Eyre finds a tone for his story. He writes with candor and gravity; a tensile rod of human decency braces every paragraph. He attached himself to this story the way a human fly attaches to a skyscraper, and he refused to let go ... meat and potatoes journalism in a light, sensible broth. There are lawsuits and court fights and public records requests; there is also skulduggery and a mysterious manila envelope dropped into a mailbox. There is unexpungeable grief. It’s the work of an author who understands that objectivity is not the same as bland neutrality. I expect it will be taught to aspiring reporters for many years to come ... demonstrates why local journalism matters, more than ever.
... a highly readable account where events unfold in ticktock and the scenes are set cinematically ... While Death in Mud Lick contains little commentary or interpretation, it raises lots of delicate questions. For example, how to reconcile the structural causes of addiction—poverty, low-paying jobs, social malaise—with personal agency? ... A powerful subtext of the book is the irreplaceable role of local journalism. Not simply to inform—an essential task in itself—but to help serve justice through investigation ... a searing spotlight on the scope and human cost of corruption and negligence.
Based on extensive investigative reporting ... During his reporting, Eyre stumbles upon pill parties in parking lots and exposes inadequate DEA oversight, blatant conflicts of interest, and testimony from drug company executives expressing some remorse but no admissions of guilt for the actions ... Timely and well documented, with appeal to a broad range of readers.
This is an infuriating story, compellingly told, and adds another layer to the reporting of the opioid crisis laid out in Beth Macy’s Dopesick (2018). It is also a tale of compassionate people deeply wronged and a dogged journalist who won’t stand for it.
Eyre eloquently interweaves the story of Debbie’s pursuit of justice on behalf of her brother with his own battles against West Virginia attorney general Patrick Morrisey, whose ties to the pharmaceutical industry called into question his commitment to pursuing the state’s lawsuit ... Packed with colorful details and startling statistics, this page-turning journalistic thriller shines a brilliant spotlight on a national tragedy.
There have been numerous recent books about the opioid crisis...and Eyre covers some of the same ground. However, what distinguishes his book is the author’s emphasis on the massive but nearly anonymous wholesale distributors Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, and McKesson, among others ... Eyre clearly explains how the Drug Enforcement Administration and the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy could have ameliorated the flood of pills but did nothing ... Timely, depressing, engrossing reportage on an issue that can’t receive too much attention.
