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Poison Pill (2013)

by Glenn Kaplan(Favorite Author)

2.89 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0765336901 (ISBN13: 9780765336903)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Forge Books

review 1: Perhaps I was mislead in desiring a novelization of Michael Mann's incredible movie The Insider with the appropriate twists and tweaks, with the real meat of the story resting on the fulcrum of balancing family values and the heroic defense of the truth, but Poison Pill served nothing in the way of atmosphere, as does the grit of Mann's film, or complex characterization, as does Crowe's whistleblower, or any of the other fringe delicacies of Pacino's circumventing arc. I didn't particularly care about any of the characters, though I applaud a solid concept and extremely eye-catching trade-paperback jacket. I don't know how many times I walked by Poison Pill in the supermarket, but every time I did, my eye went straight to its graphic simplicity and perhaps it's my fault as... more a visualist that expected a moody conspiracy with a compelling lead character torn apart by doing the right thing.
review 2: Viktor Volkov is a user, he uses anyone to get want he wants and is not averse to using bribery, blackmail and even murder if necessary. A Russian oligarch, he seeks approval and acceptance from those in power, but wants more - always more. This time he is behind a takeover bid for a pharmaceutical company, Percival & Baxter, in search of a chemical compound to further increase his wealth. His methods are more than unethical, as he 'arranges' for one of the company's current best selling products to be poisoned and thus causing deaths and fear amongst both the general public and the shareholders. As a result, the stock tumbles and allows him to bid for the company at a heavily reduced price. However, the deal is being fronted by the ex-husband of the current CEO, himself a victim of blackmail and reluctant to sink to the depths required by the power-crazed Volkov. This leads to cracks appearing in the bid process, which are discovered eventually by the technical team at the company, but not before Volkov's own daughter turns against him. She has witnessed his dealings many times, but when he forces his will on her life, she is beyond enraged and sets out to destroy him herself. The story has all the ingredients of a great mystery, although maybe it could be too predictable in its stereotypes. There is plenty of animosity on all sides, but Volkov's mistake lies in his own belief that he has full control of the situation. When he interferes in his daughter's life and takes the decision to terminate her pregnancy against her will, he unwittingly seals his own fate. As a young woman of immense wealth, accustomed to consorting with people in authority, she is able to dismantle his empire with the help of a fellow rich kid, Peter, who just happens to be the son of the CEO and the blackmailed frontman. Peter is seduced into helping her, his typical teenage lifestyle has been filled with video games and computers, giving him the skills to hack into his mother's company and get evidence to incriminate Volkov. His only concern is to clear his father of any blame.All in all, the plot has many interesting and unexpected elements, it flows quickly and creates plenty of suspense. At times, it does seem a little far-fetched and the findings made by Peter come a little too easily. However, it's a fascinating story of good versus evil and shows how fragile the familial ties can be when stretched to the limits. less

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