Double Blind

The quality of this novel belies the fact that it is the product of an author in his first book. Not only is it well written but it’s fascinating storyline kept me intrigued to the end. Behind the interplay of the central characters, the author provides an experienced insight into the complexities of the Pharma industry and the stringent testing processes to which a new product is subjected prior to its launch. Double Blind is a most enjoyable and meaningful read.

Highly recommend this novel to anybody interested in understanding some of the complexities associated with medical drug approvals. John combined his tremendous pharmaceutical and business experience to produce a compelling crime thriller. I can see this becoming a blockbuster movie!

This is an enthralling novel -- it's a combination of the mystery and thriller genres that becomes a real page-turner as the story progresses. The principal characters and their development are expertly portrayed, and the plot is an ingenious interplay of their relationships and the twists and turns of their lives as research on a life-saving drug goes inexplicably awry. The locations switch among South Africa, the UK, Hong Kong, and Russia, adding an exotic background to the tale. I read this novel at a single sitting on a long-haul plane flight, and I must say I have never enjoyed spending so many hours in a plane so much! An incidental bonus is that the author, who has intimate knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, unobtrusively fills us in on some practices, politics, and secrets of the business, so I learned much from this novel too. This is apparently John Bartlett's first novel. It's a splendid read and I look forward to his next.

If you like intriguing thrillers then this book is for you. Some fascinating characters appear in this very well researched book. The reader is given an insight into the complexities and challenges of the pharmaceutical industry. The writer's craft is demonstrated as the various strands of the story come together in an exciting conclusion. All in all a jolly good read and compliments to this 'first time author'. I hope there will be a sequel.

An excellent story line with credible characters making it a very enjoyable and recommended read.