The First Patient

A Novel

By: Michael Palmer

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Gabe Singleton and Andrew Stoddard were roommates at the Naval Academy in Annapolis years ago. Today, Gabe is a country doctor and his friend Andrew has gone from war hero to governor to President of the United States.

One day, while the United States is embroiled in a bitter presidential election campaign, Marine One lands on Gabe's Wyoming ranch, and President Stoddard delivers a disturbing revelation and a startling request. His personal physician has suddenly and mysteriously disappeared, and he desperately needs Gabe to take the man's place. Despite serious misgivings, Gabe agrees to come to Washington.

It is not until he is ensconced in the White House medical office that Gabe realizes there is strong evidence that the President is going insane. Facing a crisis of conscience - as President Stoddard's physician, he has the power to invoke the 25th Amendment to transfer presidential power to the vice president - Gabe uncovers increasing evidence that his friend's condition may not be due to natural causes.

Who? Why? And how? The president's life is at stake. A small-town doctor suddenly finds himself in the most powerful position on earth, and the safety of the world is in jeopardy. Gabe Singleton must find the answers, and the clock is ticking.

©2008 Michael Palmer (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] over-the-top yet endlessly entertaining thriller....The roller-coaster ride of a plot builds to an undeniably shocking conclusion." ( Publishers Weekly)

Enjoyable easy "reading"

I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention and I was surprised by the ending. This is a good choice when you want something easy to "read" in traffic or when concentration is not critical. My mind never wondered.

Review of The First Patient

My wife and I couldn't stop reading this book. We found the characters quite authentic, and the ending quite thrilling. We were also very impressed with the narrator, whose verbal emphasis added to the drama of the book.

A little hard to swallow but entertaining

Real life gets taxed here, but, as usual, you need to forget reality and just be entertained.

Very enjoyable

Held my attention from beginning to end. The two narrators, one male, one female, did an excellent job. The story exceeded my expectations.

Nail biter

This book had my heart in my throat from the beginning. Many twists and turns.