What do you think?
Rate this book
Flashback
Toby is eight years old. He had a routine operation. It was fine. Now he's gone home to terror. Months have passed. But Toby still bursts into tortured screams. Because something is very wrong. Toby can remember every moment of the operation. All the trauma. All the pain. He relives every horrifying detail of surgery while he's awake. Now someone must expose the unspeakable truth about this hospital. Or else an innocent child will die. And he won't be the last. The next victim is being wheeled into surgery right now.
385 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
267 people are currently reading
1341 people want to read
About the author
Michael Palmer
68 books243 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 23, 2010
3rd medical thriller has: love, deceit, rivalry, corruption!
We're reading Michael Palmer's medical thrillers in order, having thoroughly enjoyed his earlier "Sisterhood" & "Side Effects". As before, most of the story revolves around a hospital, this one, Sterling New Hampshire's Ultramed, part of a big business conglomerate. The successful administrator is Frank Iverson, son of the town's patriarch, Judge Clayton Iverson. When younger brother Zack finally finishes all his training in neurosurgery, he decides (with some misgivings) to return to the family stomping grounds and sign on with Ultramed. We're soon introduced to an 8-year-old, Toby, who is near dieing over reliving his surgery of a year or so ago. We readers are given enough clues to know something is up, and it finally turns out two doctors are in cahoots to experiment on certain patients - gads! As our hero Zack starts to zero in on the malpractice, his new love, cardiologist Susanne Cole, is also victimized, certainly making the whole thing more personal. Meanwhile, hospital politics are rife with tension as Frank and Zack do not see eye to eye almost off the bat; and the Judge is stirring up a possible community buyback of the hospital. Female Ultramed executives bring more chaos to the scene as Frank gets more desperate to hide a years earlier embezzlement, the experimental drugging his salvation??
As with his early books, Palmer keeps us hooked till right near the end. In fact, he mixes so many ingredients from the human condition into this one that we can't even tell what kind of stew it is. But it tastes good and leaves us looking for more Palmer - handy he finds success and as of now has seven more novels for us to enjoy. Let's get at it!
We're reading Michael Palmer's medical thrillers in order, having thoroughly enjoyed his earlier "Sisterhood" & "Side Effects". As before, most of the story revolves around a hospital, this one, Sterling New Hampshire's Ultramed, part of a big business conglomerate. The successful administrator is Frank Iverson, son of the town's patriarch, Judge Clayton Iverson. When younger brother Zack finally finishes all his training in neurosurgery, he decides (with some misgivings) to return to the family stomping grounds and sign on with Ultramed. We're soon introduced to an 8-year-old, Toby, who is near dieing over reliving his surgery of a year or so ago. We readers are given enough clues to know something is up, and it finally turns out two doctors are in cahoots to experiment on certain patients - gads! As our hero Zack starts to zero in on the malpractice, his new love, cardiologist Susanne Cole, is also victimized, certainly making the whole thing more personal. Meanwhile, hospital politics are rife with tension as Frank and Zack do not see eye to eye almost off the bat; and the Judge is stirring up a possible community buyback of the hospital. Female Ultramed executives bring more chaos to the scene as Frank gets more desperate to hide a years earlier embezzlement, the experimental drugging his salvation??
As with his early books, Palmer keeps us hooked till right near the end. In fact, he mixes so many ingredients from the human condition into this one that we can't even tell what kind of stew it is. But it tastes good and leaves us looking for more Palmer - handy he finds success and as of now has seven more novels for us to enjoy. Let's get at it!
July 1, 2017
A definite page turner, the author has managed to keep readers hooked. Full marks to him for keeping the readers engrossed. Not too much medical jargons used like Robin Cook does and the language is easier to understand by laymen unlike some of the terms used in Cook's book. Would definitely pick up another Palmer given the opportunity
February 20, 2013
This was a new author for me. A very good book. I loved it.
November 4, 2018
The first part is boring. Skip pages. It gets interesting towards the last, from chapter 30 onwards. And a total of 38 chapters😂
March 28, 2016
Another masterpiece by Micheal Palmer.. I have always been a fan of medical thrillers And though Robin Cook is more famous for this genre I find Micheal Palmers books more varied. Each story is different and you get pulled into the story.. Makes it tough to put down one of these books until you have read it completely.
This story revolves around Zach who has just moved back to his hometown and joined the hospital managed by his older brother. All seems bright and shiny at the hospital until he starts coming across situations where the hospital seems to be run more as a corporate machine than a center for healing. All this comes to a head when Zach comes across a child who seems to be suffering from flashbacks of a surgery he should not have remembered. Now it is up to Zach to find out what happened and how the hospital is involved in this..
This story revolves around Zach who has just moved back to his hometown and joined the hospital managed by his older brother. All seems bright and shiny at the hospital until he starts coming across situations where the hospital seems to be run more as a corporate machine than a center for healing. All this comes to a head when Zach comes across a child who seems to be suffering from flashbacks of a surgery he should not have remembered. Now it is up to Zach to find out what happened and how the hospital is involved in this..
May 7, 2008
This was one of the best medical mystery books I have read. I was completely connected to each character, so much so that I could feel their pain as I continued reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone! Although, I do not suggest reading this before any upcoming surgeries....
March 15, 2009
Very interesting story! It reminded me of the show that featured people who woke up during their surgeries. These people was conscience while the surgen was operating on them. This novel is a scary thing that doctors can do to people to knock them out for before surgery. Very scary
February 7, 2021
Read in 1993. This might have been the first Palmer I read. He primarily wrote medical thrillers, he was a doctor. Well plotted, solid mysteries and filled with suspense. I've read him for over 20 years.
September 25, 2021
I was having flashbacks to before I started this mediocre book...I wish I could go back to that time.
January 1, 2017
The tension was intense at times, and the one character, the father, who I felt was the most drawn out, the one that kept me on edge, technically was not the main one, although he did play a pivotal role. While not the nicest man, and his views in general are black and white, I felt I connected to him as he connected to nearly every character.
As a whole, I enjoy Palmers's novels, but this time, I felt he relied too much on flashbacks of the family, mainly of the two children as they grew up. Some of those flashbacks felt disconnected as they didn't fit into the storyline very well, especially since one event where one brother sabotaged the other in a skiing race. Brought up repeatedly, as the brother who was sabotaged clearly, a couple decades later, was unaware of the action his brother had taken to ensure he lost. It did show how far one brother would go to succeed, but the reader, not the main character was privy to that information.
The 'evil' character, if you well was two dimensional, where as the main character felt more one-dimensional. He was flat, I think that's the problem that I had.
Technically the novel is about an experimental anesthesia that is not supported in anyway by the industry, the hospital, or the FDA. And that fact, is made clear to the reader, hence the title.
One of my issues is that the reader is told there are 500 test patients (without their knowledge) but we are shown two.
The implication is there that far more patients must have endured horrific side effects but no research or followup is done. As the reader, we have to take the author's word; I wanted to see more.
I also wanted to see more of the present moments with the characters in play. At the same time, other characters just 'seemed there' as they weren't flushed out. One example is the administrator's family. They played little, if any, part to the novel. To me, they just took up space. That space could have been used to back up suspicions that the drug being used was harming others - especially as it's made clear that the hospital is located in a town, not a city. That, going by numbers, would make many of those who received the drugs locals. Why not add another case or two? Instead of showing a family that takes up space, doesn't play a pivotal role, and appears to add nothing to the plot, I think far more tension and believability could have been added with the addition of more patients succumbing to side effects. In my opinion, that would strengthen the novel and add more believability for the reader.
It is a decent tree, but it's not one I would put high on the list of must read books
As a whole, I enjoy Palmers's novels, but this time, I felt he relied too much on flashbacks of the family, mainly of the two children as they grew up. Some of those flashbacks felt disconnected as they didn't fit into the storyline very well, especially since one event where one brother sabotaged the other in a skiing race. Brought up repeatedly, as the brother who was sabotaged clearly, a couple decades later, was unaware of the action his brother had taken to ensure he lost. It did show how far one brother would go to succeed, but the reader, not the main character was privy to that information.
The 'evil' character, if you well was two dimensional, where as the main character felt more one-dimensional. He was flat, I think that's the problem that I had.
Technically the novel is about an experimental anesthesia that is not supported in anyway by the industry, the hospital, or the FDA. And that fact, is made clear to the reader, hence the title.
One of my issues is that the reader is told there are 500 test patients (without their knowledge) but we are shown two.
The implication is there that far more patients must have endured horrific side effects but no research or followup is done. As the reader, we have to take the author's word; I wanted to see more.
I also wanted to see more of the present moments with the characters in play. At the same time, other characters just 'seemed there' as they weren't flushed out. One example is the administrator's family. They played little, if any, part to the novel. To me, they just took up space. That space could have been used to back up suspicions that the drug being used was harming others - especially as it's made clear that the hospital is located in a town, not a city. That, going by numbers, would make many of those who received the drugs locals. Why not add another case or two? Instead of showing a family that takes up space, doesn't play a pivotal role, and appears to add nothing to the plot, I think far more tension and believability could have been added with the addition of more patients succumbing to side effects. In my opinion, that would strengthen the novel and add more believability for the reader.
It is a decent tree, but it's not one I would put high on the list of must read books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2010
The nice thing about reading a medical thriller written by an MD is accuracy in detail! Dr. Palmer writes a very interesting book about an MD who returns to his small hometown to practice at a local hospital run by his brother. As always, Dr. Palmer grabs the reader in the first chapter by outlining the issue via a character's personal experience. In this case it is a young child named Toby who is undergoing a hernia operation. He is supposed to be under during the surgery but something is wrong. Toby is unconscious to the surgical team but awake in his own mind and can feel and hear the entire operation. After surgery, he wakes very quickly and recovers well, but as time marches on he begins to have flashbacks that result in a steep decline in his health and odd behavior. Meanwhile, Zach (returning MD)is dealing with an overbearing father, competitive and cocky brother, and an increase in patients with issues similar to Toby's. The book continues with focus on Zach's budding relationship with another MD, his quest to cure Toby and his investigation into the cause of Toby's illness. I found his brother's dialog to be too condenscending and hard to relate to. His frequent use of the term "bro" when conversing with his brother Zach was so far off in the professional setting and his dialog with others was equally annoying. I know he was supposed to be cast as the antagonist but he came off as a cheap used car salesman and felt slimey from the beginning. I think a classier approach to his character would have been more subtle making him more believable and even more devious. All in all a good, fun read.
April 7, 2013
This is a decent medical thriller, but for me was memorable for personal reasons.
I read this the summer I had to have a minor bit of surgery. I won't give the book away, but the plot revolves around a new anaesthesia that has certain effects. After my surgery my recovery from anaesthesia was similar to the positive aspects described in the book - which obviously freaked me out.
Happily I didn't get the negative effects. The positive effects were only due to how little anaesthesia I was given, not because of some new anaesthesia.
Still. Bad timing. If you're going in for a short procedure where they're only going to lightly knock you out, this is not a good book to read the week before.
I read this the summer I had to have a minor bit of surgery. I won't give the book away, but the plot revolves around a new anaesthesia that has certain effects. After my surgery my recovery from anaesthesia was similar to the positive aspects described in the book - which obviously freaked me out.
Happily I didn't get the negative effects. The positive effects were only due to how little anaesthesia I was given, not because of some new anaesthesia.
Still. Bad timing. If you're going in for a short procedure where they're only going to lightly knock you out, this is not a good book to read the week before.
November 18, 2017
What a great read!
Palmer is a new author for me and I've read two of his books in just 3 days. (I am going to go broke at this rate.) Part thriller, part mystery this is a great story. The characters are alive. The subject matter is scary because it could be true.
A page turner from beginning to end.
Palmer is a new author for me and I've read two of his books in just 3 days. (I am going to go broke at this rate.) Part thriller, part mystery this is a great story. The characters are alive. The subject matter is scary because it could be true.
A page turner from beginning to end.
March 29, 2014
The BOOK was wonderful, but the Kindle edition is full of typos and I'm not super happy about paying $6 for bad publishing. :( I took a course in ebook formatting and I do know it is not that hard to be typo free.
July 18, 2014
This was OK, well written thriller but very very creepy. Read it over 10 years ago. Palmer is MUCH better than Robin Cook.
March 20, 2017
In 'Flashback', eight-year-old Toby underwent a routine hernia operation only to experience terrifying flashbacks months later. As Zach Iverson moves back to his hometown to work at Ultramed-Davis Regional Hospital headed by his brother Frank, he is assigned to figure out what's wrong with Toby. During his investigation, he realizes that Toby must have been awake during the operation despite being injected with anesthetics. Can Zach get to the bottom of the mystery before it's too late?
From the beginning, the mystery aspect was incredibly engaging as the author wasted no time teasing the reader by providing a thorough glimpse into Toby's haunting thoughts. As the layers to the truth were gradually peeled back, the journey to reach that point was definitely worth the wait. There was not much mystery as to what had happened to Toby but what made the mystery so engaging was learning how he could have been conscious during the operation and understanding the perpetrator's motives. The answers were satisfying as they made sense and explained everything clearly.
The characters were mostly fleshed out and well-written. The protagonist Zach was likeable and relatable. All his life he had been living in the shadow of his far more ambitious and successful brother, Frank. He was constantly made to feel like he didn't and would never measure up to Frank. Despite that, he held no grudges or bore any resentment towards him. Instead, he genuinely loved his job and focused on caring for his patients. His concern for Toby was apparent and convincing. Although he knew that investigating the truth would be risky, he bravely forged ahead and I found that to be admirable.
Frank was aptly despicable but there's no doubt that he was a complex, interesting character. He was determined and ruthless throughout the story. Simultaneously he was very much human too, in the sense that even though he had everything a person could ever want he remained insecure and unhappy. He believed that Zach was out to get him and was too blind to see that that was nowhere close to reality. As for Toby, I'd expected him to play a more central role in the story but he merely made a few appearances. The budding romance between Zach and his colleague Suzanne was unnecessary hence thankfully it was relegated to a minor focus.
Besides being a thrilling medical mystery, this book delved into the dynamics of sibling rivalry and father-son relationship. Those were handled realistically and helped show different sides to each character. 'Flashback' also brought up several thought-provoking questions such as whether one should carry out an operation based on logic or emotions. The ending was fitting for this story. It signified that no matter what dark days lie ahead, there will always be light and hope for those who have faith and continue to do what's right.
Overall, 'Flashback' was a riveting read with the right balance of the challenges faced in the medical world and human nature. As always, greed is a major threat to everyone's safety and happiness so it is up to each person to choose the right path.
From the beginning, the mystery aspect was incredibly engaging as the author wasted no time teasing the reader by providing a thorough glimpse into Toby's haunting thoughts. As the layers to the truth were gradually peeled back, the journey to reach that point was definitely worth the wait. There was not much mystery as to what had happened to Toby but what made the mystery so engaging was learning how he could have been conscious during the operation and understanding the perpetrator's motives. The answers were satisfying as they made sense and explained everything clearly.
The characters were mostly fleshed out and well-written. The protagonist Zach was likeable and relatable. All his life he had been living in the shadow of his far more ambitious and successful brother, Frank. He was constantly made to feel like he didn't and would never measure up to Frank. Despite that, he held no grudges or bore any resentment towards him. Instead, he genuinely loved his job and focused on caring for his patients. His concern for Toby was apparent and convincing. Although he knew that investigating the truth would be risky, he bravely forged ahead and I found that to be admirable.
Frank was aptly despicable but there's no doubt that he was a complex, interesting character. He was determined and ruthless throughout the story. Simultaneously he was very much human too, in the sense that even though he had everything a person could ever want he remained insecure and unhappy. He believed that Zach was out to get him and was too blind to see that that was nowhere close to reality. As for Toby, I'd expected him to play a more central role in the story but he merely made a few appearances. The budding romance between Zach and his colleague Suzanne was unnecessary hence thankfully it was relegated to a minor focus.
Besides being a thrilling medical mystery, this book delved into the dynamics of sibling rivalry and father-son relationship. Those were handled realistically and helped show different sides to each character. 'Flashback' also brought up several thought-provoking questions such as whether one should carry out an operation based on logic or emotions. The ending was fitting for this story. It signified that no matter what dark days lie ahead, there will always be light and hope for those who have faith and continue to do what's right.
Overall, 'Flashback' was a riveting read with the right balance of the challenges faced in the medical world and human nature. As always, greed is a major threat to everyone's safety and happiness so it is up to each person to choose the right path.
June 30, 2020
"Flashback" centers around Davis Regional Hospital, a medical center located in a small town, Sterling in New Hamsphire, which has been acquired by Ultramed, a large corporate chain. Judge Clayton Iverson is chairman of the board and his elder son Frank is the administrator who oversees all the work. Zack, his younger son after completing his training in neurosurgery, has just been hired as the neurosurgeon. Dr.Zach encounters a 8 year old boy, Toby who undergoes a routine hernia operation. Toby is supposed to be unconscious during the surgery but he can remember every moment of the operation. All the trauma. All the pain. He relives every horrifying details of the surgery due to the experimental anesthetic drug administered to him. After months he begins to have flashbacks of the surgery that result in abrupt seizures, a sharp fall in his health and violent behavior. Dr. Zack unfolds the immoral procedures being conducted at the hospital. Michael Palmer is certainly one of the best medical suspense writers, if not the best. SUPERLATIVE NOVEL.
September 15, 2021
I love the research that was put into the story, but the characters are written in a strange fashion. More often than not, they are terribly one-dimensional, specially when it comes to both the protagonist and the main antagonist. The rest are subjected to flights of fancy and make unpredictable decisions, say unpredictable things but I'm not a doctor, so maybe the author was much more attentive to certain details in his day.to.day life than I am able to understand, from my outside perspective.
The plot can be also be a little predictable at times, but keeps you hooked.
_After finishing the book_
It's really nerve wrecking I give it that. A good page-turner. And it has a good "twist" at the end too. Some figurative Deus Ex Machina was required to solve the plot, but it's forgivable I think. For all the thrills it gave me, I can give it a 4/5. But I'll never pick it up again due to it being one of the most stressful stories I've ever read
The plot can be also be a little predictable at times, but keeps you hooked.
_After finishing the book_
It's really nerve wrecking I give it that. A good page-turner. And it has a good "twist" at the end too. Some figurative Deus Ex Machina was required to solve the plot, but it's forgivable I think. For all the thrills it gave me, I can give it a 4/5. But I'll never pick it up again due to it being one of the most stressful stories I've ever read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2019
It was a tad long in parts, which made it rather easy to put down at night. There were a lot of characters whose motives weren’t quite clear, even as the book played out. Kind of a weak plot, with MD brother coming home and working in a hospital run by his CEO brother. MD brother notices things aren’t right and delves through the issues regardless of the mayhem it causes in a small town. Illegal human experimentation with an experimental anesthetic, with the goal of making millions is at the base of the story. I still don’t know exactly who the Judge was lying to in the end. It was hard to follow in parts. Typical small town good old boys mixed with MDs with moral and ethical issues plus family drama. Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2023
Michael Palmer has quickly become my new favorite author, supplementing my love for all things Robin Cook after a long search for similar medical thrillers. His plots were engaging and exciting, characters lifelike and likable (or detestable, as the case may be), and his writing style was fluid and great for bedtime reading. Flashback is no exception. All the above elements come together with a story about a pitiful, violent, suffering child with a mysterious psychological condition that's physically killing him. Will the new ad hoc neurologist in town uncover the truth before it's too late for the boy and others? A must-read, this novel answers that question.
July 8, 2018
Incredible, suspenseful read! From the first day of his hiring at the highly-regarded hospital in Sterling, Dr. Zack Iverson is proving to be an "issue" for his brother, Frank Iverson, who is the administrator of the hospital, and two medical staffers. The story holds the reader's interests from the first page as Dr. Zack unravels the unethical procedures taking place at this hospital. Dr. Iverson is honest and moral, regardless of the consequences. Great read!
July 24, 2021
Only Nine More To Go....
Initially didn't flow from chapter to chapter, slow/covering all bases ?
Then, the statement above 'only.... 20+% in' you are hooked, kept guessing, intriguing all the way. Didn't want to put it down, then I didn't want IT to end. I felt part of it. I had my own ideas when there was confusion . Everyone needs a Dr.Zachary !! Twists make you think.
'
Initially didn't flow from chapter to chapter, slow/covering all bases ?
Then, the statement above 'only.... 20+% in' you are hooked, kept guessing, intriguing all the way. Didn't want to put it down, then I didn't want IT to end. I felt part of it. I had my own ideas when there was confusion . Everyone needs a Dr.Zachary !! Twists make you think.
'
March 10, 2018
Another hard to put down book. Palmer was an expert at writing a book that keeps on moving with interesting twists. Do not read if you are leery of the medical community or find it hard to put down a book that was written to make you want to continue to the end. Cliffhangers all over the place. With those tow car eats — enjoy
August 15, 2020
Enjoyed this medical thriller alot going on but keeps you engrossed. I found that that I grew to hate a certain character and I always fine that's a sign of a great book when you become emotionallyinvolvedwith the characters...Do not read this if you are waiting for an operation...it could give you nightmares or are they Flashbacks
January 16, 2018
This book follows the model of all of the authors other books that I have read. Again, there is something sinister happening in the medical community and our hero, Zach Iverson this time, arrives in time to save the day. I enjoyed this book more than the last two I read.
July 25, 2018
Wow
Great book! Michael Palmer writes great medical suspense stories. The storyline kept my interest and was easy to follow. Another Michael Palmer book that was hard to put down!
Great book! Michael Palmer writes great medical suspense stories. The storyline kept my interest and was easy to follow. Another Michael Palmer book that was hard to put down!
November 15, 2019
i could have read a lot faster if the print had been larger. the smaller print and old age does not go well with each other. but this was the only book the library had so i was happy to get it, and i enjoyed it. the story was good
January 2, 2024
Read January 2024 🏥
•
Gut Instinct Rating: 4.5
Characters: 4.5
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 4.5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: n/a
Overall: 4.83🏳️🌈
•
Main Topic: Medical negligence
•
Gut Instinct Rating: 4.5
Characters: 4.5
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 4.5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Audiobook Narration: n/a
Overall: 4.83🏳️🌈
•
Main Topic: Medical negligence
September 27, 2017
Just ok for me
Had a good premise but lots of useless details not essential to the story. Pages I skipped over and some parts very boring.
Had a good premise but lots of useless details not essential to the story. Pages I skipped over and some parts very boring.
October 15, 2017
A thriller. medical story to keep you on your toes.
I chose my rating because to Me was exciting . Being a nurse I could imagine what this meant to the patients
I chose my rating because to Me was exciting . Being a nurse I could imagine what this meant to the patients
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews