Robin Cook "Mortal Fear"

Author: Robin Cook Genre: Medical thriller First published: 1988 Original title: Mortal Fear Medical topics: Internal medicine, medical ethics, hospital economic policy Description: Eliminate cancerous growths, restore heart muscle cell function after a heart attack, halt the aging process—what a prospect. At a Boston hospital, a world-renowned geneticist makes a major discovery that could revolutionize medicine. But he himself is dying. Before his death, he tries to pass on his discovery to an old college friend—Dr. Jason Howard. Howard initially doubts the validity of the discovery, but new circumstances emerge—there is a surge in deaths among 50- and 60-year-old patients who had recently undergone comprehensive diagnostic testing without issue. They age rapidly: their hair falls out, extensive atherosclerosis develops in their blood vessels, cataracts appear, and they experience significant weakness. The doctor begins to investigate on his own. The book’s strength also lies in its factual accuracy and faithful depiction of all medical details and nuances. The author, a doctor himself, would never allow himself to be inaccurate in his favorite field. This book particularly impressed me because I read it during my internship in internal medicine.