{"product_id":"a-case-of-need-michael-crichton-jeffery-hudson-9780451210630","title":"A Case of Need: A Novel | Michael Crichton (Jeffery Hudson)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family: inherit; color: #333; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 20px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eFrom #1 \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Crichton\u003c\/strong\u003e, writing as \u003cstrong\u003eJeffery Hudson\u003c\/strong\u003e, comes the Edgar Award-winning medical thriller that captivated millions. Written shortly after Crichton completed his medical training, \u003cstrong\u003eA Case of Need: A Novel\u003c\/strong\u003e skillfully blends clinical facts, forensic pathology, and high-stakes suspense, lauded by Stephen King as a story he \"loved\" and praised by the \u003cem\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/em\u003e as a \"superb\" mystery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eBook Overview \u0026amp; Core Themes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eSet in the tightly knit, high-pressure environment of a prestigious Boston hospital, tensions explode when Karen Randall—the teenage daughter of a supreme medical dynasty—dies from a botched illegal procedure. Dr. Arthur Lee, a brilliant surgeon and known provider of underground reproductive healthcare, is thrown in jail for murder. Pathologist Dr. John Berry launches an independent forensic investigation to clear his colleague's name, unearthing shocking institutional secrets, toxicological clues, and deep-seated hypocrisy within the medical elite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eKey areas examined within this work include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eAuthentic forensic pathology, autopsy details, and clinical troubleshooting grounded in Harvard medical science.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003ePre-Roe v. Wade healthcare laws, bioethics, and systemic racial prejudice within medical hierarchies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eHigh-society Boston politics, institutional cover-ups, and the Hippocratic Oath under pressure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eCrichton's signature technical appendices and clinical footnotes embedded directly into the narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Crichton\u003c\/strong\u003e (1942–2008) was a legendary American author, physician, screenwriter, and filmmaker whose books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide in thirty-eight languages. Holding an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, Crichton pioneered the modern techno-thriller, writing blockbusters like \u003cem\u003eThe Andromeda Strain\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eJurassic Park\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSphere\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCongo\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eRising Sun\u003c\/em\u003e, while creating the iconic television medical drama \u003cem\u003eER\u003c\/em\u003e and directing films such as \u003cem\u003eWestworld\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eComa\u003c\/em\u003e. He published \u003cem\u003eA Case of Need\u003c\/em\u003e under the pen name Jeffery Hudson (a witty nod to a famous 17th-century court dwarf, contrasting Crichton's own 6'9\" frame).\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eCore Audience \u0026amp; Intended Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedical Thriller \u0026amp; Mystery Readers:\u003c\/strong\u003e An essential classic for fans of forensic investigation, clinical procedural accuracy, and hospital suspense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Crichton Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e A foundational, Edgar Award-winning novel representing Crichton's early pseudonym career before his mainstream breakout with \u003cem\u003eThe Andromeda Strain\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBioethics \u0026amp; History Enthusiasts:\u003c\/strong\u003e A compelling fictional examination of modern medical ethics, historical healthcare laws, and institutional reform.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eAccolades \u0026amp; Critical Praise\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eWinner of the \u003cstrong\u003eEdgar Award for Best Novel\u003c\/strong\u003e (Mystery Writers of America, 1969).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eAdapted into the 1972 feature film thriller \u003cem\u003eThe Carey Treatment\u003c\/em\u003e directed by Blake Edwards and starring James Coburn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 15px; font-size: 0.95em;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left; width: 35%;\"\u003eFull Title\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eA Case of Need: A Novel\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eAuthor(s)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eMichael Crichton (writing as Jeffery Hudson; featuring an Afterword by the author)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePublisher \u0026amp; Imprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eSignet \/ New American Library (An imprint of Penguin Random House)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eAugust 5, 2003 (Mass Market Paperback Edition)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eBinding Format\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eMass Market Paperback (PB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePrint Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e416 Pages\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eLanguage\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eEnglish\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eISBN-13 \/ ISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e9780451210630 \/ 0451210638\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePrimary Genre (BISAC)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eFIC031000 \/ FICTION \/ Thrillers \/ Medical\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eSub-Genres (BISAC)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eFIC022000 \/ MYSTERY \u0026amp; DETECTIVE; FIC022040 \/ PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS; FIC004000 \/ CLASSICS\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eItem Condition\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003ePre-Owned \/ Very Good\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e4.20 x 1.12 x 6.73 inches | 6.72 oz (approx. 0.42 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions About A Case of Need\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhat is the central narrative premise, medical controversy, and mystery setup in A Case of Need?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eSet in a prestigious Boston hospital during the late 1960s, A Case of Need follows Dr. John Berry, a pathologist who launches an independent investigation when his friend and colleague, obstetrician Dr. Art Lee, is accused of performing a botched, illegal abortion that resulted in the death of Karen Randall, the daughter of a prominent medical dynasty. To prove Lee's innocence and navigate Boston's medical hierarchy, Berry digs into forensic evidence, underground medical networks, and high-society secrets to expose the real perpetrator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eHow does Michael Crichton use his medical background to explore bioethics, forensic pathology, and social politics?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eWritten while Crichton was a student at Harvard Medical School, the novel incorporates clinical realism, autopsy procedures, toxicological analysis, and hospital politics. The narrative directly tackles pre-Roe v. Wade abortion laws, medical ethics, institutional hypocrisy, and racial prejudice within elite medical circles. Crichton included detailed medical appendices and footnotes explaining clinical terminology, establishing his signature style of blending hard science with suspense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhere does A Case of Need fit within Crichton's early career, pseudonymous works, and literary honors?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003ePublished in 1968 under the pseudonym \"Jeffery Hudson\" (a reference to Sir Jeffrey Hudson, a famous 17th-century court dwarf, poking fun at Crichton's 6'9\" stature), A Case of Need was Crichton's breakout critical success. The novel won the prestigious Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America in 1969, serving as a key stepping stone before his mainstream breakthrough with The Andromeda Strain under his own name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhat cinematic adaptations and screen history originated from this novel?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eThe novel was adapted into the 1972 feature film thriller The Carey Treatment, directed by Blake Edwards and starring James Coburn as the protagonist (renamed Dr. Peter Carey). While the film adapted the central mystery plot, it shifted the focus toward classic Hollywood action-suspense, leading to notable creative clashes between Edwards and MGM studios during production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhat unique authorial background, medical credentials, and storytelling legacy define Michael Crichton?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eMichael Crichton (1942–2008) was an American author, screenwriter, director, and physician whose books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Holding an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, Crichton pioneered the modern techno-thriller, writing iconic bestsellers such as Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Sphere, Congo, and Rising Sun, while creating the blockbuster television medical drama ER.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003c!-- Bust-Down Condition Disclaimer --\u003e\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #f4f6f8; border-left: 3px solid #2c3e50;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eCondition Notice: Pre-Owned \/ Second-Hand Product\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll books, box sets, and multi-volume collections\u003c\/strong\u003e offered by Bust-Down Books are sold in pre-owned, used, and second-hand condition, unless explicitly designated as new in the individual product listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Details \u0026amp; Grading:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrevious Ownership:\u003c\/strong\u003e These items have been previously owned, handled, and read. As such, copies may exhibit typical signs of shelf wear, including but not limited to minor creasing, scuffing, edge wear, bent page corners, remainder marks, or spine softening. Paperback editions may show crease lines along the spine, cover edge wear, or minor curling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings \u0026amp; Personalization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Items may occasionally contain inscriptions, library stamps, owner names, marginalia, or highlighting. Individual item descriptions reflect significant deviations from standard acceptable condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplemental Materials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Secondary and digital components—such as publisher access codes, CD-ROMs, bonus inserts, registration keys, or workbook activity pages—are not guaranteed to be included, active, or unredeemed unless specifically stated in the product description.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Sale Doctrine \u0026amp; Non-Affiliation Statement:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAll items sold on this platform are original, lawfully acquired copies being resold under the protection of the First Sale Doctrine (codified under U.S. copyright law, 17 U.S.C. § 109, and applicable international equivalents permitting the secondary resale of lawfully manufactured goods).\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eBust-Down Books, LTD. is an independent, secondary-market bookseller. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, or sponsored by the original authors, copyright holders, publishers, or trademark owners of the titles offered for sale. All registered trademarks, author names, book titles, and publisher imprints remain the sole property of their respective owners and are used strictly for nominative identification and descriptive purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": [\"Product\", \"Book\"],\n      \"name\": \"A Case of Need: A Novel\",\n      \"author\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Person\",\n          \"name\": \"Michael Crichton\"\n        }\n      ],\n      \"isbn\": \"9780451210630\",\n      \"sameAs\": \"0451210638\",\n      \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n      \"numberOfPages\": 416,\n      \"publisher\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Signet\"\n      },\n      \"datePublished\": \"2003-08-05\",\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780451210630.jpg?v=1793904845\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/a-case-of-need-michael-crichton-jeffery-hudson-9780451210630\",\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"9.99\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/UsedCondition\"\n      },\n      \"about\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC031000 \/ FICTION \/ Thrillers \/ Medical\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC022000 \/ FICTION \/ Mystery \u0026 Detective \/ General\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC022040 \/ FICTION \/ Mystery \u0026 Detective \/ Private Investigators\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FIC004000 \/ FICTION \/ Classics\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the central narrative premise, medical controversy, and mystery setup in A Case of Need?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Set in a prestigious Boston hospital during the late 1960s, A Case of Need follows Dr. John Berry, a pathologist who launches an independent investigation when his friend and colleague, obstetrician Dr. Art Lee, is accused of performing a botched, illegal abortion that resulted in the death of Karen Randall, the daughter of a prominent medical dynasty. 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