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alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 4
Characters: 4.5
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 4
Excitement Factor: 5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.61
Characters: 4.5
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 4
Excitement Factor: 5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.61
emtrey's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
katecollier's review
2.0
Did not finish.
I've been a fan of Michael Palmer books in the past and I'm generally a fan of political intrigue books so I picked this up thinking it would be an exciting combination of the two. Instead, it was rather lackluster and the dialogue tedious. I like Michael Palmer enough to go back to some of his previous books, but this one just wasn't for me.
I've been a fan of Michael Palmer books in the past and I'm generally a fan of political intrigue books so I picked this up thinking it would be an exciting combination of the two. Instead, it was rather lackluster and the dialogue tedious. I like Michael Palmer enough to go back to some of his previous books, but this one just wasn't for me.
cnorbury's review
4.0
Despite the fact that Dr. Lou Welcome doesn't use his doctor "superpowers" in any substantial way to solve the mystery of who killed Congressman Colson, I enjoyed the premise of the book, fighting terrorists at their own game--suicide bombing.
Supporting characters were better than average--Papa Steve, Cap Duncan, Edith Harmon--and were unique enough to give this story freshness.
Plot occasionally dragged but not as bad as some bestsellers tend to do these days. Palmer avoided political preachiness about the merits of the Mantis "ideology" (Whatever it takes!) and the moral implications of brainwashing soldiers into committing suicide in order to achieve a victory in the war on terrorism.
Entertaining, and the narrator did a fine job of bringing the characters to life.
Supporting characters were better than average--Papa Steve, Cap Duncan, Edith Harmon--and were unique enough to give this story freshness.
Plot occasionally dragged but not as bad as some bestsellers tend to do these days. Palmer avoided political preachiness about the merits of the Mantis "ideology" (Whatever it takes!) and the moral implications of brainwashing soldiers into committing suicide in order to achieve a victory in the war on terrorism.
Entertaining, and the narrator did a fine job of bringing the characters to life.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beckylej's review
4.0
Dr. Lou Welcome is certain that his friend and fellow doctor Gary McHugh is not a murderer. Unfortunately, McHugh has been struggling with alcoholism and recently suffered a black out. His car was crashed into a tree near the house of a senator whose wife had been having an affair with McHugh. That same night, the senator was murdered in his own home. Though no weapon has been found, McHugh's circumstances are all the police need in the way of motive and opportunity. McHugh asks Lou to do anything he can to help clear his name. As Lou begins to dig into the case, he quickly discovers evidence missed by the police. Evidence that points to another possible suspect with a motive to kill the senator. But when Lou clues the cops in, the evidence somehow disappears and Lou's copy is stolen as well. Now he and McHugh's lawyer are certain that there's something fishy going on, but proving McHugh's innocence also means putting themselves both in grave danger.
If you're in the mood for a quick and suspenseful read with a really smart and original plot, you should check this one out! Technically this is a follow up to OATH OF OFFICE in that Lou appears as the main character once again. Never fear, though, POLITICAL SUICIDE stands completely on its own.
Lou is the standout, of course, as a returning character and a character that readers will connect with on multiple levels. He's admirable, he's smart, and he's determined to help his friend no matter what. And you get all of that even if you haven't read OATH prior to this.
I'm absolutely loving this new twist Palmer has put on his subjects of late as well. He's added a political element to the medical thriller subgenre he's so well known for. I've no doubt that there are plenty of plots that can be built around medical mysteries but in adding this extra element, I think it's given Palmer a chance to explore even more issues and pretty much guarantee that each new book will be just as fresh and original as the ones before.
Take it from someone who has a history of binge reading this particular author, if you're just coming to Palmer you might want to clear some space in your TBR for his other titles once you're done!
If you're in the mood for a quick and suspenseful read with a really smart and original plot, you should check this one out! Technically this is a follow up to OATH OF OFFICE in that Lou appears as the main character once again. Never fear, though, POLITICAL SUICIDE stands completely on its own.
Lou is the standout, of course, as a returning character and a character that readers will connect with on multiple levels. He's admirable, he's smart, and he's determined to help his friend no matter what. And you get all of that even if you haven't read OATH prior to this.
I'm absolutely loving this new twist Palmer has put on his subjects of late as well. He's added a political element to the medical thriller subgenre he's so well known for. I've no doubt that there are plenty of plots that can be built around medical mysteries but in adding this extra element, I think it's given Palmer a chance to explore even more issues and pretty much guarantee that each new book will be just as fresh and original as the ones before.
Take it from someone who has a history of binge reading this particular author, if you're just coming to Palmer you might want to clear some space in your TBR for his other titles once you're done!
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dr. Lou Welcome from Oath of Office returns and finds himself in a heap of trouble. A desperate phone call from his client and friend, Dr. Gary McHugh, just starts the ball rolling. McHugh is a blackout drunk and Dr. Welcome has been trying to help him. It seems McHugh was found unconscious in his wrecked car just down the road from the home of Congressman Elias Colston, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. As he wakes up in the hospital he hears the Congressman has been murdered. He needs Lou to help him figure out exactly happened. Lou doesn’t believe that his friend would kill anyone so he agrees to do a little investigating never knowing the huge conspiracy he was about to unravel or that he was putting a enormous target on his back.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I could not put this book down! A Spectacular Political Suspense Thriller!!
The political twists and turns in both the government and the military are absolutely scary. While you know the plot can in no way be true, Palmer writes in such a way that that makes the reader almost believe this fiction is fact. I found my heart racing and breathing quicken as he takes us on Dr. Lou Welcome’s spellbinding adventure. At times Welcome seems almost superhuman but the addition of attorney Sarah Cooper tempers and grounds him a bit, keeping him real in the reader’s mind. He also gets a little help from some unexpected places.
This story is extremely complex with many levels as it evolves but Palmer makes it very easy to follow. The most confusing for me was the area of Washington D.C. and where the military compounds and armories are located. But with a story as faced paced as this one locations seem to just fall away as the action continues.
While this seems to be the second in what I hope with become a Lou Welcome series, it reads alone just fine. Palmer does tease us a bit at the end with what should be in the next installment. The first book Oath of Office did make my Best of 2012 list so I recommend you read that one as well.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I could not put this book down! A Spectacular Political Suspense Thriller!!
The political twists and turns in both the government and the military are absolutely scary. While you know the plot can in no way be true, Palmer writes in such a way that that makes the reader almost believe this fiction is fact. I found my heart racing and breathing quicken as he takes us on Dr. Lou Welcome’s spellbinding adventure. At times Welcome seems almost superhuman but the addition of attorney Sarah Cooper tempers and grounds him a bit, keeping him real in the reader’s mind. He also gets a little help from some unexpected places.
This story is extremely complex with many levels as it evolves but Palmer makes it very easy to follow. The most confusing for me was the area of Washington D.C. and where the military compounds and armories are located. But with a story as faced paced as this one locations seem to just fall away as the action continues.
While this seems to be the second in what I hope with become a Lou Welcome series, it reads alone just fine. Palmer does tease us a bit at the end with what should be in the next installment. The first book Oath of Office did make my Best of 2012 list so I recommend you read that one as well.
thewellreadrunner's review against another edition
3.0
More of a political/conspiracy thriller than a medical thriller, but suspenseful nonetheless. I found some parts to be a tad unbelievable, and the budding romance was rather unnecessary (these things explain my middle-range rating). But otherwise this fits the bill if you are looking for suspense. Robert Petkoff is a fantastic narrator for the audiobook. See my full review at http://www.thewellreadredhead.com/2013/02/audiobook-review-and-giveaway-political.html (link live on 2/14/13)