Reviews

Political Suicide by Michael Palmer

atticusmammy's review

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3.0

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this.

beckylej's review

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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!

dollycas's review against another edition

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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.

thewellreadrunner's review against another edition

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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)

asphaltcowgrrl's review against another edition

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4.0

A pretty good novel, despite the military aspect being rather unbelievable at times. But still, I like the author's style and will read more of his books.

skinnypenguin's review against another edition

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3.0

Good conspiracy story. Lots of different things going on. Interesting to see how the author wove the story of the doctor's addiction and recovery and relate it to some of the other characters. Connected a lot of people together thru different aspects of their lives. Interesting premise of getting U.S. soldiers to become suicide bombers and the moral implications of that.
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