Always Read the Label

by Mark Robinson

A new wonder drug, AP:10, promises to rid the user of their anxiety for two hours by switching their brain and body to autopilot.

After his wife leaves him, Dan Wilson swallows enough of these pills to get him through the night. The next morning, he wakes up in bed with his neighbour, a dead body downstairs and no idea how he got there.

Following a string of similar unexplained deaths linked to the drug, podcaster Nadia Long decides to investigate and confront the man behind the drug and deaths on her series. But, before the final episode is uploaded, Nadia goes missing.

This second instalment of The Last Podcast series delves into unexplained deaths, botched drug trials, religious death cults and the power of late night infomercials. Whatever you do, always read the label.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Terry and dog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was a trippy little story. It is the second in the series, this one has a different feel, I don't think you need to have read the first book to read this, but of course it is usually a good idea to read the first one first, and there are a couple of characters in both books. It was a very interesting and disturbing story of some nasty people that manipulate others to do their bidding. Not good bidding. The drug AP:10 seems good but as with most drugs there is a dark side. Don't do drugs kids. A good, creepy read.

[Adam Hulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it really interesting that Robinson chose the umbrella of the podcast featured in book 1 to be the glue of the series rather than the narrative directly following on. It's a gamble, but it definitely paid off and makes for a refreshing take. Later in the story, there are moments that smartly tie in with the characters and narrative from book 1, but Always Read The Label functions strongly on its own. One thing that is evident in both books is that Robinson has the ability to write very well in a somewhat relaxed manner. It's a real skill to keep things simple and yet still entertain the reader, and I think this is where the author flourishes. Normal people in situations which are far from it. There's a classic style here, which, although Robinson admits is a nod to X-Files and The Twilight Zone, actually feels more like a British detective series. Structure and dialogue are fairly traditional, which allows the concept to have a larger impact when shocks occur. Think Black Mirror. More to come from this writer, and I look forward to it.

[Sarah Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I raced through this, and I did the same with the author's first book. What you have here, are flawed characters, some with no redeeming qualities at all and some with, which makes them feel extremely alive and realistic. There is almost a psychological aspect to the writing, as in, the characters manipulate, deceive, use others, etc. I think the author is a person who has seen the darker aspects of humanity clearly and it shows.
AP:10, never would I touch a drug like that, but if it existed, I believe many would give it a try.
Great unique plot, and clever writing. There is nothing not to enjoy and my complaint is this, I need books 3 and 4 and 5 now.

[Sally Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

AP:10 The wonder drug....... I think not!

What does this book have you may ask, Well to start a loving couple dan and Steph that truly care for each other but the curse of AP:10 tries to break them, secondly a crazy ass bitch neighbour Jane that is only interested in AP:10 to rid her of her brut of a husband, there is Matt who sees him self as a scientist with his little experiment only one of his mice has gotten away, Nadia long and her podcast brings more trouble for poor Sarah and then to top it all Randell.....

You have done it again Mark, yet another jolly good book.

[Paige Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Always Read the Label” is quite different from “Dead Close”(the first book) this can certainly be read as a standalone. In this story there is a drug called AP:10 that is memory loss inducing. There’s characters in this story using this drug for different effects based on their own personal intentions behind it. Mark did a lovely job writing this conspiracy thriller. It was packed with plenty of action and Jane’s character was intense and WILD. 😳👀

Thanks Mark, for the digital copy. I enjoyed it!