With every one of his ten novels a New York Times bestseller, emergency medicine physician Michael Palmer is recognized by critics and fans worldwide as a master of medical suspense. Now Palmer delivers a relentless thriller that slices to our deepest fears with surgical precision—a tale as timely as it is terrifying, as harrowing as it is plausible. Welcome to The Society.

At the headquarters of Boston’s Eastern Quality Health, the wealthy and powerful CEO is brutally murdered. She’s not
the first to die—nor the last. A vicious serial killer is on the loose and the victims have one thing in common: they are all high-profile executives in the managed care industry.Dr. Will Grant is an overworked and highly dedicated surgeon. He has experienced firsthand the outrages of a system that cares more about the bottom line than about the life-and-death issues of patients. As a member of the Hippocrates Society, Will seeks to reclaim the profession of medicine from the hundreds of companies profiting wildly by controlling the decisions that affect the delivery of care. But the doctor’s determination has attracted a dangerous zealot who will stop at nothing to make Will his ally. Soon Will is both a suspect and a victim, a pawn in a deadly endgame. Then, in one horrible moment, Will’s professional and personal worlds are destroyed and his very life placed in peril.

Rookie detective Patty Moriarity is in danger of being removed from her first big case—the managed care killings. To save her career, she has no choice but to risk trusting Will, knowing he may well be the killer she is hunting. Together they have little to go on except the knowledge that the assassin is vengeful, cunning, ruthless—and may not be working alone. That—and a cryptic message that grows longer with each murder: a message Grant and Moriarity must decipher if they don’t want to be the next victims.


From the Hardcover edition.

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“I LOVED IT.  I've never read any of Michael Palmer’s work before so this was a real treat for me.  The story gripped you from the beginning and didn’t let go. I think I'm going to have to go read a few more of his books!” –Amy M., Ashland, OH

“Very hard to put down!  The story line was thought-provoking, with twists and turns that were totally unexpected–especially at the end!  Will and Patty are very likeable characters, and I found myself really hoping things would work out for them.  Michael Palmer has again proven himself to be one of the great writers of medical suspense, and I would highly recommend this book to everyone.” –Maryellen P., Bethlehem, PA 

“I have read all of Michael Palmer’s novels and this one is the best yet. Everything is here: the suspense, emotion, adventure, depth of the characters. This is an enjoyable, entertaining and fast paced read. I highly recommended this book!” –Catherine M., Monson, MA

“Michael Palmer shows a wonderful talent for twisting the traditional formula of the whodunit.  Forget the trench-coat-wearing crime scene investigators–this mystery features a surgeon who is fighting to help the victims of the health care system.  Does that sound dry?  I doubt you'll think so after you experience Palmer's grisly humor around the autopsy table.  I wanted to say, dude, that's gross!, but I was laughing too hard.” –Tonya R., Commerce, OK

“The Society is classified as a mystery; however, it is much more. Michael Palmer has captured the essence of the ongoing pleas for social reform of HMOs. He delivers interesting characters and vast knowledge of legal, medical, and police procedures. The Society is well written and even-paced, with a plausible plot. I applaud authors who take a stand within their stories with regard to social issues.” –Josephine L., Concord, NH

“This book kept me interested all the way through.  It addressed the managed care issues very well and the real-life examples he used were very pertinent.” –Karen M., Hanover Park, IL

“Michael Palmer has come through again in this gripping medical thriller! I absolutely couldn't put this book down. A very, very good read, indeed!!” –Vicki W., Nacogdoches, TX

“I thought The Society was really great–it was suspenseful and kept you guessing to the end. I especially like how he brought to the forefront how managed care can get out of hand if we let it.” –Linda J., Warner Robins, GA

“I loved it–a must-read for mystery lovers.  The plot was well developed and kept me intrigued to the end. I highly recommend this book.” –Edward L., Kalamazoo, MI

“Our worst nightmare come to life!  I couldn't put the book down until I was finished with it; it kept me on the edge of my seat.  Michael Palmer has written another great book.”–Rebecca C., Muncie, IN

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Click here for the author's Web site

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Michael Palmer, M.D., spent twenty years as a full-time practitioner of internal and emergency medicine, and is now an associate director of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s physician health program.


From the Hardcover edition.

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