A Case of Need / The Door to December / The Pillars of the Earth

by Jeffery Hudson, Michael Crichton (Contributor), Dean Koontz (Contributor)

A Case Of Need; The Door To December; The Pillars Of The Earth. 3 Vols.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

A pen name for Michael Crichton.

Reviews

[Judy Evenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Case of Need was Published in 1968 long before Roe vs. Wade. This book addresses the issue of legalized abortion set in a time when only men were doctors and women for the most part might be teachers, secretaries or nurses. The story focuses on an abortion gone horrible wrong, killing a young woman from one of Boston’s most prominent families. Interesting to view the whole story with a rear view mirror of the last 50 years of changes.

[Hadjar Nassiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book !! it's on my top 10 list !! even the biography of the the writer mesmerize me...
I'm a medical student too, and I try to write stories:) I hope that one day I'll be as brilliant as him <3

[phil breidenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed reading Crichton's books! This was no exception. Even though it was a work of fiction, it ia filled with lots of footnotes and appendixes to help the reader understand.
A pathologist plays detective to help his friend, a fellow doctor accused of killing a young girl during an abortion.

[Phạm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not really make up my mind whether or not to give this book a 4 or 5 stars.
I was hoping to get something really detective, for which I was let down.
In the return, Michael Crichton just once again awed me with his vast knowledge on many issues. He elaborated the life of a pathologist, or more generally- any medical workers, with all its twists and dark sides.
Nevertheless, it was thrilling to read as always. Honestly, I think a 4.5 would suit it the best.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting story. demonstrates how vulnerable doctors are to law suits and how damaging they can be. also points out the politics of medical profession.
girl dying, botched abortion has named a good doctor as the doc who performed abortion. gets ugly all Around when a friendly doc becomes embroiled in tracking what went wrong .

[Wilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all Michael Crichton novels, this one was excellent. All about a botched abortion and a doctor's friend being held in custody, accused falsely of the death. The good doctor goes about an investigation into the abortion. Good characters, good plot, excellent writing.

I highly recommend it.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read A Case of Need, not the other ones on my kindle. This was a fast paced medical/legal thriller written while Crichton was attending Harvard Medical School. Good story, interesting main character, kept going and going, until you wondered whether or not he really wanted to solve the mystery or just keep investigating!

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A taut medical thriller. Craftily plotted and gives readers plenty to think about. Fast paced yet detailed and enjoyable. You come to care about some of the characters and what will happen to them. The basic story revolves around a doctor accused of performing an abortion that leads to the death of the mother and all that follows.

[Stevi Rex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much detail that didn’t actually add to the story. So many characters that had pages of background but ended up not being pertinent to the story. Could have cut the book in half and would have been better.

[Erinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read only A Case of Need and was generally disappointed by the anti climactic resolution. By the time the novel ended, I’m not sure I was entirely clear on the motive or cared. This is simply unusual for this author... overall disappointing.

[Bill Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Case of Need

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a little out of date and I found it confusing trying to keep the characters straight. I didn't really care about the dead girl or her family.

[Meinwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t live up to its promise (A Case of Need).

[Chriser123 Dittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read "A Case of Need". Although Crichton is a great writer, this book is a little dated.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

(A Case of Need)

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Case of Need; disappointing ending. alas...hence, two stars.
Door to December; typical Koontz; always a good story
The Pillars of the Earth; another good story

[Teresa McCullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a case of need, interesting insight into the medical world during that era.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike's first story of a doctor trying to help a friend in need of help, pretty intriguing.

[Christine Garver · Rating 4 out of 5]

1968 published by this great writer. Gotta find more.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Case of Need is what I read. It was a good read, technical, and informative. It was a good read for a car trip.

[Gerry]

wrong book

[Myla Delappe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Michael Crichton's A Case of Need. Very well written.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried for three days to get into this book and couldn’t

[Cathy Koerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Case of Need

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read A Case of Need by Michael Crichton. Excellent read..keeps you gessing until the end!

[Karen Furlong · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy only had A Case of Need.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1995. A medical thriller and mystery novel.

[Emilie Wilkinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

All that for nothing, hated the ending.

[Khingaa]

Dnf

[Trudy Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason a case of need won’t come up as a book on its own. That’s the book I read of this trio. Dated to the days when abortion was illegal but still good. True mystery.

I reread this book in 2017. Times may have changed but abortion is still so controversial.