Synopsis

Just chosen to lead the drilling division of TriCoast Energy, protagonist Lynn Dayton is determined to prove herself capable but faces more than just the usual water cooler backstabbing. In West Texas and beyond, Lynn must battle former TriCoast executive Henry Vandervoost and international power players who conspire to eliminate her and her colleagues, foil conspiracies to sabotage natural gas plants, and complete a merger that will ensure that a valuable oilfield technology remains in the hands of those who will use it to benefit the world.

Booklife Review/Publishers Weekly Review:
“Starks’s latest thriller, the fourth in her Lynn Dayton series, takes readers on a raucous ride with Lynn Dayton, senior executive at energy company TriCoast, as she navigates the high-stakes oil and gas industry. Dayton, stepping into a new position at TriCoast after the shocking murder of her predecessor, has a full plate: she’s overseeing a crucial merger with another energy company—one in possession of a highly-in-demand water recycling technology—and has previous TriCoast VP Henry Vandervoost breathing down her neck, thanks to Dayton’s role in ousting him from the company. When the merger goes south, Dayton’s quickly swept into a fiery blaze of scheming, rivalries, and geopolitical tension.

“Fast-paced and dramatic, Starks’s novel offers a slew of fascinating characters, including spies, estranged fathers, and both upstanding and morally corrupt politicians, all while establishing Dayton as a strong female lead, succeeding in a male-dominated, treacherous industry. Starks not only showcases the profession’s heavy sexism but also its complex web of power, effectively weaving in her own experience in the global energy sector to build a sharp plot that’s bolstered by obvious insider knowledge . . . Starks works hard to balance technical details with a gripping narrative.

“Despite the many subplots that eventually unfold, from corporate rivalries to international politics, the novel ultimately comes together well, offering plenty of twists and turns along the way. Dayton’s undertakings are as risky as they are critical, but Starks offsets the danger with hefty character-driven scenes that will resonate with readers. This riveting page-turner can be read as a standalone—and will appeal to genre fans as well as those seeking a glimpse into the make-or-break world of global energy.

“Takeaway: Gripping sprint through the make-or-break oil and gas industry.”