Anthony Lee’s new thriller follows Dr. Mark Lin as he investigates malevolent business interests endangering his patients.

On his hospital rounds, Mark meets Hector, a new patient who, though only 29, is suffering from kidney failure. Hector’s sister shows Mark a jar of Motileaf, an herbal supplement Hector was taking to help with weight loss. Mark’s suspicions are piqued when another patient, this time an elderly woman, arrives with damage to her liver and arteries. She, too, has been taking Motileaf.

Meanwhile, Mark encounters a new weight loss drug called Naxipil, which seems to be causing adverse effects in other patients. But that doesn’t stop two pharmaceutical reps from trying to bribe Mark into prescribing it.

Mark decides to investigate both substances. He shuttles among visiting ethnic health markets that carry Motileaf, attends a continuing education seminar sponsored by Naxipil’s developers, and conducts industrial espionage. But someone wants him to quit investigating — and is willing to kill to make him stop.

As the story unfolds, a major focus is the relative lack of regulation of herbal supplements (as opposed to pharmaceutical drugs), a timely and interesting subject. But by focusing on a traditional pharma company’s malfeasance as well — a topic already well-covered in thrillers— Lee dilutes this more salient aspect of the story. The two plot strands do come together, but in a way that strains credulity and borders on camp.

In addition, the narrative is awkwardly paced. An inordinate amount of space is devoted to accounts of Mark’s meals, extended small-talk exchanges that would be better summarized in a sentence or two, and physical descriptions of extremely minor characters. The bursts of action and intrigue interspersed in this kind of material feel abrupt by comparison.

Although Poison Pill’s doctor sleuth and topical subject have potential, greater narrative focus in subject matter and pacing would increase its appeal in the crowded thriller market.

Also available as an ebook.