State of Wonder by Anne Patchett

Research scientist Marina Singh is sent to the depths The Amazon rainforest to find out how her research partner and friend Anders Eckman had died there. He was tracking progress on a new fertility drug being developed by the maverick Dr Swenson, a mentor of Marina's in a former life she would prefer to forget. Marina endures side effects from malaria drugs, insects, snakes and arrows to follow in Anders' footsteps through the rainforest and discover the mystery surrounding Dr Swenson. This book was shortlisted for the Orange Prize 2012, and Anne Patchett's Bel Canto is a former Orange Prize winner.