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Jon Masters #1
Lethal Medicine
Clinical pharmacist Jon Masters seems to have it all. But still haunted by his days in Special Forces, Jon’s life implodes when evidence found at a murder scene implicates him in an elaborate scheme to distribute a pharmaceutical quality street drug disguised as an experimental medication.
With the help of a trusted army confidante, Jon reenters the world of covert ops and cyber intelligence, and he embarks on a global mission to save his reputation and regain control over his life as he uncovers a complex international conspiracy to redefine the nation’s recreational drug culture.
With the help of a trusted army confidante, Jon reenters the world of covert ops and cyber intelligence, and he embarks on a global mission to save his reputation and regain control over his life as he uncovers a complex international conspiracy to redefine the nation’s recreational drug culture.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2015
About the author
James J. Murray
17 books63 followersJames has experience in both pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical patient management. Medications and their impact on a patient’s quality of life has been his expertise. His secret passion of murder and mayhem, however, is a whole other matter. An obsession with reading murder mysteries and thrillers left him longing to weave such tales of his own. Drawing on past clinical expertise as a pharmacist and an infatuation with the lethal effects of drugs, James creates short stories and novels that will have you looking over your shoulder and suspicious of anything in your medicine cabinet.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 22, 2026
Okay. Seemed a bit choppy.
December 4, 2024
A Lethally Great Read
When a prostitute dies from a lethal overdose, the drug is traced back to Jon Masters and his pharmacy business. A whole can of worms is opened that sees John accused of murder and drug trafficking but he insists he is being framed. The police and the DEA are not listening though thinking they have Jon bang to rights. So Jon has to take matters into his own hands. Pulling on his experience as former special forces and with resources from a well connected friend, Jon goes on a globe trotting quest to find and destroy the drug trafficking ring that has ruined his life. But with assassins in every dark corner, the body count is going up and not knowing who to trust, Jon may lose more than his livelihood. This is a thrilling action packed and fast paced read. The character development is great and there are many twists and turns that will have you wondering who the bad guys are. It is coming to the end of the year and I can safely say this is one of the best reads I have had this year.
When a prostitute dies from a lethal overdose, the drug is traced back to Jon Masters and his pharmacy business. A whole can of worms is opened that sees John accused of murder and drug trafficking but he insists he is being framed. The police and the DEA are not listening though thinking they have Jon bang to rights. So Jon has to take matters into his own hands. Pulling on his experience as former special forces and with resources from a well connected friend, Jon goes on a globe trotting quest to find and destroy the drug trafficking ring that has ruined his life. But with assassins in every dark corner, the body count is going up and not knowing who to trust, Jon may lose more than his livelihood. This is a thrilling action packed and fast paced read. The character development is great and there are many twists and turns that will have you wondering who the bad guys are. It is coming to the end of the year and I can safely say this is one of the best reads I have had this year.
July 30, 2025
Lethal Medicine, by James J. Murray.
A fascinating crime/medical/pharmaceutical drama/thriller. The author certainly knows his subject well. An intricate plot that had me immersed from the first chapter.
Introducing Jon Masters and his wife Gwen, owners of a successful pharmaceutical company. All is well until the police find the dead body of a young woman, Jessica Arredondo, – presumed a nurse or perhaps a part-time prostitute. A lethal overdose of an undetermined drug laced with heroin is found in her body. Could they be looking at a suicide or a murder victim?
Evidence is stacking up against Jon, and when the police arrest him for questioning the plot thickens.
A well-researched and a beautifully written story that reminded me of one of my favourite authors, Dan Brown.
Highly enjoyable. Recommended.
A fascinating crime/medical/pharmaceutical drama/thriller. The author certainly knows his subject well. An intricate plot that had me immersed from the first chapter.
Introducing Jon Masters and his wife Gwen, owners of a successful pharmaceutical company. All is well until the police find the dead body of a young woman, Jessica Arredondo, – presumed a nurse or perhaps a part-time prostitute. A lethal overdose of an undetermined drug laced with heroin is found in her body. Could they be looking at a suicide or a murder victim?
Evidence is stacking up against Jon, and when the police arrest him for questioning the plot thickens.
A well-researched and a beautifully written story that reminded me of one of my favourite authors, Dan Brown.
Highly enjoyable. Recommended.
March 15, 2026
Exciting page-turner
Framed for crimes he didn’t commit, Jon Masters, who has worked hard to overcome his past and build up a successful infusion pharmacy business, must race against time to prove his innocence and nail the real perpetrators. As his carefully constructed life falls apart through no fault of his own, one feels the impotent frustration that compels him to take matters into his own hands with the help of his mysterious friend, Ed. This fast-paced thriller is extremely entertaining, with twists and turns galore, though it’s not without heartbreak. This is the fourth book I’ve read by this talented author, who, informed by his pharmaceutical knowledge, writes consistently unusual plots. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3 in this series.
Framed for crimes he didn’t commit, Jon Masters, who has worked hard to overcome his past and build up a successful infusion pharmacy business, must race against time to prove his innocence and nail the real perpetrators. As his carefully constructed life falls apart through no fault of his own, one feels the impotent frustration that compels him to take matters into his own hands with the help of his mysterious friend, Ed. This fast-paced thriller is extremely entertaining, with twists and turns galore, though it’s not without heartbreak. This is the fourth book I’ve read by this talented author, who, informed by his pharmaceutical knowledge, writes consistently unusual plots. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3 in this series.
May 9, 2025
Husband and wife team Jon and Gwen own a successful pharmaceutical company and live comfortable, happy life, but that is soon turned upside down when Jon is arrested for murder. Then he is investigated for distributing illegal substances, and then the charges just keep on mounting. Everything Jon has worked so hard for is slipping away. Nobody believes his innocence, last of all the police and the DEA.
How can he and Gwen prove their innocence when it seems everything and everyone is against them?
This was an exciting read with a very twisty plot. The story seemed really well researched. Nice short chapters too, which meant it was easy to dip in and out of this novel as time allows.
How can he and Gwen prove their innocence when it seems everything and everyone is against them?
This was an exciting read with a very twisty plot. The story seemed really well researched. Nice short chapters too, which meant it was easy to dip in and out of this novel as time allows.
March 16, 2024
A brilliantly detailed investigative novel from an author who definitely knows his stuff. Like the other book in this series, his knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is detailed. As to be expected, the research is deep and the plot is convoluted in a very nice way—ie, lots of twists and turns. I like how the story is far and wide and how it keeps developing as the story goes on. I have read several books by James Murray, and I have enjoyed each one.
November 1, 2022
Great novel. I would see it being developed into a movie or tv series. Can’t wait to read more from this author and check out his future tv shows to be.
June 27, 2025
This is a brilliant story about medical intrigue and covert intelligence. What makes this thriller stand out is that it covers a lesser-seen area of pharmaceuticals. Many authors write medical thrillers, but not so often from a drug trials and testing perspective. The author's research into the field was impressive. It reads as totally believable. The sharp instincts of the protagonist are shaped by science, as Jon Masters’ background in clinical pharmacy adds a layer of realism that grounds the story, even in the action-packed scenes.
The plot has fast pacing for those who want to get into a story from the first page. We go from unease to pulse-racing danger, pulling readers into data trails and designer drugs. Murray’s handling of Jon’s inner conflict—from a decorated past to a dangerously uncertain present—is introspective and adds balance to the fast novel. Knowledge is a deadly weapon, and trust is earned in the shadows, dark alleys, and corporate offices. How high and how low does this conspiracy go? And who has their hands full of dirty money? Lethal Medicine is a sharp, well-written thriller.
The plot has fast pacing for those who want to get into a story from the first page. We go from unease to pulse-racing danger, pulling readers into data trails and designer drugs. Murray’s handling of Jon’s inner conflict—from a decorated past to a dangerously uncertain present—is introspective and adds balance to the fast novel. Knowledge is a deadly weapon, and trust is earned in the shadows, dark alleys, and corporate offices. How high and how low does this conspiracy go? And who has their hands full of dirty money? Lethal Medicine is a sharp, well-written thriller.
February 7, 2017
Jim Masters and his wife, Gwen, have built a thriving infusion pharmacy business with branches throughout Texas that specializes in delivering its products to homecare customers. A major lift in their business has been their inclusion into a major drug study; however, when one of the nurses who were cleared to pick up supplies of this specialized new drug is found murdered with a Masters IV bag next to her and is revealed to actually be a prostitute, the drug study is uncovered to be part of a complex drug trafficking scheme to deliver high quality heroin into the US, and Jim finds himself framed as a co-conspirator and murderer. Now, using his earlier history in the Special Forces, along with a good lawyer and a well-connected Special Ops friend, Jim seeks to discover the global truth of this heroin smuggling conspiracy in order to clear and protect himself, his wife, and his company in this deadly game. The author has created a very complex and enthralling thriller which quickly brings the reader in. However, the hyped-up conspiracy and heroics begin to be stretched a bit in the second half of the book, creating a small veneer of unreality. At one point, after a roller coaster of action and suspense, a small plot twist seems to undercut the action leading up to it. Still, many action suspense conspiracy thrill lovers have a lot to enjoy in this story.
March 10, 2016
Deserves 10 stars.
This book was positively BRILLIANT. James Murray wrote the most amazing book. This book was a never-ending roller coaster ride full of never ending twists and turns. Put this book on your must read list. You won't be disappointed.
This book was positively BRILLIANT. James Murray wrote the most amazing book. This book was a never-ending roller coaster ride full of never ending twists and turns. Put this book on your must read list. You won't be disappointed.
March 22, 2016
Excellent
What a fascinating interesting read. Characters good, plot good, only problem would be how to catch up on sleep now.
What a fascinating interesting read. Characters good, plot good, only problem would be how to catch up on sleep now.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews