Pharmacology Is Murder [Paperback]

Dirk Wyle (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

" . . . For a first-time novelist, Wyle demonstrates a breezy style, a flair for drawing vivid and memorable characters with just a few deft strokes, and a genuine ability to present complicated information in terms a dummy like me can almost understand . . . (the author) obviously has a fondness for the nuances of conversation and gesture typically found in British mysteries of the classical tradition. . . . That's okay, we don't mind a little Agatha Christie mixed in with our tougher American cousin of the genre . . . but his style is accessible . . . and the ending delivers the required dosage of tension and action . . . an interesting read and a promising debut for Dirk Wyle in the genre." -- Joe Lofgreen, Internet Reviewer

". . . amazed at the author's ability to create tension, introduce a little love-making along the way, and tell a good mystery story at the same time." -- Kathie Nuckols Lawson, BookBrowser

"A first novel, Pharmacology Is Murder is . . . an interesting read, the murder involving, and the characters well presented. It is far more than just a *mystery,* it depicts the evolution of a young man's life. Congratulations, Mr. Wyle, I'm expecting your literary star to shine in the same firmament as Michael Crichton's." -- Under the Covers Book Reviews

"A pleasant surprise . . . an area of detective fiction that has not been exploited (. . . this one really goes high tech about an undectable poison in a very plausible way). The protagonist comes across as a very likable person and given all the behind-the-scenes detection in the arcania of pharmacology, some violence does happen often enough and in the right places." -- Grobius, America Online

"An exhilarating trip through Coconut Grove, Miami, and the clear waters of the Bahamas just like being there. The murder motive is traditional but the method anything but that. Here's a murder mystery with the intellectual, educated appeal of a Michael Crichton story. The perfect mystery for readers interested in science, medicine, sailing, South Florida and suspense." -- Publisher's Report

"Collectors should jump on this oneit's a small print run first novel from a small press, by an author with a promising future. It isn't a 'wham-bam thank you ma'am' but a good solid interesting mystery in the traditional style of literate storytelling. This is the first of a series featuring Ben Candidi . . . Ben's voice is distinct and fun. He can laugh at himself as well as philosophize about the human condition. The prose is very smooth and intelligent. Explains biochemical terms and the significance of biochemical interactions without being pedantic or slowing the story . . . I read it straight through, as slowly as I could manage." -- Sharon Villines, Manhattan, Archives of Detective Fiction

"Dirk Wyle has produced an informative mystery novel. His dialog would delight even Charlotte MacLeod. His characters are well delineated, and the time spent reading the novel is actually educational rather than 'killed.' . . . The introduction is clear, concise and doesn't give away the plot. I wish all books had such a great introduction. The plot flows linearly without all the backflashes that many mysteries confuse us with. What a relief! Wyle takes delightful advantage of his Miami and Bahamian settings. The book is as good as a Florida vacation. Perhaps we have a successor to Travis McGee in Ben Candidi, the bemused protagonist. We await the next Candidi novel." -- Sandra Weinhardt, Magna Cum Murder Convention Webmistress

"Pharmacology Is Murder is one fine debut mystery, combining scientific method with a quirky, humanistic scientist/detective and resulting in the perfect compound. It's inventive, intriguing, and, most importantly, evocatively drawn. If you like a puzzle, you'll love this one." -- Les Standiford, author, Presidential Deal

"This is a refreshingly wonderful book. The reader will step into the scientific world, the Mensa Society, be led down a heady path of suspense, and witness in our main character an emergence of love and vulnurability." -- Linda Tharp, The Snooper newsletter, Snoop Sisters Bookstore, FL, 5/98

From the Publisher

PHARMACOLOGY IS MURDER is Rainbow's first mystery fiction book; and we're so impressed with Dirk Wyle's work that we'll be publishing the sequel, BIOTECHNOLOGY IS MURDER, in 1999. While the science in PHARMACOLOGY IS MURDER is impressive and fascinating Wyle has the ability to allow the novice to understand and follow along this is an impressive book on several levels. Wyle's ability to build characters, atmosphere, and empathy is truly impressive. Most mystery novels are too often lacking in these qualities. But not PHARMACOLOGY IS MURDER. This is more than an innovative murder. It is about people in a special time and place who come alive before your very eyes. Wyle knows how to begin, sustain, and end a novel. He gets off to a swift start with all the elements required to hook a reader; and the conclusion is a killer, though the killer has already been caught. In fact, the closing is so effective and real, it brings tears to the reader's eyes, and all as the result of what has transpired in this almost flawless drama. PHARMACOLOGY IS MURDER carries with it the beauty of a well-written novel. Cheers to Dirk Wyle, and best regards to his main character and sleuth, Ben Candidi, one of the most engaging and attractive sleuths I've met in a very long time as a dedicated devotee of mystery fiction." -- Betty Wright, Publisher, Rainbow Books, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 385 pages
• Publisher: Rainbow Books (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156825038X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568250380
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,129,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers > Medical

More About the Author

Dirk Wyle's mystery-thrillers play out against an authentically rendered backdrop of biomedical science. His stories are informed by a long scientific career that included a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, postdoctoral work in Germany and service as a medical school professor in Miami ("Google" Duncan H. Haynes). He conducted research in abnormal blood coagulation and drug delivery and invented a drug microencapsulation technology (searchable at www.uspto.gov) which led to the founding of three companies employing approximately 65 people. Countless story ideas came as a byproduct of that quest, and eventual commercial success gave him leeway to create the Ben Candidi mystery-thriller series. Believing there are no stone walls separating the realms of popular science, serious literature, formal mystery and cliff-handing suspense, Dirk Wyle has created stories that play out in all four arenas. Protagonist Ben accepts "straightforward scientific" projects which quickly turn perplexing, mysterious and then sinister. With the help of fiancee Rebecca Levis, world health physician, Ben solves the mystery just before the bad guys (and gals) strike back. Like his protagonists Ben and Rebecca, Dirk Wyle does not regard work and play as necessarily separate activities. He enjoys researching the books' exotic locations, which include the waters of South Florida, the Bahamas and the Brazilian Amazon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning Chemistry Painlessly!, November 12, 2001

By 

Dr. Arno F. Spatola (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pharmacology Is Murder (Paperback)

I was so impressed with this book that I have decided to add it to my reading list for a senior/graduate student Chemistry course. While I also assign a more traditional text for my "Organic Chemistry of Drug Design" class, I thought this mystery would be a fun way to reinforce certain principles of biomedical science including analytical methods, peptide and protein stabilities, and basic deductive reasoning.
I think most college students will love following the path of Ben Candidi as he enters graduate school, meets every stereotypical professor you can think of, and learns that no field is immune from its characters, petty jealousies, and intrigue. It's far more believable than a typical 007 yarn, and yet is just as entertaining. Dirk Wyle followed this up with two more books, including the late 2001 release of "Medical School is Murder", surely an aptly titled tome if ever there was one. I look forward to more such fun from this clever and talented author.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, plausible, interesting intro to academic life, April 10, 2001

By 

Harvey Motulsky (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pharmacology Is Murder (Paperback)

When I read a mystery novel, I hope for: 1. Clever plot, good writing, and an enjoyable waste of time. 2. To learn about a place or time I don't know much about. 3. Interesting characters, a bit of real literature

I bought this book to read on an airplane, and it kept me enjoyed. I already know about life in a Pharmacology dept., so I didn't learn anything new. But I think someone who doesn't know much about academic life would enjoy learning about Pharmacology (and wouldn't be mislead). I didn't expect this book to be literature, but in fact the characters are well written and deep, way more than the average mystery novel.

I look forward to reading the sequel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Organic Chemistry of Drug Design is Murder, April 21, 2002

By 

Hakeem Olajuwan (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pharmacology Is Murder (Paperback)

This book has the intelligent taste of a good mystery novel with a good spanking of steamy romance. The book is more easily digested if a background knowledge of chemistry and biology, but it does not preclude those who haven't. A must read for any quick wits out there!