WHITEWASH
Alex Kava
Mira Books
Thriller
ISBN 10: 0778324400
ISBN-13: 9780778324409

In Tallahassee, Florida, scientists at EcoEnergy have made a breakthrough in their search for an alternative fuel source to replace America's dependency on foreign oil. The process, which converts refuse and waste materials into oil, promises a cleaner environment and decreased energy costs. This will have an astounding economic impact on American and global markets but has made some prominent people very nervous. The possibility of losing their monopoly on controlling oil prices and production threatens foreign oil-producing countries, which stand to lose billions.

Preparations are underway to announce the successful scientific breakthrough during an international energy summit, which will be attended by some of the most influential power brokers from Washington, D.C. and all over the world. But all is not as it seems.

Dr. Dwight Lansik, the head scientist at EcoEnergy, fails to show up for a secret meeting. He has some critical and damaging information that could jeopardize the laboratory's funding and reputation. Days before the summit, Dr. Lansik is nowhere to be found. In his absence, Sabrina Galloway, one of EcoEnergy's rising-star scientists, is directed to give a VIP tour of the facility for a high-profile Senate contingent and potential investors with deep pockets.

Sabrina is a Chicago transplant living in Florida to be near her once-brilliant father, who is in a mental institution following his breakdown after his wife's death. Sabrina's father has lost touch with reality, and Sabrina is no longer in contact with her brother Eric, who blames their father for their mother's death. To compensate for her lonely and painful family life, Sabrina dedicates herself to her work at the lab, where competition among the scientists is fierce. After Sabrina is selected to give a VIP tour in place of her missing boss, jealousy among her co-workers intensifies.

During the tour, Sabrina makes an unsettling discovery. She observes that the carefully guarded production process, which converts waste matter into oil, has been violated. The breakdown of this intricate process could spread toxic waste into the Florida waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. To confirm her findings about this environmental disaster-in-the-making, Sabrina needs to consult with Lansik, who is still missing. And none of the other scientists or the executives at EcoEnergy seem to be concerned about Lansik's disappearance.

Lurking in the shadows, a dangerous adversary finds out about Sabrina's suspicions. Her knowledge about the toxic leak puts her life in jeopardy. When an attempt to kill her goes deadly wrong, she must flee after she is accused of murder. Isolated and alone, Sabrina believes she has no one to turn to for help. 

WHITEWASH is an interesting page-turner with memorable characters, most notably Sabrina and her neighbor Miss Sadie. But this is not a book for readers with weak stomachs. Some of the descriptions of the waste conversion process are so graphic that I flipped past those pages. Still, I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to anyone who likes reading thrillers about corporate greed, shadow governments and international conspiracies.

   --- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

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