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Harm
EVER WONDER WHY THE FORTY-YEAR OLD WAR ON CANCER HAS GONE NOWHERE? Research scientist and single mother Cory Montclair never gave it a thought until her infant daughter recovers from cancer after taking a drug that is banned in the United States. When Cory tries to describe the benefit of the cheap harmless drug in a medical journal, she incurs the wrath of the most profitable and powerful industry in America. A large pharmaceutical company, backed with the authority of the FDA and AMA, will stop at nothing to silence her. Threatened with losing everything—her reputation, career, ancestral home and more, Cory wrestles with a difficult choice and its consequences…
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2014
45 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Kathy T. Kale
5 books17 followersAlthough I always wanted to be a writer, I ended up with a PhD in toxicology and did postdoctoral research in infectious immunology. I began writing when I moved to Kenya, where I worked as a freelance science editor and writer. I was heavily influenced by the poverty and corruption in the country and my novels are a mixture of science, politics, and the misuse of power. I studied creative writing at Humber College and the University of Iowa, and screen writing at Indian River State College. My first novel won a Royal Palm Literary Award in 2004. Originally from Toronto, I now live in warm, sunny Florida. I've written three novels: 'Black Death in a New Age,' 'Gold Street,' and 'Harm,' and I'm hard at work on my fourth. I am a member of the Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 17, 2014
This was a free or specially priced book from Amazon.
At times this was a five star read and at other times a one star read. The first three hundred pages were good, but the climax and resolution fell short of what this author is capable of writing. The mechanics were good, but the author excelled in descriptions of persons, places, and events. There were several throw away characters which the author put to bed along with the main characters at the book's end depriving me of a whiz bang ending. I recommend this author, and I will read her again.
Thank you, Ms. Kale, for a good read.
At times this was a five star read and at other times a one star read. The first three hundred pages were good, but the climax and resolution fell short of what this author is capable of writing. The mechanics were good, but the author excelled in descriptions of persons, places, and events. There were several throw away characters which the author put to bed along with the main characters at the book's end depriving me of a whiz bang ending. I recommend this author, and I will read her again.
Thank you, Ms. Kale, for a good read.
June 16, 2014
HARM by Kathy T. Kale
I received a signed paperback copy of this novel for free through the Goodreads Giveaway program and I am so glad that I did.
My reading tastes are very eclectic. I will pretty much read anything. Sometimes I am in the mood for what I refer to as "fluff"," but often I am looking for something with more substance and depth. It is that depth and intelligence that I found in HARM.
Cory is a single Mom and Research Scientist. Cory hadn't ever given much thought to the FDA or to drug companies until her baby girl, Sophie was diagnosed with cancer.
After a single round of chemotherapy her daughter got sicker and Cory decided to stop the chemo and instead took her daughter to Mexico to receive a drug called Oxylace that was banned in the United States by the FDA. One shot, costing only $100 and Sophie was healthy again.
Asked by a friend to write about her experience with Oxylace in a medical journal, Cory does so. What she had thought of as a harmless letter that few people would ever read, turned out to be anything but harmless.
The letter was brought to the attention of Wellspring Pharmaceutical; the manufacturers of the most prescribed chemotherapy drugs in the U.S.
Once Cory was in their sights and deemed a threat, Cory's life, livelihood and the life of her child all become targets of the powerful drug company.
Cory has to make a hard choice with many negative consequences for her life. Should she stay quiet and do nothing and hope the hubbub will die out? Or, should she fight for what's right?
No matter what she chooses, she has something to lose.
This book is an edge of your seat thrill ride that will have you cheering for the good guys. It is a true David vs Goliath take.
The scariest thing about this book is just how realistic and believable it is. It is immediately apparent to the reader that the author has extensive knowledge about health care in the modern United States. It makes me exceedingly happy that I live in Canada!
This book brings to life the fact that drug companies are using their money and clout to influence the US government. This is SCARY!
"The right of the individual to elect freely the manner of his care in illness must be preserved ... We consider it sheer arrogance to believe that people in government know what's better for the people than they know themselves."
- U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower
This book may be a work of fiction, but I think every American needs to read it and to think about the issues that it brings to light.
I give this book an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars and I believe it is a MUST READ!
I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of Kathy Kale's novel BLACK DEATH IN A NEW AGE. If it is even half as good as HARM, it will be well worth reading.
I received a signed paperback copy of this novel for free through the Goodreads Giveaway program and I am so glad that I did.
My reading tastes are very eclectic. I will pretty much read anything. Sometimes I am in the mood for what I refer to as "fluff"," but often I am looking for something with more substance and depth. It is that depth and intelligence that I found in HARM.
Cory is a single Mom and Research Scientist. Cory hadn't ever given much thought to the FDA or to drug companies until her baby girl, Sophie was diagnosed with cancer.
After a single round of chemotherapy her daughter got sicker and Cory decided to stop the chemo and instead took her daughter to Mexico to receive a drug called Oxylace that was banned in the United States by the FDA. One shot, costing only $100 and Sophie was healthy again.
Asked by a friend to write about her experience with Oxylace in a medical journal, Cory does so. What she had thought of as a harmless letter that few people would ever read, turned out to be anything but harmless.
The letter was brought to the attention of Wellspring Pharmaceutical; the manufacturers of the most prescribed chemotherapy drugs in the U.S.
Once Cory was in their sights and deemed a threat, Cory's life, livelihood and the life of her child all become targets of the powerful drug company.
Cory has to make a hard choice with many negative consequences for her life. Should she stay quiet and do nothing and hope the hubbub will die out? Or, should she fight for what's right?
No matter what she chooses, she has something to lose.
This book is an edge of your seat thrill ride that will have you cheering for the good guys. It is a true David vs Goliath take.
The scariest thing about this book is just how realistic and believable it is. It is immediately apparent to the reader that the author has extensive knowledge about health care in the modern United States. It makes me exceedingly happy that I live in Canada!
This book brings to life the fact that drug companies are using their money and clout to influence the US government. This is SCARY!
"The right of the individual to elect freely the manner of his care in illness must be preserved ... We consider it sheer arrogance to believe that people in government know what's better for the people than they know themselves."
- U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower
This book may be a work of fiction, but I think every American needs to read it and to think about the issues that it brings to light.
I give this book an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars and I believe it is a MUST READ!
I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of Kathy Kale's novel BLACK DEATH IN A NEW AGE. If it is even half as good as HARM, it will be well worth reading.
September 26, 2014
Harm
In these days of health insurance, medical treatments, and exorbitant health care costs, this story reflects the conflicts of individuals facing personal drama. This was specifically targeting a scientist and her daughter. Thank goodness for friends who have similar experiences. Cory Montclair struggles with stress keeping her job, caring for her daughter, managing her finances and hospital expenses, and personal relationships.
I found this book difficult to put down.
In these days of health insurance, medical treatments, and exorbitant health care costs, this story reflects the conflicts of individuals facing personal drama. This was specifically targeting a scientist and her daughter. Thank goodness for friends who have similar experiences. Cory Montclair struggles with stress keeping her job, caring for her daughter, managing her finances and hospital expenses, and personal relationships.
I found this book difficult to put down.
September 29, 2014
Preys on your fears
reminds me of a Danielle Steele novel with much darker undertones. Fear a corrupt politician, fear money grubbing drug companies or fear toxic drugs. All are included in this book. Ending leaves a lot to be desired though.
reminds me of a Danielle Steele novel with much darker undertones. Fear a corrupt politician, fear money grubbing drug companies or fear toxic drugs. All are included in this book. Ending leaves a lot to be desired though.
September 28, 2014
I enjoyed this book, just wish there had been more to the ending. Still a very good read
April 14, 2021
Excellent book
I actually started reading this book on a whim then became so engrossed I could not put it down. The author did a masterful job of creating the sense of desperation, greed, determination, averest, hopelessness, injustice and bribery that take place.
Corey is a single mother with a deathly ill child who will stop at nothing to see that she gets better.
Art is a greedy money grubbing pharmaceutical mogul that will stop at nothing to increase his bottom line. They square off after a supposedly innocent letter to the editor of a Canadian medical journal sparks a firestorm of controversy over the efficacy of approved Chemotherapy medications endorsed by the FDA and those available in other countries that are not endorsed. Art stands to lose billions of dollars and wants Cory destroyed In order to stop her. He threatens her lab, her job, her reputation, custody of her child and her life before the tide turns and Art is finally put in the hot seat. Unfortunately same as in real life, "When money talks justice walks". This story is gripping as well as entertaining and I highly recommend it.
I actually started reading this book on a whim then became so engrossed I could not put it down. The author did a masterful job of creating the sense of desperation, greed, determination, averest, hopelessness, injustice and bribery that take place.
Corey is a single mother with a deathly ill child who will stop at nothing to see that she gets better.
Art is a greedy money grubbing pharmaceutical mogul that will stop at nothing to increase his bottom line. They square off after a supposedly innocent letter to the editor of a Canadian medical journal sparks a firestorm of controversy over the efficacy of approved Chemotherapy medications endorsed by the FDA and those available in other countries that are not endorsed. Art stands to lose billions of dollars and wants Cory destroyed In order to stop her. He threatens her lab, her job, her reputation, custody of her child and her life before the tide turns and Art is finally put in the hot seat. Unfortunately same as in real life, "When money talks justice walks". This story is gripping as well as entertaining and I highly recommend it.
December 17, 2019
Harm
Very interesting and informative content about cancer treatment and the system in place to supposedly protect patients but may instead promote manipulation and abuse of the very people and treatments that is supposed to be helped.
Very interesting and informative content about cancer treatment and the system in place to supposedly protect patients but may instead promote manipulation and abuse of the very people and treatments that is supposed to be helped.
May 17, 2020
This book irked the hell out of me -- because you just know that most of it is based on what really happens in the pharmaceutical industry. Something needs to change -- as this pandemic has pointed out. An interesting story.
August 13, 2021
Surprise ending
This novel kept me interested from beginning to the surprise ending. I can't say it was filled with twists and turns but did have some enlightening information at the beginning of chapters. Again, I'm sitting a little amazed at the ending.
This novel kept me interested from beginning to the surprise ending. I can't say it was filled with twists and turns but did have some enlightening information at the beginning of chapters. Again, I'm sitting a little amazed at the ending.
February 11, 2019
A novel about the sorry state of health care in the US. If this doesn't make you angry, nothing will.
April 1, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this novel yourselves write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley Ma
You people should just read this novel yourselves write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley Ma
February 27, 2017
"Harm" (2014) by Kathy T. Kale presented a promising plot: Scientist Cory Montclaire questions the effectiveness and safety of a drug manufactured by a huge, corrupt pharmaceutical company, causing the company to employ dirty tricks to victimize her. Unfortunately, I disliked the very intelligent but not very smart main character, and absolutely hated the ending. Not recommended.
October 22, 2014
for me this started out slow..wasn't sure if I wanted to continue as i'm used to a lot of action in my reads. I was pleasantly surprised as I kept on where it caught my attention. I was very surprised with the ending I didn't think this would end the way it did. this is a good thinking story in the governmental area... are we really safe in the drugs we take prescribed to us? or is the government organizations really just trying to make an easy buck any way they can and not care about the effects on human life.... makes you wonder.
this is about cory a single mom with an infant who ends up getting leukemia and how when the modern hospital care and chemo failed what lengths she took to get her baby well. unfortunately the big wig drug companies didn't like that and as she speaks her opinion and children keep dying from cancer instead of better one family who tragically lose their child to leukemia and bad chemo drugs. this step takes cory in a search for herself. she ends up losing all because "money talks" . she learns their game and gets her life back . families of lost children start a class action suit to get some justice for bad drugs that were never correctly tested safety wise for children under four. cory is a toxicology scientist and writes a paper comparing the fda approved bad drug to the banned drug that cured her daughter. statistics staggering and the big wig company does everything to crush her.
I would recommend to anyone. I look forward to other novels by this author.
this is about cory a single mom with an infant who ends up getting leukemia and how when the modern hospital care and chemo failed what lengths she took to get her baby well. unfortunately the big wig drug companies didn't like that and as she speaks her opinion and children keep dying from cancer instead of better one family who tragically lose their child to leukemia and bad chemo drugs. this step takes cory in a search for herself. she ends up losing all because "money talks" . she learns their game and gets her life back . families of lost children start a class action suit to get some justice for bad drugs that were never correctly tested safety wise for children under four. cory is a toxicology scientist and writes a paper comparing the fda approved bad drug to the banned drug that cured her daughter. statistics staggering and the big wig company does everything to crush her.
I would recommend to anyone. I look forward to other novels by this author.
December 10, 2014
Single mother faces insurmountable debt after her baby is hospitalized with cancer. She takes her daughter out of the hospital and seeks alternative treatment in Mexico at an unbelievable low fee. Her daughter is cured and she happily writes a glowing letter touting praise for the alternative drug. This innocent act raised the ire of the leading chemo drug company. She owns a big, old but beautiful house and reluctantly takes on a tenant in order to help pay her bills. A romantic relationship blossoms and adds some rich color to the story line, however, the book is missing some oomph. The story didn't seem plausible, the bad characters were not bad enough and the good characters oozed too much sweetness.
I'm glad I read it, the story is informative if nothing but I won't recommend it.
I'm glad I read it, the story is informative if nothing but I won't recommend it.
June 7, 2015
While I liked this book, all the way up until the last page, there were some issues with it. Be prepared for lots of scientific jargon and lots of politics. This is about the pharmaceutical industry, after all, and the role the government plays. However, there are times when the point of the story overshadows everything else and some of the characters, who were just becoming alive, feel wooden again. The information in this story is good, don't get me wrong, but it could have been handled better. The only other thing I didn't like is the ending. I mean, it didn't just stop, it ended, like a road over a cliff and no warning. I won't spoil it, but there was no final wrap up, of tying up of loose ends. It just. Ended.
October 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, as it opened my eyes to some of the crazy things that are happening in the health care system. I will have to do some of my own research, so as to not follow blindly, but if even half of what is mentioned here is true, we have some major work to do as consumers and citizens.
The author has a style of writing that kept me interested, blending the real-life facts with the fictional story of Cory Montclair and her family in a way that didn't feel contrived.
The author has a style of writing that kept me interested, blending the real-life facts with the fictional story of Cory Montclair and her family in a way that didn't feel contrived.
October 5, 2014
This book gets a "3 star" rating for the romantic backdrop and a "5 star" rating for exposing one of the biggest farces ever forged on the American public - the pharmaceutical industry's drive for profit pitted against the noble goal of finding a cure for certain diseases - in this case, cancer.
The author has a PhD in toxicology and it shows. The science incorporated into the novel is understandable, but not overwhelming.
The author has a PhD in toxicology and it shows. The science incorporated into the novel is understandable, but not overwhelming.
October 24, 2014
I'm not sure what to think about this book; very mixed feelings. I liked it but its a tough topic and I would really like to think this isn't possible but it gets one thinking so that makes it a disturbing book. I really wanted a different ending too, I feel like there needs to be more to the ending, like an actual ending. Overall it was a good book, although, I didn't think it was in Cory's character to spill everything to a man she just met, I almost stopped reading when that happened.
January 18, 2016
I just couldn't finish this book. The author has a thinly veiled agenda to apparently paint all drug companies as bad. Some of her decisions seem wrong. for example, I the boarder. she is desperate for money but says having a boarder is impossible. then she gets one way too easily and he is so perfect I found him unbelievable.
A house is the most important thing. and sometimes it feels like more important than her daughter. I got about 30% into the book and was not enjoying the story.
A house is the most important thing. and sometimes it feels like more important than her daughter. I got about 30% into the book and was not enjoying the story.
September 21, 2014
Food for thought
everyone who reads this book should be moved to question
modern medical approaches to cancer treatments. how much is fiction and how much is based on actual statistics? people who have been cured by alternative treatments should stand up and be counted so the truth can be told.
everyone who reads this book should be moved to question
modern medical approaches to cancer treatments. how much is fiction and how much is based on actual statistics? people who have been cured by alternative treatments should stand up and be counted so the truth can be told.
September 15, 2015
From a distance, everything seems fine with the medical profession and its support base of Pharmaceutical manufacturers, Health Insurance companies and Governmental agencies. But is it really so benevolent and transparent as it looks? Kathy Kale's well-written narration of what goes on inside. It will leave you better prepared...
March 14, 2015
great read about politics, corporate greed and the machinations that is the FDA
Intriguing fiction with a tremendous punch of fact regarding the FDA and how much political agendas affect our health, care, choices we have. However, was stunned when the book ended - seemed abrupt and am thinking, hoping there's a sequel.
Intriguing fiction with a tremendous punch of fact regarding the FDA and how much political agendas affect our health, care, choices we have. However, was stunned when the book ended - seemed abrupt and am thinking, hoping there's a sequel.
March 13, 2015
A so so book
I really enjoy medical mystery books. It took a bit to get into the story but I knew it would get better and it did. It was pretty tame until toward the end and then wow hold on to your kindle! Loved the ending. I wanted to read more and continue this story. Maybe there will be another and another. I would definitely want to read them.
I really enjoy medical mystery books. It took a bit to get into the story but I knew it would get better and it did. It was pretty tame until toward the end and then wow hold on to your kindle! Loved the ending. I wanted to read more and continue this story. Maybe there will be another and another. I would definitely want to read them.
December 11, 2016
Vendetta
Although much of this story is true, it is written in a way that seems the author has a point to prove. Many times there is way too much detail trying to explain a situation; other times you jump ahead with no clue what is going on. Interesting topic, and sadly true, but not the best writing.
Although much of this story is true, it is written in a way that seems the author has a point to prove. Many times there is way too much detail trying to explain a situation; other times you jump ahead with no clue what is going on. Interesting topic, and sadly true, but not the best writing.
October 5, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. A lot of the theories presented in this book mirror some of my own thoughts. Although the ending was not exactly what I would have hoped for, it was the only logical ending. A very enthralling medical thriller.
October 15, 2014
Don't waste your time
while there were some interesting quotes at the beginning of each chapter, the characters lacked depth. the story never really went anywhere. the main character, a scientist, had some pretty bad lapses in judgement and was consequently, not believable.
while there were some interesting quotes at the beginning of each chapter, the characters lacked depth. the story never really went anywhere. the main character, a scientist, had some pretty bad lapses in judgement and was consequently, not believable.
March 14, 2015
This book kept me turning pages and wondering .
I liked everything about this book. It kept me in the edge of the chair and gave a lot of food for thought. Although fiction, I found this story to be so close to the scary truth that I may experience a nightmare or two.
I liked everything about this book. It kept me in the edge of the chair and gave a lot of food for thought. Although fiction, I found this story to be so close to the scary truth that I may experience a nightmare or two.
August 12, 2015
Too preachy
As much as I believe medicine could be improved and there is too much cronyism in big Parma and politics, this story was a little over the top in its point of view, in my opinion.
As much as I believe medicine could be improved and there is too much cronyism in big Parma and politics, this story was a little over the top in its point of view, in my opinion.
July 30, 2014
Absolute Genius! Kathy Kale can write!
October 7, 2014
I just felt that this author had something to say about the FDA and its involvement with the drug companies. The story itself was simply a vehicle to do that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews