Michael Palmer, Author

Welcome back our number three Dennis and Callahan we're very happy to have a guest in the studio today who have idea of quickly on the last a week and a -- becoming very big fan of by way of introduction his name is doctor Michael Palmer he's from farms -- Massachusetts he tells Jerry and me the last couple minutes it has been a position for ever. Specializing in internal medicine and spent some time in the ER. But he's been an author of 32 years and over that amount of time it turned out. Fourteen novels the latest one is gonna hit the bookstores on the sixteenth of this month. The last surgeon is the name of the book. Michael Palmer is the author rejoins in the studio good morning Michael -- it's great to be -- our pleasure glad to have you aboard you know I I and I got the book. And it was almost as if you said let me give you a nine page prologue as that little sample some say what to do something good. Interest basis -- about this cookie. And Sonata really not -- about it and you want the whole cookie you you're you're you're marketing people should say Somalis -- giving nine pages back to the people.

They did I I had his previous book and I always do this and sometimes it works and sometimes doesn't. But. I I read them -- the put the first -- and -- at the end yes now -- status. That's -- read and I couldn't stop that told the innocent you can read these nine pages. And not get hooked. I'd be shocked.

Overthrow suggest Michael is when this book it's the bookstore on the sixteenth of February wind whatever your bookstore it's picking up the last surgeon Michael Palmer. Read the first nine pages if you don't like to put it down walk out. What you gonna take a moment it was the -- tremendous tease you hit the ground running with with bronze --

All thinks he's he's the scariest villain that I. Ever been connected with -- I give my son Daniel is also a writer didn't. Full marks for -- he's the one Russa -- first suggested his persona and and I ran -- that. We had a great time thinking about. You know let's do this one in the kayak yeah let's.

Right yeah and that -- all good but the first one's the best the scariest creepy estan you're reading you say first close reds and pitched to do you really just do that yeah religious killer. Leverage the back of the book and I go well he did he killed killer but in any he enjoyed it -- he enjoys his craft I told them it was -- of the island Colbern. Comes up with some real sick cows and he's good at that -- you know that right he he's probably the best to come up with a total cycle paths. That your clothes and that was that I -- is like right out islands sick mind.

Being close to Ireland cogan and anything is great cars -- the first line of the book about Hillary nine pages is the prologue in to quote. I know you can't believe this is happening ms. coats but I assure you it is I've been paid and paid very well Killian. Will lie in a minute yes yes you hit the ground running with this -- now it's it's your recurring character I'm sorry don't know this is a diverse talent -- I mean and that we -- previous effort now he does is it -- the doctor of a rebel -- I've.

Never written every one of my fourteen. Books as a state is a standalone good. Com and that has a lot to do with my concept of what a thriller written from which which is that it's a normal every gay person granted all -- eight. Protagonists are physicians right that's what I know about yeah but basically they want the same thing that you want and you want and I want which is just to be happy -- There have in their life they have their families that would their jobs. In they're not gonna be happy we'll hear it.

to be commended because it would seem to me the easier way to go if you read fourteen books as dev Patel of them have the same guy and it so you know he looks like and sounds like -- thinks and feels and and just put imminent.

And set of circumstances we have we Obama's often discussed that I have many friends who are -- great thriller writers and as we'll get to talk about. And I -- that has its own set of problems it does yes just.

I was look at the book and it says in new you know. Jack creature whatever you know like Lee -- guy and it's read the last one slice I don't know push it into -- midstream if you have new characters you don't feel that those doubts while.

Look it up even in in these books -- he doesn't connect from book to book. But I know the guy and the whole care we all -- almanac and you know -- love -- I mean I mean data slain did not Collins Alan's done that you could do it if you want to so far for me it's been hard right sometimes look for that character. And just hasn't shown up and and as I was saying we're talking about a normal everyday person right put in. Horrible circumstances the way it is so there's no way you can do that twice if you take the same person that's a coincidence beyond. Yeah against the bill like Jack -- is say okay you -- on the all of what he got -- right I'll give you the example of what I consider to be too with the best thrillers if not the best -- that it had been written. One -- from his marathon man. And I thought that was an incredible movie with Dustin Hoffman and aren't Roy Schneider and I got through -- is it safe for the and the other one is on three days of the conduit and which again those people were average everyday even Robert Redford who with in the CIA didn't -- just read a book that's just. -- are your great you know it all the you know and and so those people. -- will be hard to make -- be -- main character in another book.

A good point north out of that right -- you have to be an extraordinary guy like Jack about your or -- with -- first name and to be -- Jack Jack Green Day yeah. There on the subject credit check on and they in Tom Clancy's books and and you gotta be spectacularly. At something to be delivered -- be recurring guy. -- nick fury. Isn't no slouch --

A flawed hero blow -- an and that's that's where you get to the medical aspect of but the with the PT SB the most dramatic stress disorder up bright.

That was. A few years ago -- theme that I wanted to write a note and you know as an ER doctor I used to CP two EST all the time but I didn't know what it was when we didn't have a name and it didn't happen. -- of those letters of an Akron yes yeah and had an acronym and I I knew about it and then more and more as I read about the war right I feel I -- for what's happened with the with the troops. On their young kids and they come back home with pieces missing and the one piece that's really missing and a lot of them. Is is their mental stability rent rent and I wanted to write about that in some way and gradually the spoke finally evolved. And I was so happy the -- it came out. And also the chance that I was able to connect I don't know if you. Yeah I guess you do have that information with the Red Sox foundation young who have also adopted. -- he has the as a cause there it -- that in.

You're doing some Google home based program for veterans it will get into and a second there's an event coming up on the sixteenth and talk about that. To all fourteen of your novels. -- medical and ethical issues absolutely yeah.

I start last one was Asperger's right in the you know what's so which one was a -- this president. Another animal here right next that's -- a -- that. But that wouldn't be the Tiger Woods story Italy but I don't want this -- so good is is a post traumatic stress syndrome a disorder is so AG you know I mean he could do something on what that room you'd -- the medical issue I. Autism but it's not going to be quite as AG as you gotta go you gonna get into why he got this how are gutless.

Absolutely and I got a huge break in my first novel. I I wrote a book and the idea for the book turned out to be possibly with the best idea or Oliver has that it's called the sisterhood and it was about. A secret society of the very best nurses. Who are into mercy killing. And if it's possible to do mercy killing right they do it right. But it's not pass.

Bad name though I would look at that picture book. The pictures say it's pretty evil. But I'm sure it's great and Evans ready yet but I would look at that when you look at that I like July you know actually don't mind if it's a checkpoint -- this 175%. Of the people in this country who buy books women are women. Absolutely nuts though. -- over the.

The the the second -- Julian coats and here in this -- nuanced and maybe it only need to get in this but it's seems to me that everybody in the books sees her differently she's described. Differently and and and that's a rarity generally you know -- when the lead character is nick fury or nick Garrity he's looked at as you know this athletic former surgeon war hero all that sort of stuff. Everybody becomes encounter with this woman. Looks that are in fact when she sat down on the bus from the RV for the first time and you're describing -- yes we have matter pages and pages before. I didn't know until she introduced herself and said she was the that you -- talking about that person -- intentional obviously.

It we get to meet her even though she's not in the in the book right. I'm doing little from -- Asian markets underrated and that's bad radio. In the prologue. It there's a question raised that a lot of my friends and everybody's read the book -- about themselves. Is would I do this yeah if somebody told me that I'm gonna die no matter what right. But if I don't cooperate my sister -- I love is gonna die as well and horribly and that's -- on. Sort of an unsolvable. Conundrum yeah. A lot of my friends finally caved in NC okay you've presented it on its. It's more compact quickly yet enough so nine pages you do that right that I yes I would I'd kill myself if I could protect and save my.

My -- I think the tipping point is win -- convinces you that he's serious that you want to die that's the first Florida's -- and in and skepticism that he's not really gonna do -- us and -- demonstrates to -- in a very graphic fashion what he can do to -- her sister from a long way away.

That's absolutely yet and and when I first presented this to my editor. She said I don't believe it. And I says well what should I do she said make me believe that a -- So when you bring you present that verbally or. You know I wrote it the way -- I was just getting started with the book she wanted to see the first. I don't remember hundred -- 150 pages. As they beat me pretty loose to do who do what I want that they wanna know what's going on. And I -- she said I like the book I love the idea. I don't believe it's you wouldn't do she she has to do. To endure he has to do it and then she said okay when you make me believe that the pitcher -- back to chapter the prologue right righted again yet and I did.

On nine pages may or may be deleted standard I Michigan to find thriller and a number of ways a -- people's preconceived notion what a thriller is. And I don't know if you ever written and -- attention deficit disorder. But if people haven't this is a great book for first of all the chapters are short and it's like you you're saying give me seven or eight or nine or ten pages and I'm gonna give you a new. Seen a new concept to new area to getting grossed in and you do and when you move onto the next one. But beyond that the definition of a thriller you know we just talked about the first nine pages of prologue. You know by page sixteen were in Afghanistan by page twenty somebody shelling ala Akbar and you're off and running I mean that the as they say there's not a dull moment in this book right topical too topical exactly now.

Yeah every every chapter I look at and say what. What is the reveal in this -- yes what is gonna make somebody. I'm not be able to stop at the last page even though it's 1:30 in the morning and have to be at work at eight you know and and I'm always thinking about that and I know the the the writers that I associate with many of the once we're going to be at that a home base thing right kind of the same way right. The thing that's happened that's changed me as I am I love Stephen King. And there are number of other good authors that I that I really look I started realizing they they write shorter chapters and I do. And just as years have very good observation on your part I purposely said you know what. I'm trying to put too much in these chapters and I wanna I wanna push a key point in the pushed the reader so I'm gonna try instead of writing. Thirteen or fourteen or fifteen page chapters and the try to write seven really I think it works I think it -- yeah riff and I know. -- you guys are have had Joe fender in the show he's a local writer and nationally famous and a wonderful. A person as well who's going to be at that. Aren't couldn't come. And use his last spoke that I read had ninety chapters and a and it didn't stop moving yeah the first page -- on it was great ends up power play. It was vanished banished I think it was ninety I may be off on the number of.

Lional Grand Slam and is that the change. I'm yes we I don't know and the politics -- was -- scared to death sitting here we -- as the terrorist. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Yes and yes. And I don't want it's they went forward. Yet Cheney was the one I had in mind and again. I'm looking in the difference John mentioned about between writing a mystery and and a thriller right. Is that many times there isn't a mystery. To solve. In the course of the thrillers that the thing we're looking for is why did this happen yeah and and how is it gonna resolve. And so Cheney that character shows up in the middle of the book. Because I don't care that the reader. Knows who is who's behind all this it's not the important. The important part is why on earth did you India why would all this happen. So I did have a character like Cheney involved -- I'm a patriot someone who it isn't like he's a bad person it's he totally believes in what.

Mean his basic conversation with callers fascinated of the one guy -- no soul pure evil and elegant thinks he's -- good intentions or. Noble patriotic contentions. I mean I I don't think Cheney would condone you know mass murder but -- a minister of Italy and you know something you want it to Iggy probably does probably.

I'm really loving this site you got. To sit down as a writer and talk about I haven't done this about this book I and realized god it's not only read -- that's a fun -- it.

Did you get offended when you. Portrait dictating isn't it I was scared of scared the devil coming ahead this morning and another buyer -- there's a little writers what's called a --

Tool or or operation or writers technique technique thank you where you put a towel size spots in there. And it's generally it's who you know after coler does something. You know he's thinking great job or nice job. I hit -- last night and -- was -- was on the phone with Julian we're rock and given anyway here pretending to be somebody else and she said something about you know getting a report from fire Marshal. He's that stupid Jericho. Now I've got much further an animal like hundred -- pages through this thing he's that stupid Jericho but to me that's some sort revelation you we've heard about Jericho but not a relationship to call -- weaving that into the story I'm pretty sure him thinking stupid Jericho is significant going forward.

And in fact it is yet is there the the people who hired him correct in the first place and again the question who's Jericho right and in the -- what the -- but the point is the -- Zulu said to him can I call you Jericho when you're doing the iPod doesn't really exist iPods that you can talk to people. It does my idea I've already mentioned my son Daniel -- to -- great. -- Let him know you like Canada that it -- that's like do -- One as a freshman and Emerson. Right now. In the theater. And why are we talking about villagers Somalia with the eye on all the all the -- and -- he's the techno geek yes.

And in fact we talked about his new book the three books they're -- techno thriller -- and their leaders spooky because of all the things that can happen on. An online. That are anonymous and room and and these terrible things can be done to you. Through the Internet and that's what he knows about. So when I I asked him about something like this is this possible ray is this possible I always -- the straight answer or he says up all night back sure exactly. I'll but it doesn't have to be possible ago we asked that question -- all the time I just made it up yeah no I I that's the only thing you says that I have a little bit a question about. I when I go to an expert and I asked them questions they say well no that's what I said wait. I only need one answer from you. Is this possible record and they say well yeah arguing that I said that's all -- need to know on the Ryder if you tell me it's possible -- make it at.

Is look -- is -- did to Julian. Remotely in the first nine pages possible. Yes it is so get the technology yes -- and then again the whole -- thank you Daniel. Yeah -- figured that a yes that what I was saying -- all the properties -- should what should we -- right so pleased and excited that it can't be sentenced to kind of dark side to that open up already read his book. Irony these movies I should know that I'm --

Yes I had Warren it's tough to get a book made into movies. I'm 1966. The movie extreme measures with Hugh Grant Gene Hackman and Sarah Jessica Parker. About. And ER Hugh Grant it was his one serious and right -- people may know of some others this is an intense front but he did a great job. On that was based on my my book on which book extreme measures extreme measures -- shows up all the time on HBO. Now.

Watch for that. -- a new term reading your book and non --

Again now as a product of our discussions -- mine about the book yet. And it just. Just popped out -- and and the more we talked about it the more creepy -- real good this.

hundred throughout that there are people like this out there whether they're you know. Government people or independent contractors or whatever the people or our our master craftsman at this kind of thing that -- killed.

It's murder that doesn't look like murdered yes definitely like natural causes me to wonder about all the murders we hear readable yes they -- you. Well you were talking about one of science that was the clear cut -- The larynx thing on Nancy Kerrigan's father and and I was listening to this morning at that in. There's two ways to do that you choke somebody and breakthrough Larry so you. You whack -- yeah just aside and blow right often inadvertently. They go into its common -- spasm when the voice box is kind of shuts down this case it was broke right. It's. -- a very effective martial arts self defense absolutely little web on my brooks the non kill it's not quite that direct because. And he wants it to look like natural cause yeah who knows a lot of biology.

And for all the talk from the chilling and throwing things in this thing there's a scene and do you laugh when I say it was a it was a hotel room seeing the -- Kohler and to hookers. And music also on a -- another and had nothing to do with that I -- my palms were sweaty I love that whole throwing items that all might go what is gonna happen in this thing I had nothing to do with this guy having sex with two -- and hotel room.

I I love hearing you say that I thought that was the creepiest that was very going to be in the book out. Because I I know exactly what's in -- and I can read it now yeah and I started it yet at its height. And you know I'm not getting -- this Amanda when I say that nothing happens. Evidence does a lot happened I mean a lot happens it is not what you think's gonna right exactly rat right after that.

On the sixteenth of February doctor Michael Palmer author of the last surgeon and fourteen other books. Is going to be involved in an event supporting the Red Sox foundation and mass general hospital. Home based program for veterans. It's Tuesday February 16 at the paradise club on commonwealth avenue. And you have an ability to of the opportunity I should say two hub -- rob shoals with your very favorite authors. Talk with the -- authors Red Sox paraphernalia. The James Montgomery blues band is going to perform any of the brown is going to be under his belt and a pal Lenny Clarke. To learn more about this. You can log on to the website home base program. Dot org. Slash books and -- that's pretty long let me get your phone number which might be -- to do and we can put this web this this URL on our website. But if your interested in this on again on the sixteenth of February. 6176437356176437350. These --

All it in the last surgeon -- on paperback now -- all yes there'll still streaming and that's the big thing that I mean these certain. These are like like Collins looks like he's gonna you know Michael -- these are good beach reading good travel books has little section on in -- function that I never it was in the big on medical thrillers -- this really isn't a medical other --

Right thrillers are thrillers and if you can put it together with with a lot of tension and a lot of heart. People are gonna enjoy it whether their quote medical thriller I went to -- and tonic yes. Same -- now he's behind me. Both you know your -- and and Mangini thank you that they he's older than you you -- a Democrat and you've already seen my kid he's the youth so Belichick was after you yes he's seen the reunions US -- they Delhi's trot him out for various. Moderate others like it is -- Angelina. So I just wanna be sure and that to tell people their tickets available get this so home base thing. I I've never have a launch party it is in my style and then. And in the last year I got a great deal of help from the Asperger's association in New England from my book my last book which was the second opinion. And I decided to sort of reward them by trying to have a fund raiser and it worked out great was so much fun. And the formula was that I had a couple of famous authors commitment and talk to the crowd -- we signed books. And so this time. With what happened last summer I'm a fanatic Red Sox not. And win the the adopted the -- he has the program I was already writing about it so I decided turn it checked into it and that's how it evolved into. A fund raiser for the home based program that.

Mass. General on the phone number again 6176437351. More information we will put the website on our web site you log on and find out all you need to know.

At today's sitting outside work right now waiting for us to say the name in the name in the book. We have to hurry --

The last search -- you -- Michael -- and I don't think Barnes & -- would be -- device said. Goal want into the store on the sixteenth when it gets the bookstores read the first nine pages and if you can put it down. I -- to put it down you're gonna end up by --

You can buy a second opinion in paperback read that then read the first chapter of -- and which I did. -- and and then you'll go rot out to get the last surge and need to know I didn't know she was dead. This took sleeping pills in the house and he rootkit.