While on-duty in Afghanistan, Nick had a stellar record until a suicide bomber kills his fiancée. He is only alive thanks to his close friend Umberto. Both men develop PTSD but Umberto has been missing for four years after being recalled for a covert mission.  

Jillian Coates is a psych nurse whose sister's death was deemed a suicide. Jillian goes on talk radio questioning the suicide and asking about a Dr. Nick Fury whose name was on comic books in her sister's apartment. A caller advises Jillian that Dr. Fury was Nick's military call-sign in Afghanistan.  Jillian and Nick meet and work together so Nick can try to find Umberto and Jillian can discover who killed her sister. Add in a 14 year old computer genius/juvenile delinquent and a seasoned nurse who works for Helping Hands and you have the recipe for an excellent, fast-paced, medical mystery thriller.

Michael Palmer inputs just enough medical jargon like EMDR (eye movement desensitization) which is a new treatment for PTSD with discussions regarding medical benefits for veterans. There is also just the right amount of political commentary regarding just how far the government should go to protect its citizens. Dr. Palmer also provided us with a scary villain, Franz Koller, whose character development complemented the mystery. The chase scene which helps conclude the book is exciting and will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Thriller readers, do not miss The Last Surgeon!

--Jerry Solot