Eight Lives

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.

“Gripping storytelling - Australian Women's WeeklyThe plot unfurls as scientific research does - gradually, the pieces of a puzzle assembling one by one as an observer waits in suspense, building upon itself to an unforeseen and riveting conclusion. - The Saturday PaperA cautionary tale of greed and hubris, of inherited violence and the lengths we all go to for family. So many conversations will be started by this breakneck medical thriller. A big debut from a huge literary talent. - JP Pomare”

Gripping storytelling - Australian Women's Weekly

The plot unfurls as scientific research does - gradually, the pieces of a puzzle assembling one by one as an observer waits in suspense, building upon itself to an unforeseen and riveting conclusion. - The Saturday Paper

A cautionary tale of greed and hubris, of inherited violence and the lengths we all go to for family. So many conversations will be started by this breakneck medical thriller. A big debut from a huge literary talent. - JP Pomare

Susan Hurley has worked in medical research and the pharmaceutical industry for more than thirty years. Her research has been published in high profile medical journals like the Lancet and her writing has appeared in Kill Your Darlings, The Australian, The Big Issue, Mascara Literary Review and literary journals, magazines and newspapers. She was shortlisted for the 2017 Peter Carey Short Story Award and Eight Lives, her first novel, was shortlisted for the 2018 UK Caledonia Novel Award. She lives in Melbourne with her husband and labradoodle.

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.

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