House
on Fire by Joseph Finder brings back private investigator
Nick Heller. This story of greed and family dynamics follows
the relatives who have a vested interest in a pharmaceutical
company that manufactures Oxycontin and Oxycodone. Finder
brilliantly explores how these drugs can be addicting, but
also shows the other side, those patients that need the pills
to cope with their pain.
“I wanted to show how serious a crisis is the Opioid
addiction. I did want to show both sides. It is perfect for
veteran Nick Heller. Because of his military background, he
would know people who the Opioid crisis has affected. The
problem is that someone who stops taking Opioids and then
starts up again can overdose. They will not be used to taking
the same amount as they had before. Nick is unsure if Sean
died from a suicide or relapsed. I spoke with a couple of
Special Forces personnel and those who treat vets to get it
right, but also make the story feel real.”
The story opens with Nick receiving devastating news: his
old army buddy Sean has died of an overdose. Sean, who once
saved Nick’s life, became addicted to opioids after
returning home wounded from the Afghanistan war. While at
the funeral, Nick is approached by one of the daughters, Susan
Kimball, who wants him to find a devastating piece of evidence
that shows her family’s pharmaceutical company knew
the drug was addictive. Posing as her latest boyfriend, he
attends a family gathering at the Kimball estate, where Conrad
Kimball supposedly has the only copy of the Oxycontin and
Oxycodone drug trial that was buried because of its explosive
contents. While there, Nick runs into one of his old flames
who was hired to find the matriarch’s will. Nothing
goes as planned, and to make matters worse after someone is
killed, Nick realizes that the family members will do anything
to protect their dynasty.
This thrilling plot has readers on the edge of their seats
as the tension increases with each page. Although all of Finder’s
books are captivating, the Nick Heller stories seem to be
a notch above.
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