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, 12/10/2013" Yep... Michael Palmer again... love love love the guy! I truly enjoyed this book. "
— Connie, 11/26/2013" This could have been so much better than it was. "
— Cathy, 11/11/2013" I love this book so much but i like all his books. "
— Aaron, 11/5/2013" A good suspenseful medical thriller .. I always enjoy Michael Palmer's books. Good to read when you're sick - how mild is a bad cold when stacked up against serious medical conditions some people deal with every day of their lives. "
— Audrey, 11/5/2013" This guy writes medical books about like Robin Cook. They will Keep your interest about like Coma did with me. "
— Max, 10/22/2013" Well-written, although the theme is well-trodden and the plot could be described as a little far-fetched in places. The book kept me engaged and was a quick read. "
— Rod, 10/7/2013" Very captivating and thrilling. I could easily see this become a suspense movie. With only two F-words and no sex scenes, it was a clean medical thriller as well. I would highly recommend this book. "
— Alissa, 9/17/2013" Ralph suggested this book. Wonderful story, I was able to escape into it for several mornings. Thanks, Ralph. "
— Joellen, 9/3/2013" Still reading it but we'll see. "
— Jaime, 8/20/2013" This was the hardest book to read. The first half of the book seemed to be all background information and not interesting in the least. After finishing it I can't even say that it ended well. "
— Tila, 1/25/2013" I would sit down to read a bit, thinking that I'd just read 1 chapter and I would end up reading 3 because I just had to find out what happened next. Great medical suspense! "
— Lisa, 1/18/2013" An engaging medical thriller with a devastating philosophical twist. "
— Dysmonia, 12/24/2012" An interesting idea, I liked how he pulled all the threads of the story together while keeping you interested in what was going on. "
— Jen, 5/9/2012" I listened to this as an audio book. It was a good story, very Robin Cook in tone. It was set in Boston, nice to hear about local places, to really know the setting. It makes you wonder about where our personal information ends up and to what end it is used. "
— Amy, 3/19/2012" It was a good read. I did guess who all the bad guys were, so not much mystery, but the last couple of chapters were good. "
— Julia, 2/29/2012" Mediocre. Good story. Preachy. Plus, it was hard to suspend belief and believe that his characters could survive everything the author put them through. Secret surgeries, fires, car wrecks- why is this woman not dead? "
— Trina, 2/11/2012" Absolutely awesome read! Michael Palmer brilliantly grips you and doesn't let go until the very end! "
— Theresa, 5/22/2011" Awesome book, I couldn't put it down! "
— CodyAnne, 5/8/2011" International intrigue about organ transplants; theft of organs, a genius scientist in Africa in need of a lung transplant, and an unwitting young doctor donor of same. Far-fetched but holds the attention nonetheless. "
— Barbara, 5/3/2011" 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, 4/21/2011" The only good thing about this book is the "quote" from Plato at the head of chapter 41. "
— Ron, 4/8/2011" I absolutely loved reading this book and finished it very quickly! It was hard to put down--it was so compelling! <br/> "
— Andrea, 1/28/2011" He is usually a good read. Good vacation book. "
— Diane, 10/31/2010" A good "summer" read medical mystery thriller. "
— Karen, 7/21/2010" Good story line. If you like medical thrillers, this will be a good one to put on your reading list. "
— Jennifer, 7/18/2010" A bit predictable, but ok. "
— Veronica, 6/29/2010" Loved this story, it will make you think twice every time you go to the lab to have blood drawn. Who would like your organs?? "
— Lori, 6/22/2010" I liked it--it was a little crazy sometimes but it really made me think about some things. "
— Becki, 5/30/2010" God i lovd this book <br/> <br/>I was in hospital for a week when i read it ! <br/> <br/> "
— Mara, 3/24/2010" Michael Palmer is always reliable for a good fun and fast read. He satifies the action/adventure mystery need with a little clean romance and usually a highly controversial/ethical medical question. Loved the use of Plato's The Republic throughout this book. Very enjoyable. "
— Lora, 3/8/2010" I absolutely loved reading this book and finished it very quickly! It was hard to put down--it was so compelling! <br/> "
— Andrea, 2/22/2010Michael 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.