Karen E. Hall

Since September 11, 2001, the mind of the country has been on safety, yet little has been mentioned in the press about the industrial facilities that line our major waterways and populate our industrial cities. We drive past them every day. Are they safe? And more to the point: are we?

A mystery/thriller, Unreasonable Risk introduces Hannah Morrison, a young refinery engineer who struggles with working in a man’s world. When an explosion rips through the plant, Hannah tries to rescue a friend caught in the resulting fire. Later, she stumbles onto evidence of tampering and, determined to identify the saboteur, she persuades police to investigate. As a result of the fire, she meets and enlists the aid of an intriguing photojournalist, Noel Keller, who brings the power of the press to her search. Hannah’s resolve is tested by a series of events that push the refinery - where everything is either flammable or explosive - to the brink of catastrophe. Unreasonable Risk tells the story of a resourceful young woman fighting to save her professional reputation, the refinery, the city surrounding it and, ultimately, her life.