Rx for Murder

Pharmacy Sleuth #1

by Renee B. Horowitz

What did his prescription records reveal to convince pharmacist Ruthie Kantor Morris that Harry Stokes's death was murder? Soon Ruthie finds she must unmask the murderer or become the next victim.

Genres: Mystery

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Deanie Nelder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rx for Murder is an odd cozy mystery, since the MC, pharmacist Ruthie Kantor Morris, isn't actively trying to solve the crime, even when the police suspect her. Instead, she's largely passive throughout the whole novel, dispensing advice sometimes like a middle-aged Miss Marple (without the detective acumen). The characters lack depth, and the plot is predictable. The writing isn't bad, but this book had the potential to be much better.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the murder of a veteran reporter David Pine, amateteur sleuths Bea Middleton and Lucy Vega are drawn into the likely reason for his death: an in-progress story about big pharma selling generic medicine with little or no active ingredients to the poorest countries, states and counties.

The core of the potential Big Pharma scandal is sleazeball Brandon Doyle. A former LA prosecutor now running for Senate, the deceased reporter not only had him linked to the drug scandal, but also for sexual abuse for minors. In Doyle, author Sue Hinkin has created a villian that readers will simply love to hate.

Pine was so convinced his life was in danger that he dropped a thumb drive with mountains of material to a confidante just hours before his death. Horrified at the thought of more people suffering and dying, and at the thought of Pine’s murder going unsolved, Bea and Lucy get hold of the data – some of which will require the assistance of a Chinese translator – and decide to go undercover.

While Hinkin’s followup to The Mermaid Broker reveals much of the villainy in the book’s early chapters, she creates sweat-inducing tension through the substantial risks her heroines take to right a global wrong. Along the way, Bea and Lucy prove their savvy at persuading others to put their lives on the line as well (Lucy: “This isn’t a movie starring one of your clients. This is the real deal. No theme music, no popcorn, just messy possibilities”).

Those risks are amplified by the humanity Hinkin brings to the duo. That’s especially true for Lucy, an Emmy winner who also teaches photojournalism at Santa Monica High School – all while being a mother. Adding to the considerable weight on her shoulders, Lucy is faced with a personal dilemma that forces her to choose between her life in LA and a new one in New York. The decision adds stress to her friendship with Bea, who becomes increasingly emotional by the possibility of her BFF leaving for good (“I have two exes that’re history, kids who have moved on, and now my best friend is abandoning me”). While Hinkin’s mystery is gripping enough on its own terms, Bea and Lucy’s personal lives take center stage in this poignant story about friendship and loyalty that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next series installment.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelf for more than a year. My mother-in-law had given it to me and I just hadn't gotten around to reading it yet. But I'm glad I finally did. The plot is fairly straight-forward with the sleuth this time, a practicing pharmacist. The pharmacy scenes are very realistic based on my own experience working in similar settings. Also, I have spent some time in Scottsdale and Tuscon and so felt comfortable with the realism. The mystery itself seemed to me to be somewhat predictable, though I won't give away any plot points. Worth the read, especially for the pharmacy angle.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widowed pharmacist, Ruthie Morris, is surprised when one of her long time customers, elderly Harry Stokes drops dead. His medical conditions seemed to be under control and he had a new young wife. His children point the finger at the new wife. Everyone involved wants to see his medication records. As Ruthie and her friend, Denise, begins discussing the possibilities for murder they fall under suspicion as well. When another death, one closer to home, occurs, Ruthie starts questioning everyone's connections, including an old boyfriend who appears on the scene. This was satisfying cozy mystery.

[Stacei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book

This was a fast easy read. I did suspect the "bad guy" early on, but there were tons of red herrings thrown into to the mix. This is a good clean mystery. I plan to read more in this series.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy read, good plot