Book Review: The Siberia Job by Josh Haven

Author: Josh Haven

Title: The Siberia Job

Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller

Format: Paperback

Pages: 384

Expected publication June 6, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Publisher/author for my unbiased and honest opinion)

Summary: 

After the demise of the Soviet Union, the newly established Russian government privatized its industry by issuing vouchers to all of its citizens, allowing them the chance to be shareholders in the country’s burgeoning businesses. The slips are distributed among the population, and auctions are arranged where they can be exchanged for actual shares. For the country’s rural populations living in abject poverty, the vouchers appear to be little more than pieces of paper, totally separated from the far-off concept of potential future fortunes. 

But for Texas businessman John Mills and his Czech companion, Petr Kovac, the seemingly valueless chits suggest a lucrative potential, worth much more than what the current owners are willing to sell them for. They travel to the farthest, coldest reaches of the country to acquire vouchers for the country’s national oil company, Gazneft, roving from town to town with suitcases full of cash. But they quickly learn that the plan has complications--for example, the fact that the auctions at which these vouchers are traded for actual shares have been planned at the most remote, inaccessible locations possible to deter outsiders from buying in. When the Russian mafia and the oligarchs in charge of Gazneft catch wind of their successes, the stakes become suddenly more deadly.

Review:

After reading the summary I knew I had to check this one out. 

The story follows John and Petr and their journey. They see a lucrative potential in Russia after the demise of the Soviet Union. They will quickly learn that their plan will have some serious complications and even some danger. 

I will admit this took me a while to really get into it. The beginning was a hair slow for me. However, once it got its hooks into me....I was absolutely hooked. I stayed up WAAAAAY too late. Whoopsies. But totally worth it being tired at work the next day. 

What made this extra thriller-ish for me is knowing that this was based on a true story and I was able to resist temptation to look anything up. I quite literally had zero idea so I had to know what was going to happen! There was a moment near the end that brought a tiny tear to my eye. Didn't see that coming. 

What really surprised me was the sprinkle of humor. There was one scene that had me laugh so hard!!!! It was a nice surprise. There is a lot of serious-ness, drama, and financial talk so the humor moments helped lighten the mood. 

There were some financial talk but the author did a good job simplifying it so readers, like me, could follow along enough and not be bogged down by complicated stuff. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. The beginning was a little rough for me. It took a bit for me to really get into the story, but once I was I became invested! This was pretty good and I recommend it to those that like a little financial danger mixed with physical danger and a splash of humor. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.