Helpful Score: 8
This was a great book. I LOVED the details he included about the medical situations. You can tell it was an earlier book but it had all the essentials including the twists we all love.
Helpful Score: 6
As always, Michael Crighton keeps you wanting to read just a few more pages befor you plan to put it down. Then before you realize it, it's three in the morning and you have to be to work by seven.
Helpful Score: 4
This is Chrichton's first novel and it's a very good one at that. The book is set pre-Roe v. Wade and deals with the ethics of abortion from the perspective of those in the medical community. A great read.
Helpful Score: 3
This book will keep you guessing until the mystery is revealed.
In the 1960's, a doctor is accused of performing an illegal abortion that led to the death of a patient, the daughter of a respected surgeon from a prominent family. His best friend, a pathologist, tries to clear his name. Who performed the abortion, and is there a conspiracy to hide the truth? This is an excellent mystery and I highly recommend it. It is very readable and you will be hooked early on.
In the 1960's, a doctor is accused of performing an illegal abortion that led to the death of a patient, the daughter of a respected surgeon from a prominent family. His best friend, a pathologist, tries to clear his name. Who performed the abortion, and is there a conspiracy to hide the truth? This is an excellent mystery and I highly recommend it. It is very readable and you will be hooked early on.
Helpful Score: 3
I always enjoy Michael Crichton and after reading this book I will now endeavor to find more of his earlier works. Lots of interesting medical information and and insight into how the medical profession goes about its business.
Helpful Score: 3
I am a nurse so I loved this book. A doctor tries to find what killed a young girl. A good medical mystery. Fascinating writer.
Helpful Score: 3
spellbinding - the characters and the tale had me by the throat from start ot finish.
Helpful Score: 2
Great medical mystery, and a very quick read. I highly recommend this book, especially for "summer" reading :-)
Helpful Score: 2
This is a well-crafted medical thriller, with a captivating plot that will keep you reading to the end. Although this is the first novel by Michael Crichton that I have read, it certainly won't be the last.
Helpful Score: 2
Sci-fi wizard Michael Crichton wrote this novel when he was still in medical school. In fact, he wrote many such novels under pseudonyms to pay his way through college. Then, this book won an Edgar Award, and everything changed!
'A Case Of Need' is a medical thriller along with a murder mystery thrown in. The story revolves around Dr. John Berry who works in a Boston Hospital. His best friend Dr. Arthur Lee is arrested and charged with murder caused by an abortion gone wrong. The deceased is the daughter or Dr. J. D. Randall, one of the most prominent doctors in town. Was it deliberate murder? Was it accidental malpractice? The police are under a lot of pressure, and finally slap charges on Dr. Lee. John Berry is convinced that Lee is innocent. He sets out on his own investigation into the matter.
It's a fast-paced mystery with the hero uncovering shocking secrets about the girl's life. Of course, it isn't as good as other mystery writers. After all, this was Crichton's first attempt at such a topic, and hardcore mystery fans may not find it much exciting. But the fact that Crichton is a doctor himself, makes up for this. The book has quite a few medical details about surgical procedures and the functioning of hospitals and also a lot of arguments on medical ethics.
Quite reminiscent of Robin Cook's medical thrillers but with a very different writing style, the story moves quickly, and seems to have lots of unexpected twists. All in all, it's a superb novel, combining elements of mystery and authentic medical detail making it one of the best books of it's kind.
Any fan of Crichton should not miss this book. Originally written under the pseudonym of Jeffery Hudson, this one's a rightful Edgar Award winner. Michael Crichton deserves all the praise he gets. Don't miss this one!
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'A Case Of Need' is a medical thriller along with a murder mystery thrown in. The story revolves around Dr. John Berry who works in a Boston Hospital. His best friend Dr. Arthur Lee is arrested and charged with murder caused by an abortion gone wrong. The deceased is the daughter or Dr. J. D. Randall, one of the most prominent doctors in town. Was it deliberate murder? Was it accidental malpractice? The police are under a lot of pressure, and finally slap charges on Dr. Lee. John Berry is convinced that Lee is innocent. He sets out on his own investigation into the matter.
It's a fast-paced mystery with the hero uncovering shocking secrets about the girl's life. Of course, it isn't as good as other mystery writers. After all, this was Crichton's first attempt at such a topic, and hardcore mystery fans may not find it much exciting. But the fact that Crichton is a doctor himself, makes up for this. The book has quite a few medical details about surgical procedures and the functioning of hospitals and also a lot of arguments on medical ethics.
Quite reminiscent of Robin Cook's medical thrillers but with a very different writing style, the story moves quickly, and seems to have lots of unexpected twists. All in all, it's a superb novel, combining elements of mystery and authentic medical detail making it one of the best books of it's kind.
Any fan of Crichton should not miss this book. Originally written under the pseudonym of Jeffery Hudson, this one's a rightful Edgar Award winner. Michael Crichton deserves all the praise he gets. Don't miss this one!
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Helpful Score: 2
A great book...did not want it to end.
Helpful Score: 2
I've never read a Michael Crichton that I didn't like and considering this is his first, I now understand why.
Helpful Score: 2
An earlier bood of Crichton's - he's really into teaching medical information and I enjoyed it immensely.
Helpful Score: 2
good story, keeps you interested
Helpful Score: 2
I thought I would not like this book but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. Fast paced and good story.
Helpful Score: 2
Great book!!! I personally loved it. I enjoy the medical apects of this book. Highly recommended
Helpful Score: 1
A very exciting book. It is a very fast read with lots of twists. The ending was a bit disappointing -- seemed anti-climactic after all the excitement throughout the story. I still highly recommend though.
Helpful Score: 1
An early Crichton boook. Rather more medical detail than I needed in the story. Good overall.
Helpful Score: 1
A good medical mystery. Enjoyed it!
Helpful Score: 1
Spellbinding thriller of medical scandal and murder. Suspense with an examination of America's medical field. Hard to put down until the end.
Unfortunately, I felt this book was one of Crichton's least entertaining. It also is a bit dated in many of the medical data. I feel it is a book that you read when you have exhuasted many of the oter great Crichton books.
When a young woman dies mysteriously on the operating table and her physician is charged with murder, his colleague is drawn into a world of sex and drugs in order to clear his name. I liked this story although the ending was a little hard to follow. I give it a B+!
As always, Michael Crichton impresses.
If you like medical mysteries and lots of medical terminology this is a great book to read! I really enjoyed reading this and actually learned alot at the same time.
Excellent medical mystery.
Good book!
This is an awesome book. I have it in both paperback and hardcopy. I am keeping the paperback for my collection. If you love medical mystery thriller books this is a definate read for you. Book is in jacket excellent condition. Not from a smoke free enviroment however books are kept in a closet on shelves they do not smell of smoke according to a non-smoker that I have asked.
This is one of Crichton's earlier books initially published under a psuedonym. The topic is as timely today as it was when it was written. This is one of his best.
Good development but a quick ending.
If you like Crichton's other work, you'll enjoy this. Not his best, but I certainly did not regret reading it. I don't mean "not his best" in a derogatory way - this is better than most novels out there ... I just mean Crichton has written some incredible works, this is more one of his average one. But you'll enjoy this.
keeps you guessing!
great medical thriller.Could not put the book down.
GREAT Crichton book. I read this so fast, I just couldn't put it down!
This like most robin cook books was fun, scary, well thought out and almost feels plausable... You will enjoy it.
Another one of Michael Crichton's best!
Great book, couldn't put it down.
written while, now iconic author, was an intern. Highly compelling and a very good read
Not my fave, but Crichton fans will enjoy the book.
The plot concerns a medical doctor, John Berry, who is working in his office one afternoon when he hears of a colleague that has been jailed for the murder of a young woman. Berry immediately takes action, and asks his friend about the situation. He denies to the crime. He also states that the woman came into his office and requested an abortion. He declines the request, and the girl is mysteriously brought in the following morning and dies of vaginal hemorrhage. John Berry attempts to clear his colleague, after a sequence of autopsies, clues, and more mysterious findings.
Was it murder? Was it botched surgery or accidental malpractice? One doctor is willing to push his way through hidden medical data and shocking secrets to learn the truth--riveting suspense and authentic medical detail.
I love Michael Crichton and I liked this book. It gets a little tough with the medical jargon, but does not interfere with the overall story.
Crichton's first novel, from 1968, shows promise but is a tangle of too many characters, late surprise revelations that really don't have anything to do with the main plot thread, and an up-in-the-air ending with the protagonist, after 400+ pages of dogged investigation, seeming to just walk away from the final reveal.
Essentially, it's the story of a doctor who is falsely accused of performing an illegal abortion that results in the death of a young woman from a prominent family. The protagonist, a friend of the accused, sets out to determine what really happened, and uncovers a coiling nest of prominent people with dirty secrets. It's not a bad story, but it's certainly the first novel I've ever read with footnotes. Somebody apparently thought it would be a good idea to footnote virtually every medical term used in the text â a disruptive and largely unnecessary step.
It's a compelling read until the last quarter of the book, when the cast of characters reaches critical mass and the reader really has trouble remembering who was what and how they all tie together.
Essentially, it's the story of a doctor who is falsely accused of performing an illegal abortion that results in the death of a young woman from a prominent family. The protagonist, a friend of the accused, sets out to determine what really happened, and uncovers a coiling nest of prominent people with dirty secrets. It's not a bad story, but it's certainly the first novel I've ever read with footnotes. Somebody apparently thought it would be a good idea to footnote virtually every medical term used in the text â a disruptive and largely unnecessary step.
It's a compelling read until the last quarter of the book, when the cast of characters reaches critical mass and the reader really has trouble remembering who was what and how they all tie together.
a medical thriller
One of Michael Crichton's early medical thrillers written under the name Jeffery Hudson. Chrichton fans will be able to track how his writing has developed over the years with this one.
Excellent story... related to abortions.
A Case of Need is Michael Crichton's award-winning debut novel, written shortly after he completed his medical internship. Set against the ever-building pressure and pace of a large Boston medical center, the tensions flare-and explode-when a surgical operation tragically ends in death, raising countless questions. Was it accidental malpractice? A violation of the Hippocratic oath? Or cold-blooded murder?
Excellent book written by Michael Chrichton under Jeffery Hudson name when he was 26 as a student at Harford Medical school.
This explosive medical thriller by the bestselling author of Jurassic Park and Disclosure is vintage Michael Crichton-with the breathtaking brand of riveting suspense and authentic medical detail that has made him one of today's most fascinating writers
This is non-fiction book. It is slow to start, but very interesting.
This author seems to be using his popularity as a stump for his political agendas. Totally annoying. Dare you to read it
Was it murder? Was it horribly botched surgery--accidental malpractice? Was someone in the great Boston medical center violating the Hippocratic oath? No one knows exactly...only one doctor is willing to push his way through the mysterious maze of hidden medical data and shocking secets to learn the truth.
An explosive medical thrillerKast
Was it murder? Was it horribly botched surgery -- accidental malpractice? Was someone in the great Boston medical center violating the Hippocratic oath? No one knows exactly ... Only one doctor is willing to push his way through the mysterious maze of hidden medical data and shocking secrets to learn the truth.
Fantastic....I loved it." Stephen King
Only 1 doctor is willing to push his way through the mysterious maze of hidden medical data and shocking secrets to learn the truth..was it murder, malpractice or ...???
Only 1 doctor is willing to push his way through the mysterious maze of hidden medical data and shocking secrets to learn the truth..was it murder, malpractice or ...???
Was it a murder or a horribly botched surgery? No one really knows. Only one doctor is willing to push his way through the maze of hidden data & secrects to learn the truth.
classic novel of suspence.... fantastic.. i loved it!!
Was it murder? Was it horribly botched surgery-accidental malpractice? Was someone in the great Boston medical center violating the Hippocratic oath? No one knows exactly...Only one doctor is willing to push his way through the mysterious maze of hidden medical data and shocking secrets to learn the truth.
A Case of Need is Michael Crichton's award-winning debut novel, written shortly after he completed his medical internship. Set against the ever-building pressure and pace of a large Boston medical center, the tensions flare-and explode-when a surgical operation tragically ends in death, raising countless questions. Was it accidental malpractice? A violation of the Hippocratic oath? Or cold-blooded murder?
"National Bestseller!" Writing as Jeffery Hudson
Stephen King says, Fantastic...I loved it!"
"The classic novel of suspense..."
Stephen King says, Fantastic...I loved it!"
"The classic novel of suspense..."
The rating is a guess as I am just starting to read the book. Have two copies so will gladly share one.
stephen king wrote this: the classic novel of suspense..fantastic! i loved it!! if stephen likes it, then so will you!
This is a very good book. After I started reading it, I started remembering the book. I had read it before.
Angel S.
Angel S.
WAS IT MURDER? WAS IT HORRIBLY BOTHCHED SURGERY-ACCIDENTAL MALPRACTICE? WAS SOMEONE IN THE GREAT BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER VIOLATING THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH?......
This book is taken by Laleh Esmaili
Please note that this book was purchased from a public library sale, so there will be a few places in the book with the libraries stamp on it. Thanks.
Book Description: "A Case of Need is Michael Crichton's award-winning debut novel, written shortly after he completed his medical internship. Set against the ever-building pressure and pace of a large Boston medical center, the tensions flare-and explode-when a surgical operation tragically ends in death, raising countless questions. Was it accidental malpractice? A violation of the Hippocratic oath? Or cold-blooded murder? "
haven't read this book
