Marker (Jack Stapleton Series #5)

by Robin Cook

Overview

With his signature blend of suspense and science, Robin Cook delivers an electrifying page-turner that delves into the murky ethics of developing genomic medicine and modern-day health care...
 
As her relationship with Dr. Jack Stapleton begins to unravel, Dr. Laurie Montgomery starts investigating the inexplicable deaths of young, healthy people after successful routine surgery. She discovers that the deaths might be intentional—the work of a remarkably clever serial killer with a shocking motive. And then Laurie is hit with more devastating news: she might be carrying the genetic marker for breast cancer. As the need for answers becomes more urgent, Laurie is pulled into the nightmare as a potential victim herself. With time winding down, she and Jack must put aside the tensions between them in a race to connect the dots—and save Laurie’s life...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101205303
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/24/2005
Series:	A Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery Novel , #5
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	672
Sales rank:	59,112
File size:	766 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robin Cook, M.D., is the author of more than thirty books and is credited with popularizing the medical thriller with his groundbreaking and wildly successful 1977 novel, Coma. He divides his time among Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

A 28-year-old man with a minor leg fracture, a 36-year-old mother with a torn knee ligament...just hours after their routine surgeries, these healthy young people are dead, victims of a deviously clever serial killer. New York City medical examiners Dr. Laurie Montgomery and Dr. Jack Stapleton pursue the investigations despite the skepticism of superiors, who are not eager to attract headlines -- or lawsuits. Robin Cook's 25th medical thriller combines cutting-edge science with high-voltage action.

The bestselling physician/author is in top form as he revisits the love/hate relationship between New York City medical examiners Laurie Montgomery and her lover, Jack Stapleton (last seen in 1999's Vector) in this gripping medical chiller. Childless and facing her 43rd birthday, Laurie moves out when Jack, still traumatized by the accidental deaths of his wife and children over a decade ago, refuses to talk marriage and babies. They've still got to work together at the office of the chief medical examiner, though, and it's there that Laurie's charged with autopsying the bodies of two people who died after minor surgeries at the same Manhattan hospital. As similar deaths mount up, Laurie struggles to convince Jack et al. that something's fishy. (Early on, a shadow plot introduces homicidal hospital employee Jasmine Rakoczi and Mr. Bob, the mastermind of a sinister but undefined plot to "sanction" selected patients using an undetectable medical agent.) Laurie's superiors forbid her to discuss her suspicions with anyone outside the OCME, but she disobeys these orders when she meets the dreamboat chief of medicine at the hospital in question and successfully engages his interest in her theory that a serial killer is on the loose. The body count climbs as another hospital is involved and political pressure mounts to suppress information. True love runs a rocky course, and the plot thickens before the denouement crackles to an electric edge-of-the-seat finale. Agent, Lynn Nesbit. (May) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

In his 25th case, the good doctor brings back Dr. Laurie Montgomery and Dr. Jack Stapleton (e.g., Vector) to figure out why so many healthy young people are dying in standard surgery. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Medical Examiner Dr. Laurie Montgomery has identified 13 cases of S.A.D.S. (sudden adult death syndrome) in young, healthy individuals, who, within 24 hours of having surgery, suffer sudden cardiac death and are unresponsive to herculean resuscitation efforts. Add the temptations of health care competition, a serial killer, the rocky course of true love, and the unparalleled expertise of George Guidall, and listeners will have to work to keep their pulses in check while listening to this medical thriller. Whether presenting the medical terminology of autopsy, complex explanations of human genomes, the terror of watching a killer’s glee, or the rare moment when someone breaks through fear and takes charge, Guidall’s delivery is authentic as he believably creates the possibility of genetic discrimination in health care. K.A.T. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

AUG/SEP 05 - AudioFile