It’s difficult to review TRAUMA without discussing the backstory behind its creation. Most readers are aware that bestselling author Michael Palmer passed away suddenly in 2013. He had amassed dozens of terrific novels, most of them in the medical thriller genre, and his untimely passing left a gaping hole.

Fortunately, he had discussed the premise of what was to be his next novel with his son, Daniel. Michael was extremely proud when Daniel began writing himself and gained a contract as a published author in 2009. Daniel gave his father the greatest gift a writer could ever ask for, keeping him alive through the release of TRAUMA. He speaks to this in great detail in a postscript note that also mentions that he found many additional files in his father's property with ideas for future novels.

What is most exciting for me is the return of Michael Palmer to medical thrillers, where he first broke ground as an author. In my opinion, nobody did it better at this genre than Michael. The only author who comes close is Robin Cook, although many of his books featured a sci-fi premise as part of the plot. Michael had released a handful of novels in recent years that were more politically driven in the style of Brad Thor or Brad Meltzer.

"To say I was excited by the release of TRAUMA would be a great understatement. Not only has Daniel Palmer done an extremely gracious deed by continuing his father's work, he also has allowed readers to enjoy the best medical fiction writing in the business."

TRAUMA is straight medical fiction with the flavor of modern military jargon thrown in.  Daniel deftly recreates his father's writing style and extensive knowledge of the medical profession and its many facets. We are introduced to Dr. Carrie Bryant, a surgeon working in residence in the neurosurgical wing of White Memorial Hospital. She typically deals with the most difficult of all surgeries: those focused on the human brain.

When Carrie heroically saves a woman's life by making a snap, educated decision during an eight-hour marathon surgery, she is hailed by her colleagues and fellow medical professionals. Unfortunately, she does not get much time to enjoy her success as she is scheduled to assist her boss in another difficult brain surgery. She arrives early to the operating theater and sets everything up. During the operation, something goes drastically wrong and her boss and the rest of the surgical team cannot understand why. It is later revealed that the films of the patient's brain were inserted backwards, meaning they operated on the wrong side of the brain.

Before charges and malpractice can be officially brought up, Carrie resigns in shame, just short of completing her residency. She moves back in with her parents and attempts to figure out what her next move will be. The answer hits close to home. Her own brother, Adam, has been suffering from the debilitating effects of PTSD from his time spent in Middle East combat. Carrie is contacted by the head of the VA Medical Center where Adam is undergoing a unique treatment.

It turns out there is a space available on the surgical team that requires someone with Carrie's neurosurgical skills. They have been working on a controversial procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Insertion of electrical devices at certain parts of the brain are actually overcoming the effects of PTSD in military veterans. Carrie jumps right on board and is immediately thrown into the surgical schedule. She has a successful procedure, but the patient somehow disappears when she goes to follow up on him. Meanwhile, another patient who had already gone through DBS attacks Carrie in what could have been a tragic event.

Carrie begins to suspect that there is something else going on, not necessarily above board. As a shamed surgeon, she is in no position to bring charges against the VA Hospital. She aligns herself with an investigative journalist named David Hoffman, determined to get answers. However, this move will put her and David in harm’s way as there are other elements at work that want DBS to succeed at all costs.

To say I was excited by the release of TRAUMA would be a great understatement. Not only has Daniel Palmer done an extremely gracious deed by continuing his father's work, he also has allowed readers to enjoy the best medical fiction writing in the business. I only hope that Daniel is inspired to follow through on some of those other novel ideas he found in his father's belongings so that we can continue to enjoy more of Michael Palmer's work for years to come.