“For many, relying on a daily pill to relieve pain or reduce anxiety is just part of the routine. Seldom do we consider how much money, time and effort was required to discover and manufacture these little oral remedies. Even under the best circumstances, the tale of how that pill made it to your medicine cabinet is a yarn full of successes and failures; careers made while some destroyed. Now sprinkle that tale with unscrupulous characters dealing in murder, misdirection and malfeasance on and international level and you’ve got the intriguing new novel, “The Pharm House” by first time author Bill Powers.

Powers unlocks the door to the executive wing and highlights the high life of the highly paid who fly first class, use limo services and have unlimited expense accounts. Diversity issues of race, culture and geography intertwined with heavy dosages of corporate politics make the plot identifiable and interesting to a broad spectrum of readers. Powers takes the reader on a journey where big rewards require big risks and ultimately, big sacrifices. And as we go, we also get a lesson on the drug discovery process that supplies us with our medicines of life.

I recommend this experience for both the thrill of the story and the view from the top.”

“WOW! If this is his debut novel, make room on the bestseller lists for Dr. Powers. I could not put it down. Woke up in the middle of the night to read a few more chapters. I had just finished a John Grisham novel (Sycamore Row) and The Pharm House kept up the standards: for plot, pace and prose. Can’t wait until Dr. Powers writes another. I’ll be waiting for it.”

“A real page-turner! The author very cleverly uses his knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry to weave an intricate, action-filled, suspenseful tale of enjoyable reading from beginning to end.”

“Former Pharma executive delivers an excellent medical mystery thriller! Bill Powers really puts the write what you know to another level. “The Pharm House,” is an interesting read as it is a medical mystery thriller; however, with the author having been a pharma executive it is near believable and this makes it all the more riveting.”

“I like the idea of this book, and I applaud the author’s efforts. Unfortunately, my copy of the book was very poorly edited (perhaps it was an early edition?) which was pretty distracting at times. The story itself, while sort of intriguing and creepy, included a fair amount of racial subtext that I found tiresome.”

“I could not put it down. Woke up in the middle of the night to read a few more chapters. I had just finished a John Grisham novel (Sycamore Row) and The Pharm House kept up the standards: for plot, pace and prose. Can’t wait until Dr. Powers writes another. I’ll be waiting for it.”

“I recommend this book to all book clubs. For Mr. Powell’s first novel, he did an excellent job. Male & female would enjoy reading this book. Excellent!”

“A taunt suspenseful thriller that will keep you riveted from beginning to end. Cant wait to see more from this first time author.”

“I have the same last name as the author because he is my brother. So while this relationship has some influence, as an avid reader, I enjoyed this book. The Pharm House bears some similarity to Robin Cook’s books, who writes medical mysteries and introduces us to a corporate plot driven by greed and power. The best review I can give a book, is expressing my regret as I read the last page. In this case I regretted seeing these new characters’ journey come to an end. And very much look forward to the next book with a hope I once again encounter Dorothy and Beth. Two, strong, intelligent and notable southern ladies.

John Grisham defines a good book as “Travel miles in your imagination and never get a blister.” I recommend you travel with this new author.”

“Bill Powers really puts the write what you know to another level. “The Pharm House,” is an interesting read as it is a medical mystery thriller; however, with the author having been a pharma executive it is near believable and this makes it all the more riveting.

Having received a gift Kindle copy – anxious to see this title on store shelves.

The layout and design is cool, and the reading is smooth with little to no grammatical issues. Great author.”

“The author very cleverly uses his knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry to weave an intricate, action-filled, suspenseful tale of enjoyable reading from beginning to end.”

“Great detail on his characters and scenery. They come to life and you get some insight in the powerful world of pharmaceutical companies. The way the authors writes, leaves a movie playing in your head. (That is when you know that you’ve read a good book). I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter. Looking for more from this author.”

“It’s very rare that I encounter a book that is so engrossing that I can’t put it down………this is one of those books! Read it cover-to-cover in 4 days. I can only hope this becomes a series or perhaps a spin-off featuring Dorothy and Beth (hint hint).”

“Silky smooth read. Thrilling right to the end. FORCES reader to think about power of pharmaceutical companies manipulate markets for financial gain. Conversations so natural , you often feel as if you are reading your own thoughts.”

“A winner, a family member confessed that he was so engrossed in reading Dr. Powers’ book, he let his mother’s New Year’s chitterlings burn!”

“Excellent. Well written tale. Good character development and interesting twists”

“A new exciting character is introduced that I hope to meet again. She is beautiful and deadly. And made this thriller almost impossible to put down. If you like powerful, confident and beautiful woman- turn to page one and enjoy.”

“Fantastic book that I really didn’t want to put down. I enjoyed the characters and plot. Great detail and plot makes this a book you will really enjoy! Bill Powers is a novelist that I hope will be producing more books.”

 

MURDER AND INTRIGUE: GREAT SUMMER READING – RECOMMENDED BY Z’SCOOP
by Hampton Rhodes

Treat yourself to some great summer reading with these two books available in both print and e-books by Bill Powers – “The Pharm House” and “The Torch Is Passed.” These page-turners will keep you firmly planted on your beach towel at the shore, or your sleeping sofa on the back porch of your mountain cabin for hours – but it will only seem like a minute!

Almost three years ago, Powers burst onto the fictional writing scene with his first and highly acclaimed novel, “The Pharm House,” which was a finalist in the Medical Thriller category of the 2014 National Indie Excellence Awards. “The Pharm House” introduced readers to the Dr. Nicholas Harding family and a mystery involving malpractice, greed, murder and corruption. A re-edited version was re-issued in September of 2015.

This past year, in 2015, a sequel to the Harding family saga continues in “The Torch Is Passed,” with the challenges of Nicholas’s daughter Andrea who has inherited the family business through the murder of her family. Having just graduated college, Andrea not only has to run the family business, she must also solve the mystery of who would want to kill both her father and her uncle – and why.

In “The Torch is Passed,” emboldened by intriguing new friends and allies, Andrea sets off on an onerous undertaking to find answers – the true answers – of who and why her family has been so viciously attacked as she struggles to preserve the family business.

Mystery, intrigue, big business protectionism, murder, espionage and, yes – even historical politics – are woven into this masterfully told, emotional vortex of action, adventure, redemption and revenge.

According to online book critic Patricia Day’s review of “The Torch Is Passed,” which she gave 5 stars, “This is a fast-paced story of greed, murder, and ambition. Thrown into the mix are characters from the Russian mob, whose cold, calculated methods to annihilate anyone crossing their path leave you breathless, and you have a book that will grab you from the very first page. It is a tale of corporate greed and misguided trust and broken trust. I enjoyed this book very much. There’s a lot of detail, but the characters are strong and you quickly determine whose side you are on. Well written.”

Bill Powers came to authorship from 26 years in pharmaceutical research with the Johnson & Johnson Company in north-central New Jersey. Both his parents were teachers and had great influence on his love of language, communication and story telling. With a Doctorate degree in Toxicology, and this wealth of experience in pharmaceutical research, Powers has morphed himself into a substantial writer of mystery and intrigue adeptly and forcefully crafting well-told stories rife with cunning and the art of the surprise reveal.

Z’Scoop recommends you read both books in order of publication – first “The Pharm House” and then “The Torch Is Passed.” You’ll be glad you did!