In Lost and Found by Tom Williams, two scientists, Peter Clopec and Brian Pauliss, are employed by Odessa Petroleum Consultants to search for oil deposits on the earth from outer space via satellite. However, the satellite’s task was doomed from the start. The density of oil at the distance from which the satellite orbits the earth is unreadable, and the CEO of the company had knowingly rigged the project in order to scheme up some insider-trading. He aims to bring down the satellite and the company with it, but not without first selling off all his stock.

Clopec and Pauliss are fired. Spiked with a wee bit of alcohol while drowning their sorrows, the two scientists have a “eureka” moment. They know how they can save the company. They break into OPC that very evening and brilliantly recalibrate the satellite to detect the density of another equally valuable resource: GOLD.

Later, as planned, the CEO sabotages the satellite and brings its orbit low enough to send it careening into the earth’s atmosphere and forever dashing the hopes of OPC investors. Little does he know that the two men had already found ninety seven anomalies, gold deposits across the earth, treasures lost from shipping vessels and ancient empires dating back as far back as King Midas, the legendary Byzantine emperor.

On this premise begins a adventure which harps back to the days of treasure hunting and pirates, but with a modern twist. The scientists aren’t out for gold for the sake of greed, but rather as proof and redemption for their work and the people and investors of the OPC company. To complicate their mission however, they’ll have to contend with one of the most hateful antagonists I think I’ve encountered in literature. William’s vivid portrayal of Cedric Bowles makes you grit your teeth and your hackles stand up. He invokes fear and loathing, apprehension, concern for the outcome of the other characters, and with enough venom to measure up to the densely compacted plot.

I found Tom William’s story built up into a crescendo in all the right places and most of it was so gripping that I didn’t want to put the book down. His writing has that magic quality, the ability to transport the reader effortlessly. When a writer achieves this, the reader’s imagination becomes fully engaged with the story so words on a page pass hardly detectable beneath the eye. The reader no longer delineates black words on white paper, but rather internalizes full action and emotion. With Lost and Found, you will arrive at this true entertainment level, the apex of good fiction.

Lost and Found is the perfect book for anyone who likes action and adventure, characters rich with three-dimensionality, so real you know them in no time, and the kind of suspense that compels you to read eagerly. The adventure of Peter Clopec and Brian Pauliss are fraught with obstacles, murder, arson, romantic rivalry, an ancient curse and even a little natural disaster, as they travel from the Gulf states halfway around the world for just a sample of the gold to prove their case. Williams is a master storyteller in that he unfolds all of this high drama with the excitement of a James Bond movie, but when all is said and done, he delivers their story as a simple one of daring, intellectual bravery and a triumph of friendship and love over greed.

Will we see more of Peter Clopec and Brian Pauliss? After all, the satellite has detected ninety-five more anomalies to be explored… ( )

A captivating story about a modern-day treasure hunt. The story covers one of man’s favorite pastimes – searching for gold, but with the distinct advantage of today’s technology, satellites!!
They have a corrupt boss, and beautiful salvage captain, and travel. The characters travel to Turkey and there follows a quest for the riches that is fun, intriguing and non-stop action, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. In the exciting race for the treasure, the cast of characters battle a treacherous storm, an earthquake, a tsunami, and each other. A pleasurable read!! ( )