"The fifth vial" ("The Fifth Pump") is an exciting thriller by Michael Palmer, in which he tells the story of a giant pharmaceutical concern and a dangerous virus that can kill millions of people. The main character, a young doctor Paige Hunter, finds herself in the center of events when her friend, also a medic, is unexpectedly killed. Paige decides to investigate this crime, getting involved in a grand conspiracy and is forced to fight for her life. This book not only captivates with its tension, but also questions the principles of ethics and morality in the modern world of pharmaceuticals.