Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Drawing on many years experience as a practicing physician, Wilson wrote this fast-moving thriller under a pseudonym. Only after Morrow won the auction did he reveal himself as the author of 15 previous books, including The Tomb and The Keep . This is a powerful read with a chilling premise about diabolical doctors (and big pharmaceutical companies) that may make a timely entry onto the bestseller lists. The book is neatly divided into two sections, the first recounting the attempts of Quinn Cleary and her friend Tim Brown to get into the country's most exclusive medical school, Ingraham College of Medicine, a tuition-free institution completely subsidized by Kleederman Pharmaceuticals. But there is one strange requirement: only those students who are proven susceptible to subconcious suggestion are admitted. Though Quinn is immune, Tim manages to get her in, and the two slowly discover the secret agenda behind the brainwashing and the grisly truth of the school's research. The main characters are perfectly capable of driving the plot on their own, so the occasional gratuitous event almost seems unnecessary. But that's the only stain on Wilson's story, which is well and believably told, with the suspense mounting relentlessly until the satisfying conclusion. Literary Guild alternate; major ad/promo. (Feb.)
Library Journal
The Firm goes to medical school in this first novel. ``The Select'' are the 50 students who will be granted admission to the Ingraham College of Medicine, which is entirely funded by the Kleederman Foundation and completely subsidizes the lucky 50. Of course, there are many stringent rules, and perhaps the school is a little too concerned with the more confidential aspects of the students' lives. One of this year's finest prospects is Tim Brown, an aviator shades-wearing party animal who uses his eidetic memory to count cards at the blackjack table when he is not acing medical school exams. Tim helps the beautiful Quinn Cleary gain admittance by a small scam--it seems Ingraham isn't all that keen on women doctors. Together they discover that all is not what it seems in this ``24-karat medical school.'' Predictable, but it should prove very popular in most libraries.-- Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.
School Library Journal
YA-Coming from a farm family of modest income, Quinn Cleary can only go to medical school if she is accepted by The Ingraham, whose program is so exclusive that application is by invitation only and all expenses are absorbed. She is crushed by her rejection but some quick and devious action on the part of her friends gets her enrolled. Quinn finds the education almost too good to be true until she notices subtle changes in her classmates, a common line of opinion, and a mysterious ``Ward C.'' Could it be that the medical students are being brainwashed? Could the school's administration be frustrated with tedious and lengthy FDA regulations and be experimenting on humans? As Quinn tackles the mystery, she puts her own life in danger as her discoveries threaten to topple a pharmaceutical empire. A suspenseful medical thriller so believable it could almost pass as nonfiction.-Katherine Fitch, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke, VA
