Rating: 
Summary: Techno-bablephobes listen up! This book is still for you!
Review: Tired of the same old mystery novel? Bored with clue-esque who-dun-its that gives away the killer before you get through chapter 2? If so, have a look at Pharmacology is Murder by Dirk Wyle. Don't let the thought of "techno babble" scare you away: this book has something for everyone to connect with.Our hero, Ben Candidi finds himself roped into an undercover investigation of an atypical murder. While we discover such profound things as HPLC, the potency of cobra venom, and why proteins aren't orally active, the author explains each concept with the grace and accuracy of a well-seasoned professor. I doubt that anyone would come away from this book saying "What on earth was the author talking about?" The setting for this James Bondish tale takes place in sultry Miami, described all too well by the author on multiple occasions. The author's love for and knowledge of his residence shines through as he describes the beauty of an oceanic sunset, the heat of an August midday, and the gentle rocking of a cove wave against the sides of a steadfast sailboat. The tale's characters are no less vibrant. Each come to life and truly has substance beyond just the necessary characteristics to fulfill their role in the story. Ben and his love Rebecca so came to life for me, that upon running into a 30-something man and his date at a restaurant one evening, I indeed saw them as Ben and Rebecca. The professors at Bryan Medical School are no less forgettable. From Dr. Johnson, the laser-crazed to the stern and tight-lipped Dr. Stampawicz down the hall, each professor was so realistic, they reminded me of professors I once knew. I highly recommend that anyone who enjoys a good book or figuring out a mystery to read Pharmacology is Murder. Even if you're not a biologist or PhD chemist, it is easy to pick this book up and become enthralled with it due to the author's elegant weaving of technical subtleties with an outstanding plot, intricate descriptions, and characters that leap out of the pages of the book into real life.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable, plausible, interesting intro to academic life
Review: When I read a mystery novel, I hope for: 1. Clever plot, good writing, and an enjoyable waste of time. 2. To learn about a place or time I don't know much about. 3. Interesting characters, a bit of real literature I bought this book to read on an airplane, and it kept me enjoyed. I already know about life in a Pharmacology dept., so I didn't learn anything new. But I think someone who doesn't know much about academic life would enjoy learning about Pharmacology (and wouldn't be mislead). I didn't expect this book to be literature, but in fact the characters are well written and deep, way more than the average mystery novel. I look forward to reading the sequel.
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