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Elixir
Dr Frank Garfield has found a cure for cancer, but cut-throat businesses are looking to profit on the research and don't care who they trample over to do so.
Paediatric oncologist Dr Frank Garfield has discovered a genetic cure for cancer that can save his young patients. But his mentor, Nobel Prize laureate Dr Jackson Atlas, believes his research is like blood in the water for profit-hungry drug companies that will twist and weaponize it.
UNICO Pharmaceuticals CEO Leona Lang is desperate to find a new product, and Frank's formula could be the answer. But Jackson is an obstacle. Dalton Lang, Leona's sociopathic son, has been tasked with seducing Frank into joining UNICO. His first steps are to eliminate Jackson and make it look like a burglary.
With Jackson gone, will Frank be persuaded to join UNICO or let his research, which could blow apart the cancer industry, die? The lives of innocent children hang in the balance. Frank can save them . . . but at what cost?
Paediatric oncologist Dr Frank Garfield has discovered a genetic cure for cancer that can save his young patients. But his mentor, Nobel Prize laureate Dr Jackson Atlas, believes his research is like blood in the water for profit-hungry drug companies that will twist and weaponize it.
UNICO Pharmaceuticals CEO Leona Lang is desperate to find a new product, and Frank's formula could be the answer. But Jackson is an obstacle. Dalton Lang, Leona's sociopathic son, has been tasked with seducing Frank into joining UNICO. His first steps are to eliminate Jackson and make it look like a burglary.
With Jackson gone, will Frank be persuaded to join UNICO or let his research, which could blow apart the cancer industry, die? The lives of innocent children hang in the balance. Frank can save them . . . but at what cost?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2020
5 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Charles Atkins
26 books49 followersCharles Atkins
Welcome to my author page. I'm a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and professional speaker.
I write both fiction and nonfiction, including the Barrett Conyors forensic thriller series, the Lil and Ada cozies and urban fantasy with LGBTQ+ protagonists under the pen name, Caleb James. I've written plain-speak books on Alzheimer's and Bipolar Disorder, and textbooks on co-occurring mental health and substance use problems, and opioid use disorders.
In addition to books I've written hundreds of articles, columns, and shorts stories for professional and popular magazines, newspapers, and journals. I've been a regular contributor to the American Medical Association's American Medical News, a consultant to the Reader's Digest Medical Breakthrough series, and my work has appeared in publications ranging from The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) to Writer's Digest Magazine. I've been twice featured in the New York Times, as well as many other publications. In 2019 I wrote a special edition for PARADE on the science of sleep.
I live in Connecticut where I split my time between clinical work, writing and family.
Welcome to my author page. I'm a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and professional speaker.
I write both fiction and nonfiction, including the Barrett Conyors forensic thriller series, the Lil and Ada cozies and urban fantasy with LGBTQ+ protagonists under the pen name, Caleb James. I've written plain-speak books on Alzheimer's and Bipolar Disorder, and textbooks on co-occurring mental health and substance use problems, and opioid use disorders.
In addition to books I've written hundreds of articles, columns, and shorts stories for professional and popular magazines, newspapers, and journals. I've been a regular contributor to the American Medical Association's American Medical News, a consultant to the Reader's Digest Medical Breakthrough series, and my work has appeared in publications ranging from The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) to Writer's Digest Magazine. I've been twice featured in the New York Times, as well as many other publications. In 2019 I wrote a special edition for PARADE on the science of sleep.
I live in Connecticut where I split my time between clinical work, writing and family.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 10, 2020
Pediatric oncologist Dr. Frank Garfield has found what may be the cure for cancer, but his mentor warns him that his work is too dangerous to pursue. The mentor is killed almost immediately thereafter, leaving Frank to be pursued by Big Pharma, who want to turn his research into an unimaginably huge money maker for them. Among those determined to have him is UNICO, run by Leona Lang. How far will Lang and her unusual son go to get him? And will Frank ever get to save the lives of his small patients or meet the man of his dreams?
Elixer starts with a bang, and author Charles Atkins keeps the pace moving and the pages turning. He has developed likable main characters and evil villains. My enjoyment of Elixer was marred, however, by the repeated grammatical errors in the book. As a result, I would rate the book five stars for plot and character development, but two for writing style and accuracy. Nonetheless, recommended.
Elixer starts with a bang, and author Charles Atkins keeps the pace moving and the pages turning. He has developed likable main characters and evil villains. My enjoyment of Elixer was marred, however, by the repeated grammatical errors in the book. As a result, I would rate the book five stars for plot and character development, but two for writing style and accuracy. Nonetheless, recommended.
July 31, 2020
A twisty one for fans of the medical thriller. Dr. Frank Garfield might have the cure for cancer- at least part of it. His mentor Dr Jackson Atlas warns about how his discovery could be misused but then.... he's gone! Big Pharma, in the form of UNICO, helmed by Leona Lang wants that drug, wants it badly and her son Dalton will do anything to get it for her. Some of this is familiar territory (and also over the top) but it's an entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A page turner.
June 19, 2020
In-put-downable excellent read from start to finish
This story gripped from the off with believable characters and a credible story, embracing big bad pharmacy, caring medics, appealing children and a recognisable landscape. With no loose ends, the conclusion was deeply satisfying.
This story gripped from the off with believable characters and a credible story, embracing big bad pharmacy, caring medics, appealing children and a recognisable landscape. With no loose ends, the conclusion was deeply satisfying.
April 27, 2023
Extremely 'tell-don't-show', and strangely shallow for a book with such potentially interesting themes. The only character with genuine charm was six year old Jen, but she sadly couldn't vindicate the sheer ridiculousness of the plot and other characters.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews