Silent Treatment

Harry Corbett works as an anesthesiologist at a hospital in Boston, leading a quiet life with his wife Evie. When Evie is rushed to the emergency room and falls into a coma, Harry becomes convinced her condition is not natural and begins investigating suspicious deaths at the hospital. The investigation leads Harry through a web of medical politics, pharmaceutical research, and institutional cover-ups. He faces resistance from hospital administrators and colleagues as he searches for connections between his wife's condition and other unexplained patient incidents. As Harry races against time to uncover the truth and save Evie, he must confront both external threats and his own limitations as a doctor and husband. The story merges elements of medical suspense with exploration of hospital bureaucracy and the ethics of medical research. The novel examines tensions between individual medical practitioners and large healthcare institutions, while questioning how far someone might go to protect the ones they love. Its themes of institutional power, medical ethics, and personal loyalty remain relevant to contemporary healthcare debates.

Readers describe Silent Treatment as a fast-paced medical thriller that keeps them engaged, though some find the plot predictable. Most complete it in 1-2 sittings. Readers appreciated: - Technical medical details that feel authentic - The pacing and suspense throughout - Character development of the protagonist Dr. Harry Corbett - Clear explanations of complex medical concepts Common criticisms: - Formulaic plot twists - Supporting characters lack depth - Romance subplot feels forced - Some medical jargon is excessive Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (3,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (450+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Palmer knows how to write hospital scenes that put you right there" - Amazon reviewer "The mystery keeps you guessing but the ending is too convenient" - Goodreads reviewer "Details about anesthesia procedures add credibility" - Goodreads reviewer "Characters besides Harry are forgettable" - Amazon reviewer

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🏥 Michael Palmer drew from his 20 years of experience as a practicing physician to create authentic medical scenarios in "Silent Treatment" and his other medical thrillers. 💊 The book explores the dark side of managed healthcare systems, a topic that remains relevant more than 25 years after its 1995 publication. 🔍 Palmer's protagonist, Dr. Harry Corbett, was named after one of his real-life medical school professors at Case Western Reserve University. ⚕️ The novel's plot involving medical fraud and insurance schemes was inspired by actual cases Palmer encountered during his time working in emergency medicine. 📚 "Silent Treatment" was Palmer's eighth medical thriller, and its success helped establish him as a leading voice in the medical thriller genre alongside authors like Robin Cook and Tess Gerritsen.