Author: Susan Hurley
Publisher/Year: Affirm Press/2019
Publisher Description
A brilliant young doctor is dead … and someone has to take the blame.
Former refugee David Tran becomes the Golden Boy of Australian medical research and invents a drug that could transform immunology. Eight volunteers are recruited for the first human trial, a crucial step on the path to global fame for David and windfall gains for his investors. But when David dies in baffling circumstances, motives are put under the microscope.
With its origins in a real-life drug trial that ended in tragedy, Eight Lives is told from the perspectives of David’s friends, family and business associates, who all played a role in his downfall.
A smart, sophisticated thriller that explores power, class and prejudice, Eight Lives will keep you engrossed until the last page.
WINNER 2020 DAVITT AWARDS – BEST DEBUT BOOK
Judges: Karina Kilmore, Philomena Horsley, Bec Kavanagh, Pauline Meaney, Debbie Stephen and Moraig Kisler
Judges’ Comments
Eight Lives is a ground-breaking medical thriller which was also shortlisted for best novel, a tremendous achievement by a highly skilled debut writer. This thoroughly researched and stunning debut, blends fact and fiction. The novel documents a drug test gone horribly wrong and its effects on the lives of eight very different people. Eight Lives contains enough plot twists to mislead the most avid crime reader, with an unexpected kick-arse ending.