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The Lethal Effect
Sula Moreno knows too much. Working in public relations at Prolabs Pharmaceutical, it’s her job to put a positive—and profitable—spin on the company’s products. That includes the exciting new antidepressant Nexapra, the linchpin in a corporate merger that will save the faltering Prolabs from going under. But when Sula discovers the shocking truth about a lethal flaw in the drug, there’s no good way to spin the potential death of millions of consumers.
Karl Rudker, the company’s ruthless CEO, disagrees. To safeguard Prolabs’s bottom line—and his own place at the top—he’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep the facts about Nexapra’s dangerous side effects secret, even if it means putting an end to more than just Sula’s job. And when the only other person who can expose Rudker ends up murdered, Sula knows her boss is playing for keeps. But she also knows taking on her psychopathic superior is the only way to stop a fatal drug from flooding the market…and unleashing a wave of death.
Karl Rudker, the company’s ruthless CEO, disagrees. To safeguard Prolabs’s bottom line—and his own place at the top—he’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep the facts about Nexapra’s dangerous side effects secret, even if it means putting an end to more than just Sula’s job. And when the only other person who can expose Rudker ends up murdered, Sula knows her boss is playing for keeps. But she also knows taking on her psychopathic superior is the only way to stop a fatal drug from flooding the market…and unleashing a wave of death.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
70 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Sellers
59 books477 followersI write the bestselling Detective Jackson mystery/thriller series—a four-time Readers Favorite award winner—as well as the Agent Dallas series, the Extractor thrillers, and provocative standalone thrillers. My 30 novels have been highly praised and have sold more than a million copies.
I reside in Eugene, Oregon where my many of my novels are set, and I'm also an award-winning journalist who earned the Grand Neal. When not plotting murders, I enjoy standup comedy, cycling, social networking, and attending mystery conferences. I've also been known to jump out of airplanes.
I reside in Eugene, Oregon where my many of my novels are set, and I'm also an award-winning journalist who earned the Grand Neal. When not plotting murders, I enjoy standup comedy, cycling, social networking, and attending mystery conferences. I've also been known to jump out of airplanes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 27, 2011
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for writing a review.
Main character Sula works for a pharmaceutical company. She eavesdrops on a conversation between the CEO and a company research scientist, revealing that the company's newest antidepressant is causing high rates of suicide in clinical trials. The CEO wants to keep this info under wraps, and the research scientist soon disappears. Due to her own history with depression and suicide in her family, Sula feels compelled to get involved and soon finds herself at the center of a dangerous game.
The first third of this book moves slowly as Sellers introduces her characters and sets the stage. At first I found all the brand-name mentions of various drugs the characters use (Celexa, Xanax, etc) distracting, like tiny product placements.
A few times characters make leaps in deduction regarding what other characters are doing that seem farfetched. For example, one character quickly figures out after observing a character go into a building, come out, make a cell phone call, and then go back into the building that the person must have borrowed a cell phone with a blocked number.
By the second third of the book, Sellers has introduced all her characters along with their back story, and it was interesting reading to see how she was going to tie all these seemingly unrelated people together.
The last third was a quick read and Sellers did an excellent job of fitting all the pieces together for a satisfying ending with no loose ends.
While I might not have picked this book up on my own, overall I found it a worthwhile read, even if at times it had a slight "paint by numbers" feel to it. I would recommend it for a distracting, entertaining read that doesn't take a whole lot of effort to digest.
Main character Sula works for a pharmaceutical company. She eavesdrops on a conversation between the CEO and a company research scientist, revealing that the company's newest antidepressant is causing high rates of suicide in clinical trials. The CEO wants to keep this info under wraps, and the research scientist soon disappears. Due to her own history with depression and suicide in her family, Sula feels compelled to get involved and soon finds herself at the center of a dangerous game.
The first third of this book moves slowly as Sellers introduces her characters and sets the stage. At first I found all the brand-name mentions of various drugs the characters use (Celexa, Xanax, etc) distracting, like tiny product placements.
A few times characters make leaps in deduction regarding what other characters are doing that seem farfetched. For example, one character quickly figures out after observing a character go into a building, come out, make a cell phone call, and then go back into the building that the person must have borrowed a cell phone with a blocked number.
By the second third of the book, Sellers has introduced all her characters along with their back story, and it was interesting reading to see how she was going to tie all these seemingly unrelated people together.
The last third was a quick read and Sellers did an excellent job of fitting all the pieces together for a satisfying ending with no loose ends.
While I might not have picked this book up on my own, overall I found it a worthwhile read, even if at times it had a slight "paint by numbers" feel to it. I would recommend it for a distracting, entertaining read that doesn't take a whole lot of effort to digest.
April 8, 2011
LJ Sellers is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine in the thriller genre. This book had it all: suspense, timeliness (it revolves around a pharmaceutical company bringing a new anti-depressant to market that could have disastrous consequences), and great unique and sympathetic characters.
April 30, 2011
Mea culpa, THE SUICIDE EFFECT is only the second L. J. Sellers novel I have read. I’ve discovered that L. J. Sellers is a nearly perfect author for me.
In THE SUICIDE EFFECT the protagonist is someone I really like (this seems to be important to me). L. J. has made all her characters come alive; they do stupid stuff because of who they are, and L. J. has made me care about them.
THE SUICIDE EFFECT contains a truly fascinating Mind of the Killer (or Mind of the Bad Guy, I should say). Generally, I’m not bothered by Mind of the Killer the way some are, though I agree it’s often implausibly done. The Bad Guy in THE SUICIDE EFFECT is substantive and fascinating. I don’t suppose I ever came to admire him, but sometimes I thought I understood him, and I pitied him.
New threads (subplot lines) begin in provocative ways. As the threads develop some were quite obvious in a not unpleasant noticing way—one watched the train wreck as it happened.
For me, one appealing feature of the story was the focus on suicide, a subject which interests me deeply, at least in part because the modern reaction to mention of the word suicide produces the automatic response: "Should I call 911?" Suicide is a taboo subject, but in THE SUICIDE EFFECT, we get a well-rounded, multiple aspect view.
Many characters think about suicide. Some are contemplating it. Some despise people who do it. Some had friends or relatives who committed suicide which has a varied but continuous effect on the living. Giving the subject an airing was appreciated.
Another very appealing feature of THE SUICIDE EFFECT was the sense that we were immersed in high stakes investigative journalism. We were learning things that were important for us, for the world, to know.
Putting the book down and going to bed at a reasonable hour was not possible.
THE SUICIDE EFFECT. Highly satisfying.
THE SUICIDE EFFECT
By L. J. Sellers
© 2010
Spellbinder Press http://ljsellers.com
Theresa de Valence
http://www.ReviewsByTdeV.com
where all of my reviews are spoiler-free
In THE SUICIDE EFFECT the protagonist is someone I really like (this seems to be important to me). L. J. has made all her characters come alive; they do stupid stuff because of who they are, and L. J. has made me care about them.
THE SUICIDE EFFECT contains a truly fascinating Mind of the Killer (or Mind of the Bad Guy, I should say). Generally, I’m not bothered by Mind of the Killer the way some are, though I agree it’s often implausibly done. The Bad Guy in THE SUICIDE EFFECT is substantive and fascinating. I don’t suppose I ever came to admire him, but sometimes I thought I understood him, and I pitied him.
New threads (subplot lines) begin in provocative ways. As the threads develop some were quite obvious in a not unpleasant noticing way—one watched the train wreck as it happened.
For me, one appealing feature of the story was the focus on suicide, a subject which interests me deeply, at least in part because the modern reaction to mention of the word suicide produces the automatic response: "Should I call 911?" Suicide is a taboo subject, but in THE SUICIDE EFFECT, we get a well-rounded, multiple aspect view.
Many characters think about suicide. Some are contemplating it. Some despise people who do it. Some had friends or relatives who committed suicide which has a varied but continuous effect on the living. Giving the subject an airing was appreciated.
Another very appealing feature of THE SUICIDE EFFECT was the sense that we were immersed in high stakes investigative journalism. We were learning things that were important for us, for the world, to know.
Putting the book down and going to bed at a reasonable hour was not possible.
THE SUICIDE EFFECT. Highly satisfying.
THE SUICIDE EFFECT
By L. J. Sellers
© 2010
Spellbinder Press http://ljsellers.com
Theresa de Valence
http://www.ReviewsByTdeV.com
where all of my reviews are spoiler-free
September 8, 2010
Times being what they are, most of us are on more medications than we'd like to think about. And there is big money in big pharma, to the tune of billions. With so much money in play, big greed is sure to be sniffing around.
Drugs have side-effects (have you watched a pharmaceutical commercial lately? One might almost be safer with the disease.), and, if serious enough, these can cause injury, death, recalls, and big losses. L. J. Sellers takes this situation to spin a tale of a wonder-drug, its devastating effect, and just how far one might go in the name of greed in her new book, THE SUICIDE EFFECT.
Sula Moreno works as a public relations officer for Prolabs, a pharmaceutical developer in Eugene, Oregon. Prolabs has developed a new antidepressant sure to capture the lion's share of the market, and, primarily on the strength of this upcoming drug release, is in merger talks with a larger company. Prolabs' CEO, Karl Rudker, is banking heavily on the merger for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the precarious financial condition into which he has led the company. All will be well, though, with the merger and the release of the new drug, Nexapra.
The head researcher and discoverer of the drug threatens to cause a serious delay when she informs Rudker of a problem with Nexapra that presents a high risk of suicide in a subset of the population. Sula Moreno overhears the argument between the two, and becomes ensnared in resulting danger, as she tries to uncover the truth about Nexapra against a very determined CEO.
This is a thriller that will make you think twice about the next prescription you take.
Drugs have side-effects (have you watched a pharmaceutical commercial lately? One might almost be safer with the disease.), and, if serious enough, these can cause injury, death, recalls, and big losses. L. J. Sellers takes this situation to spin a tale of a wonder-drug, its devastating effect, and just how far one might go in the name of greed in her new book, THE SUICIDE EFFECT.
Sula Moreno works as a public relations officer for Prolabs, a pharmaceutical developer in Eugene, Oregon. Prolabs has developed a new antidepressant sure to capture the lion's share of the market, and, primarily on the strength of this upcoming drug release, is in merger talks with a larger company. Prolabs' CEO, Karl Rudker, is banking heavily on the merger for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the precarious financial condition into which he has led the company. All will be well, though, with the merger and the release of the new drug, Nexapra.
The head researcher and discoverer of the drug threatens to cause a serious delay when she informs Rudker of a problem with Nexapra that presents a high risk of suicide in a subset of the population. Sula Moreno overhears the argument between the two, and becomes ensnared in resulting danger, as she tries to uncover the truth about Nexapra against a very determined CEO.
This is a thriller that will make you think twice about the next prescription you take.
March 20, 2011
Could just be me... but I found this too hard to get into and not very thrilling for a thriller. It's a great premise, but it had so much other detail thrown in.. unneccesary details not related to the story line that I found myself skimming.
I don't need to know what kind of suit the man wears, nor what he did, where he ran, what he ate prior to the "big meeting." Also things were thrown in that had me scratching my head in confusion. Chicks boxing.. love it, but why is it there?
Also.. There is every single detail of action.. from doors opening to stepping inside.. Just didn't flow well for me.
And come on... A nice cop taking a statement from a woman reporting a missing person is not going to just out of the blue say, "let's go" and motion to a vehicle, have you get in and buckle up and THEN declare you are going to the morgue.. No. No. No.
This has pretty good ratings though and I'm more into historical books so don't take my word for it. I do like an occassional thriller novel here and there.. just didn't care for this one in particular.
Here's a quote that got a reaction out of me though: "her jet black hair was short and spiky. She also had silver rings in both eyebrows. Rudker didn't understand how any of that was supposed to be attractive."
Excuuuuse me? LOL
I don't need to know what kind of suit the man wears, nor what he did, where he ran, what he ate prior to the "big meeting." Also things were thrown in that had me scratching my head in confusion. Chicks boxing.. love it, but why is it there?
Also.. There is every single detail of action.. from doors opening to stepping inside.. Just didn't flow well for me.
And come on... A nice cop taking a statement from a woman reporting a missing person is not going to just out of the blue say, "let's go" and motion to a vehicle, have you get in and buckle up and THEN declare you are going to the morgue.. No. No. No.
This has pretty good ratings though and I'm more into historical books so don't take my word for it. I do like an occassional thriller novel here and there.. just didn't care for this one in particular.
Here's a quote that got a reaction out of me though: "her jet black hair was short and spiky. She also had silver rings in both eyebrows. Rudker didn't understand how any of that was supposed to be attractive."
Excuuuuse me? LOL
December 29, 2011
I liked this story, however, there were many typos and grammatical errors that irked me. it was a quick read.
August 19, 2025
Very exciting and timely. There is a scene near the end where a dog gets hurt and killed. It can be skipped over without ruining the story.
Read
February 4, 2014The Lethal Effect, by L. J. Sellers, b-plus, Narrated by amy McFadden, Produced by Brilliance audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Sula Moreno's job in public relations is to put a human face on the big corporate drug manufacturer she works for. But there's no humanity in the shocking
plot she uncovers to hush up a lethal flaw in the company's newest product, Nexapra, an antidepressant which may have a negative effect on users tested from minority populations resulting in suicide for some users. And though
marketing it could be tantamount to mass murder, the company's CEO won't hesitate to put profits before people. He also won't let a renegade employee's
conscience stand in the way - a fact made chillingly clear to Sula when the only other person who can expose the truth is killed. At first through her youth and innocence, and later because of her conscience and strong principles, she cannot let this drug go on the market without more research to correct the defect. She finds herself in a life and death struggle with the CEO of the company who needs, for his own ends, the drug to be approved by the FDA as soon as possible. A good medical thriller. Some of the police characters in other police procedures by this author appear briefly.
Sula Moreno's job in public relations is to put a human face on the big corporate drug manufacturer she works for. But there's no humanity in the shocking
plot she uncovers to hush up a lethal flaw in the company's newest product, Nexapra, an antidepressant which may have a negative effect on users tested from minority populations resulting in suicide for some users. And though
marketing it could be tantamount to mass murder, the company's CEO won't hesitate to put profits before people. He also won't let a renegade employee's
conscience stand in the way - a fact made chillingly clear to Sula when the only other person who can expose the truth is killed. At first through her youth and innocence, and later because of her conscience and strong principles, she cannot let this drug go on the market without more research to correct the defect. She finds herself in a life and death struggle with the CEO of the company who needs, for his own ends, the drug to be approved by the FDA as soon as possible. A good medical thriller. Some of the police characters in other police procedures by this author appear briefly.
November 27, 2010
Coming from a difficult past, Sula is finally achieving respectability. She works in the P.R. department for the pharmaceutical company, Prolabs, and is striving to regain custody of her small son.
But her plans are derailed when she discovers the company's new antidepressant drug, Nexapra, has proven fatal for some Hispanics involved in the drug study. She hopes someone higher up will come forward with this information, but after that proves to be impossible, Sula becomes involved in seeking the truth about Nexapra and bringing it to light.
Soon her job is on the line, then her life, as she deals with Prolabs' arrogant CEO, Karl Rudker. He has too much to lose if Sula succeeds and he is determined that she won't.
Sellers has created an intriguing premise, a strong female protagonist, and a complex villain. Definitely worth reading.
But her plans are derailed when she discovers the company's new antidepressant drug, Nexapra, has proven fatal for some Hispanics involved in the drug study. She hopes someone higher up will come forward with this information, but after that proves to be impossible, Sula becomes involved in seeking the truth about Nexapra and bringing it to light.
Soon her job is on the line, then her life, as she deals with Prolabs' arrogant CEO, Karl Rudker. He has too much to lose if Sula succeeds and he is determined that she won't.
Sellers has created an intriguing premise, a strong female protagonist, and a complex villain. Definitely worth reading.
March 3, 2011
Sula works for a drug company who has developed a new antidepressant drug. While waiting to speak to them, she overhears the head of research and development, Doctor Warner and Rudker, the company's CEO arguing. Diane Warner wants to reveal to the merged company's new owners about suicides in the early trials of the new drug. The CEO gets angry and issues a threat to the doctor if this information leaks out. Sula is stunned by this news and as the meeting between the doctor and CEO breaks up, Sula is discovered near the conference room by Rudker who grabs her notebook to see what she's written down, what's she's overheard. He finds nothing because instead of writing, Sula had recorded what she could pick up of the conversation.
While I would have preferred to give this book a 3.5 star rating, that was not an option.
While I would have preferred to give this book a 3.5 star rating, that was not an option.
December 2, 2010
This book started out slow. I got about of 1/5 of the way through and it finally picked up. It was hard for me to put the book down. Time flew by so fast for me. The plot was great. It was full of suspense.
Rudker is such a pain in the ass. This guy has rude thoughts. It's hard to believe that Robbie is his son who he cares for. Rudker is one cold guy. He will go as far as to kill someone to get what he wants. We all knew he killed Dr. Warner who found out that his medication was flawed. He is power and money hungry. He was going to lose it all anyway. He was screwed from the start. Suila investigates what he was doing with Nexapra. Rudker was thought the suicides were nothing and then tried to get rid of all the proof.
Rudker is such a pain in the ass. This guy has rude thoughts. It's hard to believe that Robbie is his son who he cares for. Rudker is one cold guy. He will go as far as to kill someone to get what he wants. We all knew he killed Dr. Warner who found out that his medication was flawed. He is power and money hungry. He was going to lose it all anyway. He was screwed from the start. Suila investigates what he was doing with Nexapra. Rudker was thought the suicides were nothing and then tried to get rid of all the proof.
April 1, 2014
I was surprised no such I enjoyed this book given its overall Goodreads 3star rating. In this one you know from the outset who the bad guy is. and he is even worse than you think. Then there's our "good girl" who definitely has problems of her own. A pharmaceutical company is bringing out a new drug for depression BUT this is far more than about the drug and its problems. Will a single man really put his needs before anyone else? Does he care WHO gets hurt? Or dead?
This book gets better as you go along. The only weakness is in a too quickly wrapped-up ending. Had I been her editor or early reviewer I would have suggested a epilogue.
This book gets better as you go along. The only weakness is in a too quickly wrapped-up ending. Had I been her editor or early reviewer I would have suggested a epilogue.
July 1, 2016
I have read many of LJ Sellers books and have loved every one. I had great expectations of this one and was a little disappointed until about half way through when I realised this book was written 15 years ago and LJ has obviously progressed a lot since then. I had a little difficulty getting 'into' Sula's character and more difficulty with the others although this was much to do with them having issues. It was, however, a very interesting story maybe a little predictable but gripping non the less. It was good to see Detective Jackson making an entrance. Certainly a good read despite falling a little short of the 5 stars.
January 29, 2012
When I first started reading this book, I couldn't remember what the synopsis had said as it had been a while between downloading and reading. I soon remembered once I started reading, and suffering from depression and anxiety myself, which I am also medicated for I really liked the premise of this book. It had good pace, and wasn't too long or too short. It was definitely a page turner as it was a bit of a cat and mouse game at times, leaving you almost breathless with the sensation of being chased.
April 9, 2012
I really like books by LJ Sellers, and I have read most of her Detective Jackson series. This book is a standalone book, although Detective Jackson does feature breifly in it.
The book itself I thought started off a bit slow, although once things start happening, (I won't spoil it and tell you what the event is) the pace of the book did pick up. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first and I was satisfied with how it ended. Would I recommend this book? Yes. Keep going past the first part, and you'll be rewarded.
The book itself I thought started off a bit slow, although once things start happening, (I won't spoil it and tell you what the event is) the pace of the book did pick up. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first and I was satisfied with how it ended. Would I recommend this book? Yes. Keep going past the first part, and you'll be rewarded.
November 12, 2010
Main idea: An evil drug company wants to put a drug on the market without finishing testing. I found it odd that almost everyone in the book seems to be taking anti-depressives or other psychotropic medication.
Didn't like this one nearly as much as her other books. All the typos didn't help and there
was a reference to someone logging on to Compuserve, which I think went bellyup as a company
in the mid 90s.
Didn't like this one nearly as much as her other books. All the typos didn't help and there
was a reference to someone logging on to Compuserve, which I think went bellyup as a company
in the mid 90s.
February 25, 2011
For me, the book fell short of the author's Det. Jackson series, but was still enjoyable. The story unfolded well and progressed steadily, building suspense as each detail became more revealing to the reader. As the end of the tale closed, the author did a good job of closing the details of the side stories that went along with the main plot. I particularly enjoyed the character development of both the protagonist and the antagonist in the story. Recommended reading.
April 8, 2014
2.5 stars- it was better than ok but not sure I can say I liked it. The flow of the story was a bit choppy. The character development was limited- although the author tried but not in a way that gave you a sense of the character just a flaw or so. The outcome was predictable and it wasn't too suspenseful. I found it ironic as they are talking about the evils of the drug industry that everyone is taking some other drug or three.
Read
September 26, 2012I enjoyed this book but it definitely wasn't my favorite. I feel like the story line didn't have a lot of depth to it which was disappointing since her other books have been pretty complex. The book really followed Sula and her boss, while there were other characters, I never really felt connected to them. It was still a good read though. I wish Detective Jackson had more than a 2 sentence appearance though I not "seeing" Sophie was a very welcome relief!!
August 20, 2014
Lethargic effect
Lethargic effect
this was not one of L.J. Sellers best books,or probably her weakest try and I've read most of her books which are exciting and lead you down an unknown path. there were only two main characters who didn't have much depth to them. I wouldn't recommend this book but definitely the rest of L.J. Sellers books especially with main characters Wade Jackson and Lara Evans.
Lethargic effect
this was not one of L.J. Sellers best books,or probably her weakest try and I've read most of her books which are exciting and lead you down an unknown path. there were only two main characters who didn't have much depth to them. I wouldn't recommend this book but definitely the rest of L.J. Sellers books especially with main characters Wade Jackson and Lara Evans.
January 24, 2012
I've never read a novel told from the pint of view of some many psychologically troubled individuals. Of the 6 characters that had viewpoints, 3 were on anti-depressants. Of those three, they had very different experiences. Oftentimes, we lump mental illness into one bin, but there is such a spectrum.
December 9, 2012
A young woman takes on a powerful CEO. Interesting story line but a little hard to believe at times.
No sex
Violence limited to the "bad" guy--both mental and physical;
he has mental problems and hears voices that egg him on
No sex
Violence limited to the "bad" guy--both mental and physical;
he has mental problems and hears voices that egg him on
March 21, 2016
Good Escape Read
This is a page turner. It follows a formula, and the characters are fairly flat, but the book is entertaining. I wish it told more about the medications the characters took.
This is a page turner. It follows a formula, and the characters are fairly flat, but the book is entertaining. I wish it told more about the medications the characters took.
March 29, 2016
money makes you mad
I have to believe that there are people in this world, who get an ounce of money and control and let it all go to their head, therefore, this book is so real life it makes you wonder if anyone is ever truly safe. Excellent book!
I have to believe that there are people in this world, who get an ounce of money and control and let it all go to their head, therefore, this book is so real life it makes you wonder if anyone is ever truly safe. Excellent book!
February 10, 2016
Liked the characters and plot development.
Want to read
November 11, 2010This looks like it will be a great book to read.
Want to read
November 11, 2010I want to read/review this book soon.
February 16, 2011
I had a harder time getting into this one vs. LJ's series of books, but once I hit around 10% or so, I was hooked. Great book!
June 26, 2011
A quick read but very very good. Story and plot were well written and I will be looking for the rest of her books to read.
August 30, 2014
Well plotted medical thriller featuring greedy big pharma, corrupt politicians and a truly psychotic businessman
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews