The Pythagorean Solution

By Joseph Badal

Book Overview

When recently divorced American John Hammond arrives on the Aegean island of Samos, he is unaware of events that happened nearly seven decades earlier that will embroil him in death and violence, and change his life forever.

Late one night he finds Greek fisherman Petros Vangelos mortally wounded in an alley. Vangelos gives Hammond a coded map before he expires. With that map, Hammond becomes the link to a Turkish tramp steamer named Sabiya that sank in a storm in 1945 with a fortune in gold and jewels aboard. Also on the Sabiya, in a waterproof safe, are documents that implicate a long-dead German SS Officer in the theft of tens of millions of dollars in valuables from Holocaust victims and the laundering of those valuables by the Nazi's Swiss banker partner. That partnership helped build a huge banking enterprise that is now run by that Swiss banker's son who will stop at nothing to prevent disclosure of his father's crimes.

Hammond's visit to Samos quickly turns into a roller coaster ride on which he encounters violence, new friendships, and a woman he loves, all of which irrevocably alter the course of his life.

"The Pythagorean Solution" is a thrilling, non-stop adventure that will make the reader want to reserve a seat on a flight to Samos.

"The Pythagorean Solution" was author Joseph Badal's first thriller, released originally in 2003. This edition was rewritten, updated, and released in April 2015.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0692434496
• ISBN13: 9780692434499
• Release Date: April 2015
• Publisher: Suspense Publishing
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Pythagorean Solution

This is an great story told by a person who lived in Greece for some time as an American Army officer and knows Greek language, places, traditions, and the people. I hardly put the book down. Not as long but in the mold of the da Vinci Code. I undertstand this was Badal's first go at a real novel. I also understand he has another recently published about terrorists and the Athens Summer Olympics. This will be my next book for sure. If you want a fast, entertaining read, the Pythagorean Solution is your book!! P.S. You don't really need to know anything much about geometry to like this story.

Non-stop Suspense in the Greek Isles

Pythagorean Solution is a non-stop thrill ride set in modern day Greece. What I loved about this story is the main character is believeable, not some super human who I couldn't identify with. The story moves you along from one exciitng scene to the next - the story has everything! Lost gold, beautiful Aegean setting, humor, international intrigue, a love story, and a treasure hunt! For a first novel, Badal hit a home run; can't wait for his next thriller. I couldn't put the book down. Enjoy!

Exciting and face-paced

A very impressive first novel and the perfect summer read. Plot, characters, fabulous Aegean location, non-stop action, love interest, I don't see how it can miss as a movie; the screenplay writes itself. If this doesn't end up on the screen, the author needs to find himself a new agent. I like face-paced books, and this one is warp speed all the way. Hang on!

Exciting Story - Great Characters.

While I usually prefer American-set mysteries, skimming ?The Pythagorean Solution? gave me confidence to buy it - and I am glad I did. A distinctive, literate prose style and interesting, diverse characters that continually reveal themselves are what I look for in any book - and Badal delivers on both counts. The mystery itself has a compact, well-told story that never disappoints and has enough twists to keep you going without ever feeling forced. The Greek setting is a big plus; if you have ever visited the Greek Isles, it will bring back memories and if you have not, it will make you want to go. On the dust jacket, Tony Hillerman says he?s looking forward to this novice novelist?s next book. Well, so am I.

Comments

If you are an avid mystery reader, THE PYTHAGOREAN SOLUTION is a must!!! Its an adventure that will keep your interest from the first page to the last. Mr. Badal has the unique ability to transport his readers thru vivid mind-pictures into a land of exotic peoples and their culture. He weaves a great love for and knowledge of the Greek people and their history into a mystery spanning decades whose solution is to be found in the "Mind" of the distant past. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading Mr. Badal's next book due out in early 2004. -------- Norma Senn, a mystery buff from Albuquerque