Tampered: A Dr. Zol Szabo Medical Mystery

In Pennie's less than compelling second medical mystery featuring Canadian public health official Dr. Zol Szabo (after 2009's Tainted), Szabo's Hamilton, Ont., unit is on the hot seat after the residents of Camelot Lodge, an upscale retirement residence, start to die from an unknown disease. The pressure builds when the prime minister's aunt falls victim as well. His team's best efforts prove unsuccessful at identifying who's responsible for the tainted food served at Camelot. Meanwhile, too many pages go by before a possible criminal element enters the mix. Szabo's attractive significant other, PI Colleen Woolton, again plays a prominent part in the investigation, though her character remains undeveloped. A remark Szabo makes early on, "Nothing in public health was so important it couldn't wait fifteen minutes," may trouble those who expect a physician in his position not to have such a relaxed attitude. (May)