The Constant Gardener - John Le Carré

Typical Le Carré - compelling plot, great characters, and at the same time an exploration of a contemporary issue.  The issue this time is 3rd world development, especially in Africa, and also unscrupulous activity by big pharma, hand in hand with local and international elites.  He explores how shady business practices, bribery and complicity on the part of local and foreign governments allows shocking, at times lethal, practices to continue.  Around the edges you also sense how big corporations, large mafia and top end government and political figures always somehow manage to land on their feet with each others assistance, and the rest of us be damned.  Through one of the main characters, he also explores how indifference, keeping one's head down, and misplaced loyalty make so many lesser figures complicit in this kind of immoral and illegal activity.