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Trauma
TRAUMA
Prepare to be hooked from page one of this shock-inducing medical thriller from
New York Times bestselling author Michael Palmer and his son, acclaimed suspense novelist Daniel Palmer.
Dr. Carrie Bryant is a much-admired neurosurgical resident at an esteemed Boston hospital. When the relentless pace of her residency leads to a life-shattering error, Carrie loses her confidence—and decides to quit her residency and move back home. Her new life’s purpose: To help her combat-vet brother, Adam, recover from a crippling case of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“A unique novel that shows the strength of both authors’ work.”—Mystery Scene
The experimental program at the VA Medical Center promises the possibility of curing the ravages of PTSD forever. It seems like Adam’s best option, but Carrie has her doubts when one of her patients goes missing…and then another. Carrie joins local investigative reporter David Hoffman in the hunt for answers. The hospital, however, is determined to keep its secrets at all costs. As Carrie and David descend into a labyrinth of murder and corruption, the price Carrie could pay for asking the wrong questions is her own life…
“When it comes to inventive plots for medical thrillers, nobody does it better than Michael Palmer.”—Huffington Post
Prepare to be hooked from page one of this shock-inducing medical thriller from
New York Times bestselling author Michael Palmer and his son, acclaimed suspense novelist Daniel Palmer.
Dr. Carrie Bryant is a much-admired neurosurgical resident at an esteemed Boston hospital. When the relentless pace of her residency leads to a life-shattering error, Carrie loses her confidence—and decides to quit her residency and move back home. Her new life’s purpose: To help her combat-vet brother, Adam, recover from a crippling case of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“A unique novel that shows the strength of both authors’ work.”—Mystery Scene
The experimental program at the VA Medical Center promises the possibility of curing the ravages of PTSD forever. It seems like Adam’s best option, but Carrie has her doubts when one of her patients goes missing…and then another. Carrie joins local investigative reporter David Hoffman in the hunt for answers. The hospital, however, is determined to keep its secrets at all costs. As Carrie and David descend into a labyrinth of murder and corruption, the price Carrie could pay for asking the wrong questions is her own life…
“When it comes to inventive plots for medical thrillers, nobody does it better than Michael Palmer.”—Huffington Post
9 pages, Audio CD
First published May 12, 2015
608 people are currently reading
3100 people want to read
About the author
Michael Palmer
67 books248 followersMichael Stephen Palmer, M.D., was an American physician and author. His novels are often referred to as medical thrillers. Some of his novels have made The New York Times Best Seller list and have been translated into 35 languages. One, Extreme Measures (1991), was adopted into a 1996 film of the same name starring Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Gene Hackman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
May 4, 2015
Just wondering why everybody who writes a review has to recap the entire story
November 6, 2024
“We did it, Pop.”
Sadly, the author passed away before he completed this novel, and thus his son finished with the writing of it.
Prior to passing away, Michael Palmer had discussed his vision for the story with his son. He was already proud of his son for his own published accomplishments, and so, would completing his story be something he could accomplish for his Dad?
And, will having two author voices affect the feel-flow of the story?
M. Palmer was known for medical thrillers, and this one follows that theme. In this story, we have Carrie, a surgery resident expected to assist her boss with a difficult brain surgery. But something goes wrong during the surgery which causes Carrie to resign in shame before completing her residency. Returning home, she is addressing her brother, Adam’s PTSD from his time spent in combat.
The VA Medical Center has an opening for Carrie to join them in their neurosurgical unit. But no sooner does she start, but she suspects something isn’t quite right as to what the VA Medical Center is doing in that unit. Because of her sensitivity about what happened to her earlier, she feels shy about saying anything. So, she lines up with an investigative journalist, to get answers.
What will be discovered? Will Carrie be able to survive another controversy? Stop whatever is wrong from continuing? What will happen to her brother?
Suspenseful. Riveting. Page-turner. But some may get lost in the medical jargon, which could get confusing, at times. Otherwise, it proves to be a fairly worthy accomplishment in honor of his Dad, on behalf of his son.
Be sure to read the author’s note.
Sadly, the author passed away before he completed this novel, and thus his son finished with the writing of it.
Prior to passing away, Michael Palmer had discussed his vision for the story with his son. He was already proud of his son for his own published accomplishments, and so, would completing his story be something he could accomplish for his Dad?
And, will having two author voices affect the feel-flow of the story?
M. Palmer was known for medical thrillers, and this one follows that theme. In this story, we have Carrie, a surgery resident expected to assist her boss with a difficult brain surgery. But something goes wrong during the surgery which causes Carrie to resign in shame before completing her residency. Returning home, she is addressing her brother, Adam’s PTSD from his time spent in combat.
The VA Medical Center has an opening for Carrie to join them in their neurosurgical unit. But no sooner does she start, but she suspects something isn’t quite right as to what the VA Medical Center is doing in that unit. Because of her sensitivity about what happened to her earlier, she feels shy about saying anything. So, she lines up with an investigative journalist, to get answers.
What will be discovered? Will Carrie be able to survive another controversy? Stop whatever is wrong from continuing? What will happen to her brother?
Suspenseful. Riveting. Page-turner. But some may get lost in the medical jargon, which could get confusing, at times. Otherwise, it proves to be a fairly worthy accomplishment in honor of his Dad, on behalf of his son.
Be sure to read the author’s note.
May 24, 2015
I wasn't sure why I picked up this book but for the fact that I had read several Michael Palmer Novels years and years ago. I must have liked them since I remembered some of the titles. This novel was looking pretty popular as I noticed both father and son on the cover. I did not know of Michael Palmer’s passing. A special book indeed, this one.
Dr. Carrie Bryant, a fourth year resident and surgeon, has made a mistake during a delicate brain operation which results in her resignation from White Memorial Hospital. While wallowing in self pity, she is encouraged to join a team at a Veteran’s Hospital as a neurosurgeon specializing in DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) for veterans with PTSD. A cure, in fact.
Soon, her curiosity gets the best of her and certain things don’t make any sense. Patients go missing, post-op side effects, people following her and then try to kill her. Carrie’s new friend and newspaper reporter, David, desperately try to make sense of all the secrets inside the VA hospital.
I can remember a time I loved the medical thrillers and read quite a few of them in the past, but as I became older, I gravitated toward crime mysteries and legal thrillers. Not sure why. I did enjoy this book very much when the medical terms slowed down and the plot and story began. I felt a connection with some of the characters probably due to my familiarity of PTSD. I thought my heart would stop a few times when things were revealed. Shocking! A happy but sad ending which had me in tears for a minute.
Rest In Peace Michael Palmer. The love and hard work that went into your brilliant novels, will be missed. Your son has some pretty big shoes to fill, though I can imagine just what might be in store for us. I believe I will pick up another of his. Thank you for passing on your legend.
Dr. Carrie Bryant, a fourth year resident and surgeon, has made a mistake during a delicate brain operation which results in her resignation from White Memorial Hospital. While wallowing in self pity, she is encouraged to join a team at a Veteran’s Hospital as a neurosurgeon specializing in DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) for veterans with PTSD. A cure, in fact.
Soon, her curiosity gets the best of her and certain things don’t make any sense. Patients go missing, post-op side effects, people following her and then try to kill her. Carrie’s new friend and newspaper reporter, David, desperately try to make sense of all the secrets inside the VA hospital.
I can remember a time I loved the medical thrillers and read quite a few of them in the past, but as I became older, I gravitated toward crime mysteries and legal thrillers. Not sure why. I did enjoy this book very much when the medical terms slowed down and the plot and story began. I felt a connection with some of the characters probably due to my familiarity of PTSD. I thought my heart would stop a few times when things were revealed. Shocking! A happy but sad ending which had me in tears for a minute.
Rest In Peace Michael Palmer. The love and hard work that went into your brilliant novels, will be missed. Your son has some pretty big shoes to fill, though I can imagine just what might be in store for us. I believe I will pick up another of his. Thank you for passing on your legend.
October 17, 2019
EXTRAORDINAIRE! ++
Top 50 Books of 2015 "Best Medical Suspense Thriller "
TRAUMA by dynamic duo, Michael and Daniel Palmer delivers a riveting page-turner suspense thriller of conspiracy, corruption, murder, and greed-- into the world of PTSD, DBS, VA, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Carrie Bryant, a fourth-year resident rotating through Boston Community Hospital (BCH) would be assisting chief-resident with a young mother’s surgery, a tumor pressed upon the top of the brain on the right side. BCH served the poor and uninsured and she felt proud to be a part of that mission, but lack of funding was a constant frustration. The hours were long, the demands exhausting, but Carrie never complained as she felt she was getting the best opportunity to hone her skills and patients, could get exceptional medical care even without the great insurance.
Carrie knew one thing about surgery that no matter how routine or simple it seemed, nothing was guaranteed. Anything could go wrong. Surgeons were not, in Carrie’s opinion, like normal people. They were more like clutch shooters who took the ball with three seconds left and the basketball game on the line. Difficult times seemed to bring out the best in their cool.
However this particular surgery came with gruesome complications and then shortly after she had to assist with another surgery, with a lack of sleep, exhaustion, an incorrect viewing of the MRI, time constraints, pressure, and mistakes were made; life-altering mistakes. Her father, an internist at Mass General, had warned her about the rigors of residency, but his description paled in comparison with the real thing.
Next we are introduced to Steve Abington, living in homeless shelters and on the streets, in Philadelphia, suffering from PTSD, back from Afghanistan. He had enough of the streets, getting robbed, the cold and the beatings. He used to be somebody—a staff sergeant in the US army, a husband and a father. He had threatened their lives, been violent, rarely sober, and he blamed the wound in his mind. Not a single drop of his blood had ever spilled in combat, but he was broken all the same, injured with scars and haunted. All he could focus on now was survival. Food, shelter, money. He had to get a plan. A bank robbery seemed a simple solution without hurting anyone; however, something happens in the process which turns into his worst nightmare ever.
With the hospital problems, legal forces are called in, pending lawsuits to counteract, and settlements to be made. Carrie decides to turn in her resignation. Devastated, she packs up her apartment, and with no income and tons of student loans to repay, moves in with her parents, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Howard and Irene now in their sixties, her dad a physician at Mass General and her mom a speech pathologist at a nursing center.
Her brother Adam, suffering from PTSD, who gets angry at the drop of a hat, and unable to hold down a job is also back living at home. Her family is supportive, and agrees to her moving in until she figures out what she will do with her life- she has no other choice. Adam’s commitment to the military had ended years ago, but in his mind, the war raged on. She knew the old Adam was still in there somewhere.
Next we are introduced to David Hoffman, investigative reporter who loves dangerous assignments, though he prefers politics to platoons. At age thirty--two and single he has traveled the world. He was a stringer. He had built his career working as a freelancer, giving up a regular salary in exchange for an opportunity to cover stories that actually interested him. Most of these places were in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. He was kidnapped for three weeks and finally escaped. He was able to get plenty of work for stringer jobs for a while, and now he was working for a local newspaper. He is writing a piece on PTSD. He is unsure he will ever have a Pulitzer, however, he will do his best and talk to some vets; However, he never would have dreamed what the search of one story would lead to, and the danger; he may just win that Pulitzer in the good old US.
Carrie is devastated, trying to figure out what she will do with her life in the interim, when her father comes home with a possible opportunity, as she knows he must be discouraged for her parents to work so hard and giving them a good education to find both of their grown children, back at home once again. Her father knows she is a gifted neurosurgeon with only one more year to complete her residency and everyone makes mistakes - all doctors are human.
Her father tells her about someone he met and a new program for Parkinson’s disease and a treatment with the combination of DBS. A surgical treatment involving the implantation of a brain pacemaker and wires that deliver electrical impulses to targeted areas of the brain. It is used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson's, but researchers and clinicians were exploring other applications, including treatments for OCD, major depression, and chronic pain. She was not particularly interested in Parkinson as she is a neurosurgeon, and her father realized it was less glamorous, but given her situation, urged her to speak with the people anyway.
David and Carrie meet when David comes to interview Adam, and Adam is not so cordial, giving David a bloody nose; however, his visit gives David and Carrie a chance to get to know one another and she is excited about his passion, reminding her of her former self, so agrees to go speak with Dr. Alistair Finley at the VA hospital. She let him know of the incident which derailed her and her reason for resignation. He was excited about the DBS program and offered her a position. After all, a stint with the VA would increase her chances of getting back into a formal neurosurgery program while learning about brain diseases she would not normally deal with.
While Carrie had come to the VA to recover from a devastating professional setback of her own, this procedure might be a way to truly help people, whose minds had been turned into a daily nightmare. Dr. Alistair Finley hires her with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) funds for an experimental program using DBS (deep brain stimulation) to treat vets with PTSD. She was delighted, as a few weeks prior to their current DBS surgeon Sam Rockwell was in a terrible car accident when returning from his vacation home in Maine and he was currently in a coma. She had her medical license and she would be paid under private funding, as they were looking at using DBS to cure PTSD, not to treat it. She would be taking over Sam’s position.
Soon after starting her new position, all is not as it appears. The surgery goes well; Steve is her first patient. However, when she goes in to check on her patient afterward, things are not as they should be, and he is repeating things, and she does not know if she did something wrong or what the heck is going on.
Another strange thing, the head administrator tells her she is not to see patients post-op under any circumstance. Her work was done. She is unfamiliar with this procedure and format, as she prides herself in her work, and always makes sure to follow up on the patient’s progress. When the same thing happens to her next patient, she is very alarmed. Then they both go missing. Like disappeared from the hospital, like they never existed. What has she gotten herself involved in?
Carrie is informed if she does not follow the rules this woman can fire her and then she has nothing. She has to get to the bottom of this madness. They seem happy with her work, but not to do anything further. She does not want to operate on any other person until she knows what is going on. She cannot tell her immediate boss of her suspicions, nor her parents, or of course not her brother. Carrie turns to David, for support, and explains off the record what is happening. He urges her to stay in place as they have to learn more and gather information. If there is a conspiracy of some sort. Of course, David knows how to plant devices and get into buildings with the best of them and he loves the challenge. The closer they get to discovering the truth, Carrie’s life is in immediate danger. Someone is out to stop her.
Some man is following her when she is running in the park (this was so intense), someone runs her off the road and tries to kill her, next while sleeping in the hospital between shifts, someone tries to smother her with a pillow. Each time she barely escapes her life. When she learns Sam is awake from his coma, she has to get to him, to see what he knows about this program and what is happening to the patients? What are they doing to these men after surgery? Could there be insiders pretending to be doctors and nurses getting these bodies out of the hospital, and where are they taking them and why? These poor men have enough problems with PTSD without adding to their problems.
TRAUMA is one riveting, fast-paced medical thriller with a mix of psychological and crime suspense mystery. The character development is excellent with plenty of evil, and humor; I loved the two strong main characters, Carrie and David, for a winning combination. With twists and turns around every corner, a compelling and terrifying thriller is the best of Daniel and Michael. For fans of the book or the movie, Extreme Measures, a sure to enjoy TRAUMA.
At the time of his death, Michael Palmer apparently was working on the manuscript of Trauma,which would have been his 20th novel. Working through his grief, Daniel Palmerdid what authors do best—he took over Trauma to finish the novel for his dad. Being the talented author, and firsthand knowledge of his father’s writing style, Trauma was born- the first collaboration. Michael Palmer’s last novel, Resistant, was released in May 2014, after his death.
A remarkable and compelling tribute to much loved, Michael Palmer. Daniel, you never cease to amaze me-your dad would be so proud, as you continue his legacy!
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#JDCMustReadBooks
Top 50 Books of 2015 "Best Medical Suspense Thriller "
TRAUMA by dynamic duo, Michael and Daniel Palmer delivers a riveting page-turner suspense thriller of conspiracy, corruption, murder, and greed-- into the world of PTSD, DBS, VA, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Carrie Bryant, a fourth-year resident rotating through Boston Community Hospital (BCH) would be assisting chief-resident with a young mother’s surgery, a tumor pressed upon the top of the brain on the right side. BCH served the poor and uninsured and she felt proud to be a part of that mission, but lack of funding was a constant frustration. The hours were long, the demands exhausting, but Carrie never complained as she felt she was getting the best opportunity to hone her skills and patients, could get exceptional medical care even without the great insurance.
Carrie knew one thing about surgery that no matter how routine or simple it seemed, nothing was guaranteed. Anything could go wrong. Surgeons were not, in Carrie’s opinion, like normal people. They were more like clutch shooters who took the ball with three seconds left and the basketball game on the line. Difficult times seemed to bring out the best in their cool.
However this particular surgery came with gruesome complications and then shortly after she had to assist with another surgery, with a lack of sleep, exhaustion, an incorrect viewing of the MRI, time constraints, pressure, and mistakes were made; life-altering mistakes. Her father, an internist at Mass General, had warned her about the rigors of residency, but his description paled in comparison with the real thing.
Next we are introduced to Steve Abington, living in homeless shelters and on the streets, in Philadelphia, suffering from PTSD, back from Afghanistan. He had enough of the streets, getting robbed, the cold and the beatings. He used to be somebody—a staff sergeant in the US army, a husband and a father. He had threatened their lives, been violent, rarely sober, and he blamed the wound in his mind. Not a single drop of his blood had ever spilled in combat, but he was broken all the same, injured with scars and haunted. All he could focus on now was survival. Food, shelter, money. He had to get a plan. A bank robbery seemed a simple solution without hurting anyone; however, something happens in the process which turns into his worst nightmare ever.
With the hospital problems, legal forces are called in, pending lawsuits to counteract, and settlements to be made. Carrie decides to turn in her resignation. Devastated, she packs up her apartment, and with no income and tons of student loans to repay, moves in with her parents, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Howard and Irene now in their sixties, her dad a physician at Mass General and her mom a speech pathologist at a nursing center.
Her brother Adam, suffering from PTSD, who gets angry at the drop of a hat, and unable to hold down a job is also back living at home. Her family is supportive, and agrees to her moving in until she figures out what she will do with her life- she has no other choice. Adam’s commitment to the military had ended years ago, but in his mind, the war raged on. She knew the old Adam was still in there somewhere.
Next we are introduced to David Hoffman, investigative reporter who loves dangerous assignments, though he prefers politics to platoons. At age thirty--two and single he has traveled the world. He was a stringer. He had built his career working as a freelancer, giving up a regular salary in exchange for an opportunity to cover stories that actually interested him. Most of these places were in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. He was kidnapped for three weeks and finally escaped. He was able to get plenty of work for stringer jobs for a while, and now he was working for a local newspaper. He is writing a piece on PTSD. He is unsure he will ever have a Pulitzer, however, he will do his best and talk to some vets; However, he never would have dreamed what the search of one story would lead to, and the danger; he may just win that Pulitzer in the good old US.
Carrie is devastated, trying to figure out what she will do with her life in the interim, when her father comes home with a possible opportunity, as she knows he must be discouraged for her parents to work so hard and giving them a good education to find both of their grown children, back at home once again. Her father knows she is a gifted neurosurgeon with only one more year to complete her residency and everyone makes mistakes - all doctors are human.
Her father tells her about someone he met and a new program for Parkinson’s disease and a treatment with the combination of DBS. A surgical treatment involving the implantation of a brain pacemaker and wires that deliver electrical impulses to targeted areas of the brain. It is used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson's, but researchers and clinicians were exploring other applications, including treatments for OCD, major depression, and chronic pain. She was not particularly interested in Parkinson as she is a neurosurgeon, and her father realized it was less glamorous, but given her situation, urged her to speak with the people anyway.
David and Carrie meet when David comes to interview Adam, and Adam is not so cordial, giving David a bloody nose; however, his visit gives David and Carrie a chance to get to know one another and she is excited about his passion, reminding her of her former self, so agrees to go speak with Dr. Alistair Finley at the VA hospital. She let him know of the incident which derailed her and her reason for resignation. He was excited about the DBS program and offered her a position. After all, a stint with the VA would increase her chances of getting back into a formal neurosurgery program while learning about brain diseases she would not normally deal with.
While Carrie had come to the VA to recover from a devastating professional setback of her own, this procedure might be a way to truly help people, whose minds had been turned into a daily nightmare. Dr. Alistair Finley hires her with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) funds for an experimental program using DBS (deep brain stimulation) to treat vets with PTSD. She was delighted, as a few weeks prior to their current DBS surgeon Sam Rockwell was in a terrible car accident when returning from his vacation home in Maine and he was currently in a coma. She had her medical license and she would be paid under private funding, as they were looking at using DBS to cure PTSD, not to treat it. She would be taking over Sam’s position.
Soon after starting her new position, all is not as it appears. The surgery goes well; Steve is her first patient. However, when she goes in to check on her patient afterward, things are not as they should be, and he is repeating things, and she does not know if she did something wrong or what the heck is going on.
Another strange thing, the head administrator tells her she is not to see patients post-op under any circumstance. Her work was done. She is unfamiliar with this procedure and format, as she prides herself in her work, and always makes sure to follow up on the patient’s progress. When the same thing happens to her next patient, she is very alarmed. Then they both go missing. Like disappeared from the hospital, like they never existed. What has she gotten herself involved in?
Carrie is informed if she does not follow the rules this woman can fire her and then she has nothing. She has to get to the bottom of this madness. They seem happy with her work, but not to do anything further. She does not want to operate on any other person until she knows what is going on. She cannot tell her immediate boss of her suspicions, nor her parents, or of course not her brother. Carrie turns to David, for support, and explains off the record what is happening. He urges her to stay in place as they have to learn more and gather information. If there is a conspiracy of some sort. Of course, David knows how to plant devices and get into buildings with the best of them and he loves the challenge. The closer they get to discovering the truth, Carrie’s life is in immediate danger. Someone is out to stop her.
Some man is following her when she is running in the park (this was so intense), someone runs her off the road and tries to kill her, next while sleeping in the hospital between shifts, someone tries to smother her with a pillow. Each time she barely escapes her life. When she learns Sam is awake from his coma, she has to get to him, to see what he knows about this program and what is happening to the patients? What are they doing to these men after surgery? Could there be insiders pretending to be doctors and nurses getting these bodies out of the hospital, and where are they taking them and why? These poor men have enough problems with PTSD without adding to their problems.
TRAUMA is one riveting, fast-paced medical thriller with a mix of psychological and crime suspense mystery. The character development is excellent with plenty of evil, and humor; I loved the two strong main characters, Carrie and David, for a winning combination. With twists and turns around every corner, a compelling and terrifying thriller is the best of Daniel and Michael. For fans of the book or the movie, Extreme Measures, a sure to enjoy TRAUMA.
At the time of his death, Michael Palmer apparently was working on the manuscript of Trauma,which would have been his 20th novel. Working through his grief, Daniel Palmerdid what authors do best—he took over Trauma to finish the novel for his dad. Being the talented author, and firsthand knowledge of his father’s writing style, Trauma was born- the first collaboration. Michael Palmer’s last novel, Resistant, was released in May 2014, after his death.
A remarkable and compelling tribute to much loved, Michael Palmer. Daniel, you never cease to amaze me-your dad would be so proud, as you continue his legacy!
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#JDCMustReadBooks
March 31, 2016
My first book read by this author and I really,really enjoyed the twist of this story but also the love of family too and the sadness of having someone you love suffering from PTSD and can't seem to help them but have others use the problem to benefit from it and don't have a care of who dies or survive the experimental testing. A well written book.
June 11, 2016
I haven't read many medical thrillers, so I might not be the best judge, and I can't really compare Trauma to any other books in the genre. But I was just very disappointed by this book. I was excited about the premise because I tend to like mysteries with female MCs that combine suspense with a more personal story, and I thought the PTSD element might be an interesting twist. But unfortunately, the awkward writing and implausibilities made it hard for me to enjoy this book.
I feel really mean saying this, but the writing felt very amateur-ish; this felt very much like a debut novel, or even an unpublished manuscript, which is kind of surprising for accomplished writers (although I had never read anything by Michael or Daniel Palmer). The writing is just so awkward, with bad metaphors and all telling and no showing. A lot of the over-the-top descriptions had me rolling my eyes, and I was always so focused on the awkwardness of the writing that I could never actually get lost in the writing.
The characters had a lot of potential. Carrie is actually an interesting character, I really liked David, and Adam adds an interesting element to the story as well. But the writing kept me from actually feeling for these characters. Because I associated the melodramatic wordings with Carrie's voice, I couldn't really take her seriously, and since the awkwardness of the writing was so distracting, I couldn't actually feel for Carrie or David. The romance between Carrie and David is especially cheesy and the descriptions of Carrie's attraction to David made me seriously question the authors' ability to write a female MC.
I understand that this is a medical thriller, but, to be honest, the excessive medical terms and explanations kind of bored me. I actually enjoyed them in the beginning, during Carrie's first surgery, but after that it just got too much. Of course a story like this needs some medical explanations to show its accuracy, and it did seem like the authors knew what they were talking about, but for readers like me, the amount of medical information was unnecessary; it was just too much and too confusing for someone outside of the field to follow. I got so bored by all of this information that I didn't even try to follow it towards the ending. The ending, to me, seemed very far-fetched and didn't justify everything that happened in the story, and one of my biggest pet peeves about mysteries is when the bad guy doesn't have adequate motivations.
The set-up seemed intriguing and had potential, but it just doesn't work. The awkward writing and far-fetched twists made it very hard for me to care about this story, and I don't think I can recommend it.
Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...
June 27, 2016
I honestly can't continue. I've given it a fair shot - more than 55% read - but the story still has yet to start.
I don't recall being this disappointed by a Palmer but I'm not going to continue to remain loyal to this novel based solely on the authors name. THAT would be the real Trauma
I don't recall being this disappointed by a Palmer but I'm not going to continue to remain loyal to this novel based solely on the authors name. THAT would be the real Trauma
April 8, 2015
3.0 out of 5 stars -- "Remember those with invisible wounds."
There is no genre I read as critically as I do the medical thriller. Details must be scientifically accurate and perfect, plots must be plausible, and the protagonist absolutely must be genuine and believable. This novel focuses on Carrie Bryant, MD, a neurosurgery resident who resigns her program after making a spectacular error in the OR while assisting during a procedure -- a type of mistake that I found hard to imagine would even be possible in this day and age. But, premise tentatively accepted, I read on to see where this female surgeon would go next.
Carrie goes home to her parents and brother to lick her wounds. She finds things there a bit unsettling as her brother, Adam, is a vet who suffers from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). In an incredible stroke of luck, she gets a non-credentialed position at the nearby VA Hospital -- performing an experimental surgical procedure that involves deep brain stimulation for those with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease -- AND now being tested on men with severe PTSD. Carrie is pleased with her skill on the first operation -- until the vet develops a rare post-op complication -- and then disappears! What? When a second patient also vanishes soon after the same operation, Carrie becomes determined to find out what is going on with these vets and who is behind the shocking conspiracy.
From that point on, the story becomes that particular tale of perils and daring escapades as Carrie and journalist, David (love interest), begin their surveillance and pursuit of those responsible for subverting a hopeful surgical treatment of PTSD into a scam for money and fame.
Although completely predictable with enough thrills and deaths to make it typical suspense fare, the underlying theme of the heartbreak and ruined lives caused by PTSD is still poignant and worthy. I do hope this was a standalone and not the beginning of a series featuring this female surgeon. I'd probably read another by this author (the son of deceased Michael Palmer) as I can't resist a medical thriller even if it doesn't quite live up to my expectations.
I'll save my annoyance over inaccuracies for the publisher. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to review.
There is no genre I read as critically as I do the medical thriller. Details must be scientifically accurate and perfect, plots must be plausible, and the protagonist absolutely must be genuine and believable. This novel focuses on Carrie Bryant, MD, a neurosurgery resident who resigns her program after making a spectacular error in the OR while assisting during a procedure -- a type of mistake that I found hard to imagine would even be possible in this day and age. But, premise tentatively accepted, I read on to see where this female surgeon would go next.
Carrie goes home to her parents and brother to lick her wounds. She finds things there a bit unsettling as her brother, Adam, is a vet who suffers from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). In an incredible stroke of luck, she gets a non-credentialed position at the nearby VA Hospital -- performing an experimental surgical procedure that involves deep brain stimulation for those with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease -- AND now being tested on men with severe PTSD. Carrie is pleased with her skill on the first operation -- until the vet develops a rare post-op complication -- and then disappears! What? When a second patient also vanishes soon after the same operation, Carrie becomes determined to find out what is going on with these vets and who is behind the shocking conspiracy.
From that point on, the story becomes that particular tale of perils and daring escapades as Carrie and journalist, David (love interest), begin their surveillance and pursuit of those responsible for subverting a hopeful surgical treatment of PTSD into a scam for money and fame.
Although completely predictable with enough thrills and deaths to make it typical suspense fare, the underlying theme of the heartbreak and ruined lives caused by PTSD is still poignant and worthy. I do hope this was a standalone and not the beginning of a series featuring this female surgeon. I'd probably read another by this author (the son of deceased Michael Palmer) as I can't resist a medical thriller even if it doesn't quite live up to my expectations.
I'll save my annoyance over inaccuracies for the publisher. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to review.
March 30, 2019
Dr. Carrie Bryant makes mistake in the operating room during her residency that results in damage to a patients brain. She resigns and eventually gets a job at a VA hospital working on the brain disfunctions of PTSD. When patients start disappearing she teams with a reporter to find out what is happening to them.
January 31, 2022
My first book by this author (or authors). I think that I liked the first third. I prefer character driven books and this one focused more on suspenseful events. I decided to give a three star rating though truly it was an meh for me.
June 3, 2015
We were devoted Michael Palmer fans, with the possible exception of his Lou Welcome novels (which were too incredulous and too political); and so wasted no time snatching up “Trauma”, even though we knew it had to be mostly written by author son Daniel, with a draft or outline left from dad before his sudden passing. We found a reasonably well-conceived plot with good writing reminiscent for sure of Michael – but felt much of the action in the latter half to be too big a stretch.
The gist of the story is that a pretty accomplished brain surgeon resident, Carrie Bryant, makes a bad mistake and resigns her position, only to take on almost a contractor position to implant deep brain stimulation probes and associated accouterments at a Veteran’s Hospital. We found the discussion and illumination of these techniques, with which we were familiar relating to Parkinson’s Disease, to be interesting and encouraging when applied to severe cases of PTSD, certainly a topical issue. When things go mysteriously wrong with several patients, who eventually disappear, and then Carrie runs into all kinds of roadblocks at work, and then personal violence, it soon becomes obvious some sort of conspiracy is afoot. While we readers can easily suspect the perps involved, it takes till nearly the end to clear everything up, with pretty decent suspense building to the climax.
Our problems revolve around the fact that no actual brain surgeon would be treated with such low accord and barred from following up with patients. Moreover the “action” part of the book, wherein Carrie and a journalist friend play amateur sleuth, is somewhat hard to swallow. While Palmer fans will surely not wish to skip his last effort, we wish it had better reflected the thriller mastery more evident in his earlier novels.
The gist of the story is that a pretty accomplished brain surgeon resident, Carrie Bryant, makes a bad mistake and resigns her position, only to take on almost a contractor position to implant deep brain stimulation probes and associated accouterments at a Veteran’s Hospital. We found the discussion and illumination of these techniques, with which we were familiar relating to Parkinson’s Disease, to be interesting and encouraging when applied to severe cases of PTSD, certainly a topical issue. When things go mysteriously wrong with several patients, who eventually disappear, and then Carrie runs into all kinds of roadblocks at work, and then personal violence, it soon becomes obvious some sort of conspiracy is afoot. While we readers can easily suspect the perps involved, it takes till nearly the end to clear everything up, with pretty decent suspense building to the climax.
Our problems revolve around the fact that no actual brain surgeon would be treated with such low accord and barred from following up with patients. Moreover the “action” part of the book, wherein Carrie and a journalist friend play amateur sleuth, is somewhat hard to swallow. While Palmer fans will surely not wish to skip his last effort, we wish it had better reflected the thriller mastery more evident in his earlier novels.
May 10, 2015
First let me start by saying that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, and secondly, on Tuesday May 12th, the minute TRAUMA is released, I will be buying it for my kindle because I totally enjoyed reading this book. TRAUMA kept me awake all night because I simply couldn't put it down. I kept saying, one more chapter, one more chapter and before I knew it, there were no more chapters to read. This is a fast paced story with short chapters and plenty of twist and turns that will keep you on edge until the very end. If you enjoy medical thrillers or simply want a great book to read, then you'll want to pick up a copy of TRAUMA. It will grab a hold of you and wont let go until you turn that last page, and even then you'll keep on wondering!!!
October 9, 2018
I normally can finish any thriller. This I could not. Bad writing. Bad cheese story. I made it 3/4 through and stopped. Sorry to the author. This is not a good book.
June 7, 2015
Rating 3.5
I have mixed feelings about this book. I've read a number of books by Michael Palmer over the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed them, rating them 4 or more stars. I enjoyed the plot very much as it is similar to what I've seen in the past from Palmer ( a doctor, a hospital setting, and a somewhat political element thrown in.) I felt the story flowed smoothly, but a few aspects of the writing seemed "cheesy" and rubbed me the wrong way to say the least. I try to be "nit-picky" when I read a book and usually can overlook mistakes or aspects about the writing I don't even but that was hard to do here. For example our main character, Carrie Bryant, a 4th year Neurosurgery resident as a younger brother Adam who suffers from severe PTSB after returning from war. Everytime Carrie thinks of Adam there's a statement such as this one where Carrie refers to a car Adam has been trying to get running: " .....it (the car) looked truly special. If only Adam could be fixed up with some elbow grease and determination." And here again, a few pages later referring to Adam:"At least he started running with her..... Poor kid could easily outrun her, but not his demons." Over and over throughout the book everytime Carrie thought of her brother we hear some analogy or metaphor referring to his suffering from PTSD. I just felt that was overdone to the point of absurdity.
To go back.: THE PLOT:
Carrie Bryant, a neurosurgery resident left her residency program in disgrace after a mistake in the OR. She hears about and opportunity at the local VA hospital to work with neurologist Dr. Finley, who is doing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) work on veterans suffering from Parkinson's disease with much success. He also has started using DBS on vets suffering from PTSD. The previous DBS surgeon is in a coma after a terrible car accident. Carrie takes the position. Soon after her first surgery she begins to have suspicions that something isn't quite right. Two of her patients "disappeared" after their surgery, apparently signing out of the hospital against medical advice. Carrie elicits the help of David a reporter who she met when he interviewed a brother regarding an article he was working on about PTSD. Together they try to get to the bottom of what the hell is really going on at the VA.
REVIEW
I did enjoy this book. It was a pretty easy read and the writing flowed nicely. The story sucked me in almost from the beginning. The authors did a nice job of researching PTSD and painted a very realistic portrait of what many of these poor men and women go through when they come home from war. My only complaints was about some of the writing. The repetitious statements about Adam as mentioned above. Also the romantic relationship that was developing between our two main characters felt a bit forced. When the two were together, some of the conversation was laughable. Overall I would recommend this book to those who enjoy medical thriller. I am happy to hear that Daniel Palmer will continue where his father left off and will produce more medical thrillers for us readers to enjoy in the future.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I've read a number of books by Michael Palmer over the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed them, rating them 4 or more stars. I enjoyed the plot very much as it is similar to what I've seen in the past from Palmer ( a doctor, a hospital setting, and a somewhat political element thrown in.) I felt the story flowed smoothly, but a few aspects of the writing seemed "cheesy" and rubbed me the wrong way to say the least. I try to be "nit-picky" when I read a book and usually can overlook mistakes or aspects about the writing I don't even but that was hard to do here. For example our main character, Carrie Bryant, a 4th year Neurosurgery resident as a younger brother Adam who suffers from severe PTSB after returning from war. Everytime Carrie thinks of Adam there's a statement such as this one where Carrie refers to a car Adam has been trying to get running: " .....it (the car) looked truly special. If only Adam could be fixed up with some elbow grease and determination." And here again, a few pages later referring to Adam:"At least he started running with her..... Poor kid could easily outrun her, but not his demons." Over and over throughout the book everytime Carrie thought of her brother we hear some analogy or metaphor referring to his suffering from PTSD. I just felt that was overdone to the point of absurdity.
To go back.: THE PLOT:
Carrie Bryant, a neurosurgery resident left her residency program in disgrace after a mistake in the OR. She hears about and opportunity at the local VA hospital to work with neurologist Dr. Finley, who is doing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) work on veterans suffering from Parkinson's disease with much success. He also has started using DBS on vets suffering from PTSD. The previous DBS surgeon is in a coma after a terrible car accident. Carrie takes the position. Soon after her first surgery she begins to have suspicions that something isn't quite right. Two of her patients "disappeared" after their surgery, apparently signing out of the hospital against medical advice. Carrie elicits the help of David a reporter who she met when he interviewed a brother regarding an article he was working on about PTSD. Together they try to get to the bottom of what the hell is really going on at the VA.
REVIEW
I did enjoy this book. It was a pretty easy read and the writing flowed nicely. The story sucked me in almost from the beginning. The authors did a nice job of researching PTSD and painted a very realistic portrait of what many of these poor men and women go through when they come home from war. My only complaints was about some of the writing. The repetitious statements about Adam as mentioned above. Also the romantic relationship that was developing between our two main characters felt a bit forced. When the two were together, some of the conversation was laughable. Overall I would recommend this book to those who enjoy medical thriller. I am happy to hear that Daniel Palmer will continue where his father left off and will produce more medical thrillers for us readers to enjoy in the future.
November 18, 2023
Dr. Carrie Bryant had been working as a neurosurgical assistant at Boston Community Hospital when she got a chance to carry out her first brain operation without supervision. Her patient's life was danger due to complications that arose from the operation but her quick thinking and sound judgment effectively save the patient's life. She is called upon to assist with another surgery shortly after. As a result of fatigue and lack of sleep she makes a catastrophic mistake that causes the patient to suffer irreversible brain damage. She returns home after quitting work. She has only a year left to finish her residency and obtain her medical license. Her father, Howard Bryant, a doctor at Mass General Hospital, suggests she become a neurosurgeon at a local VA hospital that specializes in deep brain stimulation (DBS), which claims to be a permanent cure for the emotional and memory trauma experienced by war veterans with severe PTSD. Her first operation proceeds smoothly not long after commencing. But the patient disappears inexplicably. After the second patient who underwent the same procedure vanishes as well, Carrie enlists the aid of David Hoffman, a local investigative reporter to investigate the matter. The book significantly slows down because of the extensive medical descriptions and the pointless extra paragraphs that have no bearing on the main plot. The conclusion is far too foreseeable. This medical story fell well short of my expectations. BARELY PASSABLE.
April 3, 2016
What do you get when a father, Michael Palmer, and a son, Daniel Palmer, write a book together? You get a really good, suspenseful, medical thriller.
This book takes a really in-depth look at PTSD in military veterans and the impact it has on not only their own lives, but the lives of the people who surround them.
As in most cases where there is millions of people affected, in one way or another, and billions spent on rehabilitation and treatments, the level of corruption and greed is unfathomable.
This book was very interesting and really well written. The plot developed nicely with some good twists and turns. And in a scary sort of way, the story did not seem that far from reality.
For those of you who may not know, the famous medical thriller writer, Michael Palmer, actually passed away during the early development stage of this story and his son, Daniel Palmer, took his ideas and created this finished product. It would seem that Daniel Palmer may now have a very successful career writing medical thrillers.
This was a really good book, and I would definitely recommend it.
This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
This book takes a really in-depth look at PTSD in military veterans and the impact it has on not only their own lives, but the lives of the people who surround them.
As in most cases where there is millions of people affected, in one way or another, and billions spent on rehabilitation and treatments, the level of corruption and greed is unfathomable.
This book was very interesting and really well written. The plot developed nicely with some good twists and turns. And in a scary sort of way, the story did not seem that far from reality.
For those of you who may not know, the famous medical thriller writer, Michael Palmer, actually passed away during the early development stage of this story and his son, Daniel Palmer, took his ideas and created this finished product. It would seem that Daniel Palmer may now have a very successful career writing medical thrillers.
This was a really good book, and I would definitely recommend it.
This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
August 23, 2016
3.5 stars
The first third of this book dragged on so slowly, I nearly gave up and returned it to the library. As the story progressed, the pace increased, but it still wasn't the riveting, suspenseful page-turner I expected. It was fine-- good, even-- but I expected great.
My biggest frustration with the book-- especially in the beginning-- was that it was wordy. So, so wordy. There was so much information-- description, background, explanation, introduction, more description-- whole pages could have been slashed without having any effect on the story. (And I'm not even referring to any of the medical terms and procedures.) Take Emma, for example: there was a whole chapter dedicated to the landlord and her daughter and their relationship with David. A paragraph would have sufficed, especially for her brief role in the story.
The son (Daniel?) finished the book after his father died. It would be interesting to read a novel written entirely by the father (Michael?) to compare. Were his books always so wordy? Did his stories pick up faster? Were they more exciting to read?
The first third of this book dragged on so slowly, I nearly gave up and returned it to the library. As the story progressed, the pace increased, but it still wasn't the riveting, suspenseful page-turner I expected. It was fine-- good, even-- but I expected great.
My biggest frustration with the book-- especially in the beginning-- was that it was wordy. So, so wordy. There was so much information-- description, background, explanation, introduction, more description-- whole pages could have been slashed without having any effect on the story. (And I'm not even referring to any of the medical terms and procedures.) Take Emma, for example: there was a whole chapter dedicated to the landlord and her daughter and their relationship with David. A paragraph would have sufficed, especially for her brief role in the story.
The son (Daniel?) finished the book after his father died. It would be interesting to read a novel written entirely by the father (Michael?) to compare. Were his books always so wordy? Did his stories pick up faster? Were they more exciting to read?
May 27, 2015
I won an ARC of this novel in a goodreads drawing.
When a promising young surgeon makes an unforgivable error during an operation, she goes back home where her father gets her a job at the local VA. There, she is part of a program to cure PTSD by inserting wires in peoples' brains.
There's a murderous conspiracy involved, of course. This is one of those books where everybody is a victim. Most of what happens is nonsense; events that happen more because something has to happen to keep our attention, than because of any logic.
Shallow and preposterous. I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly fell out of my chair a couple of times.
When a promising young surgeon makes an unforgivable error during an operation, she goes back home where her father gets her a job at the local VA. There, she is part of a program to cure PTSD by inserting wires in peoples' brains.
There's a murderous conspiracy involved, of course. This is one of those books where everybody is a victim. Most of what happens is nonsense; events that happen more because something has to happen to keep our attention, than because of any logic.
Shallow and preposterous. I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly fell out of my chair a couple of times.
April 26, 2021
One of the things I like about audiobooks is that often, at the end, there is an interview of the author. I like hearing the voice of the author, and his insights about writing the book. In this case, Daniel shared some experiences about his father, Michael Palmer, as Michael passed, and Daniel finished the book. The plot deals with a program to help veterans suffering from PTSD. It’s an exciting read, though the medical details are beyond me. I want to read some of the earlier books by Michael Palmer, and maybe try one of Daniel’s books.
November 8, 2015
One of the best mysteries I've read in a while! I loved it and couldn't put it down. I'm so glad that Daniel took on this project. What a wonderful book from him and his dad! 5 stars
September 12, 2017
So So. Too much explaining. Skipped pages and didn't miss anything.
October 20, 2017
Not as good as some of the others I've read by this author, but still a good read for fans of medical thrillers. 3/5 stars.
May 26, 2017
I would would have enjoyed this more with a different vocal artist. Xe Sands was far too... I don't know...full of angst for me. But I will still give the story 3 stars.
Dr. Carrie Bryant's four years as a neurosurgical resident at White Memorial Hospital have earned her the respect and admiration from peers and staff alike. When given the chance of performing her first unsupervised brain surgery, Carrie jumps at the opportunity. (never a good sign)
What should have been a routine, hours long operation, turns horribly wrong and jeopardizes her patient's life. Emotionally and physically drained, Carrie rushes back to the OR to assist in a second surgery with an overbearing surgeon she admires and fears. There, she makes a careless and tragic mental error resulting in irreparable brain damage to her second patient. With her confidence shattered, Carrie quits her residency and moves back home where her younger brother, Adam, a combat vet suffering from debilitating PTSD, also lives.
Carrie learns of an experimental program at the VA Medical Center exploring the use of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)that seems like a way back into medicine. Carrie is apprehensive, but a chance meeting with David Hoffman, a reporter for the Lowell Observer writing a story on PTSD, helps her overcome any hesitation.
Her first surgery appears to be a success until her patient mysteriously vanishes. When a second patient also goes missing, Carrie employs the investigative skills of David, and together they descend into a labyrinth of murder and corruption. And the price Carrie might pay for asking the wrong questions could be her life.
Dr. Carrie Bryant's four years as a neurosurgical resident at White Memorial Hospital have earned her the respect and admiration from peers and staff alike. When given the chance of performing her first unsupervised brain surgery, Carrie jumps at the opportunity. (never a good sign)
What should have been a routine, hours long operation, turns horribly wrong and jeopardizes her patient's life. Emotionally and physically drained, Carrie rushes back to the OR to assist in a second surgery with an overbearing surgeon she admires and fears. There, she makes a careless and tragic mental error resulting in irreparable brain damage to her second patient. With her confidence shattered, Carrie quits her residency and moves back home where her younger brother, Adam, a combat vet suffering from debilitating PTSD, also lives.
Carrie learns of an experimental program at the VA Medical Center exploring the use of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)that seems like a way back into medicine. Carrie is apprehensive, but a chance meeting with David Hoffman, a reporter for the Lowell Observer writing a story on PTSD, helps her overcome any hesitation.
Her first surgery appears to be a success until her patient mysteriously vanishes. When a second patient also goes missing, Carrie employs the investigative skills of David, and together they descend into a labyrinth of murder and corruption. And the price Carrie might pay for asking the wrong questions could be her life.
April 5, 2017
I was immediately pulled into to this story on all levels. A character I immediately cared about, great plot, moving pace, felt the author was knowledgeable, and was surprised when I found out the Michael's son, Daniel finish this book for his father. Knowing the joys and pitfalls of finishing a book envisioned by someone else as I did with Sizzling Cold Case--the Barnaby Jones novel I finished for Buddy Ebsen, I believe he did a masterful job. The voice was consistent. I could not tell what parts were written by Michael and which by Daniel, who is a thriller writer.His own novel, Forgive Me was also a 5* read. An extremely talented family.
Read
September 9, 2022There exists the Duth translation of Society with this title. Through only in Dutch it can cause some confusion.
9781250030870 ebook with preview $ 11.99
9781427233653 audio with text preview $ 26.99
4? works of both authors
9781250030870 ebook with preview $ 11.99
9781427233653 audio with text preview $ 26.99
4? works of both authors
March 24, 2019
I have enjoyed Michael Palmer’s books in the past and even one written between both dad and son. Working in the medical field their books have always stimulated me to join in on solving the mystery. This one was especially relevant because of the current interests in PTSD. I think the author’s approach to solving the problem is unique in that it brings in the ‘video game’ like essence of the patient’s memories. I enjoyed the book greatly.
May 4, 2025
M Palmer wrote the initial story line his son D Palmer
Finished the book after his dad passed
A pretty good medical mystery and for those with a bit of medical background this is a good read
They did not hold back on neuroscience and brain
Neuro anatomy so somewhat technical
But fun to figure out
Finished the book after his dad passed
A pretty good medical mystery and for those with a bit of medical background this is a good read
They did not hold back on neuroscience and brain
Neuro anatomy so somewhat technical
But fun to figure out
Read
August 14, 2022Found this one at the condo we are staying in. Fun summer read.
July 26, 2023
Definitely not as good as the books by only Michael Palmer, but I appreciate his son completing some of his manuscripts since his passing.
February 18, 2026
4.5 stars. I LOVED this… maybe I need to look into Medical thrillers more!
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