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Pharmaceutical
Greed, the need for power, and a heroine.
Pharmaceutical has all the elements of a good conspiracy.
CEO R. Curtis Larson is out to make money and doesn't have a lot of scruples about how he does it.
Diane McMichael gets in his way. Powerful allies on both sides complicate matters.
If you enjoy an action packed audiobook that will keep you interested until the end, pick up a copy of Pharmaceutical.
Pharmaceutical has all the elements of a good conspiracy.
CEO R. Curtis Larson is out to make money and doesn't have a lot of scruples about how he does it.
Diane McMichael gets in his way. Powerful allies on both sides complicate matters.
If you enjoy an action packed audiobook that will keep you interested until the end, pick up a copy of Pharmaceutical.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2013
71 people want to read
About the author
W.M.J. Kreucher
16 books9 followersVisit My Author Page
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W. M. J. Kreucher writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and coming-of-age romance with heart and depth. A Detroit native from the city’s vibrant west side, he spent over three decades in the automotive industry championing environmental initiatives—focusing on clean fuels and vehicle fuel economy.
Behind the scenes, he provided technical support to lawmakers, ghostwrote for members of Congress, and helped shape key legislation and regulations. Some say crafting policy is its own form of fiction—but now, Kreucher channels his storytelling skills into novels where character, emotion, and intrigue take the wheel.
Drawing from a lifetime of experience, sharp observation, and quiet wit, his stories explore the intricacies of human connection, the pull of the past, and the secrets that lie just beneath the surface.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 29, 2017
As a former Washington bureaucrat in a previous life, I don't read many political novels because most of them get the details wrong or fail to describe the sausage-making that goes on when politics gets done. Pharmaceutical, the novel from W.M.J. Kreucher, brings the real Washington to life in gripping fashion.
The book would make a great conspiracy thriller movie. A corporate CEO and the First Lady plot to secretly dose the unsuspecting American public with untested drugs in their reckless pursuit of greed and power. The only one standing in their way is a loyal company employee, Diane McMichael, who starts asking dangerous questions.
"Pharmaceutical" reads like a screenplay, too--with lots of action and dialogue but relatively little narrative. Its 281 pages fly by. This isn't highbrow art like Updike or Wolfe, but rather a carnival ride that would be great for a long plane ride or a holiday weekend.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
The book would make a great conspiracy thriller movie. A corporate CEO and the First Lady plot to secretly dose the unsuspecting American public with untested drugs in their reckless pursuit of greed and power. The only one standing in their way is a loyal company employee, Diane McMichael, who starts asking dangerous questions.
"Pharmaceutical" reads like a screenplay, too--with lots of action and dialogue but relatively little narrative. Its 281 pages fly by. This isn't highbrow art like Updike or Wolfe, but rather a carnival ride that would be great for a long plane ride or a holiday weekend.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
December 10, 2017
This novel was an easy read - I finished it within 24 hours. The story-line, although not strong, was believable. I enjoyed the information on computer technology which came across as authentic. However, the undoing of the novel was the missing ingredient of motive. There is of course the explanation that power and greed were at the heart of the conspiracy. However, the main conspirator already wielded a vast amount of power, possessed wealth and apparently received no financial gain from the operation. So why? One can guess, surmise or hypothesize, but the reader should have been informed why. And that is why this is a 2.5 out of 5 from me - a generous 3.
July 24, 2017
I found this book hard to put down. It draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. I think the characters were interesting and well-developed. I really like the whole "medical mystery" genre, and this book is scary in that it could very well be true. I listened to the Audible audio edition narrated by Samuel Hoke. I thought his narration was good and easy to listen to. I really liked this book and am looking forward to another in the series.
September 19, 2017
Catholic Fiction Review “We are not market followers but market leaders. Business is a predatory sport and you all better understand what that means.”
Do you love a good conspiracy theory? I do. And in this, the latest book by Kreucher, you can enjoy one. In the quote above we are introduced to one of the main ingredients of a good conspiracy – greed. CEO R. Curtis Larson is out to make money and doesn’t have a lot of scruples about how to do so. Many of the women who use the products of his company will become ill or even die, but his need for profit is all Larson considers.
The need for power is the other ingredient and that is brought to the story by character Emma Blythe, First Lady of the country. Her desire to use her authority to advance her pro-choice agenda backs the greed of Larson. However, her pro-choice stance runs even deeper than wanting women to have the ‘right to choose.’ She feels the need to force abortion and birth control on women without their consent or knowledge. She especially wants to use social engineering to limit the number of children born to the poor. The author describes her with this powerful statement…“She said her prayers to Margaret Sanger.”
As with all good conspiracies, there is a hero. Diane McMichael is that hero. Planning and wishing for a family for herself, this high-powered executive who is savvy about the inner workings of Washington and the political scene, stumbles upon the secret scheme of our antagonists.
By: Karen Kelly Boyce, 2012 Recipient of the Eric Hoffer Gold Award in Fiction
Do you love a good conspiracy theory? I do. And in this, the latest book by Kreucher, you can enjoy one. In the quote above we are introduced to one of the main ingredients of a good conspiracy – greed. CEO R. Curtis Larson is out to make money and doesn’t have a lot of scruples about how to do so. Many of the women who use the products of his company will become ill or even die, but his need for profit is all Larson considers.
The need for power is the other ingredient and that is brought to the story by character Emma Blythe, First Lady of the country. Her desire to use her authority to advance her pro-choice agenda backs the greed of Larson. However, her pro-choice stance runs even deeper than wanting women to have the ‘right to choose.’ She feels the need to force abortion and birth control on women without their consent or knowledge. She especially wants to use social engineering to limit the number of children born to the poor. The author describes her with this powerful statement…“She said her prayers to Margaret Sanger.”
As with all good conspiracies, there is a hero. Diane McMichael is that hero. Planning and wishing for a family for herself, this high-powered executive who is savvy about the inner workings of Washington and the political scene, stumbles upon the secret scheme of our antagonists.
By: Karen Kelly Boyce, 2012 Recipient of the Eric Hoffer Gold Award in Fiction
July 9, 2014
Half a star. Disappointing, poorly written and poorly edited.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews