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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
As Interesting as it is Frightening -, April 17, 2007
This review is from: 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy (Paperback)
The devastation and havoc caused by hurricane Katrina should have been a wake up call for America. But, as soon as gas prices began to drop, media attention reverted back to the latest tabloid issues. It is with the memory of this devastation and the long list of consequences this country could endure as a result of our oil addiction, that LA Starks penned this explosive debut novel. 13 Days is an espionage thriller taking the reader as close to the industry as possible, without dawning a hard hat and being part of the crew.
With Centennial Refinery on the verge of bankruptcy and management unable to shore up their company from within, the stage was set for an outside takeover. TriCoast Energy took control of the fledgling refinery. Lynn Dayton had four weeks to prove this a profitable venture to the board of directors. She had no way of knowing what began as merely another job, would soon become a matter of life and death for the employees, the refinery, and most importantly her family. Lynn Dayton is a strong character, engaging, intelligent. Her commitment to her family is mistakenly considered a weakness for an idealist that seriously underestimated his target.
With a magna cum laude degree in engineering, MBA in finance and a career in the oil industry
LA Starks provides a glimpse into the politics, secrets, and vulnerabilities as only someone with her extensive knowledge could deliver. I found the notes, definitions, and diagrams to be invaluable resources. While the lengthy detailed narratives, seemed to slow the story and clog the brain, it is vital to describe various processes in a basic, easy to understand format, due to the complexity of the subject matter. The plot, characters, and settings are all well thought out and delivered with the expertise of an award winning author. 13 Days is an excellent read that is as interesting as it is frightening. LA Starks has created a suspense filled thriller, that will keep the reader thinking from the very first chapter. Plot twists, unexpected betrayals, manipulations and so much more, this one has it all. If you love a good thriller, that keeps you up reading way past your bed time, look no further than 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy.
RJ xx
------Personal Note------
This is an exceptionally well written novel. I found it difficult to believe it was LA Starks debut novel. Well developed characters, strong and entertaining, 13 Days is one of those rare books that stays in your thoughts long after you've finished reading it! With this being the First - readers are sure to have many exceptionally well crafted titles to choose from.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
13 Days is hot!, August 25, 2006
This review is from: 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy (Paperback)
This is a great read, fast-paced, good plot twists, entertaining. When I read, even fiction, I like to learn about something. Starks pulled me into the world of the refinery business, its risks, its jargon, painted with character's News Orleans drawls and slithering French accents. I could hear it, smell it, and see it with my eyes. I have been married to a man for 16 years who is a key investor in the natural gas business, but never really understood the workings of a refinery or that hydrogen sulfide could be such an instant, lethal killer. I would read parts of 13 Days to him for verification and he would nod, pleasantly surprised that a fiction book strove to be so accurate.
The cool Frenchman, Robert, made my skin crawl. In the same breath, I felt a sudden urge to lounge in a black silk negligee and take up smoking. Is this what Fitzgerald meant when she belted "I've got you under my skin... " Who knows? In any case, awesome character. Kudos to Stark on her first book. I hope to see more from her.
Julie Hersh
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 stars!, January 30, 2008
This review is from: 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy (Paperback)
Lynn Dayton, executive vice president for TriCoast Energy's US oil refining operations, literally put her career on the line when she convinced TriCoast's board to buy the Centennial refinery just before it hit bankruptcy court. Lynn had promised the board she would make it profitable. The refinery is on the Houston Ship Channel and has had a few technical problems recently; however, since TriCoast purchased it the problems have soared and Lynn is on a time line. Lynn quickly learns that sabotage is the main problem and that many other refineries are having the same, dangerous troubles. Workers are dying! Lynn must scramble to figure out who the saboteur is and why s/he is causing the havoc.
Things are not much better in her private life, what little she can squeeze in these days. It is up to Lynn to finance the medical care her father requires. Her younger sister, Ceil, has suddenly left the Peace Corps in Gabon and refuses to explain what caused her decision to leave the job she loved so much. There is less and less time to be spent with Cy, her boyfriend, or his kids either.
The puppetmaster controlling the ones Lynn and her team seeks is Robert Guillard. Robert is a corrupted idealist in the French Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industry. His diabolical plans are financed mainly by an Asian liaison. Just like Lynn, Robert is on a deadly time table too. Unless Robert's American puppets start doing better at their sabotaging, the Asian liaison will start reminding Robert of his need for haste. Robert plans to use Ceil to manipulate Lynn. But Robert's stereotyped image of Americans causes him to underestimate his prey.
***** To say more may cause spoilers, something I try not to do. I will add that Lynn must also deal with the normal dangers all refineries race, such as hurricane season (May - December). Many people help refineries to run smoothly and safely; therefore, this story has many characters. In case readers may become confused, the author includes a small list of the key characters in the front of the book. There is also a note section to help readers understand terms. Do not worry that any of the technical terms or items will detract from enjoying this story. I knew nothing about refineries or how they operated when I began reading this mystery thriller. The entire novel is easy to read and comprehend. As for the story line itself, the French bad guy is no secret to the reader. The question on my mind throughout the book was the identity of the saboteur. This tale will keep readers engrossed to the point that they forget all else going on around them. Truly fantastic! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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