Trauma: A Novel

Maybe three and a half stars in truth. The first half of the story was painfully slow with more medical jargon than I really ever want to see in a novel and very little story movement. It took forever to read. I rarely stop reading a book though and about halfway through the mystery and action materialize in an action packed story. In total, A terrific ending to a discussion of PTSD which is a major issue in today’s world

I’d actually rate this as a 3.5. I am a fan of the now deceased Dr. Michael Palmer, and I’ve read most of his novels and very much liked them. “Trauma” was written in 2015, so it’s one of his latter novels. The reason I didn’t care much for it is that it follows the “old standard Robin Cook novel formula”. Perhaps the reason is because Michael Palmer died suddenly in 2013, and his son, Daniel Palmer finished this novel for his father. (BTW, Daniel Palmer is now one of my favorite authors, along with his Dad!)“Trauma” is about Dr. Carrie Bryant, who lives for performing surgery. She is just finishing her last year of Residency, after dedicating her life to medicine for so many years, when a tragedy in the OR ends her current career. Her beloved brother, Adam, suffers from PTSD after serving in the Armed Forces. Carrie finds a job doing surgeries on patients with PTSD in order to insert a device into their brains that will shut off any emotions they feel when they remember the worst traumatic event. But soon she finds that she is unable to follow-up on her patients, or they disappear, or are found dead. She begins to investigate, endangering her own life.It’s not a bad novel. It just follows that old “Coma” formula too much.

As a long time avid reader of Michael Palmer books all of which were riveting, hard-to-put down page turner medical thrillers, I was saddened to hear of his sudden passing. However, Daniel Palmer dove right in and continued his father's legacy by finishing Trauma that Michael Palmer did not have a chance to complete. Trauma was amazing from start to finish--being in the medical field, I could really understand what was written in terms of neurosurgery and I gained some insight on an all too familiar condition--PTSD, post traumatic stress syndrome. I couldn't read Trauma fast enough and stayed up late to read it as I couldn't put it down!! If you like suspense, drama, and medical thrillers, Trauma is a definite must read--you won't be disappointed!! Thank you Daniel for continuing your father's work while writing your own excellent novels as well!! This reader is enjoying every mile of the ride!! Keep them coming!!

This story is complex but not too much so. I can follow it just fine. And as you get into it, it all comes together. The characters are believable. I couldn't put it down! The plot was a bit unsettling-just thinking about the rotten stuff governmental beaurocracy can get away with. A real thriller! l Not what I expected, but tremendous!

I have anticipated and never been disappointed by each book that Michael Palmer has written. I miss his books knowing he will not be writing another. However, Daniel Palmer has certainly stepped up to the plate and I will be looking for his books now. Thank you, Daniel, for carrying on the writing. Thank you also for the eulogy you gave your father and tribute to his writing career. From the first book I read THE SISTERHOOD, i was hooked!! I have all of his books and now I will be reading yours, Daniel. I am a nurse and find the book "medical" but no one has to be in the medical/nursing field to follow the plot which is always suspenseful and keeps one riveted. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book and it is my first read from this author. It had all the elements of a great read - intrigue, suspense, and a good old who done it. Was so surprised to read the note about Michael Palmer. I did not know his name but was pleased to find out that one of his books was the basis for one of my favorite movies Extreme Measures. I intend to read more....

Like all Michael Palmer's books, this one didn't disappoint either. PTSD is something a lot of vets deal with, it's serious and they are suffering. Of course we all hope that those who fight for our country wouldn't have to fight something like that once they return. This book has a twist where they try to cure PTSD. But at what cost? It's hard to put down this book.Even though Michael Palmer has passed and this was written with his son, Daniel, the quality didn't suffer at all.

I love a good thriller and I was certainly not disappointed in this book. I love an exciting medical story and this medical thriller kept me guessing and on edge of my seat all the way through!!I highly recommend Trauma to anyone who loves a "keep those pages turning" book. You can't go wrong with this one!!

This book began brilliantly in the hospital. Sadly it then changed and was so mediocre that I found it difficult to read. It is tedious, uninspiring, and frankly boring. At the middle, I was so disinterested that I looked at the end to see if it was worth bothering with. The end was absurd. I am so sad to write this because I am a Michael Palmer fan.

When I first began "Trauma" by Michael & Daniel Palmer, I was under the impression that they were brothers who wrote from different genres & were collaborating, which would make their mother happy, I'm sure. :) lol. Instead, I read (& thoroughly enjoyed) a book outlined & started by the father, Michael, and completed by his son; Daniel, shortly after his father's death in 2013.The result: an exciting page turner that's hard to put down. I loved Michael Palmer from the moment I read "The Sisterhood" in 1982 & I've read every one of his books since then. Trauma is Michael Palmer's final book & I sincerely thank Daniel for completing it & giving it to us, his fans. While it's sad to lose such an entertaining voice of the Medical Thriller genre, we do have Daniel Palmer. & regardless of which style he'll continue to write in, I'm sure his dad's voice will speak through. For me, that's just enough.

Have not finished it yet. About 100 some odd pages in and it puts me to sleep. Not sure when I'll finish it. I like medical thrillers, and like to hear the actual medical terminology, however, this one has too much of it in it.

The notion of electrodes implanted in the human brain as a cure for disease is a sobering concept. At what point does ones humanity get taken over by machine. Are we seeking a cure or control of illnesses like PTSD which is created by acts of war that are sanctioned as normal.

Was a huge fan of micheal palmer..till date no one can beat his novels..this was nice but no compare at all..