Special to the Big Thrill: Tribute to Michael Palmer

“We are heartbroken at the loss of one of our most beloved members. Michael Palmer was an amazing writer, a wonderful mentor, a great friend to all of us, and a tireless worker for good causes. No ThrillerFest will ever be the same without his smiling face and the funny, wonderful songs that he and his son Daniel performed. On behalf of the whole organization, our thoughts and hearts are with the Palmer family.”—Co-Presidents Lee Child and M.J. Rose

“What a dear hilarious guy! What a joy, so funny and so generous, and so talented…and so enthusiastic, and he just—drew you in, sharing and laughing and singing and looking at the world in the most spectacular of ways!…He did it, though, right? He got it. He enjoyed it, and embraced it, and loved it and loved us. Oh. I will truly miss him. I miss him now.”—Hank Phillippi Ryan

New England Crime Bake Bestseller Panel

“Michael was a pioneer in the medical thriller genre. He started in 1982 with THE SISTERHOOD and wrote 17 novels after that, all of them bestsellers, all of them still in print. He also remained a practicing doctor. He was a gifted writer, a loving father, and an extraordinary individual. He will be sorely missed.”—Steve Berry

“Michael Palmer was a gifted storyteller and a terrific guy. I’m really gonna miss his big laugh.”—Gregg Hurwitz

“Michael Palmer was such a warm and genuine person whose heart overflowed with kindness. The world will definitely miss the presence of this terrific man.”—Janice Gable Bashman

“My heart is broken. The sudden passing of Michael Palmer is a devastating loss to the writing community and to those of us lucky enough to call Michael our friend. He was a generous, loving, kind man.”—Liz Berry

Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen

“Sad to learn about the passing of another great writer. Michael Palmer was a brilliant author brimming with humanity & humor. Such a loss.”—Brett King

“Michael was not only a wonderful storyteller, but a lovely, loving, generous person whose heart, as a friend of ours said, overflowed with kindness. I’ll miss him so much.”—Joseph Finder

“The kindest, most generous writer I ever knew has died. No words to express how devastated I am that my friend Michael Palmer is gone.”—Tess Gerritsen

“He was a sweet, sage man who became both a mentor in some health issues in my own family and a confidant on writing, and we shared a few panels that provided as many yuks as wisdom. He was, in the truest sense of the word and needing no more definition, a sweetheart. I will miss him terribly.”—Andrew Gross

“I am without words to hear of Michael Palmer ‘s passing. As a writer and a parent, he was one of my heroes.”—Lisa Gardner

Please take a moment to listen to the Spotlight Interview between Daniel and Michael Palmer from ThrillerFest VIII (2013).

*****

Michael Palmer, M.D., is the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of POLITICAL SUICIDE, OATH OF OFFICE, A HEARTBEAT AWAY, THE LAST SURGEON, THE SECOND OPINION, 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.