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Head Case
Meet Olivia Zack, neuroscientist, pharmaceutical consultant—and murder victim.
A humorous mystery from an author whose work has been called "simply riveting" by The New York Times and "sharp and fast-paced" by Publisher's Weekly—it’s Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones meets Carl Hiaasen’s Nature Girl (with a dash of Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money) as Olivia embarks on a postmortem quest to deconstruct the events that lead up to her mind-altering death.
A comic satire of the influence of the psychopharmaceutical industry on American life, HEAD CASE takes Olivia and her estranged friend and roommate Polly Warner on a collision course involving ethically challenged executives, spotlight-hungry celebrities, third-rate mobsters, and drug-dealing babushkas. A smart and savvy page-turner, HEAD CASE explores the meaning of personal relationships, emotional intelligence, and mental health while taking the reader on a synapse-stirring, neurotransmitting rollicking ride.
A humorous mystery from an author whose work has been called "simply riveting" by The New York Times and "sharp and fast-paced" by Publisher's Weekly—it’s Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones meets Carl Hiaasen’s Nature Girl (with a dash of Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money) as Olivia embarks on a postmortem quest to deconstruct the events that lead up to her mind-altering death.
A comic satire of the influence of the psychopharmaceutical industry on American life, HEAD CASE takes Olivia and her estranged friend and roommate Polly Warner on a collision course involving ethically challenged executives, spotlight-hungry celebrities, third-rate mobsters, and drug-dealing babushkas. A smart and savvy page-turner, HEAD CASE explores the meaning of personal relationships, emotional intelligence, and mental health while taking the reader on a synapse-stirring, neurotransmitting rollicking ride.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Oko
5 books15 followersJennifer Oko is a writer, journalist, and filmmaker. Her memoir Lying Together: My Russian Affair was twice named an Editor’s Choice in the New York Times Book Review, which called it “simply riveting.” Her novel Gloss, a satire of morning television news, also received ample praise, with Marie Claire magazine comparing it to Carl Hiaasen’s Lucky You and The Chicago Tribune saying it was “a rare treat.” Gloss was optioned by eOne Entertainment to be developed as a television series. Her novel Head Case is a comic mystery about psycho-pharmaceutical trafficking, which she swears is not autobiographical in any way.
Her latest novel, Just Emilia, is a dark, time-traveling comedy about three women who are trapped in an elevator and forced to grapple with a shared unresolved trauma. Just Emilia will be published by Regal House in the summer of 2025.
In addition to her creative writing, Jennifer has spent more than two decades producing television news features, documentaries, and other video content. After many years working for the big TV networks, she co-founded a boutique video production company, Because.Media, which specializes in creating documentary-style content for outlets ranging from PBS and The New York Times to The MacArthur Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and American University.
Jennifer received a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Her undergraduate degrees include a BFA in Studio Arts and a BA in Russian Language and Literature. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, two teenagers, a young dog, and a very old cat.
Her latest novel, Just Emilia, is a dark, time-traveling comedy about three women who are trapped in an elevator and forced to grapple with a shared unresolved trauma. Just Emilia will be published by Regal House in the summer of 2025.
In addition to her creative writing, Jennifer has spent more than two decades producing television news features, documentaries, and other video content. After many years working for the big TV networks, she co-founded a boutique video production company, Because.Media, which specializes in creating documentary-style content for outlets ranging from PBS and The New York Times to The MacArthur Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and American University.
Jennifer received a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Her undergraduate degrees include a BFA in Studio Arts and a BA in Russian Language and Literature. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, two teenagers, a young dog, and a very old cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 13, 2013
Jennifer Oko has written a great book, perhaps her finest to date. Head Case was part a cerebral (and still funny) Bridget Jones Diary and part Elizabeth Wertzel's exploration of life and culture in Prozac Nation. Yes, a great book full of humor and thoughtful cultural commentary all wrapped up in a flowing and engaging narrative. A must read.
December 29, 2012
Do you like mysteries? Do you like humor? This one is the book for you... chuckles and even some tears! Seriously, a very funny mystery with a strong, quirky, cool female protagonist... at times alive, other times a ghost. Let me shut up now. It is a mystery after all. Read it for yourself!
July 17, 2025
Headcase by Jennifer Oko is a humorous thriller that's a fun, engaging read.
It tackles some heavy topics with finesse and is well written overall.
While it had its moments, the story did get a little confusing midway, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
A great pick for those looking for a thrilling ride with a dash of humor.
Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It tackles some heavy topics with finesse and is well written overall.
While it had its moments, the story did get a little confusing midway, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
A great pick for those looking for a thrilling ride with a dash of humor.
Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 3, 2022
This wasn't the kind of book I'd typically read, I'm more of a chick lit kinda girl but I actually enjoyed it! The book was narrated by a girl named Olivia, who told the story about her and her best friend Polly's life. Olivia was actually murdered and throughout the book she tells stories about her life before her death and also what's happening currently to try and figure out who the killer is! I really enjoyed this mystery and found it a really interesting read!!!!
June 9, 2025
Head Case was such a wild, unexpected delight. It’s part mystery, part satire, part chick lit, with drug dealing grandmas, Russian mobsters, pill-popping celebs, a corrupt pharma empire, and a rat named Raskolnikov (yeap. You read that right!).
The story kicks off with neuroscientist Olivia Zack already dead, and from there, we rewind through the tangled events that led to her murder, and a few that come after.
Olivia is witty, neurotic, flawed, and completely endearing. She’s the kind of narrator who can make you laugh even while recounting the worst mistakes of her life (and death). I loved how the story unfolded through her ghostly commentary. It felt like a behind the scenes documentary of a movie director’s cut of her own bad decisions. It added so much depth and humor, and gave her character a real sense of growth, even post-mortem.
The friendship between Olivia and her best friend, Polly, a celebrity publicist who’s just as mixed up in the pill pushing business, felt real and complicated. Their glamorous yet grimy world of prescription drug dealing is both satirical and scarily plausible. The author really goes after Big Pharma, therapy culture, media spin( you name it), with a sharp wit but also a lot of heart.
Now, I do have to say that this isn’t a gore fest all round. This book never gets too dark or gory, so even if murder mysteries usually aren’t your thing, this one’s safe for the squeamish. It’s weird and wild and a little unhinged, but also super witty and narrated by a character I genuinely found likable and rooted for.
Many thanks to the author and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read the digital copy in exchange for honest feedback
December 21, 2012
Head Case is an enjoyable gem of a mystery, and more. Our narrator, Olivia Zack, starts the book dead and things go backwards from there. Olivia takes us hopping and skipping through time as she gradually unravels how she came to be no longer eligible for the census. She relives all the mistakes she made along the way in true neurotic New York girl fashion and brings us along for the ride. There are drug-dealing grannies, pill-popping celebrities, Russian mob bosses, eccentric ex-Soviet chemists, feuding roommates, faltering friendships, bad bosses and a rat named Raskolnikov – so how can you not have fun?
(Well, murder is never fun, but there isn’t any dwelling on blood and gore. All deaths occur more or less offstage, so this book is safe for the squeamish.)
Olivia is a likeable and appealingly flawed character -- the whole story hinges on her flaws, if you think about it. She is witty and, if not wise, a touch more perceptive and self-aware in death than she was in life. This is apparently a perk of being dead and it adds an extra layer of goodness to the book – you experience still-alive Olivia alongside post-mortem Olivia providing DVD commentary track about her past actions. It is deftly done.
Head Case also takes satirical aim at the aforementioned celebrities, as well as drug companies, the news media, and our over-medicated society with a pill for everything. The notion that, of course, everyone is in therapy and, of course, everyone pops a pharmacopeia of mood-altering pills to get through the day the way Olivia and her friends do is alien to me. (I hate to even take an aspirin.) But the author makes both the good and bad of that way of being relatable even to readers who live lives unmediated by anything stronger than caffeine.
Head Case also raises some important questions about how we maintain the integrity of our identities in a culture that seeks to pathologize, homogenize and commodify us. Not in a portentous way – this book is more contemporary comedy of manners than “book with a message” – but the theme is there, interlaced with the action, and it is worth pondering.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Bottom line, Head Case is funny, well-written, moves fast, entertaining, a good read.
(If you like it, you’ll probably also enjoy Jennifer Oko’s first novel, Gloss which carves up morning television and fauxvestigative journalism.)
(Well, murder is never fun, but there isn’t any dwelling on blood and gore. All deaths occur more or less offstage, so this book is safe for the squeamish.)
Olivia is a likeable and appealingly flawed character -- the whole story hinges on her flaws, if you think about it. She is witty and, if not wise, a touch more perceptive and self-aware in death than she was in life. This is apparently a perk of being dead and it adds an extra layer of goodness to the book – you experience still-alive Olivia alongside post-mortem Olivia providing DVD commentary track about her past actions. It is deftly done.
Head Case also takes satirical aim at the aforementioned celebrities, as well as drug companies, the news media, and our over-medicated society with a pill for everything. The notion that, of course, everyone is in therapy and, of course, everyone pops a pharmacopeia of mood-altering pills to get through the day the way Olivia and her friends do is alien to me. (I hate to even take an aspirin.) But the author makes both the good and bad of that way of being relatable even to readers who live lives unmediated by anything stronger than caffeine.
Head Case also raises some important questions about how we maintain the integrity of our identities in a culture that seeks to pathologize, homogenize and commodify us. Not in a portentous way – this book is more contemporary comedy of manners than “book with a message” – but the theme is there, interlaced with the action, and it is worth pondering.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Bottom line, Head Case is funny, well-written, moves fast, entertaining, a good read.
(If you like it, you’ll probably also enjoy Jennifer Oko’s first novel, Gloss which carves up morning television and fauxvestigative journalism.)
March 26, 2013
***I received a free copy in exchange for a book review***
I enjoyed this 54 chapter book. It was told through Olivia’s first person point-of-view. She was murdered so it’s actually through her ghost’s perspective. It was pretty cool that she could access other character’s memories, showing a full picture of what lead to the hit on her life. Polly, her best friend, was a very important person in Olivia’s life; therefore, sometimes it seemed like Polly’s life was discussed more than the main character. As a reader, I understood the reasoning behind it from Olivia’s explanation.
My favorite lines: 1) My body froze–not just in the sense of standing still, but like I had just taken a dive into a snow bank. A stinging, prickly freeze. 2) I get to play the role of wise sage, and with an amazing perspective. Because when you die, not only can you flit around the present, you also get to watch stuff in rewind. 3) …What would you do if you were locked in a New York city taxicab with only fifteen minutes left to live? What issue would you want to resolve?
I loved Olivia’s sarcastic sense of humor. It made sense that she’d be bitter over her death. It was scary when she drove in the cab and the driver went in the wrong direction, locking the doors. Chills went down my spine. The spookiest events are the ones that can happen in real life.
I liked that the story focused on the conspiracy in pharmaceutical’s R&D (research and development)–how they hid the negatives of side effects and made up lies in order to focus on marketing. I could definitely see this happening in real life.
I thought the author did a great job with characterization. They all had good and bad qualities, all three-dimensional. I liked that Olivia and Polly weren’t Mary Sues. They got a hold of prescription medicine to sell to celebrities. Even though they were drug dealers, Olivia didn’t die directly from that life of crime.
It was good that Polly was determined to investigate her best friend’s death, to not settle for a “wrong place at the wrong time” scenario the news tried to spin. Her and Olivia had their disagreements before she passed away, so Olivia appreciated that Polly still had her back. A bittersweet moment that they could never officially make up.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
I enjoyed this 54 chapter book. It was told through Olivia’s first person point-of-view. She was murdered so it’s actually through her ghost’s perspective. It was pretty cool that she could access other character’s memories, showing a full picture of what lead to the hit on her life. Polly, her best friend, was a very important person in Olivia’s life; therefore, sometimes it seemed like Polly’s life was discussed more than the main character. As a reader, I understood the reasoning behind it from Olivia’s explanation.
My favorite lines: 1) My body froze–not just in the sense of standing still, but like I had just taken a dive into a snow bank. A stinging, prickly freeze. 2) I get to play the role of wise sage, and with an amazing perspective. Because when you die, not only can you flit around the present, you also get to watch stuff in rewind. 3) …What would you do if you were locked in a New York city taxicab with only fifteen minutes left to live? What issue would you want to resolve?
I loved Olivia’s sarcastic sense of humor. It made sense that she’d be bitter over her death. It was scary when she drove in the cab and the driver went in the wrong direction, locking the doors. Chills went down my spine. The spookiest events are the ones that can happen in real life.
I liked that the story focused on the conspiracy in pharmaceutical’s R&D (research and development)–how they hid the negatives of side effects and made up lies in order to focus on marketing. I could definitely see this happening in real life.
I thought the author did a great job with characterization. They all had good and bad qualities, all three-dimensional. I liked that Olivia and Polly weren’t Mary Sues. They got a hold of prescription medicine to sell to celebrities. Even though they were drug dealers, Olivia didn’t die directly from that life of crime.
It was good that Polly was determined to investigate her best friend’s death, to not settle for a “wrong place at the wrong time” scenario the news tried to spin. Her and Olivia had their disagreements before she passed away, so Olivia appreciated that Polly still had her back. A bittersweet moment that they could never officially make up.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
April 10, 2013
Olivia Zack is a neuroscientist who has just been murdered after being kidnapped and brought to a Russian mobster. The book is told from her ghostly point of view, dialing back and clock and recounting the events that led up to her death, as well as a few that happened after. Olivia recalls events and conversations with her best friend, celebrity publicist, Polly Warner. The two girls got mixed up in the sometimes glam, sometimes sordid world of dealing prescription drugs. While dealing pills has its perks, it also has its price: which is how Olivia ends up with a bullet through her skull. It's up to her spirit to sort through the mess that led up to her death and to send Polly and her boyfriend Mitya a few clues from the great beyond in order to not only solve her murder but to also save the day against the Russian mafia, drug-dealing grannies, corrupted cops, and some nasty unethical pharmaceutical execs.
I loved this book. Being in my twenties, it was very easy to relate to--who doesn't know someone--in their circle of friends or otherwise--that has suffered with addiction or substance abuse? And who hasn't seen one of those pharmaceutical commercials for a pill that marketers will convince you that you need while downplaying the long list of potential health hazards and side effects attached? Yes, even with prescription substances rather than drugs. The story is one that, while the stakes are much higher, can still, at the core, hit close to home for a lot of readers.
While there are a small handful of editorial errors/typos and the jumping around in the timeline can be a little confusing, overall this is a great book and a fun read. I even found myself tearing up a little at times. Oko has a great tale on her hands, told with a perfect blend of snark and heartfelt emotion about the bond between two friends separated by death.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is on the fence about reading it--and to anyone else, for that matter.
I loved this book. Being in my twenties, it was very easy to relate to--who doesn't know someone--in their circle of friends or otherwise--that has suffered with addiction or substance abuse? And who hasn't seen one of those pharmaceutical commercials for a pill that marketers will convince you that you need while downplaying the long list of potential health hazards and side effects attached? Yes, even with prescription substances rather than drugs. The story is one that, while the stakes are much higher, can still, at the core, hit close to home for a lot of readers.
While there are a small handful of editorial errors/typos and the jumping around in the timeline can be a little confusing, overall this is a great book and a fun read. I even found myself tearing up a little at times. Oko has a great tale on her hands, told with a perfect blend of snark and heartfelt emotion about the bond between two friends separated by death.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is on the fence about reading it--and to anyone else, for that matter.
June 2, 2013
"Head Case" by Jennifer Oko to me is a very gripping and powerful read. Although intended to be more satirical and entertaining I personally found the important points and messages within the book very well presented and not at all trivialised by the more quirky approach.
The story is told by a dead woman, Olivia, a phd student in neuro-chemistry, who gets herself involved in the wheeling and dealing behind prescription drugs to the stars and other users.
Her friend Polly scores samples from her father and sales rep Missy Pander, who in turn drags Olivia into the pharmaceutical approval committee for new drugs.
When Polly starts going out with Russian DJ Mitya a connection is made to his autn on Brighton Beach and what becomes known as the Russian Black Market Babushkas.
But all is not well with the drug Ziperal, there are side effects and other issues around the release.
At first I found the narrative a little difficult to follow as it jumped between before death and after death, but once I settled in the story ran away in a pleasantly fast pace as we try to figure out exactly why Olivia was killed and by whom.
The story is spoken at the readers, something that gives the narrative an extra edge and imtensity.
The book is clearly well researched or takes very educated guesses at the connections between black market, research, health care and organised crime. Since "Love and other drugs" and "The Constant Gardener" many of us are aware of the connections between crime and prescription drugs that can exist. Issues of self medication and the consumer approach to mood enhancers are hinted at in the foreword and are part of the story, making this a very rich read, despite the more casual style in places.
The friendships and relationships however do not disappoint and manage to transgress the limits of stereotypes and bring more interest to the story.
This is a promising author and a well written book.
The story is told by a dead woman, Olivia, a phd student in neuro-chemistry, who gets herself involved in the wheeling and dealing behind prescription drugs to the stars and other users.
Her friend Polly scores samples from her father and sales rep Missy Pander, who in turn drags Olivia into the pharmaceutical approval committee for new drugs.
When Polly starts going out with Russian DJ Mitya a connection is made to his autn on Brighton Beach and what becomes known as the Russian Black Market Babushkas.
But all is not well with the drug Ziperal, there are side effects and other issues around the release.
At first I found the narrative a little difficult to follow as it jumped between before death and after death, but once I settled in the story ran away in a pleasantly fast pace as we try to figure out exactly why Olivia was killed and by whom.
The story is spoken at the readers, something that gives the narrative an extra edge and imtensity.
The book is clearly well researched or takes very educated guesses at the connections between black market, research, health care and organised crime. Since "Love and other drugs" and "The Constant Gardener" many of us are aware of the connections between crime and prescription drugs that can exist. Issues of self medication and the consumer approach to mood enhancers are hinted at in the foreword and are part of the story, making this a very rich read, despite the more casual style in places.
The friendships and relationships however do not disappoint and manage to transgress the limits of stereotypes and bring more interest to the story.
This is a promising author and a well written book.
March 17, 2013
Olivia Zack is a smart, hardworking neuroscientist and pharmaceutical consultant. She’s also very much dead. Now, she wants to know who was behind her murder and she intends to find out.
It all started when she was hired by Pharmax to research a new drug that will make people who are unhappy with their jobs, very happy. They lavished her with money and she was totally taken in by them, but then she became suspicious that there was something underhanded going on. It even caused her to lose her best friend. Unfortunately, she also lost her life.
Olivia gives us an hysterically funny narration of her quest to learn the details of her murder as well as a satirical look into the pharmaceutical industry.
I loved the character of Olivia. She wasn’t perfect, but she was strong and witty. This book gave me many hours of enjoyment and laughter. It has everything you’d want – a humorous premise, an intriguing mystery involving everyone from the Russian mob to celebrities to unethical executives. It all mixes for a fast-paced mystery that will leave you laughing. Jennifer Oko is an author I'll be adding to my "must read" authors.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book for a review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
It all started when she was hired by Pharmax to research a new drug that will make people who are unhappy with their jobs, very happy. They lavished her with money and she was totally taken in by them, but then she became suspicious that there was something underhanded going on. It even caused her to lose her best friend. Unfortunately, she also lost her life.
Olivia gives us an hysterically funny narration of her quest to learn the details of her murder as well as a satirical look into the pharmaceutical industry.
I loved the character of Olivia. She wasn’t perfect, but she was strong and witty. This book gave me many hours of enjoyment and laughter. It has everything you’d want – a humorous premise, an intriguing mystery involving everyone from the Russian mob to celebrities to unethical executives. It all mixes for a fast-paced mystery that will leave you laughing. Jennifer Oko is an author I'll be adding to my "must read" authors.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book for a review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 4, 2013
Well, I loved this book. It was great fun to read and was written with both wit and intelligence - something I don't often find in the chick lit category. It's nice to run into an author writing in this category who cares enough about her work to write multi-dimensional characters and a well-planned, very original plot. I'll be looking for more from her.
March 22, 2020
Great Read
Although this book is fictional, it clearly gives light to a growing problem in the world today. The over prescribing and uses for drugs that they were not initially manufactured for. Ms. Ok does this in a story of two best friends that will have you chuckling and maybe a lump in your throat too. A marvelous read! Bravo
Although this book is fictional, it clearly gives light to a growing problem in the world today. The over prescribing and uses for drugs that they were not initially manufactured for. Ms. Ok does this in a story of two best friends that will have you chuckling and maybe a lump in your throat too. A marvelous read! Bravo
January 22, 2013
Great fun! Very easy read - the author writes like she talks. Which I love because makes me feel like I'm actually part of the conversation. Definite read.
January 8, 2013
Great writing, Hope it's the start of a series
May 29, 2022
really enjoyed...wish she would write more
June 19, 2025
Olivia is a PhD candidate in neurochemistry doing biochemical research on emotions and psychopharmaceuticals. Her best friend, Polly, is a celebrity publicist with a demanding client in search of designer drugs for herself and her famous friends. Polly's father is a psychiatrist with a closet full of medicine samples, and the two friends decide to raid his supply to give to the celebrities, with Olivia giving her expert advice on which pills would be best in different situations.
Ultimately, Olivia is murdered and the story alternates between the past and the present where our main character is in a limbo state between life and death. She narrates the present as she tries to unravel the mystery of her current situation. She's a smart and funny character who is easy to root for despite knowing that nothing can possibly turn out well for her. The story is a great combination of mystery and chick lit as it explores the deterioration of a longtime friendship and the elements that led to its demise.
This author is new to me, and I am thrilled to have found her! I am very much looking forward to discovering more books from her. I believe this book will entertain readers who enjoy mysteries and tales of female friendships.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ultimately, Olivia is murdered and the story alternates between the past and the present where our main character is in a limbo state between life and death. She narrates the present as she tries to unravel the mystery of her current situation. She's a smart and funny character who is easy to root for despite knowing that nothing can possibly turn out well for her. The story is a great combination of mystery and chick lit as it explores the deterioration of a longtime friendship and the elements that led to its demise.
This author is new to me, and I am thrilled to have found her! I am very much looking forward to discovering more books from her. I believe this book will entertain readers who enjoy mysteries and tales of female friendships.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2025
"Head Case" dives deep into the murky waters of the pharma industry with a twist of psychological thriller. The premise hooks you right from the start—a medical researcher, Dr. Jane Dixon, uncovers unsettling truths while investigating a new drug's side effects. Oko's narrative skillfully blends suspense with a peek behind the curtains of big pharma, making you question just how much we really know about the medications we trust.
What stood out most was the author's ability to blend scientific intrigue with personal drama. Dr. Dixon's journey isn't just about uncovering corporate secrets; it's also about navigating her own ethical dilemmas and personal challenges. The character development felt real, and you find yourself rooting for Dr. Dixon as she unravels the layers of deception.
The pacing keeps you engaged, with each revelation propelling the story forward. While some plot twists may be predictable for avid thriller readers, Oko manages to keep enough surprises up her sleeve to maintain the suspense until the end.
Overall, "Head Case" offers a thought-provoking look into the complexities of medical ethics and the consequences of unchecked corporate power. If you enjoy thrillers that make you think while keeping you on the edge of your seat, this one's definitely worth a read.
What stood out most was the author's ability to blend scientific intrigue with personal drama. Dr. Dixon's journey isn't just about uncovering corporate secrets; it's also about navigating her own ethical dilemmas and personal challenges. The character development felt real, and you find yourself rooting for Dr. Dixon as she unravels the layers of deception.
The pacing keeps you engaged, with each revelation propelling the story forward. While some plot twists may be predictable for avid thriller readers, Oko manages to keep enough surprises up her sleeve to maintain the suspense until the end.
Overall, "Head Case" offers a thought-provoking look into the complexities of medical ethics and the consequences of unchecked corporate power. If you enjoy thrillers that make you think while keeping you on the edge of your seat, this one's definitely worth a read.
June 20, 2025
Diligently pursuing her PhD in neuroscience, Olivia Zack pours everything she’s got into her pharmaceutical research, particularly in the biochemistry of emotions.
She did, anyway. Now, Olivia Zacks is dead.
When her best friend Polly lets her celebrity client know about her psychiatrist father’s access to medication samples, and mentions Olivia’s savvy intel on the pharmacological effects of the drugs, an A-list entourage starts to become very friendly with the girls.
In this surprisingly lighthearted whodunnit, Olivia begins to descend a slippery slope that illuminates the dark side of pharmaceuticals, both within the industry and on the outskirts.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
She did, anyway. Now, Olivia Zacks is dead.
When her best friend Polly lets her celebrity client know about her psychiatrist father’s access to medication samples, and mentions Olivia’s savvy intel on the pharmacological effects of the drugs, an A-list entourage starts to become very friendly with the girls.
In this surprisingly lighthearted whodunnit, Olivia begins to descend a slippery slope that illuminates the dark side of pharmaceuticals, both within the industry and on the outskirts.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
Interesting mix of crime + psychology, but the pacing was somewhat off with the back and forth timeline, before and after the murder. The premise of the influencer and the psych meds hooked me, while the rest of the story felt a little stretched. A decent read for psychological thriller fans, just not super memorable for me personally.
August 19, 2018
I admit I did not finish this book. I had a hard time following it and keeping up with who was who.
June 30, 2025
★★★.5
Olivia Zack has been murdered, but she isn’t exactly dead. It appears her spirit has left her physical body, and it’s out for revenge. Her new state of being, she quickly realizes, has several benefits. And as a neuroscientist, she is fascinated! She’s now able to rewind time, slip into other people’s minds, understand any language, and use what she calls “tricks” to let those who are still alive know that she is still alive.
So let’s rewind! Olivia is a smart and hardworking neuroscientist, quite nerdy in her educational and career path. But she is by no means a wallflower. She loves fashion, something she and her best friend Polly have in common. Polly is a publicist, but very unfulfilled. Perhaps she needs therapy, but growing up, she was exposed to lots of pills, so she chooses pills instead of therapy. Luckily, her father (a psychiatrist) has lots of pharma reps visiting and dropping off loads of “fun” pills, which she starts to distribute among her celebrity friends.
A wild tale of pill-popping grannies, big pharma, and even the Russian mob begins and ultimately leads to Olivia’s murder. Can she seek redemption from the afterlife?
The book started well, lost me a bit in the middle, and ended just as well as it started! I agree with Jennifer Oko, this rerelease feels timelier than ever. She did a fantastic job highlighting the generational shift both in mindset and in access to prescription drugs, as well as the challenges within the pharmaceutical industry. From focusing more resources on marketing than research, to purposely covering up side effects, and a general lack of accountability when it is finally exposed, Jennifer Oko used dark humor and some unhinged situations to show just how corrupt big pharma really is.
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Jennifer Oko for a copy. All opinions are my own.
Olivia Zack has been murdered, but she isn’t exactly dead. It appears her spirit has left her physical body, and it’s out for revenge. Her new state of being, she quickly realizes, has several benefits. And as a neuroscientist, she is fascinated! She’s now able to rewind time, slip into other people’s minds, understand any language, and use what she calls “tricks” to let those who are still alive know that she is still alive.
So let’s rewind! Olivia is a smart and hardworking neuroscientist, quite nerdy in her educational and career path. But she is by no means a wallflower. She loves fashion, something she and her best friend Polly have in common. Polly is a publicist, but very unfulfilled. Perhaps she needs therapy, but growing up, she was exposed to lots of pills, so she chooses pills instead of therapy. Luckily, her father (a psychiatrist) has lots of pharma reps visiting and dropping off loads of “fun” pills, which she starts to distribute among her celebrity friends.
A wild tale of pill-popping grannies, big pharma, and even the Russian mob begins and ultimately leads to Olivia’s murder. Can she seek redemption from the afterlife?
The book started well, lost me a bit in the middle, and ended just as well as it started! I agree with Jennifer Oko, this rerelease feels timelier than ever. She did a fantastic job highlighting the generational shift both in mindset and in access to prescription drugs, as well as the challenges within the pharmaceutical industry. From focusing more resources on marketing than research, to purposely covering up side effects, and a general lack of accountability when it is finally exposed, Jennifer Oko used dark humor and some unhinged situations to show just how corrupt big pharma really is.
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Jennifer Oko for a copy. All opinions are my own.
December 20, 2014
This review is for the book Head Case by Jennifer Oko. We are introduced to Olivia Zack right after her death. And in a series of flashbacks and current scenes she explains the events, decisions and reasons that lead up to her death. It is an unlikely tale, dealing with superstars, Russian Mobsters, and pharmaceutical companies. Olivia sets up each scene and provides a running commentary on where things went right or wrong and why things happened the way they did.
I went into this book wanting to like it. After all, a ghost is basically solving her own murder. Perfect mix of paranormal and mystery, right? Eh, not so much. The story is told mostly from Olivia and her best-friend/roommate Polly, who is a celebrity publicist. While Olivia flips back and forth between current events and the events that led up to her death, she gives us a running commentary on what and why stuff is happening. I was not a big fan of this. But then, I can not stand the commentary on a DVD either. Who in their right mind could enjoy a movie (or in this case book) with someone talking over all the action and dialogue and basically ruining the feeling of immersing yourself in the story. Not me anyway. I have never really understood the concept of "telling" a story versus "showing" a story, but this one felt very "tell"-y.
Another problem I had was connecting with the characters. I never felt any real connection with them. To be quite honest, I really didn't care that she was dead. Awful, right? I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't like them, but there it is. They just seemed like spoiled, little rich girls who were so used to doing what they wanted and disregarding the consequences. In a lot of instances, I felt they really deserved what happened to them.
Overall, I just couldn't get into the book and lose myself in the story. It felt too much like a Brussels sprouts story, you know, one that is good for you, but just doesn't taste all that great. But that could just be me, after all, some people actually like Brussels sprouts. Anyway, I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads.
I went into this book wanting to like it. After all, a ghost is basically solving her own murder. Perfect mix of paranormal and mystery, right? Eh, not so much. The story is told mostly from Olivia and her best-friend/roommate Polly, who is a celebrity publicist. While Olivia flips back and forth between current events and the events that led up to her death, she gives us a running commentary on what and why stuff is happening. I was not a big fan of this. But then, I can not stand the commentary on a DVD either. Who in their right mind could enjoy a movie (or in this case book) with someone talking over all the action and dialogue and basically ruining the feeling of immersing yourself in the story. Not me anyway. I have never really understood the concept of "telling" a story versus "showing" a story, but this one felt very "tell"-y.
Another problem I had was connecting with the characters. I never felt any real connection with them. To be quite honest, I really didn't care that she was dead. Awful, right? I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't like them, but there it is. They just seemed like spoiled, little rich girls who were so used to doing what they wanted and disregarding the consequences. In a lot of instances, I felt they really deserved what happened to them.
Overall, I just couldn't get into the book and lose myself in the story. It felt too much like a Brussels sprouts story, you know, one that is good for you, but just doesn't taste all that great. But that could just be me, after all, some people actually like Brussels sprouts. Anyway, I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads.
April 28, 2015
There's a Whole Lot of Wisdom and Insight in this Book! I Highly Recommend It!
I firmly believe in the premise that this book is based upon. As someone who has cared for sick loved ones, I can vouch that not every drug prescribed helps the condition that it's prescribed for, in fact for every one drug prescribed, there are usually many unacceptable and disturbing side effects. So then, you're stuck- take the recommended meds and get something to counteract the side effects-if you even can- or quit the prescribed meds and play Russian roulette with another drug, or several drugs, or keep adding drugs to counteract the effects of the first drug, and hope that it doesn't kill you, before it can cure you, or that it won't create new and additional problems with other body parts that will also require different meds, surgeries, cause dementia, mood swings, or even death. I highly recommend this book! I believe that he pill companies are more interested in profiting from their wares, than curing illnesses, despite the side effects on their consumers. Where else but in America will a person take a drug designed for one purpose, and risk over twenty side effects, or more, that are worse than the original complaint, some even leading to toxicity and/or death? It doesn't help that many people in the health care industry receive incentives to promote various companies drugs, which may lead to perks, more income, vacations, etc. from the pharmaceutical companies for the health care worker as well as the pharmaceutical employees. The price for these "miracle" cures are often dictated by the greed of the health care and pharmaceutical industry as as whole, and how much sick people can be pressured into spending. Who can you trust?
I firmly believe in the premise that this book is based upon. As someone who has cared for sick loved ones, I can vouch that not every drug prescribed helps the condition that it's prescribed for, in fact for every one drug prescribed, there are usually many unacceptable and disturbing side effects. So then, you're stuck- take the recommended meds and get something to counteract the side effects-if you even can- or quit the prescribed meds and play Russian roulette with another drug, or several drugs, or keep adding drugs to counteract the effects of the first drug, and hope that it doesn't kill you, before it can cure you, or that it won't create new and additional problems with other body parts that will also require different meds, surgeries, cause dementia, mood swings, or even death. I highly recommend this book! I believe that he pill companies are more interested in profiting from their wares, than curing illnesses, despite the side effects on their consumers. Where else but in America will a person take a drug designed for one purpose, and risk over twenty side effects, or more, that are worse than the original complaint, some even leading to toxicity and/or death? It doesn't help that many people in the health care industry receive incentives to promote various companies drugs, which may lead to perks, more income, vacations, etc. from the pharmaceutical companies for the health care worker as well as the pharmaceutical employees. The price for these "miracle" cures are often dictated by the greed of the health care and pharmaceutical industry as as whole, and how much sick people can be pressured into spending. Who can you trust?
April 28, 2015
I couldn't stop reading . . .
What a great book! As a medical technologist/microbiologist, I found the neurochemistry details fascinating. The language used to describe molecular reactions at the neurological level was apt and easy to understand. Woven into a highly entertaining story told by the brilliant, yet humanly flawed Olivia, the science came alive.
As a former medical microbiologist, I cracked up at the spot-on description of drug reps. I used to be "courted" by them as well. Heck, I even wanted to be one. I, like Olivia, Polly, and Missy, adore pretty things and LOVE wearing cute outfits!
The character development was superb, the plot so very intriguing. I plan to look for more books written by Jennifer Oko.
What a great book! As a medical technologist/microbiologist, I found the neurochemistry details fascinating. The language used to describe molecular reactions at the neurological level was apt and easy to understand. Woven into a highly entertaining story told by the brilliant, yet humanly flawed Olivia, the science came alive.
As a former medical microbiologist, I cracked up at the spot-on description of drug reps. I used to be "courted" by them as well. Heck, I even wanted to be one. I, like Olivia, Polly, and Missy, adore pretty things and LOVE wearing cute outfits!
The character development was superb, the plot so very intriguing. I plan to look for more books written by Jennifer Oko.
April 20, 2015
Pharmaceuticals Nightmare
Wow! Jennifer Oko writes an entertaining murder mystery told by the ghost of one of the main characters, Olivia. A surprisingly well written tale. I say "surprisingly well written" because of the jumping back and forth in time, which can be confusing, but is not in this story. Me Oko has created some very entertaining characters and a fantastic story line. Not surprisingly a story line that is probably closer to real life than most people like to believe. I will be looking for more of this author's work.
Wow! Jennifer Oko writes an entertaining murder mystery told by the ghost of one of the main characters, Olivia. A surprisingly well written tale. I say "surprisingly well written" because of the jumping back and forth in time, which can be confusing, but is not in this story. Me Oko has created some very entertaining characters and a fantastic story line. Not surprisingly a story line that is probably closer to real life than most people like to believe. I will be looking for more of this author's work.
May 6, 2014
You better take a pill to get through it...
Although this book tried to be quirk and funny it just wasn't. I called it quits after the 7th chapter. I figured 'What's the point?' I just got bored with trying to keep up with the flipping back and forth as well as with the made up pharmacological jargon. Maybe with this author's next book I will 'get it'.
Although this book tried to be quirk and funny it just wasn't. I called it quits after the 7th chapter. I figured 'What's the point?' I just got bored with trying to keep up with the flipping back and forth as well as with the made up pharmacological jargon. Maybe with this author's next book I will 'get it'.
June 4, 2014
This book was full of twist and specials. I learned a lot about the drug industry and about the Russian culture I find the book very interesting. I recommend this book who loves a medical mystery.
January 15, 2013
a fun mystery narrated by a dead woman in which the evil drug dealers are exposed--Big Pharma...
June 10, 2013
This was a Kindle freebie when I got it...it was a cute and fast read, with some nice pharmaceutical double-speak.
July 7, 2014
couldn't finish it, just didn't like it
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