Palmer's latest medical thriller has an added dimension that sets it apart from his previous novels. Dr. Thea Sperelakis returns home to Massachusetts from the Congo, where she has been working with Doctors without Borders, after she has been informed that her father, Petros, also a physician, has been critically injured in a hit and run accident. A series of disturbing events and a conversation with her quirky, but brilliant brother Dimitri soon convinces Thea that her father's accident was, in reality, a deliberate attempt to kill him. Thea herself is soon caught up in trying to protect her comatose father from further harm while figuring out who can be trusted. Even her other older brother and sister, twins and physicians as well, may not be trustworthy. Palmer has created a fresh and charming character in Thea, a doctor who is afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome. For those of you who are not familiar with this condition, Asperger's is a neurological disorder characterized by an impaired ability to interpret social clues, such as facial and verbal expressions, by intense interests, and by high sensitivity to environmental stimulation. "Aspies" are often highly intelligent and excellent at memorization. Thea's lifelong struggle with Asperger's adds an aspect to the character that sets her apart from your run of the mill "female-doctor-in-jeopary". Her literal interpretation of questions and comments, her logical approach to outfoxing her enemies, and her budding romantic relationship with security guard Dan Cotton all add to her appeal. I think that Michael Palmer has done a superb job of showing us Asperger's from the inside looking out while seamlessly incorporating the syndrome into a terrific thriller.
As an added note, there is an excellent interview about Asperger's Syndrome included at the end of this novel. Palmer's son was diagnosed with Asperger's at age 4 (I have a family member who was not diagnosed until age 20). If you have an interest in learning more about Asperger's be sure to read these pages.
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