Michael Palmer, the New York Times bestselling author of A Heartbeat Away and The Last Surgeon brings us a shocking new thriller at the crossroads of politics and medicine. What if a well respected doctor inexplicably goes on a murderous rampage? When Dr. John Meacham goes on a shooting spree the office, his business partner, staff, and two patients are killed in the bloodbath. Then Meacham turns the gun on himself. The blame falls on Dr. Lou Welcome. Welcome worked with Meacham years before as a counselor after John's medical license had been revoked for drug addiction. Lou knew that John was an excellent doctor and deserved to be practicing medicine and fought hard for his license to be restored. After hearing the news of the violent outburst, Lou is in shock like everyone else, but mostly he's incredulous. And when he begins to look into it further, the terrifying evidence he finds takes him down a path to an unspeakable conspiracy that seems to lead directly to the White House and those in the highest positions of power.
Download and start listening now!
"This was a great page-turner. It was thought provoking with the subject of biological modified organisms. How often do we eat things that have been enhanced and changed? It really made me think about things that can go wrong. Albeit, this is fictional and the results were extreme but do we tamper with Mother Nature a little too much. It was a very vivid thriller and I have always enjoyed Michael Palmer's novels."
— CarolAnn (4 out of 5 stars)
“It takes a brilliant mind to get a plot like this going and to cover all the possibilities in the story. Michael Palmer has the intelligence and the know how to do it and do it with complete assurance.”
— Huffington Post“A darn good read.”
— Examiner“A shocker.”
— Associated Press“[A] suspenseful thriller…Palmer’s easy mix of science and individual courage should please his many fans.”
— Publishers Weekly“This is Palmer at his most terrifying, most plausible and, worst of all, most realistic.”
— RT Book Reviews“An author with undeniable talent.”
— Booklist“Is there something in the water making people around the nation’s capital commit crazy, unhinged acts?...Ultimately, Welcome and the First Lady team up against bad guys who will do anything to keep secrets. This thriller raises compelling issues and features a likeable hero.”
— Kirkus Reviews“Robert Petkoff delivers solid narration in this audio edition of the latest medical thriller from Palmer…Petkoff’s pacing is spot on and his reading often chilling. He infuses his performance with just enough melodrama to maintain suspense while keeping the novel grounded in reality. Petkoff deftly delivers Palmer’s complex story, while providing unique voices for all the characters. The result is an enjoyable listen.”
— Publishers Weekly (audio review)“Robert Petkoff’s narration adds drama and tension to this chilling story based on ‘advances’ in agricultural science…Petkoff has a range of unique voices to draw on to portray a variety of characters and their regional origins. He is fully credible as researchers, restaurateurs, and thugs—and even the president and first lady...Listeners, especially those who enjoy conspiracy thrillers, will be thoroughly engaged.”
— AudioFile“Palmer is one of the best in the business when it comes to wrenching up every degree of tension before snapping the band and sending readers flying through a vortex of murder, greed and medical/technological mysteries. You’ll be ensnared in his web of mayhem with the sanity of a small town, if not the world, hanging in the balance. This is Palmer at his most terrifying, most plausible, and, worst of all, most realistic.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)“Robert Petkoff's narration adds drama and tension to this chilling story based on ‘advances' in agricultural science…Listeners, especially those who enjoy conspiracy thrillers, will be thoroughly engaged.
— AudioFile MagazineRobert Petkoff delivers solid narration…Petkoff's pacing is spot on and his reading often chilling. He infuses his performance with just enough melodrama to maintain suspense while keeping the novel grounded in reality…The result is an enjoyable listen.
— Publishers WeeklyA tense, driven story from the beginning to end, Oath of Office is an excellent choice for mystery lovers and is sure to be a popular pick in public library audiobook collections.
— The Midwest Book ReviewRobert Petkoff delivers a tense, exciting performance. He's especially proficient as the crafty female Speaker of the House. Petkoff's virtuosity makes this thriller intense and as close to reality as one dares to think about.
— Audiofile on A Heartbeat AwayRobert Petkoff proves to be the perfect choice to narrate Palmer's latest medical thriller…Petkoff never misses a beat in his reading of this high-octane medical thriller, fully realizing each scene and character with ease. His energetic and skillful performance will keep listeners on the edge of their seats.
— Publisher's Weekly on A Heartbeat AwayActor Robert Petkoff does an exceptional job of narrating Palmer's follow-up to The Last Surgeon (2010), perfectly capturing each character's unique accent, quirks, and personality and rendering Griffin's best friend and colleague Melvin especially well. Sure to keep listeners on the edge of their seats; highly recommended for mystery/thriller fans.
— Library Journal on A Heartbeat AwayThe twists fly in A Heartbeat Away and the results create a terrifying scenario...Palmer has a mastery of the medical science involved in such an elaborate conspiracy, plus the intricacies of presidential succession.
— Associated Press on A Heartbeat AwayWhen it comes to inventive plots for medical thrillers nobody does it better than Michael Palmer… This premise is explosive and compelling and grabs the readers from the very first page.
— The Huffington Post on A Heartbeat AwayFans of Michael Palmer will love the Boston-based doctor/crime writer's latest thriller...Prepare to burn some serious midnight oil.
— The Boston Herald on The Last SurgeonThe novel is not merely a thriller but also an exploration of its central character's unique gifts and her determination to communicate with hercomatose father despite overwhelming odds. Another winner from a consistently fine writer.
— Booklist on The Second OpinionThe First Patient is an exciting thriller that is full of surprises and captures the intense atmosphere of the White House, how the medical system works, and how the 25th Amendment could be brought into play. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
— Bill Clinton on The First PatientThis latest should please Palmer's fans and all those who enjoy their suspense mixed with medical characters and settings.
— Library Journal on The Last SurgeonA heart-pounding medical thriller.
— The Boston Globe on The Second Opinion" Very predictable but engaging anyway. "
— Janel, 2/13/2014" I usually enjoy this author's medical thrillers. This one seemed too far out for me to really believe plus the storyline that involved White House personnel was very implausible. "
— Judy, 2/10/2014" If I had known this book concerned giant termites and genetically manipulated corn, I would never have read it. The title has little to do with the "meat" of the book. "
— Charlotte, 2/10/2014" Enjoyed reading this book, it was an easy read. Good plot line. First time I have read a book by this author and I will probably look in to getting some more of his books. "
— Heather, 1/17/2014" Just fine as an audio book. Not the deepest but killed traffic time pleasantly. "
— Tom, 12/28/2013" I found this book fun and well done (believable)it has every thing one could want family love fighting mystery and suspense. I Will be reading more by Mr. Palmer that is for sure. "
— Larry, 12/24/2013" Not my favorite by Palmer. Slow going "
— Deb, 12/20/2013" Great read with too many typos....whatever happened to proofreading??? "
— Lil, 12/20/2013" Pretty good. Easy to figure out the "twist" but i enjoyed reading it anyway. "
— Jennifer, 12/6/2013" I enjoyed this book. Starts out with a doctor going crazy and shooting everyone in his office and ends with a connection to the white house. "
— Cheryl, 12/5/2013" This one was BAD. Bad plot. Ridiculous premise. And a preview on the back of the book reveals a plot twist that happens 3/4 of the way through the book. Skip this one! "
— Abby, 12/4/2013" As usual Mr. Palmer does not disappoint. Thought provoking ideas presented in regards to our food production and problems therein. "
— Mary, 11/20/2013" A quick, to the point and entertaining read. Thought provoking as to what is going into our foods today. Palmer did it again. "
— S, 10/30/2013" This man can sure write a good medical thriller and this is no exception. Found it hard to put down! "
— Bonnie, 7/5/2013" Another book that I'd give a 3.5 to if I could (so I chose 3 somewhat arbitrarily). "
— Pat, 6/23/2013" A thriller about GMO, genetically modified food, a president, a cover up and a workplace shooting....interesting read "
— Amy, 5/6/2013" This is my second Michael Palmer book (First Patient was the first). I gave this book three stars but it is really only because is was a quick, entertaining read, albeit an improbable/impossible story line. "
— Don, 3/12/2013" absolutely loved this book! kept me up till 3 trying to see what happened. "
— Nancy, 7/19/2012" Got a little "iffy" with the story line. I suppose it could happen, but a little creepy to think about. "
— Deb, 3/26/2012Michael Palmer (1942–2013) authored twenty-one novels of medical suspense, all international bestsellers, including The First Patient, The Second Opinion, and The Last Surgeon. His books have been translated into thirty-five languages. Extreme Measures was the basis for a movie starring Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman.
Robert Petkoff is an actor and audiobook narrator who has won a prestigious Audie Award and multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice. He has appeared on Chappelle’s Show, Law & Order, and Quantum Leap. His Broadway credits include Sir Robin in Spamalot, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, and Tateh in Ragtime.