A Case of Need: A Novel

Michael Crichton

Jul 2013 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

The death of a doctor’s daughter may be malpractice—or murder—in this novel by a #1 New York Times–bestselling author: “I loved it” (Stephen King).

In the tightly knit world of Boston medicine, the Randall family reigns supreme. When heart surgeon J. D. Randall’s teenage daughter dies during a botched abortion, the medical community threatens to explode. Was it malpractice? A violation of the Hippocratic Oath? Or was Karen Randall murdered in cold blood?The natural suspect is Arthur Lee, a brilliant surgeon and known abortionist, who has been carrying out the illegal procedure with the help of pathologist John Berry. After Karen dies, Lee is thrown in jail on a murder charge, and only Berry can prove his friend wasn’t the one who wielded the scalpel. Behind this gruesome death, Berry will uncover a secret that would shock even the most hardened pathologist.

An Edgar Award–winning novel by the author of such blockbusters as The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park—and creator of the long-running NBC drama ER—A Case of Need is a “superb” medical-thriller mystery (Los Angeles Times).

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Michael Crichton including rare images from the author’s estate.

Ratings and reviews

It is interesting that I found this book by accident as I really have enjoyed other books by Creighton since the 80's. I started reading this when I realized that abortion is illegal in this novel so I looked to see the tear it was written. It surprised me that it was 1968 and I was a small child then. I recall when Roe vs Wade was decided in 1973. I am saddened that in 2019 women are again facing the prospect of safe abortions being take away a small minded old men. Women should have the right to choose.

this is my nth time to read this mysterious superb medical novel of M.C. And since I am an aspiring medical student, it is always a standard to decide what is morally right or not.

Loads of not so well defined caracters, plot difficult to follow at times

About the author

Michael Crichton (1942–2008) was one of the most successful novelists of his generation, admired for his meticulous scientific research and fast-paced narrative. He graduated summa cum laude and earned his MD from Harvard Medical School in 1969. His first novel, Odds On (1966), was written under the pseudonym John Lange and was followed by seven more Lange novels. He also wrote as Michael Douglas and Jeffery Hudson. His novel A Case of Need won the Edgar Award in 1969. Popular throughout the world, he has sold more than 200 million books. His novels have been translated into thirty-eight languages, and thirteen have been made into films.