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A Heartbeat Away

by Michael Palmer (Goodreads Author)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 1,470 ratings · 213 reviews

The New York Times bestselling author and master of suspense delivers another novel at the crossroads of politics and medicine in this shocker of a thriller

On the night of the State of the Union address, PresidentJames Allaireexpects to give the speech of his career. But no one anticipates the terrifying turn of events that forces him to quarantine everyone in the Capitol...more

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published February 15th 2011 by St. Martin's Press (first published 2010)

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Jan 29, 2011 Two Bibliomaniacs rated it 3 of 5 stars

Make sure to block out a good portion of your day before starting this one, otherwise you’ll feel guilty about locking yourself in the bathroom to finish. A Heartbeat Away was our first glimpse into the world of Michael Palmer and we’ll admit – we were pleasantly surprised.

Historically, State of the Union addresses are filled with declarations of progress and frustrations at having to battle misguided policies endorsed by the other party. Few involved would ever expect the release of a lethal v...more

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May 27, 2013 Alan Jordan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've been reading many thrillers lately, and this one is at the top of the enjoyment list. It starts off with a captivating line, "The last thing Eddie Gostowski was thinking about on Thursday evening, the twenty-second of May, was that he was going to die." It continues with character-based conflicts and plot twists throughout the book.

I read the book in two days. I started out by listening to the CD version, picked up the hard-copy copy and kept reading.

The story is predicated on the idea tha...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Dale rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A political thriller for people that don't know much about politics

Read by Robert Petkoff
11 hours, 42 minutes.

The premise behind A Heartbeat Away is simple and brilliant: What if terrorists released a biological weapon into the House chamber during the President's State of the Union Address - the one time when just about everybody who is anybody in the Federal government is all in one room together?

The follow through, however, is not so hot.

Palmer's characterization of how a President would de...more A political thriller for people that don't know much about politics

Read by Robert Petkoff
11 hours, 42 minutes.

The premise behind A Heartbeat Away is simple and brilliant: What if terrorists released a biological weapon into the House chamber during the President's State of the Union Address - the one time when just about everybody who is anybody in the Federal government is all in one room together?

The follow through, however, is not so hot.

Palmer's characterization of how a President would deal with this sort of problem shows that Palmer does not understand the one thing that all presidents are - they are politicians. They know how to collaborate, get things done, work with people they cannot stand to get their programs enacted. Even the most difficult President can schmooze and get people to work with them. The president in A Heartbeat Away, James Allaire is the most politically tone deaf character I have ever seen. He manages to make the whole thing look like an attempted coup (although most of the Congressmen and women are placid, like a herd of sheep - I had to wonder if Palmer had ever watched Meet the Press even one time. Those people live to argue. They all think they are the expert of almost everything and just about everything is some sort of scheme)

Anyway, the entire government of the United States is present except for the Designated Survivor - the cabinet member who stays away just in case there is a terrorist act and becomes president. You may remember the many references to Dick Cheney being in an "undisclosed location" during the Bush 43 administration and you then know that Cheney was the Designated Survivor.

They are all exposed to WRX3883, a bio-weapon created by the order of the president (who is a "man of the people" despite his dictatorial ways - we see no evidence of this in the book but the author tell us that he is so I guess he is. Oh, he is also a medical doctor - I guess he did not take that Hippocratic Oath thing too seriously, huh? Do no harm...unless it's a bio-weapon!) and the President does not cede power to the Designated Survivor. Instead, because he is an expert on everything, he goes about working on a secret plan to try to get a cure made, while he lies to everyone and says it is just the flu and everyone is on lockdown on the penalty of death. And - they need to sit down in their assigned seats. Now! Then, a beat down by the Secret Service starts, including a pistol whipping of someone in the upstairs gallery...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...(less)

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Jan 14, 2012 Claudette rated it 3 of 5 stars

On the night of the State of the Union address, the terrorist group calling itself Genesis releases a virus in the Capitol building, infecting 700 of the most powerful people in the United States. President Allaire, a doctor himself, orders a complete lock-down in order to contain the infection, for which there is no known cure.

The only person who might have any hope of discovering a treatment for this Ebola-type virus is virologist Griffin Rhodes (excuse if spelling is incorrect as I "read" thi...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Hallie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Michael Palmer anchors his thrillers in high concept and steeps them in medicine. "A Heartbeat Away" opens with a prologue, and from the opening line ("The last thing Eddie Gostowski was thinking about...was that he was going to die."), the reader know things are not going to go well for the security guard at a New York power distribution center. He's no match for a towering armed intruder, a foot soldier for Genesis, a terrorist group about to fire its first salvo by causing a massive power out...more

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Feb 27, 2011 Mal Warwick rated it 3 of 5 stars

I’ll start with a confession: I literally had trouble putting this book down once I started reading it. If I’d had any experience with drugs other than a brief, youthful affair with marijuana, I might say that reading A Heartbeat Away was like a drug rush. However, I’m chagrined to note that, other than in the intoxicating suspense that builds throughout the novel, it’s really not all that good. A competent piece of work by an author of nearly two dozen similar books, but just not great.

So, here...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Linda B rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the most talented authors in the medical thriller genre has done it again! I don’t think I have ever read a bad Michael Palmer book and this one did not disappoint me at all.

The story opens on the night of the State of the Union address. In a split second the president has to make life and death decisions when terrorists release a highly contagious and deadly virus. The president must rely on virologist, Griff Rhodes, a man he sent to prison as a terrorist, to reopen his lab and work on a...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Tanya rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-medical, thriller-political-and-legal

A Heartbeat Away was one of Palmer's weaker contributions to the genre; I couldn't help but wonder if he threw the last third together to meet a looming deadline. While the premise of the story was fascinating, the execution left much to be desired. I found wicked-witch-of-the-west Ursula Ellis unbelievably cardboard, and both her actions and rationale completely implausible. Griff's computer simulations of virus mutation were absolute science fiction, and his soapbox opposition to animal testin...more

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Feb 16, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 4 of 5 stars

Michael Palmer is the author of 15 previous books but "A Heartbeat Away" may very well be the best yet.

United States President James Aillaire, serving his second term, is scheduled to give a State of the Union address. Congress is assembled with the usual invitees, Supreme Court Justices, Joint Chiefs of Staff, etc...

In this group is all but one of those that are in line for the Presidential Order of Succession. One member is always not present in case of a catastrophe. The member not present is...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I did the audio version of this book and it had me on the edge of my seat.
I knew from the very start of the story when the reader catalogued the order of Presidential succession, that this was going to be good. The story begins when a domestic terrorist organization that calls itself Genesis unleashes a virus into the House Chambers in the middle of the President's State of the Union address. Everyone who is anyone is exposed, including the President, his family, and his entire cabinet... all ex...more

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Mar 21, 2011 Rob rated it 2 of 5 stars

I love the old Michael Palmer, like back in the day Palmer. Unfortunately, in A Heartbeat Away , Palmer has lost his groove.

Recently, I went and watched I am Number Four . I had not seen a trailer; all I knew was the premise, which sounded fascinating. Going in expecting great things, I was so disappointed to essentially be watching Twilight 8. Teenyboppers and aliens as far as the eye can see.

A Heartbeat Away was like that. The premise is amazing. A virus is released by terrorists during t...more

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Mar 26, 2011 Kristin rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I saw this was another polticial-tinged medical drama, I wasn't sure whether I'd be a big fan of it. Yes, it's Michael Palmer, whose books I always enjoy, but politics aren't really my thing. That said, I was drawn to the concept of this book and what could happen if an agent of bioterrorism was released in a situation where all of the bigwigs of government are together, such as the State of the Union address. Palmer delivers with characters I felt a connection with, whether it was the Pres...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Robin Cook fans who can do better

Recommended to Michael by: Public Library

Shelves: favorites, audio

this was very exciting. i truly loved the very idea of a deadly virus running rapid through the white house.

this was my first and certainly not my last Palmer novel. This one was a pretty fast ready and that Fast was equated not only by length but by pacing!

this one started and truly did not stop. i listened to this omw to work and at home sometimes. typically with audiobooks i do other things but there were tense moments of complete inactivity and absorption.

i'm negating one star in my opinio...more

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Nov 21, 2011 Katie Kenig rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, suspense

There are some times of the year when the US government is particularly vulnerable to attack. One of those times is during the State of the Union address, when nearly all the members of the line of succession to the presidency are located in one room.

In A Heartbeat Away, the terrorist group Genesis takes advantage of this by releasing a deadly virus during the State of the Union, forcing a lockdown of the capitol building to prevent spreading the virus through the country. Meanwhile, an intrepid...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Giovanni Gelati rated it 4 of 5 stars

Confession time: even though I have been following this author on various social media this is the first time I have read one of his novels. I know, groan, what is my issue, I have to claim no excuse. Michael Palmer’s bio is impressive as is his body of work. I will include all that in today’s post so hopefully if you are like me and haven’t had the chance to read one his works, you can shift gears and either get a hold of A Heartbeat Away or one of his other many novels. To what lies between th...more Confession time: even though I have been following this author on various social media this is the first time I have read one of his novels. I know, groan, what is my issue, I have to claim no excuse. Michael Palmer’s bio is impressive as is his body of work. I will include all that in today’s post so hopefully if you are like me and haven’t had the chance to read one his works, you can shift gears and either get a hold of A Heartbeat Away or one of his other many novels. To what lies between the covers, shall we:
“On the night of the State of the Union address, President Max Hilliard expects to give the speech of his career. But no one anticipates the terrifying turn of events that forces him to quarantine everyone in the Capitol building. A terrorist group calling itself “Genesis” has unleashed WRX3883, a deadly, highly contagious virus, into the building. No one fully knows the deadly effect of the germ except for the team responsible for its development—a team headed by Hilliard, himself. The only one who might be able to help is virologist Griffin Rhodes, currently in solitary confinement in a maximum security federal prison for alleged terrorist acts, including the attempted theft of WRX3883 from the lab where he worked. Rhodes has no idea why he has been arrested, but when Hilliard offers to free him in exchange for his help combating the virus, he reluctantly agrees to do what he can to support the government that has imprisoned him without apparent cause.
Meanwhile, every single person in line for presidential succession is trapped inside the Capitol—every person except one: the Director of Homeland Security, who is safely at home in Minnesota, having been selected as the “Designated Survivor” for this event. With enemies both named and unnamed closing in, and the security of the nation at stake, Griff must unravel the mysteries of WRX3883 without violating his pledge as a scientist to use no animal testing in his experiments…and time is running out.”
Here is the author info: ”Michael Palmer, M.D., is the author of the forthcoming A Heartbeat Away (2011), The Last Surgeon, The First Patient, The Fifth Vial, The Society, Fatal, The Patient, Miracle Cure, Critical Judgment, Silent Treatment, Natural Causes, Extreme Measures, Flashback, Side Effects, and The Sisterhood. His books have been translated into thirty-five languages. He trained in internal medicine at Boston City and Massachusetts General Hospitals, spent twenty years as a full-time practitioner of internal and emergency medicine, and is now an associate director of the Massachusetts Medical Society's physician health program.”
Okay, now that you have read that, I think that if you are intrigued, there are a few novels that you can pick up as he has penned so many. Where to start? Right from the beginning of A Heartbeat Away moves into high gear with “Genesis” kicking it into bad guy mode. Things just move along at a faster and harder clip from there. I enjoyed the manner in which Palmer mixed the elements of medical knowledge and the political intrigue. In this novel it made a nice marriage and for some excellent reading. My plans are to backtrack and plot a course over time to read Michael Palmer’s previous novels and enjoy each one.
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Feb 28, 2011 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Heartbeat Away was the perfect book for a listen this past week while on vacation. Robert Petkoff, the narrator does an excellent job of providing the voice to Michael Palmer's latest fast paced thriller and keeping me engaged throughout. Heartbeat Away hits the ground running and doesn't let up. The opening explanation of the order of presidential succession beginning with the Vice President and going 17 more steps until the last, The Secretary of Homeland Security is reached. You've heard the...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed again..., April 19, 2011

This review is from: A Heartbeat Away (Audio CD)
I have read all of Michael Palmer's books -- some better than others. This was an "other" and a disappointment to me. This was not so much a medical thriller as it was a chance for the author to get on his soap box about ethical and political issues such as the use of animals for drug and disease testing, the efficacy of homeland security, and the government's approach to terrorism -- to name...more 3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed again..., April 19, 2011

This review is from: A Heartbeat Away (Audio CD)
I have read all of Michael Palmer's books -- some better than others. This was an "other" and a disappointment to me. This was not so much a medical thriller as it was a chance for the author to get on his soap box about ethical and political issues such as the use of animals for drug and disease testing, the efficacy of homeland security, and the government's approach to terrorism -- to name a few.

As other reviewers have pointed out, the plot premise was sound. Someone (we are led to believe it is a terrorist group known as Genesis) releases a deadly virus into the hall of the Capitol as the President is giving his State of the Union address. All who are present are subsequently quarantined and President James Allaire locates someone he previously imprisoned to try to make a serum that will cure everyone. From that interesting start, the story spirals out and tries to deal with too many subplots and those ethical issues I mentioned.

Although the narrative moves along at a rapid pace, the writing really irritated me and detracted from my enjoyment of the story. The author writes using one string of metaphors or similes after another. Everything is "like" something. The escapes that the main characters make from professional hit men are ludicrous and totally unbelievable. I didn't like a single character in this book -- not even the savior Griffin Rhodes or his girlfriend and sidekick, investigative reporter Angela Fletcher. The characters in the book are typical black and white caricatures and stereotypes of good guys and bad guys (or gals). Nothing was surprising and the entire resolution was completely predictable.

So, I suggest you pass on this one if you are looking to read a good medical thriller. I hope that Palmer returns to his original style and sticks to books that focus on the medical aspects rather than the political.

An aside -- I listened to this book on audio CD and I must give kudos to the reader. He did an excellent job of voicing the characters - both male and female. It was easy to tell them apart and he did a very nice reading. If you really want to get this book, buy this audio version! (less)

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Jan 07, 2011 Debi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: medical-thriller

Four words, people:
I
Love
This
Book!

Buckle your seatbelts for another fast-paced medical thriller by Michael Palmer. This book showed me again why he is one of my favorite authors. A terrorist group has made some attacks and the White House is on high alert for the State of the Union address shortly after the President has been re-elected. During the address, a virus is released in the chamber, causing the President to seal off the room and call for extreme measures to keep a pandemic from spreadin...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Bob rated it 4 of 5 stars

During the Presidents State of the Union Speech there are a number of pops from bags, brief cases and purses around the chamber and a mist arises from each to fill the air. In the several months previous there have been savage terrorists attacks on prominent places around the country perpetrated by a group calling itself Genesis. The released vapor was a artificial virus and deadly with know antidote. What ensues is the President’s scramble to contain the disaster put in motion a search for the...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Well developed, fast paced, enough turns to get you dizzy, and thought provoking enough to have you Google the Line of Succession to the Presidency. If you send the Director of Agriculture off to be safe that night (night of Inauguration or State of the Union) then you will end up with a leader with more concerns towards agriculture or environment. You send the director of Homeland Security and you will end up with a very different presidency. Something to think about. Maybe the Vice President s...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Jill rated it 3 of 5 stars

This suspense novel posits a domestic terror group calling itself Genesis that has been wreaking havoc on the country in small increments. Now it ups the ante by an attack in the U.S. Capitol building during President Jim Allaire’s second State of the Union Address. A lethal virus spray is released in The Chamber of the House of Representatives which, for this event, is host to 700 of most of the power brokers in the country.

This book is definitely a “thriller” and I enjoyed the author’s writin...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Don Sparrow rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the 14th medical themed thriller written by Michael Palmer. Its the 4th that I have read; and I have enjoyed them all. This one explodes out of the gate introducing us to "Genesis" a domestic terror group. They are using a deadly biological virus to hold the President of the USA and all his cabinet captive.Despite being a medical thriller this novel has no hospital scenes.It is a blend of science and political intrigue and the many twists and turns are not at all obvious.This story is te...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Barb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

Oh my goodness!! It is a medical thriller. It is a political thriller. It's all wrapped into one and masterfully done. Without giving anything away, there is a group that decides to overtake the United States by releasing a poisonous mist at the State of the Union Address. Seven hundred of the country's top senators, congressmen, and leaders are all poisoned. Can the antidote be found in time? Who dies in the meantime and what does this mean? It is fast moving and takes your breath away. It make...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Lacy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another guilty pleasure: medical thrillers. I feel like Michael Palmer has stepped it up a notch with this last book. It is still formulaic and superficial as far as character develop goes (the masculine hero is named Griff, after all) but it is definitely a fun and intriguing read. The threat of bio-terrorism is real and scary, and he does a good job harnessing it. It is also an interesting study of the lengths that regular people will go to when thrown into a highly irregular, threatening envi...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Chuck rated it 2 of 5 stars

The POTUS was looking forward to delivering his State of the Union address in spite of the fact that Genesis, a domestic terrorist organization, had already attacked the northeastern power grid of the U.S. and threatened other attacks. Shortly after beginning his speech a dozen glass vials scattered around the House chamber break and release gas into the air. The teleprompter informs the president that the gas is the deadly virus WRX3883, for which there is no known cure. I thought the premise f...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Jerry rated it 1 of 5 stars

We're big Palmer fans, having read his every novel. We usually totally enjoy his medical thrillers, but find a disturbing trend in his two recent books. It seems the author, almost shades of Robin Cook, has run out of stories with a plausible medical plot and somehow feels compelled to branch out into the political arena ala David Baldacci. Our biggest gripe with "Heartbeat", the title itself almost a spoiler, is that it is entirely implausible -- not merely the initial shocking development at t...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Joyce rated it 4 of 5 stars

It is the State of the Union and, with one exception, everyone who is everyone is at Congress to personally hear the President deliver his message. A group of objects release a powdery substance that causes people to become very ill. It is learned to be a viral toxin developed by the US to fight terrorism. Now they need to get a cure. Griff Rhodes is in federal prison as a terrorist...and is the only virologist who has a chance to do so. The President expedites his release and empowers him to re...more

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Apr 28, 2012 James Paddock rated it 5 of 5 stars

The second of Michael Palmer's novels I've read, I found the story/plot entertaining. At times it was bit unbelievable, but then so is every single vampire and undead novel that seems to be overrunning the country. Anyone hear of Star Wars? Is it possible that a biological agent could be released during the a State of the Union Address? Certainly. Is it possible that the succession of the presidency could be passed down to some low level politician most of us have never heard of. We certainly ho...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Debby rated it 3 of 5 stars

I am a sucker for medical suspense novels and I have historically enjoyed Michael Palmer's stories. Likewise for this book - I enjoyed it and was hooked from the getgo. Although unrealistic - it is fiction afterall - it was a good story. If I could have changed one thing - it would have been the relationship between the reporter and scientist-hero. That relationship was a bit contrived and felt like it had been dropped in the middle of the story so there would be a good "chick" factor. It wasn't...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Sheila rated it 1 of 5 stars

The heroes of today's thrillers are being updated. This one is a scientist looking to cure a deadly disease who is opposed to animal testing. That's really refreshing. But, what's not so refreshing is the pro-Government surveillance message. I mean, how else would we find out about all these nutcase bad guy terrorists if we don't tap every phone and read every email? We just need to have good guys at the top so the surveillance is ETHICAL. Of course, there's always the BAD APPLE. Thank goodness,...more

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About Michael Palmer

Michael Palmer, M.D., is the author of the forthcoming A Heartbeat Away (2011), The Last Surgeon, The First Patient, The Fifth Vial, The Society, Fatal, The Patient, Miracle Cure, Critical Judgment, Silent Treatment, Natural Causes, Extreme Measures, Flashback, Side Effects, and The Sisterhood. His books have been translated into thirty-five languages. He trained in internal medicine at Boston Cit...more

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