In Chicago, a pregnant cafeteria worker suffering nothing more malevolent than flu like symptoms begins haemorrhaging from every part of her body. In Boston, a brilliant musician, her face disfigured by an unknown disease, rapidly descends into lethal paranoia. In West Virginia, a miner suddenly goes berserk, causing a cave-in that kills two of his co-workers. Finding the link between these events could prove Fatal-Five years ago, internist and emergency specialist Matt Rutledge returned to his West Virginia home to marry his high-school sweetheart and open a practice. He also had a score to settle. His father died whilst working for the local mining company, and Matt swore to expose their health and safety violations. When his beloved wife succumbed to an unusual cancer, his campaign became even more bitterly personal. Now he has identified bizarre new incidents of illness - caused, he is certain, by the mine's careless disposal of toxic chemicals. All he needs is proof.