Ross Pennie Libri

Set on a remote South Pacific island, this narrative follows a medical volunteer's adventures, blending self-deprecating humor with a warm writing style. The author, Pennie, focuses on the captivating stories of diverse individuals—Canadians, Americans, Australians, and aboriginals—highlighting the rich tapestry of human experiences in an exotic locale. Through these interactions, the book explores the beauty of connection and the quirks of humanity against a vibrant backdrop.

Two young doctors discover that an epidemic of teen deaths is linked to illicit, cut-price cigarettes, but government authorities refuse to shut the tobacco operation down because the millionaire masterminding it is an influential Native.

Set against the backdrop of an Indian Ocean cruise, the story follows Dr. Zol Szabo, who hopes to mend family wounds during a vacation. However, the tranquility is shattered when a deadly microbe begins to infect the crew. Dr. Noah Ferguson, the ship's physician, struggles with his own frustrations and the loneliness of his role as he teams up with Zol to uncover the truth behind the illness. As secrets surface and the death toll rises, the tension builds in the isolated environment, where the captain's authority reigns supreme and hidden agendas threaten their survival.

A sudden outbreak of food poisoning at a senior residence prompts Dr. Zol Szabo to investigate, but the source remains hidden as casualties mount. With the threat escalating, he enlists his friend Hamish Wakefield, a specialist in rare microbes, yet they struggle to find answers. It is the astute octogenarians who ultimately reveal the truth behind the deaths—a series of murders disguised as illness. This fast-paced mystery is the second installment featuring Dr. Szabo and his eccentric team of public health detectives.

The story follows Dr. Hosam Khousa, a trauma surgeon who escapes Syria's violence only to face new challenges in Canada. As a refugee, he reluctantly becomes a barber, yearning for his former life, but a brutal murder in his shop pulls him into a dangerous gang conflict. Simultaneously, public health officials confront a deadly outbreak of vaccine-resistant polio in the city. Hosam discovers a crucial lead that could aid the investigation but jeopardizes his chance to reclaim his surgical career, revealing the harsh realities of his new life.