Book Review: 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy

Title: 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy

Author: L.A. Starks

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Review:

Wow...it took me a while to really get sucked into the novel, but once I was hooked and found myself in a comfy couch, I was flipping the pages as fast as possible. I loved the whole plot because I found it to be very unique. The characters were very realistic and I loved how the story is told from both the protagonist and villain's point of view.

The protagonist of the novel, Lynn, is the executive manager of a oil company. She made a huge investment in purchasing several oil refineries; she knows there is no room for mistakes as many of her coworkers don't respect her because she is a female working in a male dominated industry. Her career depends on making a profit from the refinery. However, trouble seems to follow Lynn every where.

The novel opens with Lynn dealing with a fatal accident on the rig in which 4 workers are killed from a  gas leak. At first, it seems like the accident was caused by a careless mistake. However, soon another accident occurs...and another...and another. As Lynn's credibility plunges, she can't help but feel as if someone is delibrately sabotaging the company. 

Lynn's instinct are correct, as readers quickly find out when the novel switches POV. Robert is the mastermind behind all the "accidents" occurring. A rather haughty Frenchman, Robert has made a deal with Sensei, another oil company. If he can help Sensei become a major company in America, then Robert will be able make quite a bit of profit and fund a project of his interest (providing third world countries their own oil refineries.) 

It takes a bit of time for the plot to really start moving along, since the first 1/3 of the book is mostly Lynn trying keep everything under control as she witnesses the sabotage caused by Robert and his crew. However, once Lynn suspects foul play is involved, then the game of cat and mouse really gets kicked up a notch.

The author really knows what she is talking about in regards of the oil/energy industry. Starks seems to be very familiar with terminology related to the business; fortunately for reader, she has taken the time to explain what terms such as sour crude and sulfer hydroxide mean.  The plot pacing of the novel isn't particularly fast, nor is it particularly slow; I guess you could say that the plot was medium paced through and through.

I recommend this book if you're looking for a good mystery (yes, even though you do know that Robert is the mastermind behind the "accidents", you don't know who is the person doing the actual crimes) but not a fast paced novel.

Rating: