Jack Stapleton is a fictional pathologist, who lives in New York. Jack Stapleton features as the protagonist in many of Robin Cook's novels which have medical themes. His wife and daughter are known to have been killed in an air crash. Primarily an ophthalmologist, he is forced to re enter medical school and take up pathology as his area of specialisation. Along with co-worker, Laurie Montgomery who eventually becomes his wife, he has investigated many mysteries that have showed up on their autopsy tables. He has a new kid John Jr. whom Laurie and Jack call JJ. Jack and Laurie together solve many mysteries that unfold thus spreading public awareness in all such situations.
Jack Stapleton is a main character in the following Robin Cook novels (in publication order):