Fit to Die

Kalla (The Last High) begins this clever medical thriller with the investigation into the suspected suicide of a young bodybuilder, the son of a U.S. senator who’s convinced the death involved foul play. Before long, more bodies pop up in Los Angeles and Vancouver—including that of Rain, a young pop star—and doctors Julie Rees and Goran Velijkovic suspect they’re all linked, caused by overdosing on a toxin used in WWI trenches. Julie’s boyfriend, Vancouver detective Anson Chen, takes on the case with Cair Garcia of the LAPD, and they come to suspect the toxin is being peddled as a diet miracle cure. But why, and by whom? Kalla’s characters are well-developed across the board, be they victims, heroes, or the long list of suspects. The original and twisty plot helps this taut thriller stand apart. Agent: John Silberstack, Bent. (May)