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Fatal  By  cover art

Fatal

By: Michael Palmer
Narrated by: Michael Palmer
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Publisher's summary

From The Sisterhood, Michael Palmer's first New York Times best seller, to The Patient, his ninth, reviewers have proclaimed him a master of medical suspense. Recognized around the world for original, topical, nail-biting suspense, emergency physician Palmer's work has been translated into more than 35 languages. Now he reaches controversial and startling new heights in a terrifying tale of cutting-edge microbiology, unbridled greed, and murder, where either knowing too little or trusting too much can be FATAL.

In Chicago, a pregnant cafeteria worker suffering nothing more malevolent than flu-like symptoms begins hemorrhaging from every part of her body. In Boston, a brilliant musician, her face disfigured by an unknown disease, rapidly descends into a lethal paranoia. In Belinda, West Virginia, a miner suddenly goes berserk, causing a cave-in that kills two of his co-workers. Finding the link between these events could prove FATAL.

Five years ago, internist and emergency specialist Matt Rutledge returned to his West Virginia home to marry his high-school sweetheart and open a practice. He also had a score to settle. His father died while working for the Belinda Coal and Coke Company, and Matt swore to expose the mine’s health and safety violations. When his beloved Ginny succumbed to an unusual cancer, his campaign became even more bitterly personal. Now Matt has identified two bizarre cases of what he has dubbed the Belinda Syndrome - caused, he is certain, by the mine’s careless disposal of toxic chemicals. All he needs is proof.

Meanwhile, two women, unknown to one another, are drawn inexorably to Belinda, into Matt’s life - and into mortal danger. Massachusetts coroner Nikki Solari comes to attend the funeral of her roommate, killed violently on a Boston street. Ellen Kroft, a retired schoolteacher from Maryland, seeks the remorseless killer who has threatened to destroy her and her family.

Three strangers - Rutledge, Solari, and Kroft - each hold one piece of a puzzle they must solve, and solve quickly. If they don’t, it will be far more than just their own lives that are at risk.

Michael Palmer has crafted a novel of breathtaking speed and medical intricacy where nothing is as it seems and one false step could be FATAL.

©2002 Michael Palmer (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Palmer's] most riveting book yet, leaving hardly enough time to take a breath." (Denver Post)

What listeners say about Fatal

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Performance was too monotone, but story is great! Real exciting, interesting, fast moving, and intense!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellant

I enjoyed this book by Michael Palmer,and give it a 10+ rating. It kept my interest with plenty of twists and turns in the plot. Anyone whom enjoys Medical related mysteries will enjoy this novel.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Complex, rich, compelling

Hard to put down! Good character development, and story line that branched and grew like Southern cudzoo... Definitely recommend.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not his best

I have never struggled with one of his books before but this is like someone else wrote it. Or maybe his voice, either way it's hard to stay awake. It dragged and it took me a long time to figure out what it was about. no banner start, just barely simmered

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another Great Book Can’t put down

I am so sorry Michael Palmer has passed one. He is one of my favorite authors. He knows how to tell a story and always surprises you at the end. Lots of twist & turns in this one how any of them manage to live through the situations they were put in. Now maybe I can get some sleep, this
Is a can’t put down book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Keeps you on your toes!

I love to read Michael Palmer's books. Just love the medical suspense he has to offer!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A gripping story- involved multiple storylines!

I am a big Michael Palmer fan, his stories are always believable and intriguing. His characters are real and always quite diverse. Very talented writer!

I highly recommend!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great story with unexpected twist

easy to listen with many unexpected it twist in a modern medical mystery novel wonderful

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Fast Paced Storyline

I really enjoyed the storyline, it could have been a movie!
Dr. Matt Rutledge is a doctor in Belinda, West Virginia and he has been investigating chemical treatment site.
Dr. Nikki Solari is a Boston doctor of Pathology and her friend is from W. Virginia. After awhile her friends behavior and physical appearance changes horribly.
This book have three strangers who unknowingly have something in common.
Such a suspenseful, mystery, and action filled book!
I love medical thrillers and this was such a great listen! 🎧

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

plot driven by the stupidity of characters

I have read books by this author that I enjoyed. The main characters in this book did not learn from danger or significantly change their behavior because of it. It was often hard to listen to. I finished it but i won't listen to it a second time

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