(reviewed by JD Jung)
A devastating illness, referred to as the “Itch”, has been infecting hundreds of thousands in Britain. Unlike Covid-19, citizens are taking this seriously. Paranoia has set in, as people aren’t touching each other and are adamant about keeping their distances.
The pain is so severe, that those infected either die from heart attacks or self-inflicted wounds just to stop the agony. It is believed that the cause of this illness is a recreational drug called Dose, but can they be sure?
Our narrator, Jack Bright, has been fired as a scientist working at a pharmaceutical that is conducting clinical trials on a cure. Seven people have died in the trial, and he believes that his boss is covering up the true cause of the illness, and maybe even a change in the formulation of the cure.
As some of the scientists mysteriously go missing, and a bomb explodes in the offices (possibly to hide evidence?), Jack knows there is even more going on. However, someone wants to stop him from asking too many questions and frames him for dealing drugs. Of course, this won’t stop Jack.
Poison in the Pills takes us through Manchester and its environs as our scientist finds himself dodging police and nefarious characters while trying to discover the truth. It’s a fast-paced story with colorful characters, who’s motives aren’t as obvious as they seem. In fact, there’s a lot that will surprise the reader, especially near the end.
It’s an engaging read that’s not too heavy for those who enjoy crime fiction and medical thrillers.
