When I first heard Duxbury’s story in 2004, I thought it was too incredible to be true: a hot biotech invention; two pharmaceutical rivals; a famous crusading attorney and best friends turned whistleblowers racing the clock. Sounded like a good novel.

But in 2007, I learned that Congress and regulators were investigating allegations involving practices of Amgen and J&J, and the risks behind their anti-anemia drugs. I bought a ticket to Washington D.C. and watched as the national crisis unfolded.

I was amazed. Here was a way to explore the dangers and fraud inside America’s dysfunctional health system. And so began the journey to Blood Feud, my new book to be released on September 20.