Suspense writer Michael Palmer dies at age 71 Oct. 31, 2013, 11:56 AM EST NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Palmer, a physician and best-selling suspense author whose "Extreme Measures" was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name starring Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman, has died. A statement Thursday from publisher St. Martin's Press says Palmer died Wednesday at age 71 from complications relating to a stroke and heart attack. Palmer's 20th novel, "Resistant," is to be published in May. Palmer was a native of Springfield, Mass. He drew upon his medical background for such novels as "Side Effects" and "The First Patient," a thriller about the president's doctor.