Author's Commentary
This novel was partly inspired by a lecture I recall from medical school: an overview of major herbal treatments, presented by a pharmacology professor as a deviation from lectures covering the world of pharmaceutical drugs. It opened my eyes to complementary and alternative medicine and its various differences from conventional medicine, such as those related to regulatory government oversight. Many years later, I still noticed the two types of medicine remaining distinct from one another, then imagined Dr. Mark Lin solving two medical mysteries encompassing those conflicting forms of medicine. (Fun fact: Poison Pill was originally planned as my second novel, but the urgency of Toxic Minds pushed it to book three.)
I could've written a novel focusing only on an herbal supplement or only on a pharmaceutical drug, but that would not let me illustrate the differences between the two industries. For example, herbaceuticals don't really have strict ingredient control, while pharmaceuticals are notorious for aggressive marketing in the form of direct-to-consumer ads on television and pharma sales representatives influencing physicians' prescribing practices. In this story, Mark investigates whether two different pills have dangerous side effects concealed from the public, all while navigating parts of their distribution chains. The more that Mark witnesses the consequences of those pills, the more hellbent he is in going after their makers.
Mark Lin is still the intelligent yet cynical physician that readers have come to know in Doctor Lucifer and Toxic Minds. But interestingly, Poison Pill may feel a bit less action-packed than the previous two books. While those earlier novels have explosive moments with frequent medical crises, this novel tones that down slightly but definitely places the element of mystery front and center. This allows Mark to demonstrate investigative skills that, for once, are not spurred by urgency. In addition, while he continues to be a relentless medical crusader, this story reveals more of Mark's innocent and softer side that had been repressed for so long.
This is a good time to mention the secondary character in this story who played a major role in shaping Mark's persona. After previously being mentioned only in passing, Mark's father appears in this series for the first time as a live character on the page. I enjoyed bringing him to life in this book and further exploring a father-son dynamic. I won't say any more about Mark's father because it is best for readers to discover the character themselves. Meanwhile, one other secondary character deserves mention: Robbie Dickerson, the 500-pound patient under Mark's care. I created him as an opportunity for Mark to show humanity with a severely obese individual, as well as a way to counter fat-shaming that still occurs in society.
Like my previous books, this one contains various themes for readers to notice. Given that herbaceuticals and pharmaceuticals are like conflicting cultures of medicine, I thought it would be interesting to represent a few different cultures in the novel, including certain Asian ethnicities. Tied closely with the theme of culture is the theme of family. This is definitely evident when a medical crisis impacts not just the patient but also the patient's family. Lastly, blood is a theme that is mentioned in the book's opening line and recurs throughout the novel, in both medical and nonmedical contexts.
Like my previous books, this medical thriller works on three levels. In terms of plot, it is a dual medical mystery that leads to unexpected revelations. In terms of character focus, Mark Lin is fueled by determination to uncover the truth, while also facing personal crisis and learning more about who he is. And in terms of themes, the topics I mentioned above ultimately remind us to seek common humanity with one another. Poison Pill is another medical thriller novel that I feel can elevate the genre from simple plot-centered tales to complex multi-layered stories, something for readers to think about after finishing the last page, beyond experiencing a quick thrill ride.
For my commentaries on the book series as a whole and other specific novels I have written, follow this link.
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