Reviewed by Jason

Dr Carol Severson is a research scientist with a pharmaceutical company. She has developed a treatment for arthritis. Receiving permission from the FDA she begins clinical trials. Due to a mistake in the past she is under heavy scrutiny from her superiors. This new drug his her chance to make good. Will the past be repeated? or Has she discovered the new wonder drug that makes her career?

I can't, in good conscience, give away the ending of a story. If I've piqued your interest, give it a read.

A well structured story, with a strong plot line. It makes a strong statement against corporate irresponsibility, but does so without being preachy.

The characterisation is patchy. At times Carols motivations are clear, well constructed and executed. Then in places she does things for no adequately explained reason. I particularly found this with her actions at the end. After keeping secret aspects of her drug to ensure its development, the successful cover up and her payout, I feel, would drive her to funding her own research rather than precipitate the actions she follows. There is also inconsistency in her relation ship to her superior. At times she behaves as if they are equals and then reacts like a naive undergrad uni student.

The dialogue is a little wooden. Conversations feature too many tags near the start of the story, however they flow better as the story progresses.

The story needs further research into the way clinical trials are conducted. What is described in the story isn't entirely convincing due to it's inaccuracy. There was no mention of control groups receiving placebos.

All this said. The story has a lot of potential. It's based on an interesting idea with a satirical bent. Drug developers beware, some of us are wise to your game.