitating and out of his control, or has he become a puppet to some very evil people?  The pace on this book is perfect and every word is carefully chosen to get across just the right message.  If you're looking for a story lacking twists and turns, look elsewhere.  This tome will keep you on the edge of your seat and wonderful what will come next.  Enjoy!




If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany

No comments: