{"product_id":"viatical-9780595350285","title":"Viatical","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Blair Fernau\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: iUniverse\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: iUniverse\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Thrillers - Suspense\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe insurance industry borrowed the Latin word, viaticum -- meaning provisions for a journey -- and created financial products called \u003ci\u003eViatical\u003c\/i\u003e settlements, allowing the terminally ill to sell their life insurance. Investors who bought these policies realized a great return while helping the sick gain money for their final days. But the returns were not guaranteed -- if the dying lived longer than expected investors lost money.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ci\u003eViaticals\u003c\/i\u003e bet how long someone lives. The faster they die, the better the rate of return. When millions are at stake, it's a prescription for murder. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The protagonist of \u003ci\u003eViatical\u003c\/i\u003e is a young doctor managing an experimental drug program promising to extend the lives of dying AIDS patients. When a terminal but stable patient with a large life insurance policy dies inexplicably and suddenly, everyone involved in the patient's life is suspect. Was it a mercy killing or murder for money? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e A beautiful viatical broker befriends the doctor. Seduced and charmed, the doctor ignores conflicts of interest and finds himself in a precarious position when he discovers the beautiful woman's links to wealthy, mob-connected investors. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e As he sorts out where true allegiances lie, the doctor's dangerous search for answers reveals more about himself than he knew as the suspenseful end of \u003ci\u003eViatical\u003c\/i\u003e unfolds in the streets of Washington, DC.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"iUniverse","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45154734243991,"sku":"9780595350285","price":1035.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9780595350285.webp?v=1767300334","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/viatical-9780595350285","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}