Get drawn into a novel of medical suspense that begins with these chilling questions: Who ends up with the blood samples you routinely give for tests? What else are they being used for? Why don’t you know?
Take a Deep Breath....
From Boston, a disgraced medical student travels to South America to deliver a research paper that could save her career and becomes a victim of an unspeakable crime.… Thousands of miles away, a brilliant, reclusive scientist, dying from an incurable disease that threatens to make each tortured breath his last, is on the verge of perfecting a serum that could save millions of lives, and bring others inestimable wealth.… In Chicago, a disillusioned private detective, on the way to his third career, is hired to determine the identity of a John Doe, killed on a Florida highway, with mysterious marks on his body.
Three seemingly disconnected lives, surging unrelentingly toward one another. Three lives becoming irrevocably intertwined. Three lives in mounting peril, moving ever closer to the ultimate confrontation against a deadly secret society with godlike aspirations and roots in antiquity.
Medical student. Scientist. Private eye. Three people who will learn the deeper meanings of brilliance and madness, truth and deception, trust and betrayal.
Three lives linked forever by a single vial of blood—the fifth vial.
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"Good fun read. Plenty of adventure in this book about the organ theft industry. Can't say it spurned any passion about organ theft, but I enjoyed the book. I listened to this one actually; reader was pretty good. My first Michael Palmer book. The writing was pretty good."
— Rick (4 out of 5 stars)
“Palmer is adept at tapping into people’s natural fear of disease, doctors, and hospitals and converting that fear into unnerving suspense…If medical thrills are what you’re after, he delivers.”
— Booklist" Absolutely awesome read! Michael Palmer brilliantly grips you and doesn't let go until the very end! "
— Theresa, 2/11/2014" Pretty much in line with Michael Palmer's other books - pretty basic medical mystery/thriller with a not-entirely-unexpected twist at the end. A good, fairly quick summer read. "
— Cecelia, 2/8/2014" I absolutely loved reading this book and finished it very quickly! It was hard to put down--it was so compelling! "
— Andrea, 2/8/2014" Quite an entertaining book. Moves between several continents and different groups of people, all struggling with health problems, organs received or donated, and a detective trying to check into organ fraud. Very horrifying to think about the underworld traffic in organs, which does exist. Very realistic descriptions of what it must be like to need a lung--"air hunger," but unbelievable at the feats these people can do. Still, there are many obstacles along the way--not smooth sailing--the the suspense does build. "
— Pbwritr, 2/6/2014" Intricate story. Sadly not out of the realm of possibility. "
— Sandra, 2/3/2014" I liked it--it was a little crazy sometimes but it really made me think about some things. "
— Becki, 1/25/2014" This was really a page-turner. Such a frightening concept, but an outstanding story. Fast paced, lots of surprises, and great characters. Perfect for the beginning of summer. "
— Dawn, 1/14/2014" I've been worrying all this time about someone stealing my identity or credit card numbers when I should have been worrying about crooked doctors stealing my health stats and blood for nefarious purposes. A great read but a little unsettling. "
— Luckngrace, 1/14/2014" It was an interesting book and kinda scary too because it could and I am sure does really happen! Yikes!! "
— Michelle, 1/3/2014" The Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer (2007) "
— Tom, 12/30/2013" A decent mystery. I enjoyed it. "
— Christopher, 12/10/2013Michael 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.
J. Charles has narrated nearly one hundred audio books throughout his career. His readings include numerous titles by bestselling authors Dean Koontz, Tom Clancy, and Jack Du Brul.